Posted on 05/10/2009 1:08:11 AM PDT by Ron C.
Warning – this is a long and ‘windy’ post – not recommended for the semi-conservative or casual reader.
Lately I’ve ran across many a post and comment on FR that made me decide to again post about politics - for the sake of many of the newer Freepers – and for this nations sake. This post by Jim Robinson is corollary to what follows. Read it – Jim defines what I call a complete conservative.
Now, the first item of business - the definition of the 'Republican Party,' a.k.a., the GOP. A few members of Congress, a couple of state governors and a few past candidates for high office generally prompt the greatest amount of disparagement of the GOP on this website. Their voting screw-ups and lackluster comments are often used to denigrate 'the GOP' in general and often followed by statements such as, "Screw the GOP, I’ll never vote Republican again." That insults many, and proves that writers know little to nothing about party maintenance, or have any clue as their own responsibility for it. Yet, it is literally the voting public at large that determines what a political party becomes – it’s strengths and it’s weaknesses are a direct result of the level of public oversight and involvement in all aspects of party function and activity at the local level. Ignore that, and you get ever-poorer performance at the top – on par with the poorer performance of the citizenry in general at the bottom (local level.)
First - what the GOP is not. It is not defined by, nor do sitting members of Congress solely constitute ‘the GOP’ – yet that is the most common perception. Nor is the RNC, with a mere 165 members 'the GOP.' (All of them count in the national total, yet they are a distinct minority, very much outnumbered and at the eventual certain mercy of the total. Oh, sure – they are a powerful minority – but ultimately irrelevant in the face of the majority.)
"The party," - all political parties are made up solely of elected and appointed members within each State of the Union, along with a few chartered party club members which are by charter are allowed to join the party, pay dues, and allowed to vote in state and local party business. In California, the most populous state, there are only about 3,000 dues-paying party members qualified to vote in party business meetings and in State Party Conventions. The huge majority of GOP members in every state are elected district party representatives in local district 'central committees' – aka, 'wards' in eastern states. Of course, any elected state GOP officeholder is a member, as are any alternates or those they are allowed to appoint as members of the state party. In smaller States, the number is much less. An average per state would be perhaps 1,000 party members in the more numerous smaller states.
There is no published figure of what the 'total GOP party members nationally' is, nor is there such a figure for the 'Democratic' Party. The entirety of the GOP is not more than 62,000 members nationally.
So, lump all the RINO’s you can think of that currently serve in state and national government together, and add up the figure. Lets say you know a lot of RINO’s in Congress, and in State legislatures – and you can come up with as many as 100 of them. That would be .19% of total GOP membership – hardly representative of the huge majority at the local level, most of them quite conservative.
The second item of business here is wrapped up in what it means to be 'conservative.' You’ll not find a better definition of it than what Jim Robinson had to say in that link above. But I would go quite a bit further than Jim did – particularly in using that word 'aggressively.'
If you are under attack and faltering, and the GOP is – and if you really want to aggressively alter the makeup of the GOP – you become part of it. I did, and I have made a big difference (admittedly in the somewhat past) – by being a key force in routing RINO’s from State party leadership positions in droves. If you are really conservative, you join the war – where it counts. Either true conservatives help keep the party conservative – or you fail the final test of conservatism itself. That failure became ever greater after Ronald Reagan was elected – to the point that today less than .01 percent of GOP affiliated voters ever darken the doors of GOP meetings in their own neighborhood – and many that do are not conservative. That low number is a measure of the knowledge of the pubic in general, and of Conservatism wisdom in particular. Yet that door is THE most critical place where conservatives can help ensure the level of conservatism within the party. It seemed that once Reagan was in office, conservatives felt that their presence in the system was no longer needed. Also distressing has been the steep decline in the number of the 'faithful' – which should understand being 'watchmen on the wall' far better than those without wisdom. Sadly, today the level of Church involvement has declined to its lowest point in US history – yet, in stark comparison, during the Founding Era ministers were literally among those at the forefront of political activity.
Third - one thing needs to be understood clearly. Conservatives are extremely unlikely to ever prosper outside of the Republican Party. They must either fight to keep it pure (that is, socialism / socialist free) at the local level – or haul up the white flag of surrender. Third parties have done nothing to prosper conservatism, throughout this nation’s history. In fact, the few that have claimed conservatism (and largely aren’t) have repeatedly succeeded in doing nothing more than electing Democrats in the districts where third party candidates drew 1 to 2% of the vote – the margin by which the Democrat won. When any do gain office, they generally prove far less than conservative.
