I noticed there was mention of a strategy for Republican resurgence. As a Taft Republican, I would like to provide my input on this issue.

1) The Republicans must reinstate a policy of non-interventionism. Our constant meddling in other nation's affairs has earned our nation a tarnished reputation. We must again implement a strategy where military action is only used in cases of self-defense. We must also end our empire. We need to recall our troops from Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, and various other nations. We must end this foolishness of implementing a missile defense shield...especially in Europe.

2) Robert A. Taft once opposed the Nuremberg Trials because they violated the basic principles of American justice. As Republicans, we must be at the forefront of expanding civil liberties and civil rights as we once were. I would advocate the support of gay marriage. This would alienate the religious right...which is a good thing. We must end talk of expanding Guantanamo and secret prisons. We must not advocate denying prisoners the writ of habeas corpus and other such foolishness.

3) We need to again practice fiscal responsibility. If we are going to cut taxes, which we should do, we must also cut spending.

4) We must reinstate the policies of reduced government. During the Bush presidency, government has grown at alarming rates. We passed such foolish legislation as the NCLB Act of 2001.

There are other issues I could address, but those are some of the most pertinent. As it currently stands, the GOP is moving further away from where it once stood. It appears as if I will be voting Libertarian for many more years.

None so far but likely Army or AF after college for CO rank.  My uncle was a Marine and my sister's dad was on Seal Team 6 with covert operations in Grenada, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Panama, and other spec ops that are still classified Level 5, I think.

edit: My great-grandfather was a CB in the European theater of WWII; my grandfather fought in Korea (that is why I take these jests at me seriously); my father was in the Army Reserve and almost given the green light for Iranian invasion which he said he had about 30 seconds to live upon drop.

See I agree with his 2-4 disagreeing with 1.

Intervention isn't what gives us a bad name.  It's stupid intervention.

Clinton's wars never really got much bad world press.

If we sent troops to Darfur to stop the genocide we'd likely get applauded for doing something nobody else would do because of the lack of gain for them.

etc.

Intervention is fine.  It just needs to be intervention that makes sense... that promotes global justice in a smart way... that is bottom up.  Not just picking random middle countries like Iraq that can be seen as chosen for American interests.

(Yeah cause America's really benefited.)