We can make a difference...

The more things ‘Change,’ the more they stay the same…

Last Fall’s elections and call for ‘CHANGE’ sent shockwaves throughout our nation and the world. Five months into the Obama Administration, we find ourselves in a much different place than the masses expected when casting their votes in November.

Recent Rasmussen polls show 53% of voters believe government spending is hurting the economy and 51% already approving an across the board tax cut for all American’s. 61% say the government should not regulate compensation once a firm is out of TARP the same week Obama announces his “Pay Czar.”

Six out of ten issues of importance to voters now go to the GOP including the economy. Republicans in Congress have their highest approval ratings over the past year, while Democrats are on their lows for the same time period. 56% of voters view Pelosi unfavorably and only 39% would vote for Roland Burris. When asked if we are heading in the wrong direction, 59% of Americans say yes!

Where is this ‘Change’ we were promised?!

With all this going on in America, it is time for the average Republican to stand up and start to make a difference. We need to stop allowing the only voices that are heard to be those of Rush Limbaugh and Dick Cheney, even if you personally agree with them. Nobody is talking about Cheney’s statements in favor of same sex marriage by the way. Now we as a party and as a team need to stand up and show our neighbors in the categories listed above that they belong in the GOP and they have a place. With the Stamford Young Republicans they also can find a voice and we will ensure it is heard.

Now is the time to demonstrate that the government option is not the only option, and certainly it isn’t the best option. This is the time to work together, to demonstrate what happens when Americans join together for a common cause. We can seize the moment, by generating dialogue, in social assistance and community awareness. With the numbers we are seeing, if we act responsibly and we come together and embrace our responsibilities we can stop things before we get too far down the road of government control. We can turn away from government mandates; we can turn away from wasteful spending and dangerous foreign policy. We can prevent our national security from being endangered in an attempt to appeal to an unrealistic base and we can stop the patronage and bullying that we see in our politics now, from Sen. Burris to the Inspector General Gerald Walpin who had investigated a Presidential friend. We can not let Nancy Pelosi and Jim Himes continue to destroy our economy and security, and our children’s future, because they don’t want to waste a crisis that may allow them to advance an agenda that otherwise wouldn’t have a chance.

Now is the time for us to show the world that change can be done. I was recently involved in two loan modification events that helped 58 families avoid foreclosure and keep their homes. We didn’t receive any state or federal funding. In fact it was a Democratic friend who bet we couldn’t get anything done without Government support! I now realize what can be done and that we can do it.

It is more important than ever for all of us to get involved. After the success of the loan modification events, I will bring more projects like these to the table and encourage all of you to think outside the box, and see where and how everyone can get involved. Helping will serve to make a real difference, as well as alter the public’s perception and impression of Republicans. We, as Young Republicans, have the most vested in what is going on right now – it is our employment and environment being manipulated, our retirement jeopardized, our social security spent and our future health care destroyed.

It is time to start taking action and responsibility together. It is time to start now.

Chris Meek
Chairman – Stamford Young Republicans