by Ed Jahn
With the recent events of early February 08, we have had several opportunities, as true conservatives, to become frustrated, angry, discouraged, ready to choke somebody, or ready to quit. The first four options are quite understandable, especially if you’ve been a Reagan Conservative – from the time of the Reagan era –like me. The last option – quitting – is the option that only the defeated will choose.
Many of us have been raised in group settings, where we were taught to rely on our sense of worth from our peers. This dependency on “group validation” causes so many of us to wither under criticism – to crack under pressure from others – What must be understood is that the true leader is built from within, and that the internal convictions which guarantee our freedoms are the compass which outlast the temper-tantrums of critics.
What also must be understood is that the true leader holds to principles which are greater than himself, and understands that his desire to lead is his desire to serve, to encourage, to inspire, and to speak for, those who have lost their voice in the midst of a crowd.
The true conservative posture is one of intense love for the good of others –even the obtuse ones – who just don’t get it.
Ronald Reagan did two things that many of us, who want to continue to live as conservatives, have failed to do:
1) Ronald Reagan was a man who remained confident and convinced that his principles were matters of principle – not matters of political convenience or of passing cultural taste –and this stabilized his journey through and past the obstacles – history has proven him right, just like the parent who somehow got smarter once the child finally grew up and came to his senses.
2) It has been said that “education is the means by which any culture sustains itself from one generation to the next” – when Ronald Reagan found a stubborn Congress, unwilling to work with him, he took his message to the American people – directly to anyone who wanted to learn about true conservative values –before running for President, he attracted people by building at the grassroots level – he “grew” conservatives as a teacher – a builder – and ultimately, the one who spoke for us. Our failure to be confident in the lasting value of, and our subsequent failure to teach, conservative values, has resulted in our identities being defined by others who are NOT us.
Some of us may be quite frustrated – let’s face it – we set ourselves up when, in 2006, we wanted to teach our own party a “lesson” by staying away from the voting booth, to send a “signal” which they still don’t get, and instead, we abandoned our avenue of change because of our impatience – Granted, certain elements of this party are FAR from the party of Abraham Lincoln, and certain individuals – the same ones who have poked a stick in the eyes of conservatives, who now want our limited participation (until after November) –know that they rely on our vote – even if it is an anti-Democratic vote.
In speaking with Brenda McAloon, wife of David McAloon, our Republican candidate for 75th district, I said we will have to understand that “the house burned down in 2006, and we’re sorting through the rubble to find anything valuable."
What did we gain by staying away 2 years ago?
The “calm down” pro-choice Republicans just took up the places we retreated from, only too happy to seize power when we created the vacuum caused by our absence. It is arguable that David McAloon may have already been elected for the 75th, had we not abandoned him in the primary two years ago.
Now David is a grown man – a good and confident man – and there are no grudges being carried here – But
must be understood is that our ship is headed for shipwreck if we refuse to do the grunt work that Ronald Reagan, and a few
other true conservatives, like David McAloon, have been willing to do –
To work at the grassroots – to teach
– and to remain confident.
Because the alternative has begun a nightmare and it may take an even harder lesson to wake us up. It won’t be the “celebrity status”, hey look at me, love me, validate me, stuff that some people seem to need – but it will be the servant-leader’s attitude that will inspire greatness.
And THAT is what we need.
Feel free to comment – I’m here to help. Understand this, you might not like everything you hear from me, but someday, you’ll love the fact that somebody said it to you.
Ed Jahn is from Morris, IL amd may be reached at ezkeeprs@sbcglobal.net.