Getting Republicans Back on Track

By: Randall Thompson

Former Republican House Majority Leader, Dick Armey, wrote in his book, Armey’s Axioms, “When we act like us, we win. When we act like them, we lose.” Such words seem appropriate after the 2008 general election. However, there is so much more to those words today than when they were written.

I cannot tell you how many times during the Bush Administration political staffers at the state and federal level would seemingly say the same thing, ‘I didn’t sign up for this.’ From the ill-executed war in Iraq to the prescription drug plan to the recent government bailout, many republicans – both grassroots and professionals alike – were caught off-guard by the brand of conservatism and, thus, the brand of republicanism being executed at the highest levels of our government. Worse yet, it was for the world to see. Nevertheless, in his defense, President Bush didn’t do it alone. He had a lot of help.

President Bush’s proclamation of “compassionate conservatism” when he ran for office in 2000 was great rhetoric and a wonderful mission statement. However, republicans failed to understand that it actually meant something. Compassionate conservatism meant spending – a lot of spending on government programs. It meant deficits and increased debt. It meant foreign policy that focused on American Exceptionalism and a Wilsonian offense spreading democracy around the world rather than a peace through strength national defense policy. In short, it was a brand of conservatism with which many Republicans were uncomfortable. It was not the brand of conservatism that built a center right America. However, he was “our guy” and they kept their lips sealed.

Now, in the wake of the recent elections, both grassroots and professional Republicans are asking, “Where do we go from here?” Pundits are busy today arguing whether Republicans and conservatives should revert back to their principles and become more partisan, thus, playing the role of loyal opposition? Or, should they acquiesce and work with the increased majorities of the House, Senate and new President-Elect Obama. Oddly, the answer can be and should be – both.

For years, conservatives have tried to indicate their political leanings by expressing themselves as Paleo-Conservatives and Neo-Conservatives. These designations spoke to the type of conservatism they believed in. As described by Wikipedia, Neo-Conservatives were/are, “a modern form of conservatism that supports a more assertive foreign policy, aimed at supporting American business interests abroad.” Paleo-Conservatives were/ are described as, “arising in the 1980s in reaction to Neo-Conservatism, stresses tradition, especially Christian tradition and the importance to society of the traditional family.”

As President-elect Obama plainly put it, “Change has come to America.” This must be with the Republican Party and conservative movement, too. We can revert back to our most fundamental traditions, principles, and philosophies; be a loyal opposition when warranted and work with the new majorities in the House and Senate at the same time. How? It won’t be because of re-branding an image or reinventing the wheel. It will be by returning to our roots; a center right roots of thinkers and philosophers that ushered us into a time of peace and prosperity. We need to look to the past writings of Russell Kirk, Edmund Burke, Richard Weaver, Friedrich Hayek and Ludwig von Mises.

In these writings we will find a stark contrast with modern conservatism most recently on display. We will find a place in the very first chapter of Russell Kirk’s book, The Politics of Prudence, a proclamation that conservatism is, in fact, the lack of ideology. It is not partisan but reasoned. It is not argumentative or “gotcha” but measured. It is a far cry from the conservatism contemporaries have come to know. Further, we will find a reason for a just and moral order in our society for the sake of shared interest and partnership toward a shared future – not to force dogmatic practices on an unwilling citizenry.

In other writings from Hayek and Mises we will find a proven direction to build prosperity without taking from the rich and giving to the poor. In Burke, we will find a role for regulation without over-regulating to the point where we choke a small business’ or individual’s opportunity to make a profit. In Weaver, we find that ideas have consequences. Every decision carries with it levels of impact. As Weaver notes, “All work is a bringing of the ideal from potentiality into actuality.” We work together.

As a collection, we find a place where minorities have a home through public policies that directly benefit them and a place where they are not only welcome but are relied upon. We find a proper role for government while not intruding into peoples’ personal lives or asking them to give up their liberties in the name of national security. We find a place for achieving peace through strength without active nation building or misdirecting aggression; not confusing offense with defense . We find a place for a limited social safety net while still relying on the hard work and individual responsibility of every able citizen because the greater we limit the fall, conversely, the greater we must limit the success. And, we find a place where we are truly “our brother’s keeper” but a keeper by choice – not by government force.

In this time, we can begin anew to read understand and share what traditional conservatism is and what it was meant to be. We need our state and federal leaders to do the same and be able to practice and articulate it. In this, we will be able to work with President Obama when he has it right and serve as a loyal opposition when he has it wrong. Rather than a partisan approach – we show what a reasoned, measured and prudent approach to public policy looks like. More importantly, we will show our citizens and the rest of the world what we were supposed to be; what our movement was built to be and what our party quit trying to be. At the very least, we will most certainly find a brand of conservatism that most of America agrees with – they just haven’t seen it in a quite a while.