In fact the largest 'third party' vote ever recorded in US history was that of the 'Progressive Party' under Theodore Roosevelt, which drew 27.4% of the vote. But, note well - in the early 1900’s Democrats were the conservatives, while Republicans were the first to drift off into ‘progressive’ socialist politics. Unfortunately for us today, early 1900’s 'progressive' Republicans radically altered our political process, by co-opting political power to the top of the political ladder from the local level where it had resided for over 130 years. That single action helped send the party into the wilderness for near 50 years, and while it was there Democrats turned socialist and the Republican Party slowly became conservative.
Ultimately the degree of conservative success rests with conservatives themselves. And, if you’re like me – you’re a working stiff with a job somewhere or you’re working your buns off keeping a home together, caring for your family. You don’t have a lot of time – or a lot of money to sink into political activities, so if you’re going to do anything – you need to know how to be most effective with what little time you have. And believe me, you can be very effective, if you know what to do – and that is, walk into the real political arena nearest to you – at the local level, and figuratively, put on your political brass knuckles.
It is probably less than twenty minutes away from the front door of most Freepers. And, quite likely, you can gain a voting seat (without election) – simply by showing up – once or twice a month. (That is, if the local district committee is a few people shy of their allotted number of seats filled.) But, even if all the seats are filled, they all need alternates to sit in for them when they cannot attend for some reason. So take a friend or family member with you. It is worth noting here that quite often only one or two people will actually go to the trouble of getting the few signatures that it takes to get on the ballot for the Central Committee in a California district. When that happens, they are ‘elected’ by default. The position and their names don’t even appear on the ballot! Then, THEY get to appoint the remaining people to bring the district committee to its allotted number. That is a stark difference from public oversight – or 'conservative' attention to what makes up the party they choose to affiliate with. It is such apathy and indifference that has produced the squishy nature of the GOP in the largest and most populous states, and has led to ever greater pollution in even the most conservative states.
For over two decades, I voted many times per month – at the local district level, and at the county level. And, as a dues paying elected or appointed member of the state GOP, I voted often at all state conventions. I worked hard to purge liberals from any power in the state party, and I became highly effective at it. Ask RINO Pete Wilson how effective I have been. Ask Arianna Huffington, and her millionaire switch-hitting ex-husband Michael (with a very obvious case of aids) who both came lurking around the CA GOP, claiming that they were staunch Republicans. (Luckily, I knew about Arianna’s deranged past long before she came in the door – thanks to early use of the then brand new Internet.) Neither one got far, and both eventually left the GOP after being exposed for what they both were.
Bottom line, if Freepers really hope to see a GOP that harks back to conservative principles, and want to aggressively pursue such a goal - the only process that is effective begins at the most numerous level of the elected party – a few minutes away from your home. If we cannot be guardians at these most important gates to the political arena – forget about it at the state and national level. It is within this arena that conservatives can effectively block RINO’s from moving higher up the political ladder – by identifying them through personal contact, listening to their conversation, finding out what they believe and would like to see come to pass in future legislation. It is in this arena that you can identify the best – and help promote them toward higher office – and easily stop the worst of the worst.
The Reagan Revolution was initially energized by thousands of conservatives that had begun with Barry Goldwater a few years prior. In those days, back-yard political gatherings attracted literally thousands of local teens and college youth – and their parents – all of whom provided an energy level beyond any seen prior or since.
Conservatives could easily make that all happen once again – if enough of them decide they really want to become aggressive at making a political difference. Absent such an effort – conservatives will have only themselves, and their personal lack of effort to blame. Samuel Landon, one of our Founding Fathers, said it best. "On the people, therefore, of these United-States it depends whether wise men, or fools, good or bad men, shall govern them; whether they shall have righteous laws, a faithful administration of government, and permanent good order, peace, and liberty; or, on the contrary, feel insupportable burdens, and see all their affairs run to confusion and ruin."
Samuel Langdon is also quite famous for the following quote, from the same sermon. (spelling here is as in the original.)
"From year to year be careful in the choice of your representatives, and all the higher powers of government. Fix your eyes upon men of good understanding, and known honesty; men of knowledge, improved by experience; men who fear God, and hate covetousness; who love truth and righteousness, and sincerely wish the public welfare. Beware of such as are cunning rather than wise; who prefer their own interest to every thing; whose judgment is partial, or fickle; and whom you would not willingly trust with your own private interests. When meetings are called for the choice of your rulers, do not carelessly neglect them, or give your votes with indifference, just as any party may persuade, or a sordid treat tempt you; but act with serious deliberation and judgment, as in a most important matter, and let the faithful of the land serve you. Let not men openly irreligious and immoral become your legislators; for how can you expect good laws to be made by men who have no fear of God before their eyes, and who boldly trample on the authority of his commands? And will not the example of their impiety and immorality defeat the efficacy of the best laws which can be made in favour of religion and virtue? If the legislative body are corrupt, you will soon have bad men for counsellors, corrupt judges, unqualified justices, and officers in every department who will dishonor their stations; the consequence of which will be murmurs and complaints from every quarter."
