Better Tasting Republican Stew

------link------
http://blog.beliefnet.com/freshliving/2009/03/stephen-colbert-on-the-power-of-yes.html
----------------
Steve Cobert is quoted by Valerie Reiss on Beliefnet below about cynicism.
-----quote-----
Young people who pretend to be wise to the ways of the world are mostly just cynics. Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it. Because cynics don't learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us. Cynics always say no. But saying "yes" begins things. Saying "yes" is how things grow. Saying "yes" leads to knowledge. "Yes" is for young people. So for as long as you have the strength to, say "yes."

The opposite of Yes is No. No - it worked for the Dems. Cynicism is the sidekick for No. To paraphrase Colbert, cynicism is just another way to say no while sounding wise - yet offering nothing constructive. Worse than that the use of cynicism will detract us from the discussion at hand. It derails our focus on working the solution. Cynicism will keep us from getting things done.

The lure of the trap of cynicism is that it is easy to be cynical or negative, to say no. As Colbert points out in his analogy with Improv; saying yes involves work. It involves finding a way to do what you said yes to. When you say no, if you listen to the conversation you will hear the silent SNAP of the jaws of the trap you’ve sprung on the conversation, and yourself if you actually thought you were offering help. If you weren't trying to offer help; I hope no one paid you any mind. We as a party out to revive an old Amish custom. Shunning. Ignoring the Left and the media will drive them crazy. As a recovering cynic watching them go nuts is enough enjoyment for me as I do the work of making solutions.

Republicans lately are falling into that trap of cynicism. For all our hopes and talk of 2010 we should listen for the SNAP of our own trap. We should beware of the jaws closing out the innovation and good ideas we need to win in 2010. We talk of being the party of solutions; then let us listen to those who have solutions and say yes to them. As Colbert says “Yes-and”. The “and” should be “and what can I do to help”.

Also I've heard enough already with the yes buts.

So often we are tempted to fall back into cynicism and say no to a fellow Republicans plan. We say no and tell them why it won’t work. If we are truly the party with solutions, then we need to become the party of cooperation and coordination. We have to focus on coming up with solutions in a collaborative way that will make America stronger.

We need to understand that our party (as Thomas Sowell in his book “Conflict of Visions” so aptly points out)is the party that accepts imperfection and deals with that reality. Our solutions too are imperfect along with the people involved in them. We are the party that revels in the doing not the talking. Yes we may strive for perfection, but we enjoy the progress we make in the doing.

We need to get back to the doing. We must get away from trying to wrest the mantle of “Cynicism” from the Democrat. Its theirs by birthright. Let them have it. Let’s focus on solving problems. Remember we are not after perfection that is where religion comes in. We are after progress.

Can we solve world hunger today? No. But we can damn well be behind anything that let’s farmers grow whatever they see that people want to eat in the best way they can come up with. Do we think we know how to grow things better than farmers? No. Can we offer them help if they ask? Yes.

Can we solve all our education problems? No. But we can damn well get behind anything that focuses on quality vs quantity. Forget the squables, let's not turn into the party of interest groups. Again let the Dems. keep that mantle. Let's stay behind anything that teaches kids how to learn not just memorizing what’s politically correct.

Jackie Cushman Gingrich wrote an article about Star Wars the movie and the idea of the importance of focus in accomplishing anything from saving “the Empire” to saving the Republican Party. Mrs. Cushman says that the point of focusing on the target is “…… nothing is invincible; stay on target while ignoring diversions; teamwork can outmaneuver defense”
-----Jackie’s Link-----
http://townhall.com/columnists/JackieGingrichCushman/2009/03/08/stay_on_target
-----------------------
Mel Gibson’s often repeated refrain in the Patriot, “Stay the Course” is also fitting in that keeping focused on what you are fighting for, makes up for a lack of men and equipment. By staying focused in the Revolutionary war we were able to “outmaneuver the defense”. We still can.

Make no mistake; the administration and Obama are on the defense. On the last Omnibus bill 20 House Dems voted against their party. Harry Reid failed to get Cloture on it in the Senate. Cracks are starting to form in their coalition.

If the Republicans can focus on victory in 2010 and not be distracted by our divisions we can start winning some battles, then the war in 2010. We need to pay no attention to distractions. We need to capture the momentum and keep the Dems on the defense.

Who’s in Charge of their party? Obama, Reid, Pelosi or Hoyer? How come they won’t listen to the Southern Democrats of their party? What is wrong with a balanced budget, with being fiscally responsible?

SNAP goes the steel trap of My Cynicism. Sorry for falling into it. It’s too easy not to on occasion. Wouldn’t it be refreshing if for example Limbaugh and Steele got together and formed a team, an offensive team that said to the media; thanks for reminding us that we have so much more in common than not, and it is for that reason we are today forming an alliance for the greater good. We will try to coordinate our efforts through the common ground we share trying to help Americans make America strong again. And as to not totally by pass cynicism they could ask the media if they had any other helpful ideas we could use to help the party.

Perhaps a little sarcasm on rare occasion flavors the stew.

Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative