There is much at risk as we evaluate the issues facing this nation and the stakes are extremely high. From the critical questions of how best to proceed in the Middle East to developing realistic economic strategies that will revitalize American businesses, we cannot afford to address these issues in terms of their political price tag.
The American people have been sending a signal to Washington to govern, not rule and if both the Republicans and the Democrats continue to ignore them, at some point, the people are likely to take matters into their own hands. It is in this regard that many Americans are beginning to look at our government in terms of investment. It is our money that is being invested in government programs and those programs are more and more becoming very high risk. The question for Republicans, is, can they “capitalize” on this attitude?
There appear to be two key factors that will have significant influence on the Congressional races in 2010. First is the growing disappointment among moderate and independent voters with the policies of the Obama administration and the second is the segment of society that was once referred to as the “silent majority.” Both factors could be quite positive for the Republicans in 2010 but it is unclear if the leadership in the Party is paying any attention.
If Republican elites weren't paying attention before however, surely they can't ignore the significance of what has happened in the run up to the special election in New York’s 23rd Congressional district. To ignore these rumblings from the majority of the American people is to do so at their political peril.
Of all the events that have occurred since the elections in 2008, of great significance is the phenomenon referred to as “Tea Parties.” Political events have always been organized and sponsored by political party activists, candidates and special interest groups. Tea Parties by contrast, are the clearest example of actual grassroots politics to occur in tens of decades.
The key point that Republicans must take away from this newfound grassroots activism is to recognize the passion that is stirring in the electorate and tap into it, not view it as simply an emotional outburst from the great unwashed. To misread or dismiss this passion is to underscore exactly why the people are so agitated. Specifically, the government no longer represents their interests and is completely out of touch with real America.
Curiously, the current Republican leadership has been trying to "shush" these vocal members in their Party. They have expressed their concern with the vociferous outcry from the heathen masses that attended Tea Parties and crowded Town Hall meetings this past summer. They demand a more subservient posture, lest the sensitivities of the moderates be offended.
If the Republican leadership continues to refuse to get on board with this new attitude in America, an attitude that is more than just an organized protest by some special interest group, they will lose far more than a few squishy moderate votes.
The left is in full campaign mode to diminish the momentum that has been generated by grassroots America. They are attempting to demean, humiliate and characterize those now fully engaged in the political process as “knuckle-dragging” Neanderthals. The Republican Party leadership would do well to ignore these taunts; the message their constituents are sending them is “Can you hear us now?”
The cliché is trite but appropriate; the sleeping giant that is mainstream America is now quite awake and is in no mood to be led, coerced, intimidated or threatened. In short, they fully expect those whom they elected to represent them, to legislate, not dictate. Should those in elected office fail to understand that point, they will learn the lesson of high-risk politics the hard way.
Mainstream America has reached the point where business as usual in Washington has exceeded the law of diminishing returns. They intend to cut their losses among those now in elected office who fail to deliver on the people’s business. To do otherwise is a risk they aren’t willing to take.