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A new poll by Rasmussen Reports indicates that 75% of Americans are at least somewhat angry with the government.  45% are listed as “Very Angry.”

I have always hated government by poll data.  I believe strongly in a Republic form of government – elected officials who are then to rule in the best interests of the country.  They answer to their constituents at election time – but during their term in office are to vote their conscience.  Republics assure that the passing whims of the masses do not become lasting tyrannies of the people.  Governing by polls – t0 me – often comes too close the dreaded full Democracy that the founding fathers of this country worked so hard to avoid.

This latest poll, though, could be important.   It describes a growing disconnect between what Rasmussen describes as Mainstream and the Political Class.  Here are some of their findings:

The divide between the Political Class and Mainstream voters, however, is remarkable. Eighty-eight percent (88%) of Mainstream voters are angry, but 84% of the Political Class are not.

Forty-nine percent (49%) worry the government will try to do too much to help the economy, while 39% fear it won’t do enough.

As the economy continues to stumble along, 59% of voters believe cutting taxes is better than increasing government spending as a job-creation tool, but 72% expect the nation’s elected politicians to increase spending instead. (Rasmussen Reports)

One way to read this report is that Americans are upset with the gridlock and the politics that has become routine in DC.  Nothing gets done because of political bushwhacking – or – things only get done after payouts and costly concessions.  Americans are mad not at what policy is – but HOW the government is working.

While this argument holds some truth – Americans are indeed tired of the political stunts of both parties – I believe that there is something more going on.  I think Americans – from both parties as the poll shows – are finally waking up that government is not the answer.  I think some of this anger is a frustration is that the average American knows how to fix things – but is hindered by a federal system that prohibits them from doing so.

Case in point.  The biggest item on the block right now is a nationwide lack of jobs.  9.7% of the American population – give or take – cannot find a job.  (Business Week)  Yet, potential employers are faced with so many expenses that are rolled into hiring the work force that they need – from unemployment tax to social security to FICA to insurance – that it is far cheaper to go without that extra person.  Ask any contractor in Campbell County, Tennessee why they cannot hire full time help and they will tell you that for the first two weeks of every month no one works – that is when the government doll check arrives. Workers will only do anything at the end of the month – all under the table of course – because their “Crazy Check” has already been spent.

Restaurants and fast-food joints have historically been the entrance place into the workforce for many people.  Because these places pay minimum wage – they were never designed to be “living wage” areas.  But, as the minimum wage goes up less and less job force entrants will be hired.  The minimum wage is a great example of the government trying a quick fix – higher wages – that only ends up with lower employment and higher prices.

Americans are finally – I think – starting to tell the government that we can fix it – just stay out of our way.  Let me hire someone at the wage I negotiate with that individual – not some inflated wage that is not determined by the market.  Don’t make us pay taxes on hiring someone – nor subsidize those who are not working.  Do not spend money on jobs bills when we can put people to work more effectively – and more cost efficiently – than any government program can.  Don’t give us grants, loans, or subsidies – just stay out of the way.

I think this anger will continue to grow.  The poll indicates an increasing division between those who hold public office – and the rest of us.  Thankfully – there is more of us.

By repeatedly issuing statements and holding seminars, Evangelical Christians gave DaVinci Code author Dan Brown a tremendous amount of free advertizing for what was a mediocre movie at best. By railing and decrying the Tim Tebow commercial, liberal women’s groups did the same for what turned out to be a very tame commercial.

Just go back and read the headlines: Women’s groups call for CBS to pull Tim Tebow Super Bowl ad (LA Times), Stop Anti-Choice Super Bowl Ad (Women’s Media Center), Tell CBS that using the public airwaves to promote an anti-abortion message will lose the network both respect and business (Feminist Majority Foundation). These are just a few of the organizations that rallied and pushed CBS – to no avail – to pull the ad from the network.

I imagine somewhere at CBS today a savy ad exec is telling her bosses, “See, I told you so.” What in fact was a very tame – and a little hooky – ad became a national event. I – like countless others around the nation – stayed glued – looking for that one commercial. If there had been no pre-game angst about the ad – it probably would have gone unnoticed by most. It was the first set of commercials – following a somewhat funny commercial starring Betty White and Abe Vigoda. It would have been lost in the endless commercialism – and alcoholism – that marks this annual meeting of the gridiron titans. Instead, this 30-second, white background, country music commercial will probably land in the top ten.

