The Republican Party, originally associated with the likes of Abraham Lincoln, is in shambles today. Its underlying philosophy, practiced by people like former president Ronald Reagan, has been completely undermined by the new crop of neoconservatives who rather resemble statist totalitarians than anything else. The republican brand needs to be repackaged anew if it’s to have any significance in American politics for the next generation.

Drastic measures ought to be taken to renew confidence in the stated philosophy of small government and minimal intrusion into private lives. The neoconservatives need to be named, stripped of and banned from party membership. These neoconservatives include people like President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, and Sen. John McCain. The paleoconservatives of the Lincoln variety include patriots like Rep. Ron Paul and Sen. Chuck Hagel.