I met with the Maine College Republicans this past Saturday. It was a meeting I was looking forward to, as many of the issues surrounding them and their parents are close to my heart. Where are they going to work when they graduate? What are they going to do? How can they help shape next generation Republican politics in Maine? In 1991 I graduated from the University of Maine and reluctantly had to leave for greener economic pastures. It is important that our next congressional candidate understand the new economy and the issues surrounding globalization, technology and the emerging workforce. I believe it is incumbent upon the Party at the state level and the national level to tap into the energy of youth and fully involve them in the activities of the Party.
I spoke to them about the need to become more effective as a Party organization. Americans overwhelmingly agree with Republican principles. Unfortunately, Republican politicians continue to disappoint, falling short of living up to those principles, both on and off the court. The Republican message is faltering nationally and locally. I suggest that the problem isn't the message but the messenger. I cite the example of Paul Revere and William Dawes. Many don't know about William Dawes. He delivered the same message, at the same time, on the same night as Revere. Revere's was highly successful, even lauded in Longfellow's famous poem, while Dawes passed obscurely into history. Revere began his ride at 10 p.m. and by 1 a.m. the countryside was awake and ready. Malcolm Gladwell in his book "Tipping Point" refers to this marketing phenomenon. He explains that certain individuals and groups are able to create certain instant, ‘viral' change through more effective communication of their message. We have seen it in business, culture and even politics. Given the overwhelmingly low congressional approval ratings, we are indeed in need of a Next Generation Republican who understands these dynamics and is able to effectively communicate them, initiating the sort of change we must make. The College Republicans get it. Growing up in an era where perhaps the message is the medium, they understand the Republican Party platform more closely resembles the fabric of America. They, too, are frustrated with the failure of the status quo to make the Republican principles ‘viral', even cool. They are looking for someone who can put the party into the Republican Party.
I spoke to the CRs about how technology has changed everything we do. It has changed the way we work and play. Change comes in real time now. It will continue to change in the time before the CRs enter the workforce, changing the business world they graduate into in ways still unimaginable. In the fifteen years since my college graduation I have seen considerable change, most of it for the better. I see true economic opportunity expanding with globalization, however, you have to get involved. This is no time to hunker down in isolation.
Regardless of where you stand, globalization is going to occur. In fact, it is occurring. I have worked for global organizations that have global workforces. I have worked along side folks from India, Silicon Valley, Japan, Vietnam, France, Israel, and the UK. Increasingly these work experiences are virtual relationships. We are rarely in the same room, or even on the same continent. In my experience this sort of real world economic, global, economic diversity breeds the sort of real economic and cultural diversity that everyone should seek to foster. We have seen what this sort of technological evolution has done for the economy in Ireland. It has even provided for improved relations between China and Japan. The challenge for America is to keep pace with the likes of India and China, and yes, even Ireland, as they increasingly come of age.
We continue to see politicians failing to understand the political nuances of using technology, of incorporating youthful ideas to address current issues. Frankly, many of our nation's leaders seem out of touch with the world around them. Owing in large part to the input of the College Republicans, my campaign is using technology to utilize the ideas of the younger generation. Check out the Facebook or YouTube pages!
I couldn't help but look out in the audience and see my own eyes looking back at me. I couldn't help but hope to see my own children sitting in those seats some 12 years from now. Each week as I experience more and more of what Mainers want, I become more invested in the process. I have actually become more hopeful that we can foster the change needed to bring Maine current and once again competitive. In fact, we should strive to make Maine a place that is on the technology forefront. A place that is true to its commitment to the environment but robust in its economy. A Maine that keeps its kids home by bringing Maine's talents to the forefront of the global economy - technology, bio-technology and energy independence research. Maine offers what the next generation American worker wants - a great way of life for themselves and their children. In a day and age when the modern American workforce can manage comfortably from their own homes, we should be seeking to stake our claim in the new economy. The CRs get it! Like Paul Revere, they possess the youthful enthusiasm, the optimism and the energy necessary to facilitate the sort of change we need to make. I aim to keep them involved in my effort to spread the message of Republican 2.0!
|
