[acb-hsp] Good Advice for All Advocates

[peter altschul]

Earning Conservative Optimism for 2013 and Beyond
  Terry Paulson Dec 31, 2012
  As a conservative columnist and author of "The Optimism 
Advantage," I've been asked to speak on "Keeping Conservative 
Hope Alive" in light of President Obama's election victory.  In 
the New Year, here are seven ways conservatives can earn renewed 
optimism for 2014 and beyond:
  1.  Conservatives reject victim thinking and 
dependency-inducing entitlements.  We aren't victims, and we're 
not entitled to election victories.  Life is difficult, and no 
political victory will be easy with America's changing values and 
demographics.  True optimism comes from a track record of 
overcoming obstacles--Obama's election just added another 
obstacle! Get over it.  We lost the election; let's get busy 
changing the mid-term results one state, one election at a time.
  2.  After the 2008 election, the president's team never left 
the swing states.  Progressives organized and prepared for the 
ground game challenge they knew would come.  They presold to the 
"jury of voters" a negative image of Romney--he's rich, out of 
touch, and succeeded at the expense of middle class Americans.  
But President Obama's "glow" will dim the coverage for potential 
2016 Democratic challengers.  Conservatives can use the next four 
years in critical swing states to promote our cadre of strong, 
young candidates like Marco Rubio, Paul Ryan and Bobby Jindal.  
That starts now!
  3.  The mainline media will never provide balanced coverage, 
and the majority of Americans don't watch Fox News or listen to 
talk radio.  It's up to YOU to risk selling the conservative 
principles you value.  Winning arguments is overrated; you can 
win arguments and lose votes.  Influence comes from sharing 
authentic testimonies of why you vote conservative.  My Amazon 
eBook, You're a Republican! The Political Conversation Your 
Mother Told You Never to Have, provides a model for such a 
conversation.  Don't wait for the perfect time, start seizing 
opportunities to take a confident, conservative stand.  Give them 
distance with dignity to consider your views by respecting their 
right to disagree.
  4.  Sound principles must be taught early.  Parents and 
grandparents are up against Hollywood, liberal school systems, 
and peer pressure working overtime to capture the hearts and 
minds of our children.  Do your job! Set limits, discipline, and 
live out and explain your conservative values.  Teach personal 
responsibility and pride in achievement, care enough to give back 
to your community, and nurture your faith.  My book, "Favorite 
Family Lectures: The Secrets of Life Every Teen Wants to Know," 
helps start conversations about the values that matter most.  
Whatever resource you use, take the responsibility for educating 
your own children.
  5.  Don't pay the way to go to colleges and universities 
committed to turning your teenagers into raging liberal 
activists.  At eighteen, they can go wherever they want, but you 
control what you will help fund.  Good parents are respected, not 
always liked.  State your limits.  Use wwwddyafddorg to find 
schools worthy of support.  To exercise their freedom to go 
elsewhere, let them have the freedom to pay the bill.  Stop 
paying for progressive indoctrination.
  6.  Instead of reinforcing the "mean-spirited" Republican image 
with attack ads, put the primary focus on what we're for! Ronald 
Reagan shared his secret: "I appealed to your best hopes, not 
your worst fears.  To your confidence, rather than your doubts." 
Instead of altering our values to reach America's changing 
demographics, feature a "Catch America Working" campaign honoring 
minority citizens who've succeeded because of the conservative 
principles they value and live.  You don't need a lottery win or 
a government handout; here's how you earn your own American 
Dream!
  7.  True American confidence and strength doesn't comes from 
Washington but from what we do locally to make a difference for 
ourselves, our communities, and those in need.  Get involved 
locally--your city, your local charities and your faith 
community.  Nothing invigorates personal confidence and 
satisfaction more than giving back and serving real people.  
Government can attack your freedoms and take your money, but 
don't let them take your soul.  Shine by serving.
  We may be facing a challenging political and economic reality, 
but as conservative Americans, we believe that an America 
committed to personal responsibility and opportunity, 
free-enterprise competition, and limited government can remain 
the best hope for the world.  For future generations now being 
saddled with limited freedoms, high taxes and growing debt, we 
can and must turn the tide, but we will have to earn that 
optimistic future together.