No amnesty! Not now-not ever! 80% of the American public is 100% against this. We know it will bankrupt this country and we will lose our sovereignty! Tax paying Americans have NOTHING to gain from giving millions of illegals OUR citizenship! Take a tough stand against amnesty and YOU WILL KEEP THE CONSERVATIVE VOTE!

If amnesty is granted, Republicans will NEVER have a voice (although they may have that coveted "cheap labor" that they are so known for!). We will lose our two party system. Dems want illegals for votes - Republicans want them for thier so called cheap labor! AMERICANS LOSE!

No amnesty! Not now-not ever! 80% of the American public is 100% against this. We know it will bankrupt this country and we will lose our sovereignty! Tax paying Americans have NOTHING to gain from giving millions of illegals OUR citizenship! Take a tough stand against amnesty and YOU WILL KEEP THE CONSERVATIVE VOTE!

If amnesty is granted, Republicans will NEVER have a voice (although they may have that coveted "cheap labor" that the republicans are so known for loving illegals for!). We will lose our two party system. Dems want illegals for votes - Republicans want them for thier so called cheap labor! AMERICANS LOSE!

I have noticed a considerable lack of leadership from anyone on the "conservatives" side. I think everyone is waiting for someone else to stand up and do something or we are reactionary rather than proactive. IF we would have gotten out ahead of the healthcare bill and produced solutions and ideas (far more publicly) we would not have to "defeat" a movement - we would be creating a movement full of positive energy. The Democrats have already set the agenda - at this point it is almost too late to change the agenda. We are the party of "no" in that all we do is react negatively to their agenda. Why are we not truly creating our own agenda? We know what is coming down the pipe. Immigration is next, then Cap and Tax and of course Financial Reform and Education Reform are quietly sitting in the background. Why do we wait until they come up with a plan and then reject it. Let's proactively come up with our own plan for these issues and beat them to the punch. Sure we don't have the majorities to make them reality yet, but when people see us out front leading the charge, presenting positive, creative and innovative solutions, when the Democrats come behind with their tried and failed policies - they will be on defense instead of offense. Defense can't score - offense can. Even if we don't have solidified plans yet, put ideas out there - engage the people - find out what they want on these issues - engage in town hall meetings (virtual if you are not at home) and get people moving and then when the Democrats come out with their stuff - it won't sound so good to the people. In addition, Democrat ideas will be THEIR ideas, not the ideas of the people. Organize "think tanks" with leaders of industry along with ordinary citizens to come up solutions and present at town halls - engage the people. The power here is in the people and the only way to fight this agenda is to have a powerful and organized agenda to give the country back to the people. Don't demonize business but at the same time, don't ignore the rights of the individual - help us work TOGETHER! We are tired of Democrats and Republicans - we want to vote for AMERICANS who love our country and want to build on what is good about America, and reduce and eliminate the things that don't work - and let's do it together!

Submitted by doctorhugo (I NEVER make anonymous comments!)

As the Chair of the Republican National Committee, we troops at ground level look for you to make a statement of leadership when needed. I can think of no better time to do so than upon the signing by THIS aberration of a President of THIS aberration of a bill of alleged healthcare reform which is a direct assault upon OUR Constitution. It violates in spirit and action the Checks and Balances of the Separation of Powers provision in addition to other transgressions.

I consider myself a true conservative Republican and one of those who was considered once to be at the heart of this party. However, in recent years this party has sold it's soul to the likes of the Capitulate by Compromise and Group of .... curmudgeon, one John McCain and his protege, the Yellow-Bellied demonRATic Sapsucker from the flyways of South Carolina, Linseed 'Oily' Graham.

