By Jay Lucas
As a lifelong Republican and a proud resident of New Hampshire, I believe that our party must adapt to meet the changing needs and expectations of the American people.
The Republican nominating contest for President presents an opportunity to reject the creep of big government, by embracing responsible, free market principles that are pro-growth and protect the hard-earned savings of taxpayers. But first, the Republican candidates must recognize that efforts by members of both parties to empower government bureaucrats to pick corporate winners and losers carry outsized ramifications, in a time of intense competition and grave economic uncertainty.
The conservative values of limited government, fiscal responsibility and individual liberty have long been the bedrock of our party’s platform. However, these values should not preclude us from addressing some of the most pressing economic challenges facing our country, including reliance on foreign oil, corporate accountability and competition with China. In fact, by harnessing the power of the free market to drive innovation in the face of these challenges, Republicans can demonstrate that our core principles are not just compatible with responsible governance but can also drive sustainable economic growth.
Unleashing the shackles of government and allowing businesses, pensions funds and individuals to plan for future uncertainties is a fiscally responsible choice in a time of rising prices and increasing debt. It’s no secret that changing environmental and social considerations have a significant economic impact. Natural disasters can result in costly government intervention and changes in the workforce require companies to be more creative in attracting young and diverse talent in a competitive market. By proactively addressing these issues through responsible investing principles, the free market can mitigate the long-term economic risks associated with environmental instability and economic competition.
To be clear, supporting a company’s freedom to invest does not mean abandoning our conservative principles. Rather, it means keeping the government out of boardrooms. By rejecting the approach embraced by national Democrats, who steer government business away from companies with which they have political disagreements and aggressively subsidize companies that align with their political agenda, Republicans can demonstrate that we are not only stewards of our nation’s economy but also champions of responsible and sustainable prosperity for all. It’s also how we signify, through words and actions, that companies in New Hampshire and across the U.S., in order to maximize their vitality and competitiveness with China, should have the freedom to make their own decisions, absent onerous federal regulations.
Ensuring businesses have the freedom to make investment and operational decisions is by definition limited government conservatism. Rather than relying on heavy-handed regulations, or imposing unbridled ESG doctrine, let’s use free market principles and encourage businesses to make smart decisions, voluntarily adopt sustainable practices and reduce the need for government intervention. This approach empowers the private sector to take the lead in addressing critical issues, reinforcing our party’s dedication to free-market solutions.
Furthermore, this type of investing is consistent with our belief in individual liberty. The freely made decisions by corporations to be socially responsible empower consumers to make informed choices and vote with their wallets. This approach allows individuals to support companies that share their values and can drive positive change through market forces, rather than costly government mandates.
As Republican Presidential candidates visit New Hampshire with increased frequency in the weeks ahead, I would strongly encourage them to extoll the virtues of free market capitalism and investing as a path to responsible governance, fiscal prudence and a brighter future for all Americans. Let us show that our party is not afraid to confront the challenges of our time and that we are committed to leaving a legacy of prosperity and sustainability for generations to come. It’s time for Republicans to reject the notion of government picking winners and losers and, instead, make the free market a central pillar of our vision for America.
— Jay Lucas, a resident of Portsmouth, is the Chairman and Managing Partner of the Lucas Group. He is a former state representative and was the Republican nominee for Governor in 1998. Jay is also founder of the Sunshine Initiative, a New Hampshire-bases effort focused on revitalizing our small towns and communities and owner of the Eagle Times. He is a native of Newport.
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