After over fourteen years as an active member of the Libertarian Party, I have decided to change my political affiliation. I have joined the Republican Party.

My principles and beliefs have not changed. I am for cutting unneeded government spending. I am a fiscal conservative who believes that government should stay out of the private sector as much as possible. I am pro life. I am a believer in the common-sense truth that protecting personal freedom should be the goal of government at all levels.

 I don’t want to just talk about better, smaller government for Missouri; I want to be part of creating a better, smaller government in our state. I am at home in the Republican Party.

I am a Reagan/Goldwater Republican. The stakes are simply too high to dilute the freedom-centered vote any longer. We need a Republican Party that once again proclaims and puts into practice the values that were once the centerpiece of our party.

Fortunately, the Missouri Republican Party is listening and is once again embracing the part of its base that has felt abandoned in recent years.  I am excited to have the opportunity to help reconnect the party with the freedom movement.

I wish the Missouri Libertarian Party well but have come to the conclusion that it is time for me to move on and work for the principles I hold dear on a larger, more pragmatic scale.  Making a statement on behalf of the issues we care about is noble. Actually putting our principles into practice through effective, victorious political work is crucial. I want to do more than just make a statement for what I believe.

This decision did not come lightly for me. Like many others, I have been frustrated and, at times, angered with the national Republican Party’s acceptance and – in too many cases – initiation of big government programs, spending and an overall abandonment of free-market principles. I will continue to oppose these and any other efforts to expand the size, expense and intrusion of government regardless of which party the effort comes from.

During my travels around the state as part of my work on the MIAC controversy and on other issues, it has become obvious to me that the grass roots, conservative/libertarian base of the Republican Party shares both my frustration with the national leadership and the hope that, together, we can steer the party back to the values of freedom and sound market-based economics that made our nation great.

Steering this ship begins right here in the Show Me State.

It also begins with working to ensure that President Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid do not get another vote in Congress. We must prevent our U.S. Senate seat that is up for election next year from adding to the Democrats’ majority. Denying Barack Obama the 61^st vote in the Senate is our political priority for 2010.

Our nation cannot afford for us to send to Washington another vote for reckless liberal spending, increased debt and massive government programs. Our nation cannot afford to send to the Capitol another vote for more government takeovers of private enterprise.

That is exactly what will happen if the Democratic Party picks up another Senate seat, our seat, in next year’s election.  My hope is that everyone who opposes the dangerous and irresponsible economic policies of the Obama administration will unite for the upcoming election.

That is why I am supporting Roy Blunt’s campaign for the U.S. Senate.

Those of us in libertarian and other freedom-based circles have occasionally not agreed with Congressman Blunt’s votes. He and I have had very candid conversations about that. The Congressman is not afraid of dialogue; in fact, he wants to have the discussions that will allow him to effectively represent the entire conservative base – and the state of Missouri – in the United States Senate.

Roy Blunt is leading the fight against the so-called “Cap and Trade”, which is really a massive tax on each and every American. The Congressman is also leading the fight against President Obama’s attempts to strong arm a government takeover of our health care system.

Roy Blunt is a cosponsor of the bill that will, if passed, require a full audit of the Federal Reserve. As the Democrats are sending us head-first into trillions of dollars in debt, this bill is a common-sense demand for transparency and accountability.

Leaders are subject to criticism. That is a good thing and is healthy for our republic. It is easier to critique those with extensive experience as a legislator than it is to critique someone with no experience. We need more critique and dialog now and Congressman Blunt invites these discussions from all of us – especially from those of us who have felt abandoned by the party system in the past.

He is reaching out to us. We should listen and engage in the conversations that will strengthen us as activists, improve our party and our candidates. Ultimately, that means a stronger America.

Let us have those conversations. That is healthy and it is what our political system encourages. It is time for the Republican Party to continue to unite with the freedom movement. It is also time for the freedom movement to engage in that discussion as well. I am honored to be given the opportunity to help bring the two together in Missouri.

We share the same goal: reigning in the explosive growth of government now underway. We know that the likely Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate does not share our views and principles.

One reason for my decision to change parties is that I will not be alone in working to have a positive impact on the party.  

The Missouri Republican Party has many members and office holders who give me hope and encouragement for the future of our state. Among them are State Representatives Shane Schoeller, Chris Molendorp, Bob Dixon, Jim Guest, Jeff Grisamore and Brian Yates. I have also been impressed with Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer in my conversations with him and his office.

Former State Representative Brian Baker is a long-time friend of mine and also a prime example of those I count as colleagues who prove the Missouri GOP has a bright, principled future. In recent months, I have enjoyed getting to know former State Senator John Loudon and former State Representative Carl Bearden. I am looking forward to working with them more in the future. Locally, Steve Dennis is not just a fellow Alderman in Grandview and friend to me; he is a principled advocate of smaller government.

New, young activists like Andrea Plunkett in Kansas City and those who have made the Tea Party rallies effective political events further demonstrate that conservative and libertarian leadership has a bright future.

Most notably, I have not given Lt. Governor Peter Kinder the credit he deserves for his leadership. My recent private conversation with him was encouraging. While we have not agreed on every issue before us over the years, Mr. Kinder is committed to effective, efficient and limited government in Missouri. 

These are my political allies; I refuse to be their partisan opponent when we share the same vision for Missouri and America.

I am blessed to have the opportunity to help shape a new Republican Party in Missouri that embraces all those who share my passion for limited, Constitutional government that respects our personal and financial freedom. I encourage my fellow libertarians and independent voters who have given life to organizations like the Campaign for Liberty to work alongside me and other freedom-minded Missourians within the Republican Party.

We have the opportunity and ability to shape our party into one that reaches out and expands our base. To do that, we must return the GOP to the principles of America’s great heritage of freedom.