Taking the Republican Party

Vanity ^ | 10/04/2009 | Doug Loss

[Doug Loss]

We've all seen calls for a third party (which would be disastrous I think, given the lack of success third parties have had since 1860) and countering calls for taking control of the Republican Party. But what has been distinctly missing is any idea of how to do either of these things.

I'm not going to bother about how to form a third party, as I think it would be at best a waste of time. Instead, I'm going to present an idea and a website that gives concrete instructions on how to start to take control of the Republican Party. Oh, they don't say "Republican Party," but you know that they don't mean the National Socialists (excuse me, the Democrats).

Wag The Dog 2010 begins to lay out the precinct concept of seizing the party from the bottom up. It differs from state to state, but usually all you need is 5-10 signatures from party members within your voting precinct to get on the primary ballot as a candidate for precinct official for your party. Once you become that official, you get to vote (generally, I'm sure it varies a bit from place to place) for the county party officials about a month later. Those county party officials in turn determine the state officials, etc.

The secret is, many precinct positions are vacant because no one is interested in getting on the ballot, and many others go to the same old folks every time for the same reason. If you're associated with a local tea party organization or anything like that, you can look into getting your people into precinct official positions and take over your county party organization.

Folks, this is what it will take to make the changes we all want to make. Go look at this website, join up if you're of a mind to, but take the ideas seriously and let's start working on actually making a change, not just talking about it!

[Doug Loss]

But that’s the point of this sort of strategy, the powers that be can’t counter it with a ton of money. If we get elected to precinct offices and start taking control of county party organizations, the “powers that be” won’t have control of that money anymore. The only reason they have it now is that no one is doing what’s needed to take it away from them.

[nevergiveup]

I agree with you whole heartedly - but good luck with this crowd.

[Doug Loss]

I’m not really speaking to all the congenital nay-sayers, but the lurkers who will read what’s posted here and will take it to heart. ;)

[DakotaRed]

You said, "Personally, I want to take the party (I’m not saying take it back, because I don’t think we ever really had it) for the principles of gradually paring the federal government back to abiding by the Constitutional strictures that were supposed to limit it, of reducing government’s intrusion into the personal lives of the citizens, and of being responsive to the views of the people (within the limits of constitutionality)."

Amendments are very much entwined with the constitution, are they not?

So, do you advocate keeping them all or eliminating some? Have not some given government greater intrusion into our lives, according to many?

That's what I'm talking about.

[DakotaRed]

I hate to be the one to tell you this, ut radical Jihadists do not come into teh country to take advnatage of “incentives.”

They come in fully funded to kill us!

We are far from a Police State, but will we be if we follow Paul and wait until they are freely roaming our streets, setting up ied’s and suicide bombings?

I’d much rather fight them over there and not here on our streets.

[nevergiveup]

Obviously you don’t remember the tale of belling the cat.

[DakotaRed]

Yes, I do recall “belling the cat,” but wonder if you recall “chicken little?”

[jocon307]

I agree, a third party is not the way to go. We need to clean out and shore up the pubbies, the party of Lincoln, the party of Life!

They (we?) CAN get it together, all a third party will give us is dem rule as far as the eye can see!

[Dick Bachert]

Please DO NOT misunderstand my reasons for producing these two videos. If folks want to gather together to let “them” know that “we,” like Howard Beal in “Network” are “…mad as hell and not going to take it any more…,” it’s STILL – for the time being anyway – a relatively free country so we can do that.

All I’m saying here is that, especially in tough economic times, there are more EFFICIENT and EFFECTIVE ways to expend our FINITE RESOURCES.

It’s not as much fun as sweating on the Mall but there IS a better – and less costly — way to scare hell out of “them” — and you won’t even have to leave home.

ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL, PART 1: (UNDER 8 MINUTES)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk1bGBY3BcE

ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL, PART 2: (UNDER 8 MINUTES)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ylFTOObbF0

[nevergiveup]

Thank you. Up to now, I always avoided these nay-sayers. But golly gee, you're right. It is easy and fun to stir these guys up and help you spread your message.

I might even go get myself one of those bee keeper's helmet with netting and start poking these guys' hives.

It reminds me of those childhood summer days when we were so bored we pooled our money to buy a popsicle and dropped it on the ground to attract zillions of ants. Then out came the magnifying lenses and voila - a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Well, for the sake of our country I sincerly pray you are right.

[Man50D]

Nope, they’re not the big groundswell that will swamp the GOP.

How much has the OP supported Conservatism over the last few years? None. If there is a groundswell, it won't be from Conservative grassroots. They are leaving the OP because they are tired of the choice between socialist and socialist light.

[Man50D]

The OP hasn't been happening for conservatives, because of our lack of participation.

The OP isn't happening because they have abandon Conservatives.

[Doug Loss]

Amendments are not "entwined" with the Constitution, they're part of the Constitution, every bit as much as the Articles are. There are certain amendments I'd like to see changed, as I'm sure many other people here would like to see them changed. I'd like to see the 16th and 17th Amendments repealed. But take a look at Professor Randy Barnett's Bill of Federalism for a comprehensive idea of what would be a good set of repeals and additions.

[Doug Loss]

You see, you're wrong in your initial premise. The conservative grassroots aren't leaving the Republican Party in the great numbers you seem to imagine they are. They're dissatisfied with what the GOP's giving them by way of candidates, but they aren't running to any other party. If we seize the GOP machinery and put actual conservative candidates up for election, the grassroots will be right there behind them. You just can't get your head around the idea that I'm advocating taking the GOP over, not trying to force the current leaders to do what we want.

[Doug Loss]

Whoops, bad link. Try this one: Bill of Federalism

[Jabba the Nutt]

Good tips, a good way in. Go for it, FReepers!

[DakotaRed]

Then why come at me over your comments on the constitution when I ask about amendments?

But, I appreciate your reply as to the 2 you would do away with.

It reveals more than you realize.

[c-b 1]

Conservatives have allowed themselves to be abandoned, because too many chose not to participate.

[Man50D]

You see, you're wrong in your initial premise. The conservative grassroots aren't leaving the Republican Party in the great numbers you seem to imagine they are.

Oh really. That's interesting because at Resistnet.com there is a similar discussion of leaving versus staying with the OP. The National coordinator, Darla Dawald pointed out many of the Precinct Chair positions were not filled by Conservatives in the last election and practically implored Conservatives to fill those positions.

They're dissatisfied with what the GOP's giving them by way of candidates, but they aren't running to any other party.

They're not staying with the OP.

If we seize the GOP machinery and put actual conservative candidates up for election, the grassroots will be right there behind them.

That's tantamount to saying if they had rearranged the deck chairs the Titantic would not have sunk.

You just can't get your head around the idea that I'm advocating taking the GOP over, not trying to force the current leaders to do what we want.

You can't get your head wrapped around the fact this same loser strategy has been pushed on FR in the past and has been rejected by many conservatives because they've had enough of the socialist light party. Keep in mind FR is a Conservative website, not a Republican website.