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With the recent exposure of the possible criminal, and certainly unethical,  behavior of our Democrat Illinois governor the Republican party has a door of opportunity open.

Dick Army, former representative from Texas and Majority leader, has shined a light on the path forward.  Writing for “Imprimis”, the free monthly publication of Hillsdale College in May of 2008 he explains in vivid terms why the Republicans lost their majority in congress in 2006.

The full article may be read or downloaded at:
http://www.hillsdale.edu/news/imprimis/archive/issue.asp?year=2008&month=05

“Both the creation of the Contract with America in 1994 and its subsequent abandonment can be explained in terms of conflict in government between what I call legislative entrepreneurs and legislative bureaucrats.  In 2994, when we wrote the contract, entrepreneurs were strong. Today, as most of the time, bureaucrats are running things.

By legislative entrepreneur, I mean a person who has a set of principles and is willing to take risks on its behalf.  A legislative bureaucrat by contrast, seeks only to perpetuate the current situation with the motive of remaining safely in office.  The fact that legislative bureaucrats are usually in command reminds me of Armey’s Axiom Number One: “The Market is rational. The government is dumb.”  I know the former to be true as someone who has studied economics. I know the latter to be true as someone who has spent a long time in Congress. "

Seven concise and exciting paragraphs omitted.   Click the link.

"In the end, the Republican Congress—in the two or three years leading up to the Democrat victories in 2006—had utterly forsaken its commitment to liberty and limited government, with the often active acquiescence of the White House.  This brings me to another one of Armey’s Axioms: “If it’s only about Power, you lose”

The Republican Majority, having forgotten the lessons of 1994 and having committed themselves only to the next election, not only failed their country, but lost their power."

End of article.

As we in Palatine work to rebuild the Republican Party in the State of Illinois, Dick Armey’s words should ring in our heads,  It’s all about the ideas and principles, not about maintaining (or gaining) control of the bureaucratic status quo.