Now What?

So...now that the Republican party has been defeated in last week's election, what issues should the party devote its dwindling influence to? How do they confront the troubling issue of a demographic change (Americans getting older...and more young voters taking part in elections, as well as a minority shift towards African-American and Latino voters, which also favors Democrats)?

There are core principles that Republicans should continue to push...regardless of the demographic shift. These issues include:

1) Balancing the federal budget
2) Eliminating wasteful Washington spending
3) Lowering taxes, at the very least for corporations
4) Strong immigration reform that closes our borders
5) Entitlement reform
6) Promoting growth and the economy
7) Allowing for more drilling
8) Promoting a strong foreign policy

There are many principles that Republicans need to either implement in their policies or change their opinions to all together

1) Eliminating lobbyist' influence in Washington
2) Making sure every American can go to college
3) Funding or reforming the No Child Left Behind Act
4) Accepting the current abortion rights
5) Allowing for civil unions
6) Focusing on the environment
7) Fair world trade (meaning, if we sell a country's products in this country, we better be selling our products in their country)
8) Funding and writing a real energy policy that puts more government money toward finding a solution to the energy problem

It is obvious Republicans need to change course in some way; however, many of the Republicans core principles are extremely logical, and would be agreed on by the majority of Americans. The reason why they are not? Poor public relations. The party is plagued by the media's representation of the Republican party on key issues (war and economics) and does not shed a very positive light on Republican principles. In addition, Republicans have the image of being that "old" party...the party of old leaders and old ideas.

The Republican party needs to go back to being the party of big ideas, not the party of big squabbles and poor communication.

Until we meet again, goodbye!