Posted on 04/25/2016 5:41:56 AM PDT by Sean_Anthony
Donald Trump has now put the focus of his campaign on attacking the fundamental nature of the nomination process within our political parties
One of the most pressing issues facing our nation - dealing with an out-of-control central government - has been essentially placed on hold during this election campaign. Traditionally a core issue in Republican politics, the candidates for Republican presidential nominee, particularly the final three, have had no opportunity to debate this issue.
And even major campaign issues such as national security, that have been discussed and debated, have been set aside in the last couple of weeks so we can debate democracy in the delegate selection process of party politics. This issue was raised by Donald Trump after the Ted Cruz campaign won all the delegates in the Colorado caucuses. To clarify, in its usage here, what is being debated is not “democracy,” rather it is “citizen participation in the delegate process,” or the lack of it.
There is no “right to vote” in the Constitution. The determination of who is eligible to vote is a power reserved to the states. There are amendments related to infringing that right.
The processes by with the parties select delegates have been available to all. One candidate paid attention. One did not.
Let the process play out.
It is extremely difficult to execute a "choice" to participate by voting or not when there isn't a "vote" by the entire Republican electorate offered in the first place. Colorado, to be exact. There were 'opportunities' for the vigilant citizen voter to 'participate' in a series of multiple meetings in cabal-ish venues controlled by party bureaucrats (4-5 as I recall), but NOT ONE OPEN ELECTORATE-ADVERTISED VENUE WHERE ALL REPUBLICAN VOTERS could voice their chose on ONE DAY, ONE VOTE. This isn't voters choosing not to participate and you know it.
Your candidate’s ‘process’ as he executes it is his downfall.
It may well turn out that way. But, I’m content to let the process run to completion. Changing the process that is in place is going to require real grass roots work, going to meetings, sacrifice of time and treasure.
But, before you go all in for full bore and unmitigated direct democracy...two words: Voter Fraud. We like to think that the Democrats have a monopoly on that. But, the lust to power is not exclusive to any ideology. It is a part of fallen humanity.
Like it or not, a study of the basis on which the Republic was established shows great alarms about the prospect of “tyranny of the majority.” For one example, that is why we have two bodies in the legislative branch, not one.
Returning to process (and laying side the specifics of the current sorry state of the GOP), a political party will also seek it own ongoing survival as a viable entity by internal checks and balances. And a dispersal of power is a reflection of (small r) republican principles.
If that dispersal is unsavory , then change the rules, state by state. But, it’s going to require a lot of work to assure that the majority wins it all every time.
And you may not like the way that ultimately works out.
A sturdy basis in the foundation of this country still held the intent that voters’ inputs and consultation would be at least held in high regard by the powers relegated to the states (through Federalism) to dictate and control the election process. It doesn’t and didn’t envision a purely bureaucratic party insider process that forgoes voters’ inputs all together in a single venue where their preference could be know. There is no basis for couching this bastardized and perverted process for anything that it has effectively become.
With Ted and John’s latest collusion and the apparent directive to their PACs and likely voters in their advance warning ‘agreement’ in how they want to keep Donald Trump from voters’ will is DISGUSTING. And you can’t put enough lipstick, rouge and perfume on that pig to make it desirable.
I’m done with Cruz and never was ‘with’ Kasich to start with.
In Colorado, only a few thousand out of 3 million Republicans participated in the caucuses, which ultimately had almost no impact anyway in terms of reflecting even the will of the few thousand that managed to come home from work, take care of their families, hire babysitters, and then waste two hours going to nearly meaninglessly “caucuses”, because the few thousand were eventually randomly reduced to a few hundred who attended Congressional or State assemblies to vote on national primary convention delegates.
This is a particularly onerous process for a state that otherwise conducts mail-in ballots by all registered voters for all other elections.
Nonetheless, I assert that if the above Colorado caucus process is such a great way to nominate a GOP candidate, then Colorado should duplicate this exact process for ALL of its elections.
Burn the process. To the ground.
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