What Do Conservatives Do Now?

It is day one after the glass ceiling was shattered, and US markets are down 5%. I thought a forward looking stock market would be jubilant that six months from now Obama's policies are going to kick in and the economy will jump to life next year? Finally, a way out of the Great Depression Two, right? Finally, an end to unemployment that is half of what it was 30 years ago. Finally, a rapid decline in gas prices once greedy Cheney is gone. Geesh, I would think investors would be giddy at the money individuals will have available to throw back into our economy with their soon to be new purchasing power?

WHAT SHOULD WE THINK NOW?

Let's call today the "Great Awakening" for conservatives. With John McCain, Republicans looked in their "maybe if we elect a moderate, more tolerant leader, independent voters will like us" playbook and they've lost again. This after eight years of George Bush who I would argue played like a conservative to get elected but really hasn't been much of one. Oh, he is a Republican, but not a conservative.

We seem to have the mindset as Christians Jesus would want us to play nice with the other side. Jesus would ask us to speak out softly for our ideals and then go away when we are steamrolled. The whole "turn the other cheek" mindset. THIS IS A LIE and will cost us elections every time. Jesus also told his people to actually make war against disobedient enemies of God's people, but we always seem to forget this side of our Saviour. We are the only thing holding this culture together. As our values continue to get pushed out of the marketplace of ideas, we continue to see things run amok.

Oh, I know, you can't legislate morality many Christians say, even though we legislate lots of things like murder and stealing to name two big ones. Even if you can't legislate morality what about voting to protect our rights as Christians? If we don't vote this way, who is going to?? Why do we keep having to be so soft in the face of people who really, at their core, hate us and our ideals? They aren't going to stop hating us because we sit in the corner meekly extending our hands in bi-partisan support while they are never bi-partisan themselves.

I think we as conservatives need to gain some perspective on what has just happened. John McCain couldn't truly articulate conservative values because he doesn't share them. George Bush is a Republican but not a conservative. Very few of his policies were based on solid conservative ideas. He spent money like a Democrat, he left the border unprotected, the judges he appointed are moderate, he left social issues up to the states, and he couldn't articulate why conservative tax policy is the only way to lift all boats. John McCain is far more to the center-left than the right. Mr. McCain just got defeated by independents 60%-39% last night. I thought independents were going to be attracted to this new open-minded, tolerant Republican?? It didn't work. Despite what the media tells you, Sarah Palin was the only excitement Republicans had this election cycle.

What should we do now? First of all, don't call the other side stupid or ignorant. This degrades our real arguments and is the same thing they do to us. Don't be Ann Coulter. She may be right, but she makes us all look bad by being so mean spirited with her rhetoric. Second, don't root for Obama to put us back in the 1970's when inflation and unemployment were double digits. I would rather be blatantly wrong about this election and see folks succeed and prosper than sit around rooting for things to blow up so we can be proven right. Third, if and when things do implode, and I think they are going to, be ready to articulate your viewpoint with fervor. Be passionate about it. Don't shrink from the fight. Don't be afraid. Always remember that God eventually withholds his blessings from nations that turn from him. Our clock is ticking and we need to develop courage rather quickly before it is too late. We are called 'salt and light' to those around us. Without us, make no mistake the country's superpower status will crumble. Not because we are special, but because we serve the God of the Earth. Finally, pray and remember God is in control. Don't use this as a crutch to justify doing nothing, but keep it in your heart to remember we serve a King who is all powerful and will one day hold everyone accountable for their actions.