Independent candidate for CD-8 Derek Tidball was kind enough to send us this clarification on his view of the current state of the Republican Party.

My remark that the Republican Party had fallen from what it used to stand for was based largely on the Contract with America written in 1994. People wanted, and still want, a group of leaders that would care about the citizens’ needs and be loyal to the charge as public servants. The paper was a blueprint of conservative Republican values that touched a nerve with the populace, resulting in a sweeping change in voting behavior and handing Congress to the Republicans.

The very first promise made by this contract was to reign in government spending and to return to fiscally conservative legislation. Is there any question as to whether this is the case?? The contract also promised to end fraud, waste, and abuse in Washington. We have multiple “no-bid” contracts inflating the charges for services in Iraq as well as for natural disaster cleanup in Louisiana and California. To follow this up there is always the subject of multiple resignations and indictments that have plagued this administration. The subject of corruption has become synonymous with the days of Republican domination in Washington.

The general mood behind the contract was one of transparency, honesty, fiscal responsibility, and action. I believe that all of these ideals have died in our politicians in general and the Democratic wave of 2006 has only resulted in gridlock. The Republican Party was overwhelmingly empowered for half a decade to change this country and it did nothing of historical precedence. The fact that they did so little with so much opportunity sickens me. What has happened in the last year to make us change our mind?

Lastly, I view the idea of smaller government as another ideal of true Republicans that has been abused in our recent history. The actions of this administration and Republicans in general have been anything BUT conservative in this regard. We now have a bloated list of government programs and departments that accompany a large list of unfunded federal mandates that are above and beyond anything our founding fathers would have considered. State rights have been trampled more by this administration than any other in recent history. The Republicans in Congress have upheld the conservative value of lower taxes at the federal level, only to create a long list of unfunded mandates, which force the state to pass the check on to its citizens.

I believe that the Contract with America would light a fire in Americans today just as it did a decade ago. That is, if people didn’t recognize that the Republican Party has already squandered a chance to make history and solidify its position at the top of the power ladder. The Republican Party as it stands now will not regain power for many years to come if it does not change course and start addressing the issues that swept it into power back in 1994.

I am running as a candidate that will exemplify hard work and action, transparency in works, and straight forwardness in word. I am running as a candidate that will work towards illegal immigration reform, fiscally responsible practices, and limited federal government interference in state affairs. I ask how many legislators, Republican OR Democrat, have given true action and energy on any of these issues?

At the end of his remarks Derek added, “I am running because I love this country, I fought for this country, and therefore believe I have definitely earned the right to do so. There are no staffers writing my letters for me or polling my responses to determine their likeability. I say what I say, when I say it, because it is what I truly believe.”