America’s exceptionality is not just a function of its constitutional form of government but is a result of its people.  Our Constitution sets forth the conservative principles of limited government for a just and free nation. Throughout our history, we have witnessed periods of great public engagement in the affairs of our government as well as periods of great apathy.  The role of government in American life caught the attention of Alexis DeTocqueville, who visited the United States in the 1830s. In his epic work, Democracy in America he noted that Americans take a zealous interest in public affairs, because they understand that their prosperity results from their own efforts. Individual responsibility is at the heart of America’s conservatism. 

Conservatism has been a steady presence in American life. Our Founding Fathers designed a perfect union.  Our Republic is a representative democracy, where the conservative principles of liberty, equality, and individual rights guide our relationships with our representatives within local communities, across state lines, and from sea to shining sea.  The Federalist Papers, the most authoritative commentary on our Constitution authored by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison remind us that those who represent us are clothed with the legitimate authority of the people. From time to time, the American people have taken this authority for granted, but that is not the case in 2010.

Today, Thomas Paine’s words ring true: “These are the times that try men’s souls.”  In times like these, common sense Americans show up at the public square.  In response to out of control federal spending, the Tea Party movement is voicing America’s deep conservative values of limited government, free markets, and fiscal responsibility.  This movement consists mostly of first-time activists who are challenging elected officials in both the Democratic and Republican Parties to reign in spending and get back to the basic values enshrined in our Constitution.

In a recent Wall Street Journal article, Karl Rove suggests that the Tea Party movement will be more effective if it remains separate from the two major political parties.  He argues that by remaining independent, the Tea Party movement can exert greater influence on both Democrat and Republican candidates.  I agree with Rove.  However, I offer a word of caution. The Tea Party can defeat its own objectives by misinterpreting Rove’s prescription. If remaining independent translates into becoming a third party, the Tea Party is capable of peeling away support from conservative Republicans in this year’s congressional elections. This will mirror the effect of Ross Perot during the 1992 presidential election.  Perot sealed Bill Clinton’s victory. 

A separate but influential Tea Party, unmoved by the lure of grabbing the limelight as a third party can make a valuable contribution to the future of our nation.  While maintaining the stable power balance resulting from our two-party system, the Tea Party can serve as the conscience of the Republican Party. The Tea Party should not merge with the GOP.  The Tea Party can be the little voice that reminds Republicans of the direction in which their own moral compass should point.

Conservative Republicans will listen attentively to the little voice, because their values are the same as those of their common sense Tea Party counterparts. Conservative Republicans and Tea Party activists complement one another. The Tea Party movement working in unison with the Republican Party can help defeat the false promises of liberalism.  This is the right thing to do for America. This is the right thing to do to preserve our perfect union and give the next generation a more secure and prosperous future.