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
Or, we could try real self-government by real people.
Plus if going third party is the way to go then how come Ronald Reagan didn't go down that path
The most remarkable thing about your post, looked at in its entirety, is how backward-looking it is.
Republican Generals, fighting the last war.
Pretty much like the French before WWII.
Good question! IMHO, we have made it into a period during which the Republic will not best be served by two, big-tent parties. A Conservative Party that can pull 20-30% of the vote can Keep Republicans (1), Democrats (2) and Liberals (3) honest.
The problem is the process. The Democrats have not yet split along natural lines of ideology (which they will, someday). The Republicans are much closer, therefore a third party will hand the Democrats even more complete control than they have now.
Again, strictly imho, the key to the conundrum lies in local control and a new era of constitutional states rights. The entire Federal trend from FDR onward, is based upon an exension of the Interstate Commerce Clause ... not that much of a philosophical base when one comes to think about it.
I look around at my county GOP. Conservative. My district GOP, the same. My state GOP? The moderates have their wing but they’ve gone by the wayside. Right now the socons are dominant to the point of damaging the party. Then there are us three legged conservatives stuck in between. What RINO’s are you talking about?
I look at many other states. Conservative. Do we have moderates at the national level? Yes. Do they have power? Yes. But not all the power everywhere. There is a fight going on constantly at all levels. I’m not going to accept your inane accusations backed up by no facts. If you want to pontificate, run for Pope (no offense Catholics, tongue in cheek here).
As far as what I see at FR is a great number of whiners and naysayers and far fewer of the doers. Keyboard activism. Useless. Utterly useless. You want to get things done you need a vehicle that’s a part of the process, and that process is getting people elected. I don’t care what vehicle you choose, but choose a vehicle. Sitting on the keyboard at FR is not that vehicle. That is less than worthless.
The seeds of the cure lie within the nature of that process.
Preferably one not being driven a hundred miles an hour towards a cliff.
Romantic and wrong. You have to win elections, and that takes not just issues, but good candidates, cash, and campaign talent.
If conservatives run and win enough primaries, they inherit the GOP and its organization and ballot position. If conservatives cannot win inside the GOP, they will not find easier going outside of it.
Hey, that’s a legit arena of debate. The AIP may be a viable vehicle with the number of party ID voters dropping and independents rising. I don’t agree with you assessment the GOP ad hoc but I’ll never knock a viable conservative third party effort. I just think a number here need to start graduating beyond keyboard warriors and get their hands dirty.
If self-government is now a mere romantic notion, the republic truly is dead.
Funny thing is, if that is so, once again the only way to revive it is by the rise once again of principled self-government.
How about a dose of reality? A desire to return to the traditional American concept of self-government is not enough — you have to win elections. If conservatives cannot win GOP primaries, then it is delusional to think that we can win by the far harder course of leaving the GOP and establishing a third party. We are far better off and more powerful in the GOP than out of it.
I would surmise that running for office is quite low on most Conservatives' "to do" list as we have all been witness to the personal destruction wrought upon those who stand up and push Conservative ideals. Not only that, but I would wager that most Conservatives absolutely LOATHE the thought of being politicians and actually having to sit in the presence of those same people we despise.
I am going to paraphrase a post from earlier in saying that there are Conservatives who have well-grounded and principled positions which they are willing to promote, and then there are those Conservatives who are meant to lead other Conservatives in the fight. Not all of us yearn to become "political activists" and lead Conservatism, but are ready to follow and support such a leader with immeasurable fervor.
You're thinking at too high a level. Please. Just go to a Republican committee meeting. Running for office is the tip of the iceberg. 9/10 of Party work is way below that, and the people who do it control the party.
Power, but to what end? Your power is being gathered up under the current model to serve that you claim to detest. How practical is that?
Sorry webschooner - I guess the News/Activism forum splits into either/or in the topics area - I didn’t realize that.
“I just think a number here need to start graduating beyond keyboard warriors and get their hands dirty.”
We need to act, and do so in a strategic manner.
Allright, if Jim Rob wants it there, he is the site owner, so that’s fine. It’s just the first time I can recall seeing a vanity being in Breaking News.
“A conservative third party effort requires a super wealthy, credible conservative candidate for President — a Perot without Perot’s quirkiness and controlling personality. Since no such paladin has appeared on the scene, we must make do with the GOP, as Reagan so successfully did.”
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I agree! We must use the Republican party, independent and 3rd party efforts as we don’t have Teddy Roosevelt or Perot (neither of whom *won* as 3rd party/2nd party hopefuls). Even those men’s best efforts were 27.4%, enough to elect the other side, and then dissipating what they did in the future. Roosevelt ran as a Republican again, for instance and we’ve really not heard about Perot since then, the glory of the Reform party being Jesse Ventura (1998) - yikes!?
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The following from:
http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/life/timeline.htm
June 18-22, 1912 Republican National Convention meets in Chicago and renominates incumbent Taft even though TR has won all but one primary and caucus. Roosevelt supporters bolt, charging “theft” of nomination.
August 5-7, 1912 Convention of new National Progressive party (nicknamed “Bull Moose” party) held in Chicago, adopts reform platform, and nominates TR for President and Governor Hiram W. Johnson of California for Vice President.
“This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in if it is not a reasonably good place for all of us to live in.”...”Laws are enacted for the benefit of the whole people, and must not be construed as permitting discrimination against some of the people.”
October 14, 1912 Shot in the chest while entering an automobile outside the Hotel Gilpatrick in Milwaukee, WI by would-be assassin John Nepomuk Schrank at about 8:00 p.m. Campaigning on the “Bull Moose” ticket, TR delivers a 90-minute speech at the Auditorium in Milwaukee before seeking medical attention. The bullet would never be removed. [Schrank was declared insane on November 13, 1912 and committed to the Northern State Hospital for the Insane at Oshkosh, WI, and died at the Central State Hospital in Waupun, WI on September 15,1943.]
“I did not care a rap for being shot. It is a trade risk, which every prominent public man ought to accept as a matter of course.”
November 5, 1912 Democrat Woodrow Wilson elected president over TR, who came in second, and Republican Taft. Roosevelt received the largest percentage of votes of any third party candidate.
Wilson won the election:
6,293,454 popular votes, 435 Electoral votes/40 states.
Roosevelt came in second:
4,119,538 votes , 88 Electoral votes/6 states.
(27.4% of the popular vote)
Taft came in third:
3,484,980 votes, 8 Electoral votes/2 states.
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[Skip forward 4 years.]
June 7-10, 1916 Republican and Progressive national conventions meet in Chicago, at same time in different halls, in an effort at a joint nomination.
June 10, 1916 Progressives nominate Theodore Roosevelt; Republicans nominate Charles Evans Hughs; TR declines Progressive nomination and eventually backs Hughes.
“We have room for but one loyalty, loyalty to the United States. We have room for but one language, the language of the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Speech.”
February, 1917 Roosevelt’s requests permission of President Wilson to raise, equip and lead volunteer division for service in France in World War I.
“Peace is not the end. Righteousness is the end.”...”If I must choose between righteousness and peace I choose righteousness.”
May 19, 1917 President Wilson refuses Roosevelt’s service request.
1917 TR’s family supports the War effort. All four of his sons enlist. His daughter Ethel serves as a Red Cross nurse at the American Ambulance Hospital in Paris, accompanying her husband, surgeon Dr. Richard Derby.
“America’s Independent Party has discovered the cure. That’s smart remarketing of freedom and liberty.”
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This includes supporting Conservative Republicans. That must be and is part of AIP’s efforts. Because, as we clearly see and understand from American history - that is smart.
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