Reclaiming Conservatism

A new generation of Republican leaders will face a significant challenge. They will have to devise an offensive strategy against a radical left whose precedence America has not seen at home. A radical left that is funded by Soros, inspired by Hugo Chavez and employed by Obama.

They will also have to reclaim one of the most cherished and misused terms in politics: Conservatism.

The future of American conservatism is not in the hands of pundits in Washington. It is entirely in the hands of young politicians, especially those who are active in our state legislatures and gubernatorial offices. It is with their deeds, not pundit words, that American conservatism will be rebuilt.

Conservative state politicians face predominantly three challenges today. First, they must fight for government transparency. Too much government spending is taking place behind closed doors and in closed books. This invites recklessness, waste and even corruption. To avoid public insight into their finances, many state and local government agencies put up ridiculous FOIA barriers and charge incredulously for people to see what they are actually doing with taxpayer money.

More transparency in government spending is a pillar of conservatism - regardless of whether it is Democrats or Republicans who are wasting our money.

Secondly, conservative state politicians must show that they are serious about shrinking government. There are two big areas to focus on: Medicaid and public education. Many self-proclaimed conservatives sign on to increased Medicaid coverage and more money to inefficient public schools for no other reasons than political narcissism. That has got to change.

The new generation of conservatives must expand free-market health care down to low income families, who need the benefits of the benefits of the free market the most. They must also have the fortitude to take on teachers' unions and push for free school choice.

It is very important that with Medicaid and school choice reforms come tax cuts for middle class Americans.

Thirdly, the new generation of conservatives must put an end to corporate welfare in all its forms, from subsidies and special tax breaks to big businees bailouts. Instead, they should minimize taxation and regulation and trust businesses to grow and thrive in a free economy.

Tax breaks, welfare checks and bailouts benefit big corporations but do nothing but raise the tax and red tape burden on small businesses.

With these points in mind, a new generation of conservatives can set the tone in American politics for decades to come.