I marvel at how these two parade themselves before the media and make proclamations upon policy and the REAL Republican leadership stands around playing pocket-pool with themselves at OUR expense and simply will NOT CONTEST them. Do you people not wonder why we do NOT support you financially any longer. I routinely tear up all manner of solicitations for contributions. I do so, because you are MY political representative and have to EARN my respect and support by your dedication to retake this party. Failing in that, I can tell you that a new Independent Party may well start to emerge built up around the union of various groups who were so dedicated to this healthcare battle. They see the Republican option as no option and a bunch of feckless vacillators with neither direction nor leadership. I agree and may join with them as may others of my conservative persuasion.

I offer this as a wake-up call and constructive criticism in the hope that you'll try to work to prevent the Republican Party from subtlely morphing into an irrelevance of THIRD party status. This healthcare sham was and should be acknowledged as a Declaration of War upon this very constitutional republic BY US. We should openly state that this President, by virtue of his words, deeds and appointments has defined himself as a Marxist intent on the very overthrow of our system of governance and societal values. This MUST BE DONE in unison with the Republican leadership of both houses of congress and yourself and reported as part of the Republican plank for 2012. We MUST draw a CLEAR AND UNMISTAKABLE line of choice between us and the socialistic demonRATic option.

Maybe all the schools, news media and the like should promote the reading of the Costitution, why not we are the government. We should be aware of our duty and not some bought off politician. Get the money out of the system. No more lobbyists, no more duel citizens in high office. no more CFR, Tri-lateral Commission, Bilderberg Group no more IMF, Audit the Fed get us back on gold and silver currency and not the private org. The Fed Reserve. Get rid of all the Unconstitutional Alphabet agencies, FBI CIA NEA ATF etc... the list is long. Repeal the 17th amenment and put the senators back in control of the states and not a good ol´boy club...

thanks,
bob

The Party needs to grow up and stop being the Party of NO and start being the Party of Ideas. We need to address the problems facing the country rather than acting like spoiled ten year olds on the playground. Catering to idiots who are too stupid to know that Medicare is a GOVERNMENT PROGRAM will doom the Party to the history books. We already have socialized medicine (no one is turned away from a health care provider because they can't pay) and have had it for decades. But it is funded by insurance premiums we pay rather than in a sensible way. Moreover, economically it makes more sense for a government run program. Look at the cost of health care to business in the United States vs Canada. Canadian auto companies are much more profitable because their health costs are a fraction of what US automakers pay. So the time has come for us to start solving problems, not yelling 50s comments from backwoods Alabama.

Would all of you consider reading Article 2, section 4 of the Constitution? I believe that there are grounds for the Impechment of the President and Nancy Palosi amoung others. The charge would be bribery.

A balanced agenda is needed. Give something to get something to bring more moderates into the party.

The tea baggers lost all credibility today with their hate crimes behavior.

You need to condemn them publicly for this behavior. They only hurt the Republician party as a whole. You are known by the company you keep.

the Senate-passed bill cleared the House on a 219-212 vote, with Republicans unanimous in opposition.
And Speaker Nancy Pelosi should be fired !!!

Sincerely
Pixieo2@aol.com
or Kathy Pickett

PS Please forgive any spelling errors,
it's not one of my stronger points

Why are Rep allowing the Dems to portray them as a divided party (rep & tea party) when the dem and progressives are the most divisive two destroying the dem party?
We should be really driving the info that the Dems are the real ones who are destroying the two party system because they are not on the same page (as is obvious by the fights of the past 14 months) and the rep and tea party are essentially the same with the TP's goal being to call the rep back to their core values.
They are the divided two, not the rep and steele is missing a huge opportunity by not pointing out that they are essentially 2 oppsihng value systems fighting for the dem party. And may God help us if the progressives take over!

Are we a political party? Or have we become a religious movement? My family and I have been Republicans all our lifes, but we don't like the direction our party is going!
We don't want government in our lifes. This means we don't want Democrats telling us we can't pray at school and we don't want Republicans telling us we can't make our own decisions. Me and my family are totally against abortion and we don't want the taxpayers paying for it, however, abortion is a tough and personal decision and it should not be made by the government!
We want the Republican party dealing with government issues, not personal ones. Our party is catering so much to the radical right that it cost us a Presidential election and it might cost us our children's future.
GET BACK TO THE BASICS; Less government, less taxes and less spending!!!!

