Republicans Can Reach for a New Path Forward

The Grand Old Party may be tarnished and bruised but isn't necessarily irrelevant in today's world. It has a place and is still part of our national development. Many Republicans are grappling with what to do now and where their focus should lay. I don't need to talk about what happened at the capital as these problems were brewing for some time. What it did do is push Republicans and the nation to question our direction. Republicans have an opportunity to rebrand and focus.  

In a previous post I noted that I'm fiscally a Republican, socially a Democrat, but first and foremost an American. Over the years it has come to be known for its low taxes, capitalism, and conservative social policies. Parties change from these essential values and sometimes take on temporary values around key "influencers". Democrats' are not immune to this shifting of temporary values and run similar risks when they shout down alternative perspectives. 

In the article Why Republicans Should Brand Around Their Core Principles? there is a little discussion on being more inclusive to their brand and open to new ideas. Success comes from thinking about things in new ways that happens through diversity of thought and exploration of the value of new ideas. It doesn't come from silencing differences of opinion and incivility.

In recent times you could sense that the party has become less inclusive and more focused on very narrow principles that appear to be hung over from an older time. Young people were not much interested in joining the party and out of some of those that did you could see them bounce back in their head if I said my name was "Murad". 

A party that is relevant must solve problems in a way that attracts and motivates are larger societal base.

Its important consider the needs of the Millennials and brand our brand around principles that are inclusive and designed to help young people achieve their goals. We live in a diverse America and the next generation will put their money where their values reside. You may read the article Why Are Democrats Out Funding Republicans? 

What I say is unlikely to make everyone happy. Republicans are accustomed to thinking about things in one way and people like me challenge them to think about their long-term value. No snickering from the other side please 👀. It is important for Democrats to remember that without counter balance they will themselves will eventually implode through over focus on internal differences (It has something to do with definitions of purpose). 

As long as both parties are working to create a beneficial nation and are focused on grounded principles the political system can push for adaptation into a stronger entity. Dominating differences, finger pointing, and hyper politics from both sides destroy growth for everyone. We have seen national decline over the past 10-20 years and our leaders fight over depleting resources (We need a paradigm shift to a growth economy that creates opportunities). 

If I were to pick six major principles during my morning coffee that Republicans can refocus on I would initially pick the following:

1. Local Governance: Solving problems as close to the people as possible for maximum democratic participation. Encouraging people of different backgrounds to get involved in government. Let us have people feel as though they have an avenue for grievances and issues.

2. Economic Development: Pushing for the growth of a business environment that encourages small, medium and large business to have a fair capitalistic system that is well balanced. Develop a nation that attracts international and local investments.

3. Human Capacity: Inclusive development of American skills and abilities that leads to equal access to opportunity and a more competitive nation. We can't succeed on 49% of people. Republicanism has nothing to do with a particular race.

4. Values and Ethics: Religion, ethics, and values have something to offer. Protecting religious practice and encouraging ethics and values is important to create a central values system Americans can support. 

5. Evidence Decision-Making: We need people focused on facts and evidence. Science and logical decision making should guide all of our decisions. 

6. Fiscal Responsibility: We don't want our nation to be plagued in debt that stretches from generation to generation. Focus on using money wisely to help us be more financially wise for long-term sustainability.

I am getting to an age I realize people will be angry with just about everything. It probably has something more to do with their lives than anyone else. Yet that is just what we have become and I hope that wiser more central voices can become central to national guidance.