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A rebirth of the IL GOP in 2005? Depends on the resolutions made and kept, according to Seiffe.

Friday, December 31, 2004

By Ralf Seiffe

It’s New Year’s Eve, the traditional time for wishing health and prosperity to friends and acquaintances in the next year.

It’s also the time one makes resolutions to improve and live better over the next 365 days. So, in that spirit, this staunch Republican, disappointed in the way things have gone in Illinois recently, sends some well wishes to my party along with some resolutions Republican officials might make for a prosperous 2005.

First, stop letting Washington take so much of our money. For every dollar we send to the federal government, we get only about 75¢ back, a rate that would embarrass even the most rapacious currency exchange.

One would think that with the Speaker of the House and a majority in Congress, we would do better. If we have a state budget crisis, how would it be helped if we were able to get several billion back from the feds? Republicans should make getting a better deal from the federal government an immediate priority.

Over the longer-term, Illinois Republicans should be champions of lower federal taxes. With the bushwhacking our tax dollars suffer on the trip to Washington and back, Illinois taxpayers would be much better off with lower federal tax rates because we are effectively subsidizing other states. Our party should point this out to swing voters and position itself as the party of lower federal taxes as rational self-interest.

Take time to understand why other states have transformed themselves from single party, Democrat fiefdoms to electing Republican governors, senators and legislatures for the first time ever.

What do these parties know that we do not know? Here’s a couple of hints: they learned the optimism and inclusion of the Reagan Revolution and they have integrated a message that puts a national element in local races. Take a field trip and find out how.

When the party selects a new chairman, pay attention to the typical traits a chairman must have but also look for someone with the chutzpah, charisma and courage to engage and motivate the grassroots. Wouldn’t the party benefit if it were able motivate workers and reclaim lapsed Republicans? Ask Karl Rove how the grassroots worked for him and take note.

Coincidentally, the job of the new chairman must be to synthesize the moderates, the conservatives and the lapsed into a forward-looking political party.

The schism between these factions must be cured if Republicans expect to win elections. The new party chairman should begin a program of rapprochement starting with appearances at the small-group meetings that occur every week across the state. The initial message should be that no matter what your particular issue might be most important to you, you’re better off with a Republican legislative majority and governor. Then, Republicans should begin to engage the issues that will become more important in the 21st century.

It’s time for Republicans to confront the education crisis head-on. If no other 2005 statistic sticks in your frontal lobes, remember this one: thirty years ago, American students’ academic performance led the world. Now, at least 20 industrial countries do better. Some of these countries were not even considered industrialized back then! Republicans can make gains, especially in the African-American community, by repositioning alternatives to government schools as a human rights issue.

In addition, it is a bread and butter issue because if our work force is too ignorant to best our international competitors, American living standards will inevitably fall. This is an issue Republicans will find to be a winner. Turning this system around will take a generation. Start now.

The scandals cascading out of the Daley administration will eventually infuriate voters. Nevertheless, if everybody in Chicago’s city hall were indicted and hauled away, Republicans would still probably forfeit the next election.

If the Combine has a non-aggression pact with Cook County Democrats, the new chairman should tear it up. There are promising Republican organizations in Chicago which provide a model for Republican growth and the opportunity to fight the Democrats on their own turf. It’s a good strategy in the war on terror and it’s a good idea in Illinois.

Ditto for the Cook County Board.

Finally, recognize that the Republican party must make some act of contrition to redeem itself with voters. The new party leaders must level with the voters and admit that they were part of the cesspool that is Illinois government. Voters forgive those that confess their faults and reject those that refuse to ‘fess up to the obvious. Learn from Bill Clinton but make real change voters believe.

Please accept this Republican’s well wishes and remember the lowest ebb is the point from which come the greatest gains.

Have a great year, dear Republicans, and I hope we’re able to do better with by adopting these resolutions in the New Year!

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Ralf Seiffe advises business start-ups and product launches from Chicago, Illinois and is a political analyst and columnist for the Illinois Leader.