Sorry my rant is so long - but, unfortunately in some ways it is not nearly long enough. For those that have never really entered the political arena, there is a world of things you should know, and will have to learn on your own, and from others that have gone before you. I can not say it more bluntly than this - if you do not go, learn, and fight - then who will?
May God bless you...
Ron
To add one final point: I attended the recent Free Republic Florida meeting and was impressed with the quality of the attendees as well grounded, dedicated people who compare favorably with the members of Republican executive committees. I am confident that the political talent here will be a major asset to the GOP and the conservative cause in the battles to come. I like the side I am on and I like my comrades in arms.
Don't read history much, do you?
Ping
Must have forgot his (/sarc) tag on this post.
Yes, I see why it’s in Activism. What I said was, it doesn’t belong in Breaking News, which is where I found it.
The problem with these graphs is that, in terms of the two-party system, the word “independent” has no real meaning. In the end, given the terminology of polling and pollsters, it’s just a way of dodging the issue. People say “I’m independent” as a way of saying nothing. Instead of presenting them with “nothing” as an alternative to something, the pollsters give them a way of saying nothing and then call it a “trend.”
In short, no matter what you or I might think, I promise you that most people who say “independent” have no clear idea of what they mean when they say it. In fact, they say it BECAUSE they are clueless.
If 0.01%of the energy wasted by listening to talk radio went into committee work with their opinions, it would make a far greater difference to the country than listening to pundits preaching to the choir.
I worked one election cycle for Goldwater and three election cycles for Reagan and I don’t remember any “committee work.” What is that?
Conservative talk show hosts have an important role and have been very persuasive. You or I might not need them, but as an alternative to the MSM and the Marxist education establishment, they are are particularly effective in giving younger listeners an opposing point of view to consider.
Conservatives by their very nature want to be left alone and have a let live attitude who view the unwashed radicals as quaint misguided poor souls who if they only knew the truth would come to their side. Bad mistake...... The left wants you dead, they want you property, your subservience and for you to validate their world view. if they can't convert you, they will kill you. That is why such affinity with radical Islam. Same modus operandi.
"The party," - all political parties are made up solely of elected and appointed members within each State of the Union, along with a few chartered party club members which are by charter are allowed to join the party, pay dues, and allowed to vote in state and local party business. In California, the most populous state, there are only about 3,000 dues-paying party members qualified to vote in party business meetings and in State Party Conventions. The huge majority of GOP members in every state are elected district party representatives in local district 'central committees' – aka, 'wards' in eastern states. Of course, any elected state GOP officeholder is a member, as are any alternates or those they are allowed to appoint as members of the state party. In smaller States, the number is much less. An average per state would be perhaps 1,000 party members in the more numerous smaller states.
Is it really possible to change the direction of the RNC, which appears to be more and more directing the party to Democrat-lite? It appears that they are just totally disconnected from us, but it seems you are saying that "they" (RNC people) are only in those positions of power because "we" (conservatives who vote but not necessarily involved in the local Republican party) have allowed them to get into power. I guess some of us maybe assume that they get into those high positions by being very wealthy or involved heavily in politics professionally?
I'm not totally understanding what you are talking about the "chartered" party club memebers. How does one get to be a "chartered" party member? I think the point is that you are showing that by getting involved in the local branch, that your vote at that level carried a lot more weight than in a general election so it pays to get involved there?
So where do we find out more about how the party is structured? Why are conservatives who do understand party political structure not doing more to educate other conservatives on places like FR, blogs, etc so that conservatives KNOW how to get involved and how it all works?For example, what if all the conservatives that are involved in the tea parties started attending their local Republican meetings, would it actually change things? Could they dump the RINO type RNC members and elect more conservative members to the RNC so that it would actually reflect our beliefs again? The tea parties are non partisan and just to raise awareness of conservative principles, but what if they were also used to educate everyday voters on how party politics works and encourage them on how to get involved? I'm just wondering why there aren't more posts like yours on FR. There are so many sharp people on FR who I'm sure faithfully vote and give to conservative causes, but who maybe are like us and don't know that getting involved in the party itself is actually available to us and that we can make a difference.
