If you are conservative and typically vote Republican, it is easy to see why you are frustrated with your elected officials and party leadership.  Don’t worry, you aren’t the only one who feels this way. Across the country, conservatives are hopping mad at the way elected Republicans have governed while in control of both houses of Congress and the White House.  Former Congressman Dick Armey summed it up this way in a recent Washington Post opinion piece:

Where did the revolution go astray? How did we go from the big ideas and vision of 1994 to the cheap political point-scoring on meaningless wedge issues of today — from passing welfare reform and limited government to banning horsemeat and same-sex marriage?

The answer is simple: Republican lawmakers forgot the party's principles, became enamored with power and position, and began putting politics over policy. Now, the Democrats are reaping the rewards of our neglect -- and we have no one to blame but ourselves.

Armey is not alone in his aggravation with Republican leadership.  In his book The Elephant in the Room, columnist Ryan Sager expressed where he thinks the GOP went wrong:

The Republican Party has been heading in the wrong direction for a long time.  Toward big government and away from small government.  Toward politics and away from principle.

Former White House counsel John Dean believes that conservatives should confront Republican leadership. In his recent book, Conservatives without Conscience, Dean suggests:

…there are countless millions of liberals, moderates, and conservatives with consciences, people who shudder at the prospect of giving away our hard-earned Democratic principles, and who cherish our liberties.  These are individuals who question their leaders and their policies, and that is as it should be.

Richard Viguerie is considered the grandfather of conservative mass mail and was a strong supporter of Goldwater and Reagan.  He expanded on Dean’s suggestion in Conservatives Betrayed:

We will hold each party responsible and accountable for its actual conduct, not just to its promises.  We will not be intimidated by the “lesser of two evils” rationalization of transgressions against our liberties, but will demand positive accomplishments in restoring our liberties.  And we will support only those political candidates and groups that advance liberty in a substantial and consistent manner.

Fortunately, the Libertarian Party is fielding principled candidates all over the country.  Candidates who are true fiscal conservatives.  Candidates untainted by scandal or the influence of special interest groups.  Candidates who will be responsible stewards of your hard-earned tax dollars.

In a recent endorsement of a Libertarian Party congressional candidate, former Republican Congressman Bob Barr has illustrated that all fiscal conservatives can support Libertarian candidates:

With the departure of Tom DeLay, it is important to do everything we can to ensure the 22d District continues to be represented by a conservative. Bob Smither is that conservative. Bob is a genuine fiscal conservative with a firm desire to see a return to constitutionally-limited government as intended by our Founding Fathers.

After you’ve taken that step, we encourage you to consider becoming involved with the Libertarian Party.  If you believe in small government, lower taxes and more freedom, we’ll hold the door wide open for you.