Thursday, December 6, 2012

Where are the Heros?

My two boys love their favorite superheros!  I know more about Spiderman and Batman than I ever wanted to know.  But what makes these characters heros?  Other than their strength, speed, agility, and uncanny ability to dodge bullets, it's their willingness to do what is right no matter what it costs them.  Superheros will fight against evil and defend the innocent people, never worried about their popularity or what is in it for them.  They display selflessness while protecting the citizens of their respective cities, while the law and media condemn their actions.  Do these types of people exist in today's world?  Can we find any of these heros in our government?

Many of our Republican politicians like to talk tough during campaign season, promising constituents they will fight to cut the budget, cut taxes, repeal Obamacare, and vote against anything that will go against our conservative principles.  Then they get elected, and the establishment gets hold of them, and they start to compromise their idealogy in order to climb the political leadership ladder.  Most of our current politicians view politics as a career choice, and feel they must go along to maintain their career.  Unfortunately, due to a lazy electorate and a biased media, this has worked for the majority of politicians for dozens of years. 

We have had a recent wave of elected officials who have fallen on their sword for their beliefs, politics and media be damned.  Florida Congressman Colonel Allen West immediately comes to mind.  He rode the Tea Party wave of Republican candidates who won the majority in the US House of Representatives in 2010.  He has been one of the most outspoken members of Congress against the oppressive, socialist policies of the Obama administration, and has not been afraid to call a spade a spade.  The Republican establishment tried to keep him quiet, because they were afraid of media and electorate backlash.  The Republican elites did not support him in his reelection bid, and the Obama administration targeted his race during the last election, and Colonel West narrowly lost his race.  So, did Congressman West slink off quietly to lick his wounds, and try and get back in the GOP's good graces again? - NO!  He is remaining a strong voice against the Obama administration and the establishment, and is sounding the alarm and trying to wake the American people! 

There are others in politics who are doing heroic deeds.  Senators Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Mike Lee and Jim Demint are speaking out against Speaker Boehner's "fiscal cliff" negotiations and removal of fiscal conservatives from key financial committees.  Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann and Congressman Paul Ryan, although quieted from their recent failed presidential/vice-presidential bids and tough reelection campaigns, are still standing strong against raising taxes and the debt limit, and speaking out against Obamacare, the EPA, and other extreme policies of the current administration.  Former Alaska Governor and Vice Presidential nominee, Sarah Palin, is still speaking out loudly against liberal, socialist policies, and has been calling out the GOP for their failed leadership as well.

The American people need our elected officials to act like heros, willing to fall on their sword for their beliefs.  Our politicians need to realize that their popularity and electability is not important - they must be willing to do what they feel is right, no matter what it costs them.  Vote against raising the debt limit if real cuts aren't on the table, vote to defund Obamacare, investigate Benghazi and Fast and Furious.  The media is against conservative Republicans, and will continue to blame the GOP for the bad economy, whether they compromise or not. 

So, I say "Don't compromise!"  The Democrats won't, so why should the Republicans.  No matter the outcome, the Republicans will be demonized by the media, so why not stick to their principles of lower taxes and smaller government.  This is the real reason why the GOP lost in November.  The American people know that both parties are willing to raise taxes and spend money, and they would rather vote for the party that is being more honest about what they will do.  The Democrats have told us what they want to do - continue to spend, raise taxes, and spread the wealth - and they are doing it!  The Republicans have said they want to cut taxes, cut spending, and repeal Obamacare - so they must continue to vote to do this!  C'mon GOP, be a hero to the people, and do what is right for your country!