FreedomWorks Foundation Content

The Republican Revolution: A Future For Liberty and Youth

It’s no secret that former Texas Congressman Ron Paul, has had a tremendous influence on young Americans. His message of fiscal responsibility and promotion of civil liberties is loud a clear. The youth are ready to bring real reform to government and are trying every way possible to influence their representatives, but where do they have the most influence? The Ron Paul Revolution, which started as a small, yet powerful, idea has sparked an even bigger reform: the transformation of the Republican Party.

Photo Credit: Politico.com

All over the country, we are seeing today’s youth voice their concerns to their government representatives and participate in political events, rallies, and elections. Organizations such as Students For Liberty and Young Americans for Liberty, which have over 420 college chapters, give an indication on where the youth of the nation is trending. The influence that young activists have on their representatives is tremendous, as young voters of today are the future of the country. They are a targeted demographic of both parties. Soon, there will be a tipping point, in which representatives will either choose to adopt the ideas of today’s liberty minded youth, or become further out of touch and therefor unelected. 

The relentless pro-liberty youth movement is starting to make some inroads through the Republican Party, and we’re seeing some positive internal changes.

In 2010, Kentucky and Utah elected two U.S. Senators who would quickly become leaders in the GOP and a voice for the grassroots: U.S. Senator Rand Paul (KY-R) and U.S. Senator Mike Lee (UH-R). In the House of Representatives, Justin Amash (MI-3) also won his seat, running as a pro liberty candidate. These were victories not just for them, but for liberty activists all around the nation. With Mike Lee, Rand Paul, and Justin Amash winning their federal elections, it sent a clear message to the Republican Party – liberty is taking over the GOP.

The grassroots liberty movement did not stop there, and two years later the message still resonated. In 2012, Texas held a tough primary election, but it resulted in another win for the limited government movement. Now U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (TX-R), has been fighting to put liberty on the platform of the Republican Party.

It’s one thing to have Senators and Congressman promoting liberty, but it’s much more beneficial over the long run to have the platform also move toward policies that ensure liberty is protected, and that the GOP once again becomes the party of limited government. 

The issues that these elected officials are taking the charge against has not only grabbed the attention of the media, but a more important and growing demograpic. Young voters and activists have joined alongside Senator Rand Paul, especially on issues that effect their civil liberties. On the issue of the NSA spying, the youth have made it known that they are against government having such power. Other issues such as an auditing of the Federal Reserve, a bill introduced by Fmr. Congressman Ron Paul which received less than 100 members voting in opposition, also have tremendous youth support.

There is even support for an audit of the Pentagon, as suggested by U.S. Senator Rand Paul. This is a huge step for those seeking fiscal responsibility in government, and a smart move for the GOP.  With a national debt approaching $17 trillion, there should be no agency or bureaucracy above audit. 

It is now 2013, and the message of liberty is stronger than ever.  If youth stay involved in the party and can influence the platform as well, it may not take long to change the status quo.  Today’s youth are even taking it one step further. Instead of just influencing their representatives, we are seeing more young people running for office. Whether it is local, state, or federal, they are making their voices and their presence known.

The ideology of voters, and the political momentum is on the side of those who offer real change and welcome protection for civil liberties and our financial future.

As Rand Paul said, “The GOP of old has grown stale and moss-covered.” It will be interesting to see how this shift will influence primaries and general elections. The tide has turned in the Republican Party and the revolution is well on its way.