There seems to be two competing views on how to treat the new president. Many of our party say that like every president, he deserves to start with a clean slate and a fair shake. And there is a competing view that those of us who are philosophically opposed to his views should begin the battle of ideas. I agree with both.

A pesident should always be given the opportunity to take office with the full backing of the American people. We saw how President Bush was treated after the 2000 election and it was devisive to the country. We should not do provde the same treatment to President elect Obama. There is a respect and honor that must be afforded to the man (or woman) that holds the title of  president. And it is bad for all Americans when that doesn't happen.

But our ideology must not be muted. As I posted before, we are the party of limited government, lower taxes, free speech, and private initative. That's right, private initiative! We believe that the greatest ingredient in our countrys' success has been the ingenuity and consistent hardwork of the American citizen. When we lift ourselves up, the country rises with us. As John McCain said, the fundamentals of our economy are strong. And we, the American people, are the fundamentals that he was referring to.

Barak Obama is our President. And we must provide him the respect that comes with that distinction. But at every turn where he tries to undercut one of the pillars that makes our country so great (an unique) we must stand and be heard. And not necessarilly with pickets and megaphones, but at dinner and over the phone, so our friends and neighbors can hear us.