I was a Republican for 28 years. I stopped being a Republican because of Bush/Cheney, they forgot that they work for the American People, all of them, not just the rich. They made the middle-class the working poor and the poor destitute. I think in 2008 the American People spoke and elected a new President and since then all I have heard from Republicans is whining and finger pointing. They have not backed the President, in fact it seems like they have done everything to hamper his every effort to bring back the middle-class to the point of being traitors to this great country odf ours. Republicans seem to have forgot who did what, and act like little chilren who lost instead of elected Representatives of the people in thier respective states. Health Care, Wall Street finance reform, terrorism, jobs are just some of many issues that need to be addressed, not put off until the next election, how about Republicans start acting like Adults and get busy and do what their supposed to do, represent the American People, not be a bunch of Traitors who can't even back a jobs bill.

I consider myself a Republican and I generally vote along Republican tickets but I must say I'm now very tired of both Democrats and Republicans. I'm tired of the rich getting richer on the backs of hard working people. I'm tired of lobbyists funding special interests over what's good for the people of this country. I'm tired of all of you not fixing health care for the people instead of special interests and insurance companies. I'm tired of bailing out rich people and while middle-class American purchasing power continues to degrade. I have this to say. If Republicans think the coming elections will go their way because people are mad at Democrats, think twice. We're mad at all of you and there is a growing belief that all of you must go before reform can truly take place. Anyone that's an incumbent better be scared because we're not seeing any of you representing "the people" anymore. You all seem corrupt and paid for by the rich and we may all decide it's time for a bigger change by voting you all out!

Goals for the party - for a sure fire win in 2012.
1. Reduce the Federal budget by 20% every two years.
2. Get rid of Insurance monopolies, no more exclusions for pre existing conditions & enact tort reform - I do not feel my health care service is better or has increased 12-16% a year do you?
3. Create or impose glass-stegal regulations ASAP on banks & take a bonus or bank tax on the idiots that gave us this mess to help reduce the budget see #1.
To big to fail banks are not acceptable as they are the foundation of the US jobs industry.
4. Immediately give the USAF tanker program to Boeing, this would be a job shot in the arm right now by using allocated US tax payer fund for US jobs!

The message from Mass. is this simple "The people do not like a one sided majority for long - democrat (left) or republican (right)"
If the Republican party thinks this is anything but you are not a Democrat you will be kidding yourself.

The Republican party needs to take the opportunity to capitalize on the simple messages above & get off their moral high horse (abortion), or they will have a 2008 repeat in 2014.

i want to keep my hard earned money for MY family and for responsible gov. spending needs not EVERY special social fad spending program that politicians use to get votes.

eliminate the death tax, the capital gains tax, lower ALL income and corp. taxes or better yet make a flat tax at 12% fed and 3% state with no write offs or deductions and interest rates pegged at 2% for all home and commercial loans.

allow all health insurers to compete across states lines, limit medical law suits to 1.5m. and have no pre-existing conditions, cap malpractice ins. for ALL Dr.s at 30k/yr. lastly, set up a 10 Billion account, refilled every year for all uninsured people to access.

i want to keep my hard earned money for MY family and for responsible gov. spending needs not EVERY special social fad spending program that politicians use to get votes.

eliminate the death tax, the capital gains tax, lower ALL income and corp. taxes or better yet make a flat tax at 12% fed and 3% state with no write offs or deductions and interest rates pegged at 2% for all home and commercial loans.

allow all health insurers to compete across states lines, limit medical law suits to 1.5m. and have no pre-existing conditions, cap malpractice ins. for ALL Dr.s at 30k/yr. lastly, set up a 10 Billion account, refilled every year for all uninsured people to access.

