Oh yes, we need a little Christmas.

From the musical "Mame."

Tomorrow Americans pause to celebrate Thanksgiving-a historically significant observance rich in tradition with roots that date to the origins of our nation.

Despite its profound meaning, however, this holiday has been relegated to little more than a brief pause in the Christmas shopping frenzy already underway.

"When I was a boy," to borrow a phrase from my father, Thanksgiving marked the unofficial end of fall at our family-including grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins-gathered together to enjoy a feast (and football).

Christmas was yet to come. Stores were not decked out to invite shoppers in until the following day.

That Friday, my parents, sister and I would drive from our southwestern Idaho farm to Boise, where before the day was out I would gaze mesmerized at a Lionel train layout in the Sears' Toyland, which had magically appeared overnight.

Regrettably, Thanksgiving won't get its due again this year. Yet a recent development in Christmas merchandising offers another reason to give thanks before carving the turkey.

Modest progress has been realized in the cultural wars (i.e., countering so-called political correctness) over how retailers should refer to this season of giving.

Both Wal-Mart and Macy's have announced their employees again will wish customers a "Merry Christmas"-not the generic "Happy Holidays," which has been said at government offices, stores and elsewhere in recent years to avoid mentioning the name of this Christian festival lest some take offense.

(As noted last year, nothing in the Constitution guarantees a right not to be offended. In fact, friends who are Orthodox Jews or observe only the secular side of Christmas enthusiastically extend best wishes to me for the holy-day, as I do to them for their celebrations. That, and not politically correct censorship, is the essence of First Amendment tolerance-no matter how much "diversity" we have in this country.)

Not all retailers will follow suit, and many local officials still talk about community "holiday trees" as if the Grinch really did steal Christmas. But this move by two of the nation's largest chains is both welcome news and a step in the right direction.

And if their action was motivated by marketing rather than sentiment, so what? They obviously listened to millions of shoppers who, unhappy with the "politically correct" marginalizing of Christmas, took their business elsewhere last year.

Because Christmas really does matter-and always will. Beginning the day after tomorrow.

Today, with much to be thankful for in this great land, please accept my wish that you will enjoy a Happy Thanksgiving!

One of the hard truths for Republicans from this month's election is that they gained no ground in Highline legislative districts.

Apparently voters in this area still think they are not taxed enough nor regulated too much. Unless they are persuaded to change their mindset, the party won't take back King County-one of the bluest in America-and time soon.

But this challenge, while daunting, is not an impossible dream for Washington's minority party.

Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers, once declared, "[Y]ou have to pay the price to get to the point where success is possible....

"[T]here are no reasons that are adequate for having lost. For the loser there must be one hundred percent determination and dedication to win next time."

What Coach Lombardi said about football applies to politics.

When Republicans abandon their conservative principles, they lose. They did, and they lost.

Had they governed nationally like a majority party committed to those principles-smaller government, reduced spending, national security, individual responsibility-they could have won.

For Highline and other King County Republicans, greater effort is required. They must promote those principles while mastering key fundamentals, beginning with the 2007 Legislature that is dominated by Democrats in both chambers.

These include frequent legislative "report cards" and regulatory action updates, and issue-focused events at the district level that target with conservative messages the concerns of various voting blocks.

Highline Republicans also need to build a "farm team" of proven legislative candidates who have won election to city councils, school boards and special district commissions.

These strategies can help the party enlarge its base locally and add red to the 11th, 33rd and 34th legislative districts.

The views of Ralph Nichols are his own, and do not necessarily reflect those of Robinson Newspapers. He can be reached at newsdesk@robinsonnews.com or 206-388-1857.