Hoping for a return of the right

First of all, let’s dispel a common myth. America isn't a democracy. People sometimes call the result of thievery, genocide, assimilation, hard work, ingenuity, manifest destiny, and continual progress by that title, but it's simply not the case. Today, more than ever, America remains a democratic republic. Note the fitting juxtaposition of these two words; it’s democratic republic, not republican democracy. Each word belongs on its respective side, and each remains necessary 232 years in.

After Barack Obama and his fellow Democrats mauled several Republican incumbents and challengers alike, talk of the demise of the Republican Party has surfaced. Many Democrats and moderates fresh off the pleasure of having voted George W. Bush's party out of office around the nation take pleasure in hearing such talk of disarray and infighting within the GOP. But, they are foolish for their glee.

America needs the Republican Party as much as it needs Barack Obama and his promised Change. Failed policies need correcting and an economy receding quicker than Joe Biden’s hairline needs stimulating. Republicans, in the form of George W. Bush and, to a lesser degree, John McCain and Sarah Palin, have shown themselves incapable of doing so at the moment. But, let us quickly forget the folly of the one party nation.

Give Democrats too much power and watch what will happen: just as Republicans did after they followed Newt Gingrich to repeated victories in the mid- to late-'90s, Democrats will falter. Despite what you might hear offhandedly from policy advisers and generals, an acceptable dictator does not exist. And that's what we're staring at right now should the Republican Party fail to find new leadership more in touch with American citizens.

The situation is not as dire as many think, however. Yes, there is a vacuum where party leadership once stood, but after losing an election by a substantiative mark that is no surprise. The people have spoken--old Republican thoughts are not good enough in today's world. But that doesn't mean new Republicans won't rise up to take over that vacated mantle of leadership.

Sarah Palin is not the answer; perhaps lesser known, more modern, moderate Republicans are. The fact that they are unknown shouldn't cause one to fret, either. After all, how many participatory Americans knew much about the Alaskan Governor before John McCain hastily pasted her onto his GOP ticket in late August? As it turns out, even Mr. McCain didn't know much about her either.

So, give Republicans a moment to reorganize. Just as they did following Bill Clinton's run to the White House in 1992, they'll be back. Let’s just hope this time they won't lean so far to the right as to fall over.

America needs them.