A Republic, If You Can Keep It

At the close of the Constitutional Convention  in 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked by a woman standing outside the hall: "Well, Doctor, do we have a monarchy or a republic"? Franklin replied: "A republic, if you can keep it." Franklin's words were sharp and foreshadowed the centuries of struggles that our nation would face to keep real self-governance viable. 

Every election cycle since that first one has tested our nation's resolve to be free and our commitment to the peaceful change of power. Every election is about something. Yesterday's election, most people agree, was a referendum on President Obama's policies, agenda and ideology. Voters did not vote so much for any positive view espoused by Republicans as they did vote against Obama and the Democrats. There is no doubt that, given the relative lack of vision offered by Republicans, Obama and the Democrats were completely repudiated by the voters.

Now what? Voters overwhelmingly supported Republicans over Democrats and it wasn't even close. The GOP now has a choice. It can either articulate and pursue a real, common sense set of reforms designed to improve the lives of ordinary Americans, or it can consolidate power with lobbyists, favors and money. And then, while feathering their nests, the Republicans can pass meaningless, symbolic bills for their constituents' consumption. The history of grand reform from the GOP has been mixed, to say the least. In an election in which there was no national platform or set of reforms articulated, I have my doubts about what the GOP will actually do. If the Republicans do not pursue real reform, then what little confidence the electorate still has in the GOP will further erode, and they will be out of power again in no time. The country has handed the GOP our republic, we will see if they can keep it.

Tomorrow: Five steps Republicans should take immediately to improve the economy.