I noticed the photographs of MLK today in the parades held around the country and it gave me pause as to the heritage of this country !

Glenn Beck has been drumming for REFOUNDING AMERICA and he is on the right track. In every campaign to be run, for every office in question, the focus should be on THE CONSTITUTION and the OATH OF OFFICE.

Every incumbant should be re-certified under THE CONSTITUTION ! Every new candidate or newly installed congressman/woman should be dealt THE CONSTITUTION and every opportunity to display THE CONSTITUTION at RALLY's, speaking engagements or public forums shall be used.

Photos of our founders should be carried instead of name placards, we need to know who our leaders stand for and what they stand for !

Let's get back to OUR ROOTS !

Why isn't the RNC Supporting Scott Brown from MA, he could be the 60th vote that could defeat Obamacare and establish Republican presence in the Senate.

instead of devoting all their energy to blocking things.

It's just no working anymore to say about every piece of legistlation that it's "the wrong bill" at "the wrong time".

The reason Americans are still more democratic than Republican is that the democrats actually try and do stuff.

learn a lesson from them!

The so called conservatives have focused so much attention on trying to eliminate or do away with government (isn't going to happen), and push ultra right wing agendas, etc that they have lost sight of the very constituents they should be wooing. It is Mr. & Mrs. Average Citizen who votes. What do the republican leaders actually do to promote the welfare of these constituents? I say little or nothing. They do a good job of wooing the big business leaders and the extreme right wing religious organization leaders but nothing for the working class.

For example, I constantly receive a barrage of mail from the republican leaders with announcements for fund raisers for $2,000 a head. I ask you, how many middle class citizens are going to cough up with that kind of money? The dems on the other hand(I do subscribe to their newsletters to stay abreast of the opposition's agendas and tactics, send out fund raising letters several times a week looking for $5.00 contributions. While it is annoying, it is apparently successful in fattening the DNC coffers.

If I was "King for a Day" I would start doing some serious soul searching to see where the party has gone astray. They have obviously lost touch with reality on a number of issues which has cost the party dearly. Since the 2010 elections are only a short time from now and 2012 is rapidly coming up, there has to be a radical departure from the old way of doing business or soon, there will be no republicans left as the party leaders will have alienated everyone except the so called die hard ultra right conservatives with no sense of reality who seem to be the root of the problems.

1. Let's take the abortion subject as a starter which is a hot button topic any day. Why not seek some compromises? The reality is that the world is rapidly being over populated. What is so evil about promoting birth control, particularly in third world countries where the infant mortality rate is staggering? As is, the so called right to lifers have no stomach for ensuring the mother or the child is given adequate prenatal care and proper substance and support after birth. If these children are so important, why are the conservatives ignoring them after birth? Their only concern is protecting their vision of conception. The democrats have been very successful in cultivating converts from the ranks of the poor.

2. The old guard conservatives are all for global enterprise. While it sounds noble, millions of Americans have lost their livelihood and the jobless numbers keep growing. Where are the concerned party leaders who should be promoting some kind of national protections to ensure we are not being taken advantage of by the countries with whom we supposedly have free trade agreements with? Other countries are doing a much better job of covertly or outright subsidizing their employers so why not a tit for tat here?

I could go on all day about where the party is failing but if by not I have not conveyed a message, I have failed.

I will make a prediction however. If the party does not shift its position on the hot button issues and they do not shed some of the troublesome old guard leaders, they may as well fold their tent and slink away into oblivion.

Morals and principals are great but survival instinct has to kick in at some point.

Thank you Michael Steele. You did the right thing that we citizens of America want to know. WHERE IS YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE MR. BERRY SOETONO AKA OBAMA.

I belong to a fourth arm of the Government. Citizens for american grand Jury.org we are in the process of Indicting Mr. Berry Soetono and/or Barach Obama or./ Berry Obama.