I imagine the blogs and airwaves will be crowded with spins and backpeddling. From the Huffington Post:

After much anticipation, the ads have now been released — and the Heisman winner tackles his mother! They do not contain any overtly pro-life message and are tamer than many may have expected. The ads mostly consist of Pam Tebow, Tim’s mother, talking about her son. The former Florida quarterback only speaks at the end of the commercials. (Tim Tebow SUPER BOWL AD VIDEO: See Tebow TACKLE Mother Pam)

Focus on the Family – who sponsored the ad – is a pro-life group committed to the very serious problem of unwanted pregnancies. This commercial, however, focused on the tenacity of a mother to give birth to a child in a very uncertain situation. It was a commercial about the strength of mothers, of their commitment to their children, and the joy of families. Hard to find the hyped-up hate there.

So, thanks Dan Brown for showing us that conservatives can give voice to something that should have just been ignored. And – thanks Women’s Media Center, Feminist Majority Foundation, and others – for not learning that lesson.

Senator Chris Dodd (D) of Connecticut announced today that he will not run for reelection.  Despite the joyful news of getting rid of one of the country’s most corrupt Senators, the GOP needs to be careful in their response.

Democrats are loosing 4 seats to retirement this year.  While Republicans are loosing 6 seats for the same reason – the Democrats are considered more at risk.  (Fox News)

Republicans, however, have to overcome two major hurdles.

First is the division in their own party between conservatives and moderates.  Moderates such as Olympia Snowe and others have continuously disappointed Republicans across the country by voting with Democrats on key issues.  They have embraced the idea of bi-partisanship – not understanding that the Democrats aren’t giving up anything.

Meghan McCain writes on her blog:

I am very proud to have the opportunity to speak on how the Republican Party can continue to find ways to be more inclusive and return to its core values and beliefs. Some photos from the weekend are below. (http://mccainblogette.com/)

These people and others do not realize that the reason why the GOP lost the election in 2008 was precisely because it got away from its core values and beliefs – though not the ones that Meghan is talking about.

Fortunately, RNC chair Michael Steele is waking up:

RNC Chairman Michael Steele, appearing Wednesday on “Fox and Friends,” said the right-wing populist movement “puts in stark relief where the American people are” and asserted it’s important for the GOP to “understand this so that we can move towards it, embrace it, and then move into the future.” (UPI.com)

About time – because I continue to believe that if the GOP will embrace its core values of limited government, less taxes, and individual freedom – they will win just about every time.

The other obstacle is overcome a very persuasive ignorance in this country.

This audio clip is from a few months ago, but it illustrates an ignorance that got President Obama and the Democrats elected in the first place.

Unfortunately, no amount of reasoned discussion will overcome such an incorrect view of government.  However, we must try.  The conservative movement must be in the cities, in the community centers, on campuses, and in churches.  We must be reaching out – providing for basic needs, but also educating at the same time.  Instead of Acorn, we should be the Oak Tree – strong, stately, and helping people get to the point where they can be Oak Trees themselves.

Goodbye, Senator Todd.  We will not miss you.  Here’s to hoping that we elect responsible Senators who will wipe out all the mess you have caused.

The Honorable Robert Corker
United States Senate
800 Market Street, Suite 121
Knoxville, TN 37902

Dear Senator Corker:
According to an article published by the Associated Press on May 18, 2009 (“What to tax to pay for health care?“), the Congress is considering taxing health insurance benefits. Additionally, tax savings items like flexible health accounts will also be things of the past as the federal government looks for ways to fund a universal health system.

Senator, I am a small business owner. While I do not currently have employees, I still provide health insurance for my family. I use a Health Savings Account in conjunction with a health insurance plan that provides for catastrophic coverage. Visits my family makes to the doctor, as well as prescription costs, come out of that HSA. The money I put into the HSA reduces my overall tax liability. This and other tax reductions are essential to small business owners like myself as we are responsible for the full amount of social security, federal, state, and local taxes.

Because my insurance program does not cover doctor’s visits until I reach my deductible of $5000, I must take an active role in managing my health costs. It means that I question every test that is run, and every procedure that is performed, always asking if these things are truly necessary or are just being performed to satisfy insurance and legal risk analyses. It means that I must take care of myself away from the doctor – watching what I eat, and exercising properly. My doctor is also free to be a doctor, as we both are equally engaged in keeping me healthy. If major health care is needed, I am covered for 100% of the costs after I meet the deductable. All this for less than $200 a month in premium plus whatever I budget to go into my HSA.

