Why I am glad that I am a Republican

During this time of "Change We Can Believe In," it is tempting to start looking for that hope we think we lost and we are tempted to change our ideals to get in on the action of the hype radical change. We have questioned where we stand and have been interrogated for our beliefs.

Despite the temptations to jump to the other side, I will not waver. I am proud to be a Republican and will stand strong with the rest of the conservatives around me who are willing to take the high road to making America a strong and moral country.

I have compiled a list of why I am glad to be a Republican. They are not in any specific order, and I am sure there are more, but here is my initial attempt:

-I know our troops are fighting a fight for a cause.

-I believe that a baby is a human at conception. I cannot murder an innocent child.

-Marriage is between one man and one woman.

-As an American I have rights and should do everything I can to protect those rights.

These are my initial principles for why I am so glad to still be a Republican.

We cannot waver or be tempted to sway to the other side. It is important that we don't get involved in the current hype and that all of our problems will change overnight and with one man.

A New Day Has Come

As the swearing in of a new President comes, the way the Republicans think is going to have to change. Many decisions have to be made over the next few months and scrutiny for those resolutions may bring many questions to the political arena: How will his first 100 days be? Were the inauguration activities a little too hyped-up? Will he fulfill all of his promises? Will Obama still be loved one, two, three, or four years from now?

There are so many questions that arise from all of this on the Republican perspective. While we want to join in on the celebration of this historic event, and want to rejoice in the steps that this country has taken, it is hard to rally behind a man whose ideals differ so much from your own. And while we want to have faith that this man will be able to many good things for this country, there is a hollow feeling that we are getting pumped with fancy words that invoke hope.

Seeing George W. Bush leave by way of Air Force One, knowing that history may be the only chance he has at not being one of the most hated Presidents in our time (when we thought that it was Carter), brought the feeling that words will not be able to sustain our country forever. If it could, the most prolific authors and poets of our time would be on Capitol Hill fighting for our rights and bringing the change we need. Words will not be able to bring the change we need-the action from those words and plans for action will be what takes this "Era of Hope" to reality.

Even though the Democrats are the ones in the spotlight, Republicans are not to sit back and be idle during this phase of our country. Republicans must rise up and make their voices heard during this time-not in despair and whining for all that they have lost, but being there to pick up pieces that will start to fall.

What will you do, fellow Republican? Are you going to give the Democrats the spotlight? How can you make a difference this week, this month, this year to follow the American dream to be one nation and one body that stands.

A Look Ahead

As the holiday season begins to come to a close in the coming days, many political findings will come to the forefront. The inauguration will be quickly approaching, the transfer of a new president, and the legal case concerning the Illinois governor are investigated.

At this time, many issues are unsolved, and though these issues are vital to address, the holiday season usually takes precedent over the pressing problems of the nation in the news. That is not always a bad thing, as taking a break from the nation's news coverage is beneficial to everyone. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May your days be merry and bright, and may all your political predictions be right!

It's a Wonderful Life

One of the greatest Christmas movies of all time is It's A Wonderful Life. In all of the decades that have past since the 1940s movie, no other movie can top the timeless message of George Bailey. He was at the lowest of the low-unsure of the next step and doubtful of his future. He found nothing left in his life to live for, and is so consumed with his own self-pity that he was willing to take his own life.

Even when he is back from his adventure of seeing life without him, he is very grateful for his situation-joyful for his deaf ear, not dismayed of his financial woes, and jumping from the rafters at each friend he passes. He was a man in pain of his current position in life. He couldn't see past his situation to find his meaning in life. When he saw how his life affected others in such a positive way, he wouldn't have taken it back in a heartbeat.

2008 has been a challenging year. Whether it be painful financial difficulties, the breaking election news, or the many other downfalls that this life has had to offer, there are still boundless things to be thankful for. It may be friendships, grace, or a the simplest of things that has gotten us through the year. We will never know until we reach the other side how we have impacted this earth. If we had that opportunity, maybe we would be able to see that we really had a Wonderful Life.

Make Your Own Virtual Movie Theater

What's Going on in Georgia

Here is the problem: Will it help or hurt America if the Democrats have control of the Senate?

How will a filibuster-proof Senate give the people more of a voice in Washington?

Has Chambliss been an efficient representative of Georgia and does Georgia deserve a change in representation?

Who will this affect the most?

We all have a point of view of who needs to be in the Senate from Georgia, but we must consider the ramifications.

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Will She or Won't She?

Whether or not Hillary Clinton takes the position of Secretary of State, or whether or not Obama wants to offer her that position, is still being speculated. Some sources say that she has all but accepted it, while others say that she would be foolish to even consider sacrificing the freedom. Time and patience will be the key to finding out the ending to this mystery, but the curiosity is getting to some.



Bill Richardson, Tim Geithner, and Hillary Clinton have been names tossed around for positions coming up, and the answers are waiting to come. Hopefully the choices will be made on what's best for the country and what will mold the country to do better.



The Democrats are getting the powerful positions. The Democrats are preparing to lead this country down the path that they have wanted to take, and while Republicans may not be happy with the thought of being "ousted" from Main Street, Washington, this is their time. Let them have it. Hope for the best. This is an uncertain time still for Republicans, but the manner that the GOP handles this transition will shape the party immensely.

If Hillary Clinton does receive the position of Secretary of State, may she be ready at 3:00 a.m. when the country needs her.

Political Satire: How does it Affect the Republicans?

News circulated that the success of the democratic party had to do with political satire on late night television...also known as Saturday Night Live. The crushing accusations of John McCain having a strong affiliation with George W. Bush (thanks to the Will Ferrell impression of George W. Bush), the infamous resemblance of former cast member Tina Fey with Sarah Palin, and the admission that Chevy Chase purposefully made Gerald Ford look foolish because of his support for Jimmy Carter all topped media news as ammunition for the network's political affiliation.




While these infiltrated the minds of SNL viewers, these sketches cannot be blamed for the Republican downfall. Political satire (particularly that of SNL) attempts to draw out actual tendencies of people and exaggerate them for the sake of humor. This was done with Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi (her attitude during the Bailout announcement), and Bill Clinton (the MSNBC interview) in the same manner that the Republicans were beaten.

Sarah Palin. She was a media sensation. She was constantly the focus of media attention and to places like SNL, she was a gold mine for sketch comedy. Brian Kilmeade and several felt like Sarah Palin was sandbagged and slaughtered during her cameo appearance of SNL. While many would agree that there was negativity in her portrayal and made to look foolish, this is part of the REPUBLICAN problem.

When democrats attack us, we cannot be defeated. Being able to laugh at ourselves, not seeming like we are a group of old-crochety men, and staying focused on our message, will help the unfair shots at our stance and morals. Unfairness in political satire will always infiltrate the media. We must be stronger than it. And, in the words of Barack Obama, "YES, we can!"

On the Bookshelf

Here is a current list of booksthat I am reading. I do not agree with the philosophies of all of these books, but sometimes I want an opinion from the other side. It helps me to keep perspective and ferments my beliefs that I have formed and developed.

The Reagan Diaries, Ronald Reagan

Fleeced, Dick Morris

Let Freedom Ring, Sean Hannity

Right is Wrong, Arianna Huffington

Slander, Ann Coulter

Crazies to the Left of Me, Wimps to the Right, Bernard Goldberg

The Case Against Hillary Clinton, Peggy Noonan

Now, Let Me Tell You What I Really Think, Chris Matthews

Different opinions give us greater perspective. What are you reading?