This grass roots effort is going across the country like wildfire and more Indictments are coming in daily. I have 2 here to file in court on Tuesday. We are fighting back and w hope to win. We want to see his birth certificate and some other things just go to www.americangrandjury.org and you will see for yourself and join us in this fight as Mr. Steele as done

I see lower taxes, less government spending and a push for a more fiscally conservate agenda as essential elements to electing more Republicans. If, as it is often said, "all politics are local," some effort at developing a viable structure at the local level is needed.

For example, I live in CA's 32nd Congressional District, a Democratically-gerrymandered District. Last week we had a unique opportunity to elect a Republican--if we were cohesive and focused on getting Republicans to vote. Unfortunately, we were not.

The leading Democrat candidate mailed flyers to Republicans listing Republican groups that were supporting her. No Republican group should support a liberal Democrat--especially when three Republican candidates are running in a primary. One of the Republican candidates was a conservative Hispanic Republican whose polling data showed she had a real chance to win in our district--if we could get the vote out. She also had the endorsement of numerous Republicans groups throughout the GOP.

In my view, relying on volunteers to make phone calls is a necessary but insufficient means for getting the word out. For example, as a new RWF volunteer in two elections (2008 president and the special 32nd congressional), I observe far too many instances of RWF members commenting they won't make phone calls. In the 32nd Congressional race mentioned the phone calling was highly important and the emphasis was placing on calling Republicans. Thus, the calls were relatively easy, i.e., not hostile or sarcastic responses which can be difficult for many people to take.

While making these calls, it became very evident to me that many Republicans I spoke with were unfamiliar with the candidate or assumed that because of a Hispanic surname, she was either a Democrat and/or an open border/amensty advocate. Thus, in this instance, these phone calls provided a great opportunity to introduce the candidate as a true conservate Republican and explain the candidates views and GOP support for her. Unfortunately, as election day approached , I also observed (and later confirmed) the volumne of needed phone calls did not happen. The conservative Hispanic candidate lost the Republican primary. The candidate that did win seems to have lukewarm support and a poor opportunity of winning the July election.

It is known that the Democrats have union support and that the union members are dedicated to getting candidates elected. The GOP needs to develop a similiar structure.

I was a Professional Forester for 58 years and lost my business due to the Environmentalists who use false science to prevent Professional Forest Management of both Private and Public Lands.

I joined the USFS as a Crew Member at the age of 16 and I soon found out it was a Business of Care, Protecting, and Growing Trees for Environmental Purposes. But in order to accomplish this the Forest Service was charged with carefully harvesting timber trees and putting them up for public auction.

As a Crew Member of 50 men who were mostly Teen Agers except for our Foremen and Camp Boss, we were involved in controlling a Tree Disease. But, when there was a Major Fire we would travel all night in open trucks on wooden benches and arrive in time for Breakfast and the Day Shift of 12 hours.

As a Hand Crew we were very effective at building Fire Line and putting out fires.

But what impressed me the most that here was a Federal Agency that was doing the Care, Protection, and Growing an Agricultural Product that could be sold to Private Companies at a Profit to the American Citizens but with Administration retained by Government.

Not only but up until I left the USFS, they were sending more Dollars to the General Fund than Congress was allowing them as a Budget.

That changed and I could see the change coming because of Professional Foresters with a Scientific Degree were being over-ruled by non-scientific individuals who were not interested in saving Tax Payer's Money, but I digress.

I think one of the situations that Republicans have to focus on is the Absolute Fact that it is Private Industry and Private Enterprise is the only action that restores the best Economy and Employment available for the American Citizenry.

FDR proved this that creating Public Works and borrowing against future generations of Taxpayers without their permission. Even his Secretary of Treasury stated that the spending of Taxpayer's Funds did not and by 1939 had not solved the Great Depression.

