Rand Paul to Republicans: Evolve, Adapt, or Die

By Senator Rand Paul

Evolve, adapt or die. That is the fate of our current Republican party. We must evolve as a party and find a way to attract millennials to the conservative movement or we will never succeed in realizing our ideals of individual freedom and freedom from government interference.

Initially, I received criticism from political pundits for speaking to non-traditional audiences. I was told it was a waste of time to reach out to these audiences, specifically students from both Howard University and University of California, Berkeley.

My response is this: I have never been one to watch the world go by without participating. I wake up each day hoping to make a difference.

You might be a Republican, Democrat or Independent. I speak before these audiences, not to preach or prescribe some special formula.

My intention is not to tell you what to be. You are more important than any political party or partisan pleadings. My intention is to motivate all Americans and defend their rights.

My hope is that in discussing these topics, more Americans will be open to the conservative message. A message that favors choice in education, a less aggressive foreign policy, more compassion regarding non-violent crime and encourages opportunity in employment.

As a conservative politician, it is clear to me that we must start discussing these topics more with audiences that might not normally hear our message--specifically young adults and students.

Preaching to the choir is not working for the conservative movement. We are growing stale and moss-covered. We must evolve, adapt or die.

I was pleased, but not surprised, by my reception at UC-Berkeley. They, like me, think we’ve been too lax in giving up our privacy. Our government is interested in what books we read. They’re interested in what we say in our phone calls. They’re interested in what we write in our emails.

We now know that the National Security Agency is collecting the phone records of all Americans.

But some say, it’s only records held anonymously and only rarely accessed. What’s your beef?

What they rarely mention is that they don’t believe any of your records have Fourth Amendment protection.

When they say it’s only boring old business records, think of what information is recorded on your Visa bill. From your bill, the government can tell whether you drink or smoke and how much, whether your gamble, what books or magazines you read. Whether you see a psychiatrist or what medications you take.

I oppose this abuse of power with every ounce of energy I have. I believe you have a right to privacy.

I believe no government should ever access your records without a judge’s warrant. I believe the majority of Americans agree with me.

The question before us is: Will we live as free men and women or will we cower and give up our liberty? I, for one, will fight on because I believe that your rights are inalienable, inseparable and inextinguishable. More conservatives need to proudly stand up and protect the Bill of Rights.

I am certain the influential writers at Breitbart California will stand with me and continue to introduce a more tolerant view of American politics and a view that will attract new members to our movement.

Together, we will continue to grow the conservative movement. Breitbart California will only help our party evolve, not die.

(Breitbart)