(Nancy Dallas) – I am a lifelong Republican and devout believer in the basic Republican tenets. Some Republican candidates fit my definition of those tenets better than others; however, not all of those candidates came out winners in their Primary contest. Regardless, I WILL vote the straight Republican ticket when I go to the ballot box in November.

I admire people who ‘walk their talk’ by openly standing up for and actively promoting and supporting the principles in which they truly believe, even when it may alienate a good many of their compatriots.

I admire all those willing to put their name on a ballot and sticking to their principle beliefs as they vie for an office.

I admire those who openly and actively dedicate themselves to supporting the candidate(s) of their choice.

The Primaries are now over. It is what often happens when the Republican candidate of a supporter’s personal choice does not survive the Primary Election that disappoints and angers me. I have no admiration for a Republican who claims they believe in the basic doctrines of the Republican Party and then vows, on principle, to not vote for the Republican candidate in the General Election.

If this country is going to ever return to its Republican based principles and Constitutional roots, Republican idealism must end with the counting of the Primary votes. There comes a point in time when one must seriously consider the alternatives and consequences of NOT voting for Republican candidates in the General Election.

That time is now. The lessons of the past two elections – and corresponding and continuing abuse and demise of the basic foundations upon which this country was created – should be lesson enough. (Nevada – highest unemployment rate in the nation; skyrocketing national debt; alarming loss of individual rights, and on and on…)

In politics, numbers is the name of the game. Without the numbers, you sit and watch. If the Republicans do not regain the necessary numbers in the coming elections, this once ‘Grand Old Party’ will remain relegated to the political bench.

I am not writing this to preach one view over another as to who is right or wrong in regards to their ‘conservative’ or ‘moderate’ Republican positions. I am not going to argue the pro’s and con’s of a candidate signing or not signing a ‘no new taxes’ pledge. Nor am I either advocating or demeaning any element of the ‘tea party’ movement. These issues have been debated to death during the recent Primary season. The voters have now spoken.

It is time for Republicans to acknowledge the wishes of the majority. The must unite and actively, promote, support and vote for each of those Republicans elected to participate in the General Election.

If you truly believe in the basic Republican principles, consider this………would you rather be dealing with a few Republican ‘rascals’ or continue down the current path of being relegated to dealing with the results of veto proof Democrat majorities – all for the sake of idealism.

The potential consequences are simply too damaging to waste a single Republican vote this November.

Think about it.

(Nancy Dallas lives in Virginia City and is the editor/publisher of Newsdeskbynancydallas.com)