[img]1640|right|Arthur Christopher Schaper||no_popup[/img]Australia, Norway and Colorado are as much alike as black and white.
Except, in the past week conservative politicians scored major upset victories, which should convince Republicans in America that limited government, classical liberal values, can win. It takes the right campaign resources, the right technology and campaign strategies, and not necessarily a great deal of money.
Despite the lack of media coverage, conservative wins are waking up political activists throughout the country. Voters in California are learning about the Vidak victory in the Central Valley, and now they can rejoice about electoral triumphs over high taxes, higher spending, and regulation resistance worldwide.
Let's start with Australia. The Liberal Party won after six years of Labour Party infighting and going-nowhere government. For the record, Liberal better describes a government ideology defined by limited government, less spending, lower taxes, and local control, leading to more liberty for all.
In Norway, Erna Solberg led her Conservative party to its first victory in eight years. In spite of the oil-rich, expansive welfare state, voters wanted a change that reduced taxes and provided more access to private healthcare. The previous liberal government was faulted for institutional failures following the mass-killing of 77 Norwegians, and so national security played a role.
In Colorado, in spite of two terrible gun massacres last year, residents resented two Democratic state senators' stance on expanding gun control. Empirical research confirms that gun control does not control violence , merely restricting law-abiding users from useful ownership. Despite massive financing from outside groups, state Senate President John Morse and Sen. Angela Giron were recalled, replaced by Republicans who now need one more vote to take back the senate. The power of popular democracy in response to unwise legislation should embolden conservatives in other blue-purple states, including California.
This recall effort is significant for conservatives because the power of voter frustration and grass-roots organization trumped the millions of dollars spent by outside interest groups to convince Colorado voters to retain the gun control advocates. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is learning the hard way, wasting his money and New Yorkers’ patience, that cash flow will not turn victories toward statist, Big Government liberal views. Republicans in blue states should relish these elections. Union presence and Democratic dominance with dollars will not guarantee further liberal victories.
Conservatives in California and throughout the country should pay close attention to these three victories, which showcase at least one of the following values:
1. Resistance to high taxation. Australians hated the carbon tax. So should Californians, who contend with this legislation by supposed Republic Gov. Schwarzenegger and a Democratic legislature. U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-South Bay) attempted to force the same scheme on the entire country three years later. He admitted he did not know what was in his own bill, and also attempted to add 300 pages of pork and generous deals for special interests. Fortunately for us, the carbon tax died
2. Economic recovery in contrast to liberal-Democratic stagnation. Just like the United States, Australia, Colorado and Norway are struggling with a weak economy. A decade of liberal government has not been working. Rather than petty attacks and also-ran candidates, conservatives can adopt free market ideas that work every time. Lower taxes, less government, greater efficacy through local control ensure business survival. President Obama and his liberal caucus have expanded the state while shrinking the individual, demeaning local leaders, forcing a decline in American influence.
3. Government stability. The Australian Labour Party infighting led to three different leaders during their tenure. Australians revolted. President Obama has blamed Republicans and the voters for his poor record. His policies are getting panned in Congress and throughout the country. After five years of slow growth and low wages, Americans are hurting. Mr. Obama’s foreign policy failures over Syria and his cool relationship with the Russians have cast him as unstable and unable. He has become one of the most unreliable leaders in modern American history.
(To be continued)
Arthur Christopher Schaper is a teacher-turned-writer on topics both timeless and timely; political, cultural, and eternal. A lifelong Southern California resident, he currently lives in Torrance.
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