It seems that HSAs and similar health insurance programs would be the answer to the cost of health care in this country. The insurance premiums are very low – as my insurance company only covers the cost of catastrophic care. There is a financial incentive to be healthy – as every visit to the doctor requires a check. Doctors can be doctors, instead of seeing every patient as a potential lawsuit and thus ordering expensive tests. Businesses of all sizes would better be able to offer this form of insurance, as well as offering employees assistance in setting up the HSAs. While the deductibles are often high – mine is $5000 – once that is met the costs are usually met IN FULL by the insurance company. The tragic cases of bankruptcy brought on by families struggling to meet health care costs ranging in the hundreds of thousands would be the exception, not the rule that we see today.

I urge you to block any attempt to put the federal government in charge of our health care. We do not need Washington to provide health care; we need you to step out of the way. We need you to put a stop to the lawsuit craziness that drives doctors and insurance companies to order every test, procedures that are costly and often unnecessary, in order to cover risk exposure. We need you to block any tax increase that takes away the ability of small businesses to provide responsible health insurance to our employees. In short, we need you to send a clear message that health insurance is not the responsibility of the federal government.

As always, we appreciate that work that you do. Please know that you are in our prayers.

Sincerely yours,

Reuel K. Sample

Mr. Michael Steel, Chairman
Republican National Committee
310 First Street
Washington, D. C. 20003

Dear Mr. Steele:

The controversies concerning ACORN and the Democrat party have only served to reinforce the foundational challenge of the Republican National Committee. ACORN and its leadership are undeniably corrupt, but they are out where the RNC should be – in the communities and meeting centers around the country.

Americans, although they might not realize it, identify with conservatism. No matter what economic level, everyone wants to pay a reduced amount in taxes. We all want our neighborhoods to be safe, and our country free from foreign influence. We all want an equal shake – or at least the chance to improve our lives and the lives of our children. Despite what the media reports, this country has some basic moralities, codes of behavior that are at odds with the liberal left. In short, the conservative message is the message of the American people.

We are not getting that message to the people who need to hear it. While we must continue to use the new media that the web and cable provide, the reason why ACORN has been so effective is that they realize that they must go to where the people are. They are walking the streets, holding meetings, rallying people, and lecturing in the classroom. They have provided a face, a voice, and a hand – all in the effort to promote the liberal agenda. We must do the same.

As an instructor and department chair at a career college in Knoxville, I daily interacted with students who come from the demographic that ACORN typically targeted. My students were lower income, high school degrees or GEDs, and usually worked for an hourly wage. While not “book smart”, they were very street smart. Always being careful to present all sides, I would take opportunities in my lectures to present issues and ideas of current topics to my class. In math classes, I would mathematically demonstrate the reason why a Fair Tax would work for everyone, and why an increase in taxes for the rich would hurt those who work for an hourly wage. In political science classes, we would discuss different forms of government and the basis of each. The impact of classical music and art were discussed in the English classes that my wife taught at the same institution. In EVERY case, the students responded to these ideas with enthusiasm and debate. They had never been told that Social Security was not a bank account. They never realized the mathematics behind taxation. They had never been taught the reasons behind the core differences between the parties. Certainly, not everyone in my classes agreed with all the conservative principles I was presenting. But they all had one thing in common – they all asked “Why haven’t I heard this before?”

We need to reclaim the grassroots at these levels. The RNC has done a great job of being in suburbia – but that is not where the fight is. We must be in the community centers of cities. We need to be on our universities and campuses. We must be where the people are, answering their questions, admitting where we have failed, but also educating them how our conservative principles will change their individual and communal lives for the better.

The caveat, though, is that the RNC needs to be united in our message. We cannot be a party of all people, though the conservative principles will indeed benefit all. We cannot be a party of fiscal responsibility yet still abide Congressman and Senators who routinely put pork in bills. In short, we cannot be a party of moderates, but one of conservatives. After we unite our message, our efforts at the grassroots level that ACORN seems to believe belong solely to them will be that much more successful.

Sincerely yours,

Reuel K. Sample