I have become convinced that the “big tent” philosophy employed by the Republican Party in Oregon is a losing proposition. The core premise is to liberalize the Republican message to attract people outside of Republicanism to not vote for Democrats. This tactic has resulted in the party having not held the Governor’s chair since the late 80’s and without a strong candidate in the wings this time,  that means almost a quarter century with a Democrat in charge. Add to this that both houses of the Legislature are controlled by Democrats, the data clearly shows that the “big tent” philosophy is a failure.

It is time that the Republicans become Republicans. With the way our State is headed towards bankruptcy, having some of the highest tax rates in the nation, and unemployment continually heading in the wrong direction, it is time to “expand the tent” by offering to govern as real Republicans. The masses are going to wake up soon and understand that, 1) higher taxes on the “rich” increase unemployment,  2) that income to the State treasury actually goes down under higher and higher regulation and taxes, and,  3) that their own personal freedoms are being taken away little by little.   Once people start coming to these realizations, they will be ready to come into a party that offers a better solution to the current “tax and spend”, Statist philosophy governing our State. But will there be a political party ready to say “Welcome” to these people?

Right now the answer is “no”. The Oregon Republican party has bought into the losing “big tent” philosophy because it gets told that that is the winning strategy in a “liberal” state. After almost 25 years, it is pretty obvious that the leadership in the Republican Party is wrong and it is truly time to change course. Voters will be ready to jump to a party that stands for lower taxes, a party that gives real hope for prosperity, and a party that holds to personal freedom. The independent voters and conservative Democrats will be ready to vote for a change once they realize that the Democrat party is all about the socialization of the State and that it really isn’t a party that is concerned one whit about their future.  Again, will there be a party ready to welcome them when that realization happens?

It is time for a paradigm shift amongst the leadership within the Republican Party.  It is time to grow the tent by standing for the real tenants of Republicanism; tenants based in individual freedom, and liberty. It is obvious that a party that drifts towards Statist philosophies to appeal to voters is a losing proposition. The time is now to abandon the “big tent” philosophy as it is presently employed in the Oregon Republican party. To not make the change means no hope for change in the death spiral our State is currently in.