Please, Please, put the focus on the creation, improvement and sustaining of a vibrant Economy depends on the American Citizens and the Private Industry and Private Enterprise.

Most citizens have been improperly educated that FDR's methods of creating more Federal Agencies, more Federal Employees, and more spending of Taxpayer's Money were the reason for diminishing the effects of the a Depression or Recession. This is a great falsehood.

Focus on the best method of restoring of the Nation's Economy. This is the most important function of a Political Party.

The GOP needs to speak up and speak out.
You need to REACH the people that put their heads in the sand and ONLY listen to main stream media---and we all know who's side they are on.
You need to speak out and get to all the people that don't hear the truth from talk radio etc. You have to do adds, get on talk shows ---- WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY REALIZING EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON.

NOT EVERYONE IS IN THE KNOW
MOST PEOPLE LISTEN TO LOCAL STATIONS AND THAT'S IT AND WHAT THEY READ IN LOCAL PAPERS OR HEAR A LITTLE BLEEP HERE AND THERE. BUT THOSE ARE THE WAYS TO REACH THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE ALWAYS VOTED DEMOCRAT-----that was a lot of what I heard people say and the bottom line with Obama for people was his words and how he said them and is still saying all the bs.
HE'S A USED CAR SALES MAN and if that's what it take to win the people----so be it, as long as you are telling the truth unlike a lot of politicians in place right now.....

Why not change the way we vote? Instead of showing a form of Identification such as a driver's license, why not use a fingerprint scanner for Identifying voters during elections? Doing so eliminates multiple votes by the same person as well as names of persons who have since, passed away. Election fraud is an issue that is not only a primary discussion among republican supporters but it is discouraging many from voting. 2010 and 2012 are very Important elections and I am afraid that many will fail to vote because of bad Impressions regarding election fraud and ACORN. Media, Members of Republicans turning their back on their own, and public polls are eliminating the chances of success for republicans. These Issues must be handled. I do quite a bit of cheering for republicans but I am just a small person in a large convention of public bloggers.

This is so simple, I wonder why no one thought of this before . . .

While having little interest in getting in the middle of the Obama birth issue, Paul Hollrah over at FSM did so yesterday and believes the issue can be resolved by Obama answering one simple question: What passport did he use when he was shuttling between New York, Jakarta, and Karachi ?

How did a young man who arrived in New York in early June 1981, without the price of a hotel room in his pocket, suddenly come up with the price of a round-the-world trip just a month later? And once he was on a plane, shuttling between New York, Jakarta, and Karachi , what passport was he offering when he passed through Customs and Immigration? The American people not only deserve to have answers to these questions, they must have answers. It makes the debate over Obama's citizenship a rather short and simple one.

Q: Did he travel to Pakistan in 1981, at age 20?
A: Yes, by his own admission.

Q: What passport did he travel under?
A: There are only three possibilities: he traveled with a U.S. passport, a British passport, or with an Indonesian passport.

Q: Is it possible that Obama traveled with a U.S. passport in 1981?
A: No. It is not possible. Pakistan was on the U.S. State Department's "no travel" list in 1981.

Conclusion: When Obama went to Pakistan in 1981 he was traveling either with a British passport or an Indonesian passport.

If he was traveling with a British passport that would provide proof that he was born in Kenya on August 4, 1961, not in Hawaii as he claims. And if he was traveling with an Indonesian passport that would tend to prove that he relinquished whatever previous citizenship he held, British or American, prior to being adopted by his Indonesian step-father in 1967.

Whatever the truth of the matter, the American people need to know how he managed to become a "natural born" American citizen between 1981 and 2008. Given the destructive nature of his plans for America - as illustrated by his speech before Congress and the disastrous spending plan he has presented to Congress - the sooner we learn the truth of all this, the better.

Count me in as one of those inquiring minds who'd at least like to know the answers to these easily answered (by Obama) questions.

Drill baby, drill?