Randall Thompson is the President of the Peace and Prosperity Project.

Word on the Street: Holiday Edition

By: Seth Beifel

Happy holidays or merry Christmas? This ongoing debate brings up many questions within an infinite number of communities throughout America. So, how do the students of Michigan State feel on this issue?

Of the people polled, just fewer than 70% favored the ‘Happy Holidays’ moniker. This overwhelming majority is an understatement to the religious breakdown of the nation. 78.5% of Americans consider themselves Christian, 1.7% Jewish, 0.6% Muslim, 12.1% religiously unaffiliated, while the remaining 7.1% are a mix of the other world religions.

With this unequal balance, it does not explain why such a larger percentage of Michigan state university students support the phrase ‘Happy holidays’. A family community services freshman, Becky Hummel has an interesting out look on that statistic.

“I think we live in a world that cares too much what other people will think,“
Hummel said.

This debate provides an intriguing conversation amongst the widest spectrum of the school’s population. Michigan State sophomore Brennan Cavanagh has a different take on the issue.

“Basically, I think people say ‘Merry Christmas’ out of habit,” Cavanagh said. “I wouldn’t be offended if someone came up to me and said Happy Hanukkah.”

The belief stated by this student provides an interesting aspect with a reversal of situations. This opinion contrasts the settings around campus where there are many symbols on buildings such as holiday wreaths, sleighs, and reindeer. This is a message being put out by the university, but the students observe that there does seem to be a lack of equality.

Michigan state freshman Jackson Sherman supports the minority of students surveyed.

“People should not be offended when someone says merry Christmas because America is mostly Christian,” Sherman said.

This voice is opposite to most of the people polled as it shows that college students have a more liberal outlook on the world.

Another student, Sean Watkins, believes there should be a more generalized greeting across the nation.

“In a country as diverse as the United States of America, one should say ‘happy holidays,’ Watkins said. “Though the media usually says ‘happy holidays,’ most films are Christmas films, except Adam Sandler’s movies and the proud family’s Kwanzaa special.”

When contrasting this voice to the real world, it does provide a competing perspective. As people enter a store during the holiday season, they hear either one of the two greetings and usually, it is ‘merry Christmas.’ People have their views on this issue, but it is still a debate worth having. But even with the debate and the overwhelming numbers from the poll, the question is still left to the readers: Merry Christmas or happy holidays?

Granholm an Interesting Choice for Cabinet

By: Kate Mortensen

When Barack Obama came to this campus in early October, he expressed warm approval and admiration for the second term governor of The Great Lakes State, remarking, “I am so proud of the work that she has done under the most difficult circumstances.”

I was surprised to hear applause after this comment from the thousands of Michigan residents flocked on Adams field who were very likely victims of “the circumstances” in one way or another. Maybe Obama just has such a way with words that the audience forgot about their parents, friends, and neighbors losing their jobs. In addition, there are the tuition increases that can be traced right back to Lansing leadership. And now, a little over a month later, there she is; just behind and to the right of the president elect as a member of his transition economic advisory committee.

Now there is buzz that she’s up for a judicial position or possibly Energy Secretary. Maybe Obama thinks he’s doing Michigan a favor by removing her from Lansing and her 40 percent approval rating, or maybe he would like some advice on how to raise taxes in a less than favorable economy, or how to drown small businesses. Whatever the reason, the words, “Granholm to Advise Obama on Economy,” as a headline in newspapers across Michigan makes me feel less than comfortable about the times ahead, and a little bit humiliated about the times we are leaving behind.

Sure, her current priorities include jobs, education, the auto industry, and energy alternatives. She wants to save Michigan, and she and Obama think they can do it together from Washington. But what she says during a press conference rarely coincides with her actions. This is the woman who stressed higher education and keeping graduates in Michigan during her first campaign and then in 2005, proposed funding cuts for higher education, withholding scholarships, and pushing for more rigorous high school graduation requirements with the reduced funds.

Granholm’s budget ideas almost always penalize the working citizens first, then business, large or small. As if this isn’t enough, Granholm moves from simply taxing workers at work and at home, to suggesting that they are taxed on recreation as well, such as a “ticket tax,” among other outrageous fees.

I can see why Obama would be interested in her ideas about how to tax, spend, cut funding, and highly regulate business all at the same time. Granholm advocates legislature that favors small business when she’s in front of the microphone, but inside her office walls, these very bills have seen nothing but her veto pen. Then we wonder why no one wants to start a business in Michigan.

All of this is evidence that Governor Granholm is not exactly the expert on ethics, and probably not a good choice for a judicial position. She often shows a lack of principles, such as failure to investigate a problem when it arises, that is, until the press points it out. Kwame Kilpatrick’s case this fall should jog Michigan’s memory. She also shows failure to act out of more than just political motivation. For example, now that alternative energy is the trend, she suddenly supports it as if she is its biggest proponent.

