By: Ryan Doucette 2021
“When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” – Abraham Lincoln
For many young and engaged citizens, the act of tying a knot and hanging on is a sentiment far too
familiar. Today’s political system can feel differential from many in generation Z’s priorities, often
resulting in agitation. This feeling can be symbolically represented by hanging onto the end of one’s rope.
For each individual, the moment or moments that help initiate this feeling of confusion and homelessness
is personal and often rooted in morality and overall perspective. For me, many moments of the past few
years frustrated me and more-widely disillusioned many to what it meant actually to be conservative. And
for what is supposed to be America’s conservative party, finding itself misaligned with conservatism
meant a wake-up call.
While many predicted the outcome of the 2020 election months in advance, their carelessness resembled
the same pretentiousness of those who discounted the then-Presidential-candidate only four years earlier.
Many alluded that those who shared a party, shared convictions or not, would suffer a similarly upsetting
fate. Yet, they were wrong. Democrats saw many of their 2018 victories vanish in the house, reducing the
majority from 36 to 10 Representatives. And while the Senate saw an influx of Democrat victories, they
similarly significantly underperformed with losses. And yet, through it all, President Trump lost
reelection.
To me, the party is not dead; it is just in need of redirection away from the antics of election fraud and
fear-mongering and onto American prosperity and freedom. If the party were to embrace the Republican
champions of November 3rd, over those who lost, the White House could see a new resident in 2024.
Voters, now more than ever, want a party and ideology to believe in. This driving factor in a successful
political message is nonexistent in today’s Republican Party. People do not want to hear “no,” but rather
“yes!” They want to hear that we can work for all Americans and that prosperity and freedom can still
strive in our communities. Policies like school choice ensure all Americans get an equal opportunity to
grow past their zip codes or opportunity zones that allow entrepreneurial spirits to soar beyond
imaginable heights. But that is only conceivable when we start to be the party of yes, not no.
Today, the party needs to look at itself in the mirror, reflect on the past, but look toward the future. While
reminiscing on yesterday can satisfy the moment, doing so will only further stray us away from recreating
that level of success tomorrow.
Yes, it will not be an easy road ahead. But since when has the fight for the hearts of minds of the masses
been easy? While it is far easier to let go of your rope, I’d recommend persisting, tying that knot, and
hanging on.
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