Oh how tempting to be drawn into the wrong battle, when President Biden waves the red flag in front of 74 million raging conservative bulls. Biden isn’t on the November ballot, but his maddening presidential address from Independence Hall did all he could to draw us into a rematch of the 2020 election. He attacked President Trump and his MAGA faithful in a way that left half of America steaming. Why? Running against Trump and Ultra MAGA voters is all Biden can hope for.
Yes, Biden is maddening. He can’t be trusted, and he is taking America in the wrong direction. He talks about law and order but it’s all talk. He refuses to call out the major democrat-controlled cities’ dramatic crime increase, not to mention allowing his son Hunter to face a fair investigation and prosecution. He also refuses to deal effectively with border security, inflation, and our growing energy dependence. With so many failures, he has but one hope—rekindle the hatred of President Trump and the reversal of Roe vs. Wade to minimize democratic losses in the House and Senate. He wants America as divided as he can make it. He talks about unity, but Gary Varvel captured his true mission in his political cartoon. President Biden is wearing a cap that reads, “Make America Divided Again.” The more divided and angry the better!
There is an old joke about a preacher’s sermon notes. When delivering a weak point in their sermon, they’d write in the margin “Weak Point! Shout it out and pound the pulpit!” That was Biden’s entire Thursday Presidential Address.
However republicans shouldn’t take the bait! Too many GOP candidates are hoping that they can coast to victory on the basis of Biden’s incompetence. Republicans must run on what they are for. Americans need to know and share their vision of the future. They want promises, and they want those they elect to deliver on those promises.
But where is the republican Contract with America? It’s time to stand and promise to do what they can to deliver on that promise. Here are five Promises worth campaigning for!
Energy Independence: President Trump ushered in energy independence to America and President Biden has used climate change to ensure energy dependence and out of control energy costs. Republicans can support clean energy, including nuclear power, while using America’s abundant clean coal and oil to bridge our needs until a transition makes sense. Biden’s administration has created an energy crisis that has fed inflation and ensures a shortage of heating fuel for the coming winter. We need a sane energy policy that supports “all of the above.”
Secure the Southern Border: With millions of illegal immigrants literally walking across our Southern border, we are seeing the disastrous results. We have cities who can’t handle the influx of illegals and the cost of caring for them. We have thousands being bused across the US, and local politicians are pointing fingers and demanding funds to meet the need. That is not the answer. GOP candidates must stand for closing the border and must stop incentivizing illegal immigration.
Law and Order: Americans are no longer feeling safe in their communities. It’s time for candidates to take a stand for more law enforcement and stiffer prosecution with DAs who will actually keep criminals in jail. Americans are seeing flash mobs get away with robbery. They are seeing rioters destroy property and harm citizens without paying a price. President Biden is coming late to the party with his promises to increase funding for the police. GOP must take a strong stand for law enforcement. Their candidates must do everything they can to ensure that when you do the crime, you do the time. We don’t want words; we want safer communities.
Support School Choice: Our public schools are not doing the job and our children are falling behind. It’s time to put parents back in control of their children’s education. You can’t stop leftist teachers from indoctrinating your children, but if parents have school vouchers like they have in Sweden and in some states, parents can take their children and voucher to a school that will give them a quality education and teach values they support.
Lower Taxes and End Free Giveaways: It’s time to lower taxes on people who work and small businesses that make a profit. There should be more rewards for working than not working. There are jobs available, but many are not willing to take the jobs. Why? They are waiting for Washington’s next free giveaway. There should be no cancelation of student debt. If you make the deal, you pay the debt. Don’t make the responsible pay for the irresponsible.
In President Biden’s supposedly nonpartisan Presidential Address, he couldn’t resist shouting to America “Vote, vote, vote!” That is the only three words worth remembering. The future of America is dependent upon an election just ten weeks away. If being called an extremist isn’t enough to get you to the polls, remember that Making America Great Again isn’t about Trump or Biden. It is about selling to American voters a Contract with America that they can support. With these five promises, conservatives can ensure a future they can be proud of. Get busy selling why you vote republican. Trump and Biden can wait for 2024 to see if they are even on the ballot.
Terry Paulson is PhD psychologist, author, and professional speaker on Earned Optimism, Making Change Work, Claiming Your American Dream, and Becoming a Conservative Values Voter. Contact him at terry@terrypaulson.com.