Going forward, the Republican party must absolutely change how it does business if it is to have a chance at achieving majority status in Washington, D.C. It cannot rely upon missteps of the Democrat party in order to gain marketshare or the majority; “We the People” must have a reason to vote for the Republican party, not simply against the Democrat party.

The Republican party must realize that it is now the party that must defend what we find in our Declaration of Independence as, “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” This megatrend — this theme — ought to be the over-arching, irreducible principle upon which a lasting majority can build itself. Every issue should be sifted through this filter, as this concept is what makes the Constitution so valuable and so worthy of defense.

But what does this mean, practically?

Let’s take an issue — a very defining issue of our time — and use that issue as an example for this rallying cry: Social Security and retirement accounts (think: 401(k)).

- Life. Viability requires income to be sustained. We can only go on in life if we have the means by which to enable day-to-day operations. All Americans can agree that we, as a nation, ought to promote savings and investment to secure at least a reasonable livelihood once we have retired from work (defined as ceasing to add seed money (capital) into an account).

- Liberty. Since we agree that savings ought to be a national notion, the real difference between the Democrats and the Republicans is how to offer and sustain (for an indefinite period of time) such an “after-work” livelihood. Conservatives must be willing to “go to the mat,” as it were, to promote private property rights to every individual’s fruit of labor. This means that concepts such as “personal accounts” (the private property variable in this example) must be “on the table” and that any means necessary (e.g.: parliamentary procedure in the House; filibuster in the Senate) must be used in order to demand inclusion at all costs for “personal accounts.” Where there is no freedom for the individual to determine how to manifest their livelihood, there is absolutely no liberty.

- Pursuit of Happiness. In this instance, individuals must not only be allowed to keep the fruit of their labor in a “personal account” (again, the private property variable) that cannot be touched by congressional hands, but Republicans must also ensure — by any tactical means necessary in terms of legislative maneuvers — that absolutely no regulation is set up to prevent the individual from subsequently using the “personal account” precisely as they see fit.

In today’s political climate, the reality is that the Democrats can steamroll over the Republicans any time they wish. That’s OK. Right now, the Republicans would probably lose on an issue such as this, precisely because they’re too limited in minority status. There should therefore be absolutely no reason to not proverbially lay all the cards on the table and go for broke. 

Remember, this is about laying the groundwork, and if Republicans aren’t willing to do it now while they’re in the minority (and they’re on the record just the same as if they were in the majority), they aren’t going to do it later.

OK, but what about visibility on such an ideology?

Great question! Here are the principles by which the Republican party must strategically maneuver their public perception into ultimate reality:

- Get Sold on Individualism. The legislator must be absolutely sold on “Life, Libery, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Then, that legislator must be willing to get together with other like-minded individuals and become an activist. Act like your political future depends on what you believe (in fact, it does anyway). If a Republican is willing to take on this mantle and put the pedal to the metal, others will follow, as will surrogates that will help to promote this agenda.

- Take Responsibility and Stop Whining. It no longer matters what the press thinks. The grass roots on both sides inherently knows this; the Republican party must still catch the proverbial clue. It is not the press’s fault for why you’re not winning; it’s your fault. Today, make the decision to stop whining and start activism. That’s how you will get it done.

- Shout, Rinse, Repeat. Becoming an activist for a cause means you must incessantly repeat your message. Consequentially, the other side will throw all kinds of bovine excrement in your specific direction. Therefore, when — not if — that happens, take a proverbial shower, dry off, and go out and do it all over again. The persisent legislator will win the agenda.

The fascinating thing about creating visibility for yourself is that it can be done at any time, regardless of being in the minority or the majority. That’s because when you stand on issues and create common sense solutions to those issues, the noise you make for their defense will always win out over the opponent’s static, assuming you are persistent; otherwise, you shouldn’t even try, because then you’ll be reduced to negative sound bits.

Here’s the dirty little secret about all of this: Democrats have been doing this for decades; their proverbial playbook has never changed, because it works! Incidentally, Speaker Newt Gingrich’s “Contract with America” was, essentially, what I’m talking about. And it worked, too.

Maybe the Republican party should start doing what works?

-Phil