What does the term, “Republican,” mean to you? I ask this question because I’ve recently come to define, “partisanship,” as been nothing but a 12 letter word, often used for not improving our society.

So, what does, “partisanship,” mean to you? And more specifically, what does it mean to belong to, “the GOP,” or, “The Grand Ole Party?”

Well… as a card carrying… tax paying… American conservative… I can tell you exactly what it means to me. So, let’s dig into some opinions; I feel like there’s a strong base of young conservatives, currently standing apart from the Republican Party. For this reason I also believe that the Republican base is very divided right now, particularly concerning it’s own future. But this circumstance is particularly true in the wake of Donald Trump becoming the party’s nominee. This dilemma has then become increasingly difficult for young Americans to grasp and I believe this is because of our bi-partisan system. Whereby, in our current bipartisan system of government even when there is a torn conservative party... that party still represents 50% of the federal government, whether they’re sitting in those seats or not. Which in my opinion is half of the problem and it’s particularly troubling for Congress, especailly in terms of coming together for common sense environmental and housing reforms. Nevertheless, this is a situation which in essence has become less about pointing the finger at the US government and more about, “in-fighting,” and, “party instability.”

*In my opinion.

The Republican’s are torn.

Nevertheless, I currently see 2 groups of young Republican’s emerging in America. Though, I also view both of those 2 groups in entirely different lights.

On one hand... you have a group of mostly silver spoon, “tea drinking Republicans,” who hold ultra-conservative beliefs and consistently support centralized biases. I believe that this group is predominately endowed by their ancestry and that they consistently blame America’s problems on other groups of people. On the other hand… you also have a group of young voters, with Rand Paul Sr. style beliefs, who I personally view as another group of Republicans entirely. Whereby, I also believe that this group views the government as overarching or standing in the way of their financial freedoms. Nevertheless, on the surface, both groups of Republicans appear equally conservative in nature, yet, in reality 1 group is consistently representing, “the financially crested,” and the other group is consistently representing, “the broader conservative base. So, now you have 2 groups of young Republicans… and in my opinion… it’s unclear which side will represent the future of the party.

So, now you have a Republican Party led by Donald Trump and in my opinion… Trump is doing a fair job in terms of juggling his own party’s instability. Nevertheless, this issue of future leadership really comes down to American leadership today and tomorrow. Should another Ivy League candidate, divided from the poorer side of the base… take over the party? Or, should the Republican base continue to evolve into the party of the wealthy? Furthermore, is Paul Ryan fit to lead? Because I believe that Ryan with his; anti-union and ultra conservative economic policies... might be the future leader, scary thought.

But which direction will the gridlocked party go?

I WANT to be a Republican. I WANT to believe in a smaller government and more efficient trade. However, I don’t see those conservative values embodied within, “the sole conservative party, today. For example, wouldn’t a TRUE conservative party… believe in “CONSERVATION?” (Read my prior article about conservatives and conservation, here.)

Furthermore, a true conservative party… should believe in limited social services, particularly for retirees, who are treacherously expanding America’s Social Security programs! (Read my article on “Welfare Reform, here).

I’d also like to see the GOP renamed… possibly in the near future. Whereby, I believe that their name itself, "The Grand Ole Party," has failed the test of time. Perhaps something like, "The Pioneer Party," would be more fitting for it's future leaders. Furthermore, this change might propel Republicans as they usher in a new era of conservative voters while still bringing together the lone conservative party.

-William Larsen, Civilians News, News For All Views