The mood I'm sensing from conservatives after this last week is quite encouraging.  Taken as a group, I don't hear a majority of conservatives mired in self-pity, Obama Derangement Syndrome, or denial of this fact:  we need changes in the conservative game plan & execution to occur - now!  It is quite understandable that people have been oversaturated with politics in every sense - ads, literature, newscasts, candidate appearances. These people want a break from politics.  Understood and Agreed.

 

And, it is getting well into "holiday season" mode:  "where are we  travelling for Thanksgiving?  How are we going to fix dinner for all those people we're having over?  Is ol' Uncle Bob going to rub Obama's win in my face over the Thanksgiving turkey?"  This season leads into the full-Christmas-mode month of December, and all the enjoyment and frenzy surrounding Christmas: getting a tree, buying gifts, getting those lights up on the house without falling on your head, attending church services, keeping all in-laws happy with equal-visit-time, etc.   Finally it ends with wondering if you're going to set goals/resolutions for 2009, and '"no, you don't really care to hear which ones you did or didn't keep in 2008".  

 

And through all of this, nobody wants to hear about politics. Period.  I understand and empathize with that.  

 

However, below are some items we can ponder, to get a good jump start at a conservative return to prominence, starting in early 2009.  Granted, none of these are new, and most of them have already been hashed by much more eloquent people in just the last few days.  I only list them, because I believe each one is good fodder for conversation, and each one shows a way that anyone who wants to be involved, CAN be involved in a way that can make a difference, and that often requires little time or effort. 

 

1) Don't complain - don't explain - don't be deranged!  As many have shared with me, these characteristics are petty and unproductive.  Complaining, hate,  denial of our own issues are traits owned by the Democrats.  We're above that, so lets prove it.  Admit what's wrong within our house, "make nice" within our family, and get to work to improve our party.

 

2) Identify and support strong state and national party leadership - there are some important leadership decisions coming up VERY SOON within the Republican national leadership, such as RNC chair, and House and Senate minority leadership positions.  Look for more to come here on FD's for calls to action, or Google the races that are important to you.  I do believe there are vast differences in these races, between people currently entrenched, who want the status quo (no, really! I am not kidding) and "new blood" who know how to lead us out of the mushy middle wilderness where we now reside.  Stay tuned.....

 

3) Communicate with the representatives who will listen to you - I plan to frequently e-mail / call Representatives Paulsen (who represents my district), Bachmann, and Kline, especially on issues that are important to me.  And as much as Senator Coleman can be squishy, moderate.... I will contact him.  We need to remind these people their job is to represent us.  They work for us, not the other way around.  And, correct me if I'm wrong.... I just can't see getting too far contacting Sen Klobuchar, or any of the Dem representation.  Again, more to come on effective methods to contact EVERY senator and representative in a powerful grassroots way, on issues that really matter....

 

4) Coordinate new media to deliver our message - Let's face it.  Old Media is dying. Also, they will never give conservatives a fair shake.  They hate conservatives.  Always have, always will. Let's admit it and deal with it.  They're not going to change. And unfortunately, they still have significant power/reach with older generations, and they have abandoned any hint of journalistic integrity or credibility.  They've sold their collective souls. 

 

So we need to reach our friends and family by going around the Old Media, by encouraging people to use alternative, more objective news sources.  Direct people to news sources that tell the truth!  There are volumes that can be written on this topic, but one thing I strongly believe, is that we need to consolidate, into a tighter network of new media and activist groups (I hate to say it, but paralleling the Kos / MoveOn machine on the left).   For now, a good place to start is Rebuild the Party.  

 

Citizens in our society, from birth to death, are inundated by lies and distortions by all the institutions controlled by the left, that we just can't avoid in our daily lives: the public education system (pre-K through college), media, government, entertainment.  The message: "You can't make it on your own, but luckily for you, the government is here to help".  We need to re-educate everyone we know - family, friends, co-workers, church members, to reject this message, step out of the mainstream misinformation culture, get wise, and get in the fight for an individual-freedom-and responsibility society, upon which this country was founded.

 

Well, I've gone long again.  Looks like I'll have to create another post to finish up the list.  Here's hoping you enjoy time off after the elections, and are looking forward to the holiday season..... and are still encouraged to get/stay in the game after the new year.  Just a few people being active can make a big difference!