The higher-ups in Connecticut's Republican Party never once solicited my political advice. I understand. I am just one simple, independent voice behind a radio mic. But, looking back at the disastrous 2018 elections, it's clear they should have listened

When the state legislature was preparing the budget we now are living under, I screamed − literally screamed − into my ultra-sensitive Electro-Voice RE20 radio microphone, rationalizing to my listeners the political advantages of letting the Democrats go down with the ship. Actually, to be more accurate, I used the term, "Let ’em burn." I would often follow that by playing a few seconds from the Talking Head's hit song, "Burning Down the House."

I wanted Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Len Fasano and the Republican minority leader in the House of Representatives, Themis Klarides, to go completely hands off on the budget. A simple strategy, it made the best political sense. The Democrats held the Senate, House and the governor’s chair. So let the Dems own it. Let everyone see that their approach to governing is a failure.

Sadly, they didn't listen. After the 2016 elections, Connecticut's Grand Ole Party was feeling empowered making huge gains in both the House and Senate. Yes, 2016 was a very good year to have an “R” by your name on Election Day. The GOP was confident, maybe overconfident, and they banked on the idea that a big budget win would catapult them to monumental gains in 2018.

So, foolishly, the Republicans actually went to work. Fasano’s crew produced no less than 10 budgets. His Excellency, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, vetoed the one that finally passed, having picked up some Democratic votes.

Fasano had this to say, "Malloy’s veto has now put Connecticut in chaos, by vetoing this budget, the governor’s draconian executive order will remain in effect and create destruction for low- and middle-income families. His executive order cuts core social services, slashes municipal aid, and zeros out funding for public education – a constitutional requirement.”

Politically speaking, this was the perfect time to wash their hands of the whole matter and attack. Considering that the Democrats did almost nothing during that entire budget cycle, the GOP efforts should have focused on a full-scale media blitz, illuminating all the Democratic shortfalls.

Instead the GOP threw out a lifeline. They went for bipartisanship. Malloy was shut out of negotiations as Republicans worked on a budget deal with their Democratic colleagues. How noble.

Unfortunately, it left a bad taste in everyone's mouth. Senator Fasano and Rep. Klarides were trying to do the right thing, but in the end their fingerprints were all over an unpopular budget.

Fast forward to the 2018 election cycle: Instead of having ample ammo to attack the sitting Democrats, saying they had tried to pass a responsible budget but the governor shot it down, the GOP candidates were forced to share responsibility concerning the state’s fiscal woes.

Instead of overwhelming the left with criticisms about state budget issues, Republican candidates wound up deflecting, and in some cases defending themselves on insignificant questions about our current president.

What should have been a big political win turned into a devastating 2018 loss.

Gov. Ned Lamont's budget speech a few days ago revealed an overwhelming desire to sales tax everything from accounting services to waste collection. If the Democrats approve taxes on boat storage, digital downloads, text books, newspapers, campground rentals, bicycle helmets, child car seats, vegetable seeds, laundry services, non-prescription drugs (just to name a few), and in addition to all that they also sign on to tolls, they will essentially be hammering Connecticut residents with an almost $2 billion tax increase.

The only chance for the Republican Party to grab the majority in Connecticut politics, to finally end this tax-and-spend mentality, is a complete and utter fiscal meltdown. Without that, low information voters will continue to sanction this endless cycle of economic destruction. Voters need to hit rock bottom before they finally see the light. Empty pockets and dwindling bank accounts may finally make them pay attention.

I circle back to my expert political advice, this time for the GOP in the upcoming calendar year. Let the Dems own all of it. Take 2019 off on budget issues. Take a step back to leap three steps forward. Let the majority party enjoy their budgets, their taxes, their tolls. Let them have it all. If you are a Republican, find a camera or a microphone and make sure every single Connecticut resident knows that it wasn't you that put them in the poorhouse.

Election 2020 will be here before you know it. Don't make the same mistake twice.

Lee Elci is the morning host for 94.9 News Now radio, a station that provides "Stimulating Talk" with a conservative bent.