By Debbie Lewis, DebLewis87@gmail.com

Columbia, MO, May 30, 2012 - The only thing going for the GOP right now is that Ron Paul is still on their Presidential ticket.  That, much to the chagrin of the party, has brought the support of many fed-up Democrats (Blue Republican is proof of that!), Constitution Party members and Libertarians.  Another demographic seen moving towards the GOP are younger, libertarian-leaning folks.  Paul has managed to liven up the GOP, as the many state caucuses have proven.  But does the GOP care?  Are they willing to reach out and embrace these people?  The massive support for Paul and a recent article sheds much-needed light on the "Grand Old Party" and the fact that, unless they are willing to accept an injection of young, fresh, yet conservative, ideas, they truly are a dinosaur in need of registry on the endangered species list.

A CNN article published on May 21, 2012, "GOP problem: 'Their voters are white, aging and dying off" speaks mostly about the growing minority populations in the US and how Republican lawmakers don't appeal to these demographics.  They do have one pioneer in that arena, Ron Paul, who is garnering support from every demographic.  But, sadly, the GOP refuses to pay any credence to him, or his supporters.  

I attended our district GOP convention, and I can tell you, the majority of those in the crowd were older, white and held utter contempt for anything Ron Paul.  Here is a man whose message speaks to the very people the GOP needs in order to grow its ranks and compete politically, and they chose to ignore the opportunity.  If you are a young conservative, it makes you want to run screaming to a third party!  

"My goal was to shrink the size of government, balance our budget, pay the bills, have sound money and live within our means and mind our own business..."  Ron Paul

Ron Paul's message, which is clearly spelled out in the newest release by William Lewis Films, The Ron Paul Uprising , is a simply one...smaller, constitutional government that can live within its means, promotion of personal freedom and rights, no intervention in foreign countries where their conflicts don't threaten our freedom and sovereignty.  If war is needed, let Congress declare it and have an exit strategy so we don't end up in long, drawn out conflicts that end up killing those serving in our armed forces and depleting out budget.  Paul also supports sound monetary principles, ending the Federal Reserve, which is NOT a federal agency, and the right of people to make a living without the burdensome over-regulation of government that handcuffs the ability of small, independent businesses to make it.

The GOP claims to want to return to our Constitutional values, yet pushes back at those who support it.  That was also evident at my District GOP Convention.  Many in the crowd stepped up to say they were for returning to the Constitution, yet they ignore the fact that bills such as the USA PATRIOT Act, its many extensions, the Bush Wall Street bailout, the recent NDAA, which contained language about indefinite detention, which should be removed COMPLETELY, and other egregious bills, could not have passed without support FROM GOP legislators.  

Here's the problem.  The 2008 GOP Platform states they want to "Constrain the federal government to its legitimate constitutional functions," and empower people, while limiting government's involvement in their lives.  Romney, who has been declared by some state conventions as the Republican Party presumptive nominee, says he would have supported the NDAA, with its indefinite detention language, and, as governor, his state passed a healthcare bill which was the model for Obamacare!  

"At the last GOP convention, they claimed they wanted to do a couple of things.  Unite the country and return our country to our constitutional roots.  They have done neither.  Ron Paul is a candidate that can achieve this for them, but they refuse to support him.  Their lack of responsiveness to these very real concerns is surpassed only by their lack of attention to Paul, and it's frustrating to potential Republicans," says Gary Franchi, associate producer of The Ron Paul Uprising.

If the GOP is going to survive, they are going to have to do a few things.  They need to embrace young voters.  They need to shut up and listen to the concerns of those supporting a candidate who is NOT a status quo Republican, but one who can get the cross-over vote and support needed to win this election.  They need to realize that, while things are changing, demographically, it's not a bad thing.  And, they need to stop the empty rhetoric, listen to their constituency, truly embrace our founding documents and return to making constitutional decision.

William Lewis, director of The Ron Paul Uprising, says, "If the GOP doesn't want to go the way of the dinosaur, they better be willing to take on the concerns of the younger generation.  They better be willing to do a little changing with the times.  This can be done in a conservative manner.  If they aren't willing to do that, they are going to lose much more than this presidential election.  They're going to lose their "big party" status and with it, their voice."  

GOP, the truth will surely set you free...

Endnotes:
The Ron Paul Uprising
http://www.ronpauluprising.com

GOP problem: 'Their voters are white, aging and dying off'
http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/21/politics/gop-census-latino/index.html?eref=rss_politics&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_allpolitics+%28RSS%3A+Politics%29