The "Big Tent" idea is what helped put Obama in the White House and stuffed both houses of Congress with lunatic fringe liberals. I like to look at this as if Pepsi started filling their bottles with Coke and Dr. Pepper to attract more sales because so many people like those soft drinks, too. What do you think would happen to Pepsi sales? Sure, you would find a few people like the Coke and Dr. Pepper taste, but to most of those who want the flavor they have known for years, they will be looking for another brand to meet their tastes. In the end, Pepsi would lose a lot of sales. The Republican Party has turned into a "me too!" organization with issues such as the "man-made global warming" hoax, pro-abortion, cutting defense, fiscal irresponsibility, higher taxes for all, more welfare state subsidies, et al, ad nauseum. How does this contrast with Republican principles of less government, lower taxes, national security, opportunities for all, as well as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

What has happened to the "Republican Brand" since it has been tainted?

We missed the opportunity to bring back the idea of Line Item Veto, which would have contained costs and keep the National Debt from exploding; allowed liberals to stonewall Supreme Court and federal bench nominees without merit or Constitutional basis; we stood impotent to rein in Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae which brought on today's recession and bailout fiascoes, and other opportunities to make a stronger America.

We have become afraid to stand forcefully for real Republican values. In any legislative chamber, the liberals can say and do the most outrageous things which will bring on a Republican response of, "I certainly had hoped my friend from Such and Such could have communicated on a high plane than that. It is so regrettable, blah, blah, blah." Who will the electorate remember? Not our members, but they will remember the lies.

The radical environmentalist agenda has hand-cuffed America with regards to energy development in nuclear, oil, and natural gas. Our political enemies blamed President Bush and V.P. Dick Cheney for $4.25/gal gas - and got away with it! Where was the Republican Party (other than refusing to go on vacation) with billboards, letters to the editor, and bumper stickers letting the people know who really deserves the blame?

We have allowed our political enemies to define who we are. Ask any high school or college student what it means to be a Republican and you just may hear, "Oh, they only stand for the rich" -or- "They are against equal rights for minorities". Does this really sound like the Republican Party you joined?

We have missed opportunities to educate the public on where we stand. Even during the presidential debates, John McCain was given a slow hanging curve right over the plate and he didn't even swing. We waited for McCain to jump on Obama and his connections to radicals, Communists, felons and his ultra-leftist ideology, but none came. It has been said that opportunities aren't lost as someone else will take them. The liberal Democrats have many public leaders to spread about their version of a great socialistic America, but who do we have on the state and national scene to counter this besides talk radio? I would say most Americans can relate to Republican values already, but they need to be told by our team what those values are. People like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin and many others aren't reaching the public as much as preaching to their own choirs. If you ask a young person if they ever listen to Rush Limbaugh, for example, you shouldn't be surprised to hear, "No, but I can't stand him."

By not standing up for real Republican values such as the ones outlined in the clearly-written "Contract With America", we have allowed the most ignorant, indoctrinated and apathetic people pick our nation's leadership. Go in the inner city where only 25% of the people graduate from high school - who do you think they vote for? Why is it that the "man on the street" interviews hosted by Steve Allen, Jay Leno and others ever pick someone who supports a Republican? With no recognizable Republican brand that average people can identify with, we can only expect more of the same. In my opinion, the average voter has about a second grade level of understanding with regards to government, history, issues and current events. This person has an attention span of approximately 30 seconds in which we can reach them. We MUST pick state and national leaders which will engage the grassroots with a clear vision of how we can reach the general public. Patting each other on the back while not inviting our friends, neighbors and co-workers to GOP functions won't help us one iota.

We have allowed the Democrats, through the Socialist/Communist principle of income re-distribution, to buy their votes with other citizens' money. It is this notion that has cost the country $11 trillion in failed efforts which has lead to the destruction of minority/urban families. Such efforts have cost these people their sense of dignity to become self-sufficient, responsible citizens. It will take more effort and brain power from the Republican Party to stop this national tragedy than it was used to create it. We stand for equal opportunity and freedom, but to listen to our political enemies, they have painted us as hate-mongers who love repression. We can't stand silently for this.

I am not crazy enough to say I have all the answers to these issues and more, but I am looking toward a change in direction and leadership which will bring about a strong Republican backlash across the nation in 2010 and beyond. Now is not the time to sit back and wait for people to start liking the Republican message - we have to take it to them. The least any member can do is to invite one friend or neighbor to a GOP event or meeting. Let the people learn for themselves what being a Republican is all about. Yes, there is something you can do to stop the nonsense!