As 2008 comes to a close, the season for New Years resolutions begins. People are vowing to lose weight, stop spending so much money, and other people are coming up with pledges to do (or to not do) a number of things.  Because this season has come upon us, I find it necessary for Conservatives to come up with their own set of political New Years resolutions.

1.              NO MORE BAILOUTS!

With the bailout mentality already at an alarming height, our government has an unlimited influx of bailout ideas.  Cities, companies, banks, and more, will, and have, asked for a piece of the proverbial pie.  Conservatives need to say that they have had enough.  Conservative politicians need to show, through their vote, that they have had enough.  Our market has gone through steep ups and downs in the past, and, minus the Great Depression, seldom has the bailout mentality actually set in.  (And even when the bailout mentality did set in, it was not to the extent that it is now.)  The bailout mentality of today can only lead to a deeper bailout mentality tomorrow.

2.              No More Compromising Conservative Views for “Moderate Views”

Conservatism is not a viewpoint for wimps.  Conservatism is a viewpoint of hardcore values.  We cannot give into the sway of moderate views. This ideology, lack there of, is creeping into the ideological camps of both Liberalism and Conservatism.  We must not give into the ideological pressure of moderates and, thereby, dilute our viewpoint.  A watered down version of Conservatism does not inspire the same flame as the viewpoint itself, in its entirety.  A Conservative revolution is impossible, unless Conservatism is left intact.  An influx of moderate views into the Conservative camp can only be destructive of Conservatism, and will only contribute to creating a bleaker future for the Conservative movement.  In sum, Conservatives must stick to their values, and never change those values.  Conservatism is Conservatism, and it must not be changed by moderate views.

3.              We Must Be Prepared

The Boy Scouts are plain enough, “Be prepared.” Similarly Conservatives should be plain.  We must be prepared.  Prepared not always for diplomatic bipartisanship with the other side, but for the battles that will ensue like wildfire across the country because of the sharp divide created by strong opposition from one political ideology, towards an incoming stronghold of power on the utter opposite end of the political spectrum.  The inevitable clash of these two political opposites will most certainly be deep and, seeing that Conservatism is going to be the minority opposition, we must come prepared.  We must know what we stand for and stand by it.  We must not stop fighting for our values and fighting for the principles that we know are right, especially when they seem impossible.  The struggle that the 2008 elections will bring upon us, will be a trying time for our viewpoint.  If for no other reason, we must be prepared to combat and ward off Liberal policies. In sum, Conservatives must prepare themselves for the inevitable fight that will come in this year.

4.              We Must Promote Conservative Fiscal Policy

In an economic climate of this kind there is a cure, Fiscal Conservatism. Fiscal Conservatism, is based upon three chief pillars, less government spending, lower taxes, and a free market approach.  Barack Obama campaigned upon these pillars, making himself look like the fiscal Conservative that he certainly was not.  His fiscal policies, while entirely contrary to the Conservative fiscal approach, where set aside, being exchanged for soaring rhetoric on how he was going to “lower taxes for 95% of Americans.”  Americans love fiscal Conservatism and Obama won because of, not in spite of, the fact that Americans, on the whole, are fiscal Conservatives.  It is time that Conservatives take Fiscal Conservatism back for themselves, and for the average American.  As we soon will see, Liberal Economic philosophy has been loosed in Washington, and it is clear that Conservatives across the country must promote the economic views that they hold dear if the American economy is going to stay safe.  It is also clear, that if Conservatives are not strong in their economic views then America will be taken down a path of fiscal socialism.  Fiscal Conservatism, in a Liberally dominated government, will not be popular, but fiscal Conservatism is not about doing what might win you political points; it is about doing what is right for America, for her economy, and, most importantly, for the citizens of this great nation.  In a time of economic turmoil let’s turn to the things that have been tested, and are known to better America.  Let's better our economy, and let's make our government more fiscally responsible.  Let’s take one for the people; let's promote fiscal Conservatism.

As the Conservative movement heads into 2009 it is time, we must go in strong. These four things, in the humble opinion of this political analyst, will be crucial elements as Conservatism moves forward.  Conservatism must be rejuvenated and ready for the fight, and these four keys will be necessary in order for this to occur.