Well, thanks for this post, it is very helpful and sure is a lot to think about.
marker
I totally disagree, at least as far as the recent presidential election. The primary process as is currently configured completely disenfranchised ninetysix percent of the Republican electorate, by allowing four states representing approximately 3.5% of the US population to wipe out ALL conservatives from the primary process. After the first four states' primaries, only McCain, Huckabee, and Paul remained (Possibly Hunter, but he was a walking dead contestant) if I recall correctly. By the time TX got to vote, there was only McCain, Huck, and Paul. So NO, I DIDN'T ELECT THESE TURKEYS!
Groundhog day....all over again.
News/Activism is a forum on FR. Is your beef with FR? :)
Very easy to skip any post that you don’t want to read - right?
I totally agree that we should read the US Constitution and be very familiar with its elements and message. That will place us in front of 97% of the US public (unfortunately).
“Third - one thing needs to be understood clearly. Conservatives are extremely unlikely to ever prosper outside of the Republican Party. They must either fight to keep it pure (that is, socialism / socialist free) at the local level – or haul up the white flag of surrender. Third parties have done nothing to prosper conservatism, throughout this nation’s history. In fact, the few that have claimed conservatism (and largely aren’t) have repeatedly succeeded in doing nothing more than electing Democrats in the districts where third party candidates drew 1 to 2% of the vote – the margin by which the Democrat won. When any do gain office, they generally prove far less than conservative.
In fact the largest ‘third party’ vote ever recorded in US history was that of the ‘Progressive Party’ under Theodore Roosevelt, which drew 27.4% of the vote. But, note well - in the early 1900’s Democrats were the conservatives, while Republicans were the first to drift off into ‘progressive’ socialist politics. Unfortunately for us today, early 1900’s ‘progressive’ Republicans radically altered our political process, by co-opting political power to the top of the political ladder from the local level where it had resided for over 130 years. That single action helped send the party into the wilderness for near 50 years, and while it was there Democrats turned socialist and the Republican Party slowly became conservative.”
Rockingham: “Well reasoned. The GOP is the best available vehicle for conservative political activism. Whining and carping from the sidelines gains nothing.”
++++++++++++++
I see this debate from both sides. I understand the sentiments of Conservatives who have been LET DOWN and BETRAYED by the Republican establishment. Let’s not pretend that this hasn’t happened. As other posters have said, what are we Conservatives supposed to do at a state and leg. district level when our values are again and again kicked to the curb?
Ron, that is what your argument just does not address and must address if you want to win us over; win this debate. How would you speak to this glaring issue?
The message to you is we can force the Republican Party to acknowledge the Conservative power base. We can do it through a comprehensive approach to the primaries and general elections that includes indepedents and 3rd party candidates running against RINOs, while still supporting true Republican conservatives. If the R party continues to contend the Conservatives by putting RINO after RINO up - we’ll support the independents and 3rd party candidates - even if the R loses in the General election.
The Republicans WILL get the message.
I totally agree with you that history denies the pipe dream that we can kill off the Republican party and just magically put a Conservative party in her place. That will not happen and history speaks that lesson CLEARLY to all of us. Are we listening? The one time that an existing second party was replaced with another was when abolition was brewing enough to tear the country in two. Do we have a coalescing issue like aboltion to unite us? Perhaps. But do we have the passion and commitment of the abolitionists that brought Lincoln to the White House (although by less than 40% of the popular vote, recall!)? And if not - how in the world do we think we can displace the Republicans? And we know for a fact that there won’t be 4 candidates polling over 10% in 2012, as there was in 1860.
People need to quit calculating all the time and just do the right thing.
People act like God doesn't exist, and that He doesn't reward those who love and obey Him.
That kind of faith is what made this country possible and preserved it all this time. If our forebears had acted the way Republicans act now, this country would have been dead long ago.
Great Post!
Thank You!
Here is where I offer a different opinion. Talk radio is a commercial business. Just as a radio station attracts a certain audience by specializing in the type of music that audience wishes to hear, conservative talk radio is aimed at an audience that wants to hear conservative talk.
A classical music station will convert few followers of rap stars into opera lovers. Neither is conservative talk radio apt to convert many liberals into conservatives. Yes, it is good to have it out there, but its primary purpose is to sell advertising time to businesses whose target markets (White higher income men 35-55+) are apt to listen, not political wisdom.
Committee work Working for a specific political candidate is not necessarily the same thing as being involved in the work of a political party. Attend a local Republican Party committee meeting.
I just can't let this point go: Rush Limbaugh, today a staunch advocate of a sane immigration policy, spent years telling listeners that "Illegal immigration, was the sign of a healthy economy," or some such drivel, parroting the line of the National Chamber of Commerce.
The guy is great, OK? But we're in sad shape when we have to get what passes for political education from what is essentially an entertainment format.
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