A note of...optimism?

I've been thinking a lot since Tuesday about what the future is for Conservatism and Constitutionalism. I did not, and would not in retrospect, vote for McCain, so I'm not going to make a judgment on what a McCain administration would mean. I'll try to control my "And McCain/Bush stood for the very same thing/are worse!" comments throughout. That's irrelevant. We must, as always, go with what we've been given.

Barack Obama's nomination is representative of a very monumental time in American history for a number of reasons; some good, but most bad. We have elected one of the most Socialistic Presidents in American history. We have elected someone who is extremely pro-abortion. Someone who is a complete and total globalist. Someone who will undoubtedly rival our last President in spending. I have no doubt that Obama will at some time take advantage of the executive orders*[see note] and laws that Bush has passed through on us and everything will not be the euphoric false hope that was presented. But, believe it or not, I do see a few points of optimism with the nomination.

First; nothing was going to "change" with McCain. I don't mean that in the way that Obama means. Conservatism, I think, died with George W. Bush. McCain was going to bury it. In the past eight - especially four - years, Conservatism has been redefined and anyone who stands for war is considered relatively Conservative. All other points of contention; from abortion to spending, are in comparison irrelevant. That's not good! Even if you support the Iraq war - and I don't - you cannot help but admit that it's essential that a Republican president stand strongly for something other than the Iraq war! Of course, McCain moderated a few of his positions and did his best to seem anti-abortion, anti big spending, etc., but the truth remains: he was not, is not, and will never be, a true Conservative. I honestly believe that had McCain been elected, it would've meant the death of everything most of us stand for.

With a President Obama, we now have the opportunity to take the idea of modern Conservatism back to its roots in Reagan Republicanism and Jeffersonian Conservatism. Pseudo-Conservatism and a Democratic Congress with McCain and Palin is not something that would've inspired people to elect Conservatives in 2010. Now, we can retake the House and the Senate in two years, and retake the Presidency in four much easier.

With Obama in office, we now also have the possibility of increased vigilance, especially from the churches, but also from Republican lawmakers seeking to retain their jobs. Had Barack Obama tried to pass half of the executive orders, the Patriot Act, the suspension of Habeas Corpus - there would've been outrage! And rightly so. The so-called "Patriot" Act - under a different name, of course - was introduced to a Republican Congress under Clinton and they rejected it! But when it was introduced under Bush, post 9-11, the hundred-page law passed literally the day after it was introduced. Ron Paul stood alone in the House (with only a few Democrats) and only a few Senators joined him (interestingly enough, Larry Craig was one of them...)

But I'm getting on a Ron Paul rant here. My point is that this newly elected Democratic President represents a chance for us to be more vigilant, more aware. Where Conservatives might have been hesitant to criticize a Republican, they readily condemn a Democrat. We need to retake the Republican party for true Conservatism and we need to redefine what that means. With Barack Obama in office, it will be a whole lot easier than it would've been with John McCain.

I have to get to class now, but I'll probably be back later to edit my crazy ramblings a bit! In the meantime, let me know what you guys think!

*For instance: one executive order passed by Bush would allow him to declare a state of emergency - institute national martial law - for six months without Congressional oversight at all. Those of you who like the idea of Bush being able to do that - what about Obama? The executive orders apply to all Presidents unless they are overturned.