by George Scaggs | February 22, 2012 | Opinion
I suppose it was to be expected. Following what was widely-reported to be a rousing speech at CPAC in early February, it appears the world is now obliged to know, “What’s next for Rick Perry?”
Never mind that Perry’s candidacy resulted in the boys and girls on our side flushing $20 million or so right down the ol’ crapper. Instead of exploring the lessons to be learned from his failed pursuit of the golden prize, there is already talk about Governor Perry taking another shot at the presidency.
Hindsight confirms what many suspected all along (well, all but for a week or two anyway) – Perry’s candidacy was never very viable to begin with, evidenced by his inability to gain a majority of support from Republicans in his own state.
In truth, Mr. Perry’s political career is over, at least in terms of elected office. By 2015, it is unlikely that he will still be in the Governor’s Mansion of a very powerful state. Without that lofty perch to launch from, it is difficult to imagine how a 2016 Perry presidential campaign will prove any more successful than his 2012 bid.
All things considered, the entire conversation is yet another frivolous distraction; another signal of our pre-occupation with personalities over ideas that seems to indefinitely play out during what has become the absurd process we call the presidential election cycle.
Not to take anything away from Mr. Perry in particular, for he is merely a point of departure for this topic. Rather, it is the exercise represented by his candidacy, the typical political processes involved with it, as well as what they say about how conservatives are fighting their battles that seems noteworthy.
Related: VIDEO: Perry Leaning Toward a Run for Re-election
Nothing personal
One need not step very far into the political world to notice that, unlike the reality most of us occupy, there is a staggering amount of money changing hands. But perhaps more remarkable is a routine disregard among “conservative” political insiders, not only for whether or not their expenditures actually produce anything of redeeming value, but in where all those dollars changing hands eventually end up.
Part and parcel of our entire political process is a stubborn “pragmatism” which dictates that the standard practices of politics and campaigns are somehow sacred. Subsequently, most participants appear content to merely go through the motions. Whether or not any particular effort happens to be effective is hardly the point; it is following the prescriptions of “the way things work” that is most important.
Perhaps it would be prudent for us to begin asking, “the way things work for whom?” Surely someone, somewhere is benefiting from all this commotion – but it sure ain’t your average American.
Besides, in case you haven’t noticed Rome is ablaze. The nation is racing headlong towards a critical mass of trouble and our rate of acceleration is rapidly increasing. Generally speaking, the American people have a world of hurt headed their way.
The way things (really don’t) work
One would think that by now the severity of our predicament indicates whatever it is we’ve been doing all along – or “the way things work” as it were – is not really working at all. Assuming one’s genuine cause is the struggle to put government back in the box in which it belongs before it eats us all alive, at this point, something beyond traditional approaches might just be in order.
As it happens, there is a war being waged for the soul of America. Not merely one of the rhetorical sort, but a very real one. In the simplest of terms, we can describe the two opposing sides as conservatives and progressives.
When examining the historical role of our government, it’s size and scope, it is easy to determine that conservatives have been getting their butts kicked up and down the field for about a century or so. Indeed, as a practical matter, the progressives hold the field.
Over time, that progressive philosophy has built quite the elaborate structure to insulate its power-brokers and devoted adherents, such that the nation now suffers at the hands of a ruling class entrenched in a seemingly impenetrable web.
Effectively, “grass-roots conservatives” find themselves battling one entire political party, as well as major elements of the other one, Big Media, Hollywood, most of Academia and a growing portion of Corporate America. Clearly, the deck is stacked and resources are relatively limited on our side.
As they abide the well established processes of politics, conservatives find themselves subject to first lining the pockets of purely self-interested consultants and handlers (who, by the way, often prove downright incompetent), and then bolstering the balance sheets of television networks.
Dinosaur media – slouching towards extinction
Not only is our side expending time and resources without advancing our cause a single inch, often, we’re ultimately funding some of our most adept political adversaries, Big Media. Arming the very people who spend their time attempting to convince the rest of the world that we’re stupid and evil is an equation that must be changed.
Similarly, in the process of choosing a candidate to face Barack Obama, conservative citizens can ill-afford to collaborate with the very media entities that helped to usher him into the White House. While traditional media networks remain a fundamental part of any communications strategy in a general election, it is time for conservatives to test whether or not this is so in a Republican primary.
Many Big Media outlets are in a state of decline and hemorrhaging as it is. Rather than propping them up, grass-roots conservatives should be helping them over the edge. In lieu of Tea Party types seeking their 15 minutes in the spotlight at the Big Media table, they should be building new tables of their own.
As for those massive sums of cash thrown at fruitless campaigns (such as Perry’s presidential effort) the future demands that conservatives spend more wisely.
A new chapter
Actually, Mr. Perry finds himself in a unique position to make a difference in this regard. Rather than agonize over continuing to hold higher office, he has an opportunity by stepping outside that insulated world of public office and party politics.
The message of his book, Fed Up ,is one that naturally resonates with conservative Americans who feel a very real threat from on-going federal encroachments. If the proclamations therein are sincere, Perry can advance the common cause by building upon his successes as a high-powered political insider from the private-sector. Rather than serving as just one more politician absorbing dollars through traditional political processes, he could lead the way in shepherding precious resources into necessary public awareness efforts, outreach, new communications strategies and “Alternative Media” efforts.
There is a void to be filled. Everyday conservative Americans are starved for something worthy of rallying around. It is time for a fresh perspective.
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Check out George Scaggs’ latest at American Thinker:
America’s Best Fuel: ‘A Moral and Religious People’
