What defines you? After pondering this question for several weeks I ran across an article by Chrissy Birtwissle in Forbes Magazine. Chrissy competes in ultimate frisbee and will represent Great Britain in the next Olympics. She asks the question and answers it. The article begins:
What do you think defines you? Is it your job? Is it your sport? Is it your life principles? Is it where you live? Is it your friends? Is it your age?
I am a woman with many different guises.
Depending on the time of day and week, I could be seen as many different people.
- I am a project manager
- I am a cyclist
- I am a foodie
- I am a runner
- I am an ultimate frisbee player
- I am a personal trainer
- I am a yogi
- I am a sister, girlfriend and daughter
I know what defines me.
- I am a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a sister, a daughter
- I am a very hard worker
- I am a pretty good cook (hubby says very good)
- I am a Republican
You get the picture. We define ourselves, unless we give that control to someone else. Any armchair psychologist, like me, will tell you that is a really bad idea.
My question, "What defines you?" came to me as I was reading an article by Rheta Grimsley Johnson. In this article she defined the Republican Party as it relates to the proposed NBC movie about Hillary Clinton. She says we are whiners and that we would have preferred Kathy Bates play Hillary. She says we fear that the electorate will be suckered into voting for super woman. She then goes on to praise Hillary for her character and good looks. Hmmm....
There are those who buy into it, absurd as it may be, that she knows what WE think. All of us.
We are talking about one, hopefully minor, topic here, and I realize some of it is tongue in cheek, but the fact is editorialists define us; the mainstream and liberal media define us every day. What Republicans believe. What Republicans think. Name the topic. By not defining ourselves we have given control to others to define us. I have to say... not a good idea.
Once again I went to the RNC website, this time for a copy of Republican Principles or Tenets. They were not there (tragic!), but I found this piece on Google. It is from a college Republican group in 1994.
Basic Republican Principles
From its inception in 1854 and from its earliest stands against the oppressive institution of slavery, the Republican Party has defined itself as the protector of individual freedom. Today, 140 years later, we, of the WSU College Republicans, reaffirm our commitment as Republicans in the cause of freedom and liberty. And we redirect our course back to the basic tenets of our common Republican philosophy--a philosophy which includes among its components:
- Belief in Smaller Government: To preserve the sanctity of liberty of the individual, it is our belief that government must necessarily be limited. Otherwise, the paternalism of the few would restrict the freedom of the many to decide what is best for themselves.
- Support of the Federalist System of Government: To bring power closer to the people, it is imperative we restrict the growth of a centralized federal government....States ought to have the power to determine which programs and measures would be most appropriate and fitting for them.
- Fiscal Conservatism: In keeping with our desires for the greatest individual liberty, we support policies of limited taxation and government spending.
- Strong National Defense: We believe the best way to preserve the peace and protect our national interests abroad comes through a strong national defense.
- Individual Liberties and Responsibilities: Along with individual liberties come individual responsibilities and duties. Government must act to preserve freedom, while individuals must exercise their responsibilities to preserve order.
- Tolerance, Inclusiveness, and Optimism: We believe in the right of fellow Republicans to disagree on certain matters of principle and policy. We believe in being an open and inclusive party respectful of different points of view. We are indeed a "big-tent" party that offers no "litmus tests" or barriers to entry.
I love number six!
If we keep these tenets at the core of the party, we are defined. Everything else is noise.
Sincerely,
Mary Windsor