Much has been put forth as to why Mr. Obama became President of the United States. After many conversations with fellow conservatives the general consensus was, "They're all the same".
As a Conservative, I became disgusted with the inaction of the Republican Party. They were the majority party for quite awhile. I clearly recall President Bush announcing his "Blue Ribbon Commission" to develop a simpler and more fair system of taxation. Afterward, I never heard another word. We are charged 38 cents on every gallon of gasoline we buy. Don't tell me we can't work a National Sales tax. A tax transition period could be phased along. Or, does the Republican Party believe America can't walk and chew gum at the same time.
No one, Republican or Democrat wants to secure our borders against the Illegal Immigrants. Conservatism in action? Until those elected get to work ... we quit.

To Anonymous (afraid to give your name) re: The Republican Obsession with Abortion Will Lose Them Elections:
So you are socially liberal. In your opinion, Republicans being elected is infinitely more important than being against abortion. Apparently, your mother and father were not socially liberal--you are alive. Think--if your parents were socially liberal like you, we wouldn't have to read your miserable rant of what should be important to the Republican party. Also, you see no problem/s with gay marriages. Yet, from your statements, I get the message that you are a female married to a male, which is what true marriage is all about. Come on--make sense. Your comments are ridiculous.
It is imperative that the Republican party continue to be socially conservative. They must continue to be pro-life (not pro-abortion/death), and they must continue to endorse/support marriage between a man and woman. That is marriage. Endorsing/promoting gay marriages is liberal accommodation to garner votes, which is wrong.
Wake up! Your being socially liberal will get you nowhere.
Liz Abbott

Sorry to say, but the republican party has been turned into this image of a bunch of gray haired old farts that just want to sit back and watch the country from a safe distance. The only reason Obama won the election is because he knows the Country is driven by the American Ideal image. Obama played up his "rock star" image and there isn't anything bad about being a rock start. So none of the Red Flags that were screaming as to what kind of president he was going to be stuck to him. I want to see a young out going candidate that has his/her finger on the pulse of what is happening in the twenty first century.

I don't want a candidate that is going to take up personal or religious causes. As much as I don't like the idea of abortions, its a right I want to have to make a choice with my body. And this country was founded on the idea of freedom of religion, so Christianity isn't only religion. I believe that the country has shown that high taxes and the poor economy are our primary concerns, not only conservative beliefs. Over the last 2 years, I have been unemployed for 18 of the last 24 months. I work in the mortgage industry and have worked in that industry for over 19 years. I don't know anything else. Personally, I would like to see the housing industry stabilize, which I believe would be the first step to turning the economy around.

I appreciate Michael Steele's voice right now. I believe that he has nothing to lose, so he needs to put himself out there every day. Call out these people in congress and the current administration on every mis-step so that something starts to stick to Obama's American Ideal persona. Some day, hopefully soon, the honeymoon will be over. Change the face of the party to something younger and fresher, but most of all, a party that is strong and ready to fight for a free America.

Legalize marijuana.

As a republican who voted for Regan (two terms), George Bush senior (twice) and voted for his son (two terms), I am amazed at how out of touch, and how arrogant our party has become with the average (unemployed) American family. When every single cost (starting with oil prices) dramatically increased for the middle class, out went the lights for the entire economy. All of my republican friends voted for the democrats. And at the rate the repub. party is going, President Obama WILL be re-elected. We need a very strong sustainable middle class in this country, and policies that will enable that. Yet we debate abortion rights, gun control, etc. Again keep focusing on those issues and not the bigger picture of health care, jobs, etc???

We got FAT, OLD and OUT of touch! And unless someone can energize the party, I'm not banking (on what left I have) in my retirement money, on the republican party! There's something to be said about a good old a#@! thumping! For a lot of people it should help clarify issues. Hopefully our party will see that!

We know we need more Republicans so we can have LESS Government, and lower taxes!!!!!

