We Have Much to Talk About in the GOP
           Let me share a portion of an email I received last Thursday.
“Don:Â I’m in communication with many neighbors on a Conservative group within our Neighborhood website. There is a strong consensus in our group that we would like to primary Todd Young with someone that will stand up for the Indiana constituents and will hear our voice. We do not like Todd Young views ….”
Which reminded me of an exchange in early January of this year. Appearing on Hannity Tuesday night (January 5, 2021), Eric Trump told GOP senators and congressman to either join the effort to challenge the results of the 2020 election during a joint session of Congress on Wednesday or find new work.
“
Tomorrow‘s gonna tell you a lot about the country,” Eric Trump said. “Because I can tell you, Sean, any senator or any congressman that does not … fight
tomorrow, their political career is over. Because the MAGA movement is going nowhere.”
Eric Trump went on to spell out the threat a little further – telling Fox News host SeanHannity that any Republican member of Congress who defies the president will face an intra-party challenge when they run for reelection.
“They will get primaried next time around. And they will lose – if they don’t show some backbone and show some conviction.”
           Is this the future of the Republican Party? Are we going to talk with one another about who we are and what we believe, or are we going to succumb to social media and cable news misinformation? If Republicans don’t get their act together in short order and articulate a vision for America that can counter the agenda the far left is foisting on the Biden administration, we risk losing the confidence of our own party’s quiet majority.
Can We Start A Conversation?
           This will be much easier when we can be face-to-face without a mask between us, but here goes. I believe we should support fundamental Republican ideals and be responsive and responsible in our application of those ideals. I’ll suggest some phrases to start the conversation and ask that you add your own. We can negotiate a common ground.
REPUBLICAN
Believe in limited government.
Have faith in communities.
Revere institutions.
Support the rule of law.
Defend the Constitution.
Maintain the Republic.
RESPONSIVE
Listen and hear.
Be problem solvers.
Serve every American.
Be sensitive to cultural change.
Encourage participation in government.
Be available to constituents.
RESPONSIBLE
Provide for people in need.
Support balanced budgets.
Insist on transparency.
Believe in personal responsibility.
Learn from our past.
Speak and repeat only truth.
Be steadfast in character and morals.
           As we go through this year, we need to take time to talk to each other and share our views. In the 2022 State Convention we will adopt a party platform. We need to be on the same page, or close to it, by then.
If a Bill is Labeled “Various Elections Matters”, Look Out
           A number of bills moving through this session of the Indiana General Assembly are labeled, “Various Elections Matters”. Three Senate bills in particular are of interest: SB 353 (Erin Houchin – R); SB398 (Greg Walker – R); and, SB402 (J.D. Ford- D). On Monday, February 8th, the Senate Elections Committee was scheduled to meet at 9:00 am to hear testimony on several pieces of legislation. Question: Have any of your State Legislators ever ask you about bills relating to elections they have authored?