GOP: from the Big Tent to the Pup Tent

With Arlen Spector's defection from Republican to Democrat, the GOP is looking sadder and sadder.  Now after so many years of "with us or against us" mentality and cheap scare tactics to try and keep power, they are starting a "listening tour"--funny that they never bothered listening before they lost power.  I think this party can choose to change and become a serious opposition party again, or continue on their path towards irrelevance, possibly to one day ceasing to exist as their fringe elements take over.  I really hope they can get their act together, because I see a weak Republican party unable to counter a huge shift past the center and far to the left in this country.  Here are five suggestions for the GOP:

1.  Quit playing to the ignorant and lazy.  Fear mongering and cheap shots without substance may get some votes, but weaken the party brand.  Become the anti-Cheneys.

2.  Choose to make your stand on issues that really matter, instead of issues that play to a special interest.  Remember the special session of Congress for Terry Schaivo that ended up accomplishing nothing?

3.  Try to get the majority by leaning closer to the center, not by accumulating enough special interests to win a slim majority.  This worked to get G.W. Bush elected twice, but also increased the country's divide and ended up backfiring.  Also, forcing out the moderating elements of the party will keep you in the minority indefinitely.

4.  Quit blindly choosing religion and law enforcement over individual rights.  This would mean welcoming more libertarian ideas into the party, including gay marriage and medical marijuana.  These are complex issues, and the GOP hardline positions alienate many from the party.  Also, far-right positions on immigration (including wanting to overturn the Fourteenth Amendment) will get you nowhere.

5.  Concentrate on countering the actual bad ideas of the Democratic party.  California is teetering on the brink of bankrupty in part because of many concessions to strong unions (teachers, prison guards) that promote mediocracy, not meritocracy.  Democrats also promote "nanny state" laws, can be against free trade, and many times believe government can do a better job than the private sector.  These ideas need an intelligence counterargument.