We will not be IGNORED!

After the President’s speech last night, it’s clear that he will not provide leadership for meaningful reform. So we’re sitting in the bathroom, contemplating the best way to get the GOP to do what we want. It’s disappointing, but if you’ve been watching and listening for the last five years, you didn’t really expect it anyway. There’s been a lot of talk about staying home in November, and I’ve considered it carefully. Can conservatives stay home on election day? Si, se puede. But should we? We’re all going to have to make that decision. I’m frustrated and angry. It’s outrageous to me that the law is simply being ignored. But it’s important to remember that in 2006, you’ll be voting for your House representative, whose term is only two years, and you may or may not be voting for your Senators. Only 33 states have Senatorial elections in 2006. Gubernatorial elections will be held in 36 states. So don’t react. Think about the best way to make your point, and act wisely. I found a workable solution for me. Maybe it’ll work for you.

In my case, it makes no sense to stay home. Why would I punish Bobby Jindal, a Republican rated A+ on immigration? Of course he’ll continue to have my vote. The House, by and large, has a good immigration record. Remember that. It’s the Senate that is weak on the border. Look at your incumbent’s immigration grade. Whatever his competition is, pin them down on what they would do on critical immigration issues like interior enforcement and building a wall. It’s entirely possible that they don’t intend to do anything more than your current representation. Make an informed choice; don’t just reflexively vote for or against Republicans. This is a cross-party issue; Diane Feinstein supports a wall, for example. Given her record on other things, I’m not sure I could give her my vote, but my point is that staying home on election day, or voting blindly based on President Bush and the Senate’s desire for an open border, is irresponsible.

There have been cases made that voting third party is wasting your vote. I disagree. Part of the reason we are in the mess we are in is the fact that we so carefully strategize our votes instead of voting our conscience. Jesus said “Therefore render to Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and to God the things which are God’s.” (Luke 20:25) That is commonly used as an argument that we should pay our taxes, but I don’t think it’s a huge stretch to carry that over to all civic duties. In America, we enjoy all the benefits of living in a federal republic. Nobody’s going to make you vote, but it’s the right thing to do. Study the issues and make an informed choice. It’s what you owe your country. A vote is never wasted, because you stood up and were counted, and that tells people something.

Finally, remember that no matter who is in office, there is nothing to prevent us from getting that wall built. The Minutemen ARE building it. If you want to prove a point to Republican leadership about this, here’s a simple solution. Donate as much as you can, as often as you can, to the Minutemen. Make copies of your checks or receipts, and send those copies to Ken Mehlman, and to your open borders GOP leadership. Here’s where it gets hard. Writing letters, sending faxes, and blogging are free. But if you really believe that this issue is critical, and that the future of our country rests on it, then change your lifestyle and give more than you thought you could afford. Next time you think about having a pizza, make a grilled cheese instead and send twenty bucks to the Minutemen. Voting Republican and building the wall anyway is an idea that has merit. As a conservative, in many ways building the wall ourselves just might be preferable. It will certainly be done faster and cheaper if we do it instead of the government. Are you serious about this issue? Then prove it.

Imagine if Glenn Close had found a good pastor, slogged through all those boring, painful counseling sessions, attended church, and eventually fallen in love with and married some single guy. Sure, it’s boring. It’s a lot of hard work. You don’t get to savor the rage and the drama. But sometimes a course change is better for everyone concerned.

Linked to Third World Country, Conservative Culture, Freedom Watch, Church and State, Pirate’s Cove, Adam’s Blog,