I left the Republican party because I could no longer stomach elected Republicans prostituting themselves and abandoning their stated principles for a price.

Are you so nieve or vacant as to think I am alone? Do you seriously think a vauge but powerfully worded "repackaging" of the party message will attract back those offended by apparant lack of vertebrae?

The Republican Party nees to find its soul. This can only be accomplished by the administration or a painfully cleansing enema. Those eleted republicans that have abandoned the principles that first drew us to the party must be scourged, chastised, and be put in positions where they can do no harm.

First should be California's Governor. What dimwitted scatophage gave this self-serving turncoat money with which to push for multi-billion tax increases?

Seriously sir: Wake up or shut up and step aside.

Warren Wilson
Valencia, CA

I am deeply concerned about the new Rasmussen poll indicating a sharp decline in Americans identifying themselves as Republicans while the number of self-called Democrats is rising --- this despite an entirely Democrat-led government systematically and methodically destroying this country?!! WAKE UP REPUBLICAN PARTY!! The grassroots Tea Party movement is seeking to create a third party and Libertarians and Independents are joining their ranks in droves. I have not sent in my support for the Republican party because I want to hear that the GOP is pledging to return to its coservative roots. We do not need to be remade ---- the Republicrats in the party did that over the last few years and they all but killed the party. We do not need to appeal to the Colin Powells and Arlen Spectors. I am one of millions who will not be part of a party that once again seeks to welcome in those who seek to steer us further to the left. STAND FIRM ON THE PRINCIPLES AND VALUES OF OUR CONSTITUTION AND THE WISDOM OF OUR FOUNDING FATHERS AND RONALD REAGAN AND YOU WILL SEE THE PARTY RESURGE. Unless the GOP does this, a third party will again splinter conservatives and thus guarantee Democrat victories and doom this country into the hands of fascists.

When did the Republican party have a singular focus? We need to focus and take a stand on all of the above, all of the time. That's how we return to power.
PS - letting abortion be a matter of choice is like letting slavery be a matter of choice. Abraham Lincoln disagreed with allowing one human being to own the life of another. We should stand with him.

This type of stuff swims around in my head quite a bit. Hoping Michael can capitalize on these things that are on MANY people's minds.

1. Elected officials are less accountable than ever. Nobody talks about the way we define & draw districts (gerrymandering), or the lack of term limits for U.S. House / U.S. Senators. Put those 2 together and you get a bunch of safe seats for incumbants for life with NO FEAR of losing, no competition for ideas, and makes money the most important issue in becoming a representative. This leads to fewer people paying attention to what our elected officials actually do. It wasn't always like this.

2. Rapidly increasing Size, power, control, role of Federal Government. 10th amendment: "Powers that the Constitution does not delegate to the United States and does not prohibit the States from exercising, are "reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." Does anyone believe this today? Who is talking about and understands the proper role of federal government? We have the Federal government replacing private company CEO's, board members, deciding to "invest" in private companies, interjecting itself into private corporate bankruptcy proceedings, ignoring contract law, choosing winners & losers (companies, interest groups) in so many matters. It wasn't always like this.

3. Diminishing Individual accountability & incentive to prosper. How can almost 50% of the population not pay federal taxes? What will that lead to? Federal government monies are now used as a safety net for prior (terrible) state fiscal decisions. Less incentive to get off of welfare. Making it harder for risk takers to take risks with their capital. It wasn’t always like this.

4. Family structure weak. Poor couples having more children than they can effectively raise & support. 70% of black children are born out of wedlock. It wasn't always like this.

5. Lack of global competitiveness of our youth / educational systems. Today’s 18-22 year old is by far intellectually inferior to one educated in the 18th century in this country. Kids don't know much about history, economics, law, language but are experts at pop culture and texting. It wasn’t always like this.

Who in this nation, in this party, will lead the messaging of these issues? The leaders that can talk about these things will win the hearts of people.
thanks