Conservatives in America have a fight on their hands.

Political battles are waged between the forces of liberalism and conservatism. Liberalism has become strongly entrenched in the Democratic Party. Conservatism appears to be down for the count. Democrats have captured both houses of Congress, and the most liberal senator in the last congressional session is in the White House.

True conservatives are tremendously disappointed with Republicans who gave up their principles and acted like liberals to gain votes. I can hear Dr. Phil asking, "How's that working out for you?"

The two sides consist of those who believe in the limited government the Framers gave us and those who think every problem has a government solution if you throw enough tax dollars at it.

Many conservatives may be thinking the time has finally come for a third-party candidate. That would be a big mistake and would put Barack Obama on the fast track to a second term.

Yes, there are other parties with great ideas and good people. That is just what people thought about Ross Perot's Reform Party in 1992 that gave us Bill Clinton, and Teddy Roosevelt's Bull Moose Party in 1912 that gave us Woodrow Wilson, ushering in progressivism.

Today's Constitution and Libertarian parties both look attractive to many on the right. However, the true home of conservatives right now is the Republican Party.

If you are upset and want change, work to change the Republicans from within. It may take awhile, but political parties do respond to strong grassroots prodding and the right people in leadership positions. Ronald Reagan had to change his own party before he defeated Jimmy Carter's liberalism.

It is important now for Republicans to embrace the principles of true conservatism, make sure that only conservatives are nominated for office and then turn out to vote for them. Too many laws are passed by the "I'll scratch your back if you'll scratch mine" method in Congress by members of both parties. They are more concerned with staying in office than with keeping America strong.

There are reasons for conservatives to feel positive.

* America is getting a good look at unchallenged liberalism, and it looks a lot like socialism.

Obama and the Democrats pushed a $787 billion stimulus package through Congress without giving members an opportunity to read it. General Motors and Chrysler are now run by government. Unemployment in Michigan is over 15 percent and will soon be over 10 percent nationally. A health-care plan is in the making that will decrease medical care and increase cost. If you think health care is expensive now, wait until local, state and federal bureaucrats get in on the action.

* Americans are quickly losing faith in Big Government. They told us we urgently needed bailouts of financial institutions because the most important word in business is "credit." Obama and his bureaucrats don't understand that the most important word in business is "trust." Businessmen are not going to take risks and people aren't going to invest when their government can't be trusted to keep taxes low, spend our money wisely and let capitalism work. And for you people who say we are the richest country in the world: Why are you borrowing money from your kids and grandkids?

* It looks like the stranglehold the mainstream media have had for years is starting to loosen. Newspapers like the New York Times and the Boston Globe that give only the liberal slant are hurting. Talk radio, the Internet, conservative books and Fox News are gaining popularity. If you get your news only from the mainstream media, you probably don't know about ACORN and voter fraud, Obama's bashing of America in foreign countries and that the head of the IRS doesn't pay his income taxes.

Many intelligent people voted for Obama. The problem is that they voted emotionally. They used their hearts instead of their heads in the voting booth. How long will we suffer because the first black man to sit in the oval office is also the least prepared for the job and the least understanding of what makes America great?

A few words about the political genius of Sarah Palin. After stepping down as governor of Alaska, she has announced she will campaign for conservatives. She is one person who truly can change politics in America. How would you like to be the candidate of either party who has to compete with Sarah Palin and the thousands who show up at her rallies?

I'll bet there are lots of Republicans who are thinking lower taxes, less government and individual responsibility. Hey, that sound like conservatism.

Ted A. LeGrand is a Cape Girardeau resident.