Say what you will about what Engler may or may not have left for her to deal with. As governor of Michigan for almost six years, Granholm has talked much and produced little. She can flip-flop with the worst of them. We are all aware that the state of Michigan needs help from Washington, and it is a good sign that Obama is looking to within the state for a representative. For Michigan’s sake, I hope that he looks for someone whose interests seem more than just political; someone who actually has Michigan’s citizens in mind.

Racial Preference Critic Visits MSU

By: Christoper Joshua Arndt

Jennifer Gratz is the triggerwoman for the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative. The MCRI served to promote policies like the California Civil Rights Initiative in Michigan. The policies would implement color-blind selection processes and end affirmative action in government-run and government-funded institutions. Because of Jennifer Gratz and MCRI, there were aborted attempts of the Colorado and Missouri Civil Rights Initiatives and successes of the Arizona and Nebraska Civil Rights Initiatives.

When someone questions the role and worth of one young woman within the history of race-relations, just remember that sometimes, extraordinary character and ability can trump all odds.

Thursday, November 13 Gratz spoke at Michigan State University about her cause. She explained her journey from an above-average high school student and rejected would-be Wolverine to someone who called for and influenced the end of affirmative action policies in several states. She started with a dream of racial equality, and she pursued the dream until it became policy. She tells quite a story, emphasizing that the start of her work was really a reflexive thought. In the beginning, she was a victim of affirmative action; eventually, she became part of a lawsuit. Gratz v. Bollinger made racial discrimination in favor of a minority for publicly funded institutions unconstitional, but it did not end the practice.

When Gratz suggested to Ward Connerly that the California Civil Rights Initiative could be attempted in Michigan, he was about to retire and take his crusade with him. Nonetheless, she persuaded him to continue his work with her, and they pursued ending affirmative action in Michigan. As may be expected, this idea received opposition from left. Not so expected, she also received monetary and rhetorical opposition from the Republican gubernatorial candidate for Michigan, Dick DeVos, and he set the party after this worthy cause.

Ultimately, these sorts of ballot initiatives consist of collecting signatures to get the Proposal on the ballot and persuading the people to vote yea or nay on the Ballot Proposal. Getting the precise language approved can be a trial in and of itself. The opposition included the status quo, the establishment, the Leftists, the unions, many lobbyists, some members of the Republican Party. Essentially, Gratz’s organization was six underpaid individuals in a small office. The battle seemed it would inevitably end in failure. However, Gatz’s exceptional character kept the ball rolling. Her expected contribution of being an “envelope-stuffer” was quite surpassed by her actual role as the face of the effort. The success of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative proved that this color-blind effort was viable for many states, not solely California.

The effort is not about justice for white people or for anyone who is not a minority. It simply eliminates racial preferences during selection processes within government-run and government-funded institutions.

In attendance at the event, was Leon Drolet, currently of Michigan Taxpayers Alliance and formerly the Chairman of the MCRI, as well as Doug Tietz, who managed the campaign and last managed the victorious Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative (NCRI). The event was hosted by the Young Americans for Freedom. Speaking to the worth of Gratzs’ cause and the eloquence of her speech, there were no protesters present to dilute her message.

New Books Divide Madison Freshman

By: Don Higgins

James Madison College at Michigan State University has challenged freshmen from the very beginning. MC 201, Introduction to the Study of Public Affairs, uses texts and reading from the founding of the United States to the current debate: Is America becoming an empire.
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Lesbian Group Raids Local Church

By: Katherine Rohr

On Sunday November 9 a group that defines themselves as a “militant” lesbian group, Bash Back, held a demonstration in front of Mount Hope Church in Lansing. Beyond having members of the protest in front of the church, the group had members enter the church’s sanctuary. Members of the group were escorted out, the police were called, and the demonstration was quickly over. Confusion fell upon the members of Mount Hope Church. Members did not understand why the radical homosexual/transgender group targeted their church.
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How to Dress Like a Conservative

By: Lorilea Zabadal

1. Leggings are NOT pants
Spandex is not the answer. Leggings simply are not pants. The only purpose they serve is to cover you up a bit more when you’re wearing a miniskirt or a tunic. There are about 5 people in the world with the figure to wear spandex, and 4 of them walk the runway for a living. Read more

Motivated by Reform, the Cleaver Falls on Welcome Week

By: MaryKate Carter

As rumors of a proposal to shorten welcome week buzz around campus, Provost Kim Wilcox works to hammer out the programming details for next year’s confirmed abbreviated welcome week. It’s official, starting 2009, freshman students will move in on Sunday, followed by upperclassmen on Monday, and classes will begin first thing Wednesday morning.
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