It is unconscionable that this massive spending bill has been passed by the Democrats in the United States Congress and not one of these sterling legislators had an opportunity to read the final draft. As the details become clear, the fact that this bill has little to do with economic stimulus and everything to do with increasing government control over more and more of our private lives will become obvious. 

There will be a massive attempt by both the Democrats and their media sycophants to mask the consequences of this behemoth "government takeover bill" but the truth of the details will emerge. As they do, the outrage of rational people will explode. 

The song, “Abraham, Martin and John,” written by Richard Holler in 1968, was a salute to the legacy of three men who left an ever-lasting impression and vision for this nation. They were Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King and John F Kennedy. Though many today scour the archives of history to bring us the not so elegant moments of these fine men, their achievements and their contributions will remain untarnished.  

Indeed, at this time when we honor the memory and achievements of the great presidents of our past, it is appropriate to ask the question: “Has anybody seen our old friend Abraham?” Can you tell us where the inspiring vision he, and those like him, had for America, has gone? 

The concern for Barack Obama’s near total lack of experience to be the President of the United States was pooh-poohed early in the Democratic Primaries. After all, we were told, Obama had once been a community organizer and served as a State Senator for the State of Illinois. Besides, who could challenge a stellar record of voting present 129 times during his time in that office. As for the fact that he had absolutely no experience at the executive level, well, he did such a great job of running his campaign. 

In his brief three weeks in office however, Barack Obama has succeeded in dusting the glitter from the eyes of many who rushed to be humble servers of harmonious platitudes for his inaugural honeymoon.  Those of us who did not run to join the enamored throngs fawning over the new president, did not have long to wait to have our caution justified. Our “Uniter in Chief” has even managed to evoke outrage from European communities because of the Smoot-Hawleyesque trade protectionism provisions in his stimulus bill.  

From using U.S taxpayer’s dollars to fund abortion in the international community, to what has become an embarrassing joke in his cabinet choices, Obama’s early critics have been vindicated. The joke however, is not on the president; it is on those who put so much faith in a man that has raced out of the box with his shoe laces tied together. 

President Obama’s naiveté has been on full display, as he has chosen to champion an omnibus spending bill in the name of economic stimulus. The president completely fumbled the incredible opportunity inadvertently handed to him by former President Bush, an opportunity he now refers to as a mess tied up in a bow and dropped in his lap by the outgoing Bush Administration. 

Instead of seizing the moment and actually developing plans and strategies that would have had an immediate and positive effect on the economy, he chose to go for the liberal brass ring and replace our system of economics with socialism. Moreover, he refuses to recognize that a majority of the people do not support his bill, a bill exposed as having little to do with stimulus and everything to do with pet projects and political payoffs. 

By hotly defending the indefensible, Barack Obama chooses to violate the first rule of holes. Specifically, when you find yourself in one, stop digging. With just three weeks in office, Barack Obama has already presented the GOP with everything they need to make significant electoral gains in 2010 and to be in a strong position to win back the White House in 2012. 

To accomplish this, Republicans must do three things: 

(1) Develop and “aggressively” market solid alternatives to all Democrat initiatives, especially as they pertain to national security, personal freedoms and the economy. (2) Effectively use the fact that for now, Barack Obama is in over his head with respect to the level at which he is expected to perform in the office he holds, and, (3) exploit Obama’s inability to deal effectively with confrontation. 

Obama expects to get his way and his true character is revealed when he is openly challenged. The GOP would do well to make him earn his every political victory the hard way.    

The GOP We Want to See

Many, in both political camps, have decided that they are all-powerful and have the answer for what Republicans must do to again become a viable party. It would be a fairly safe bet to put little to no stock in the declarations coming from the opposition. Advice from those who profess Republican bone fides and yet echo the advice from those who aspire to permanently banish us to minority status is equally ill advised. 

The key to a Republican resurgence will not be in the form of a campaign slogan, rhetorical message or demographic pandering; it will require strategy and tactics.

For starters, Republicans must end the intimidation factor of the mainstream press. The media is for the most part an organization with a serious liberal bias. Republicans need to understand that no amount of pandering will result in favorable media coverage. Since the media have now adopted both a partisan and a political agenda however, Republicans “must” subject these agents of propaganda to the same vetting process and public scrutiny as the media does the candidates. The media must not be allowed to operate as a political party incognito.      

Moreover, the Republican message has no punch. It is delivered in a fog of non-committal rhetoric couched in words without conviction. Call it the Miranda approach, they want to be sure that nothing they say can and will be used against them. It may be a politically safe approach but it hardly instills confidence and does even less for respect in the American voter. For all the reasons that have caused Republicans to suffer at the polls, this spineless, conciliatory, back peddling sits at the top of the list. 

In addition, linking Democrats to notorious figures is a non-starter. The left celebrates unsavory and radical behavior. Domestic terrorist, William Ayers, is now enjoying celebrity status as a result of being used in this manner in the last election. What is required is an airtight argument as to the dangers, consequences and deterioration we suffer as a nation as a result of this despicable behavior. Only then, can the Democrats’ frequent associations with these individuals be linked with those of such disgusting character and reputation. 

Perhaps the most effective strategy the Dems have developed is the ability to take even the most direct and damaging charges or criticism from the right and turn them into a point of ridicule against them. It is effectively accomplished by issuing a blanket rejection of the charges and a militaristic discipline among Democrats to echo these talking points verbatim. Republicans must develop a serious “anti-talking-point” strategy. 

A perfect example of this is the results of a November 18 survey conducted by Zogby International. Of the 512 Obama voters who were given questions in the multiple-choice survey, only 2% were able to correctly answer all of the questions about Barack Obama and only about 50% could correctly answer half or more. However, over 80% of these same people were able to correctly answer negative questions about John McCain and Sarah Palin. 

         The Republican Party can regain the position of leadership: if, they demonstrate the dangers of the current entitlement mentality; clearly articulate that our rights come from god not government; dispel the growing perception of “rule by the government;” awaken the ability in the people to think for themselves; put names to those responsible for our failures and most importantly, “dare to lead.”