Posted on 10/27/2001 6:12:11 PM PDT by Avoiding_Sulla
... IMHO, the best advice: WORK HARD. Here's what that work requires:
I'm sure there are others to whom you can turn to add to this list. Nothing worth achieving comes easily. This all requires hard work. The Progressives haven't brought us to what appears to be the brink of annihilation (but that's another story) because they didn't work hard.OFFENSE -- Form a group of like-minded individuals to watch all PRIMARY races.
-- Identify all RINOs and potential RINOs you can.
-- Make sure all RINOs have real opposition.
-- Work like the Dickens to keep like-minded real conservatives from running against each other.
-- Now, more than ever (as you pointed out) Dems are outa favor. So don't let the RINOs even try to sell you that their form of compromise is the only thing will win in the general election. Being laughed off the stage is the kind of humiliation RINOs deserve. It might even scare 'em straight.
DEFENSE Every party committee has its Establishment thugs and RINO disrupters. Be prepared.
-- Your group must attend these things in force and not let "those in charge" dictate the agenda.
-- Make sure one of you is expert in Roberts' Rules of Order. Then you will be heard.
-- The size of your group will grow, and the RINOs' will shrink. Be accessible and receptive.
-- Be on the look out for attempts to derail you. Threats, bribes, flattery and personal attacks. Hard ball.
-- Be on the look out for attempts to stall you. Phony adjournments, committee assignments not of your choosing (being made chair comes under flattery), and other red-herrings.
Either not voting or, worse, voting Democratic because some Republican doesn't do what he ought is the conservative's form of throwing a tantrum. It's not only disruptive and counterproductive, it looks and sounds liberal. For recent examples of this, look at those phony pacifists (nee anarchists) turning violent.
Stop whining and sounding like a spoiled liberal. If you really want to change things, you must work at it. Now that I have given you a formula for how to go about it, what's your excuse?
The biggest one I can think of is Ron Paul (R), Texas. Not only does he have no party support, but the party establishment actively tries to unseat him. They call him "Dr. NO" because he won't vote for anything that is unconstitutional. He is so unfavored by the party establishment that they zero-fund his campaigns, and even try to split his district.
Even if you disagree with Ron Paul's views, he is a model for a successful campaign within the Republican party without party establishment (RINO) support. He is considered by many to be the backbone of the RLC.
Thanks for the ping.
I’m just a little guy, but I think that I asked myself some version of your question in November of 2000. Now, I have my own concerns with the Republican party, but one has to start somewhere. So, that’s where I started. This is easier for me, because though I have some libertarian tendencies (mostly in the economic sphere), the traditional core values of the Republicans are pretty close to my own political philosophy. But, that’s not to say that the Reps couldn’t benefit from some principled libertarian thought. As for the Dems, they are beyond redemption. That’s not just a throwaway line, I mean it sincerely. The Democrat party is now in the grip of extremist radicals who, if given the chance, will indeed destroy this great Republic, some through malice, most through simply being wrong.
But, that wasn’t your question.
Actually, I don’t know for certain what will work. I’m starting by just getting up and doing some work. I’ll support candidates that I agree with, either with time or whatever money I can part with. I’ll try to help good people run for, and win, seats on the Rep. Central committees. I’ll go to the conventions, and cast my vote to move the party in a constitutional direction. And I’ll try to keep a positive outlook, recruit new people, and most importantly, never give up.
I am certain about what won’t work, though. Waiting for someone else to lead the charge, pondering if a candidate is “conservative enough”, demanding purity and perfection of purpose, or just sleeping through the battle. I was guilty of all of this, but no longer. I may wind up on the losing side, but it won’t be without a fight!
Sad to say semper, although maybe also good, but you are not likely to shake the younger sets' idealism on our sayso alone.
At least starting with my formula they'll become acquainted with each other -- and that's good. A few more ideological forces like the ones you mentioned may have a chance to attain some critical mass, like the Club for Growth. But that takes time and patience and planning. Isn't that what I've invited you and others to do here? Your warnings can be useful to defense, but where's your offense? No need to bother doing anything further in that regard -- you've paid your dues, eh? <G>
And you aren't gonna stir up many paleos onto your side until after you unearth their remains from the political equivalent of La Brea Tar Pits and put 'em on display as a warning as what can happen when one follows habit rather than instinct; about being loyal to leaders who aren't loyal to them.
In the meantime they are working for the forces of the status quo, and you know it. They're the ones who'll arrange to break your legs if their sense of patriotism doesn't drive 'em to do it themselves.
And as long as you remain uncertain as how to change it quickly or effectively, they have a point. "The GOP moves slower to the Left than the Dims; anything other than GOP helps the Dims" and they're sticking to that position. You are not gonna get 'em to adopt nihilism, EVER, and you know it, so why do you want to irritate 'em with even a hint of it?
I know, I know, tact isn't your strong suit. <G>
I've been wanting to respond to this for weeks, and finally pushed when you posted this additional response on another thread, Texas Political Activism: Who's Who
at which you conclude: "I cannot simultaneously call for the prosecution of the Parties and their politicians, while also voting to keep them in office. "
So here you are semper_libertas, standing outside PascalFervor's Ideological Corral, very pointedly showing up all the shennagins going on, and hearing almost nothing but "baaaaa baaaaa baaaahhh" as a result.
Hey skipper: maybe it's time for a different tac?
What' your POLITICAL offense? Forget the courts -- they're the province of lawyers, and most of 'em, without political restraints that you know will never come in this environment, are from and for hell.
I think that one of the largest problems we have as conservatives, constitutionalists is that to many people have learned that they can Vote themselves money at the ballot box. The majority of the Democrat party is built of minorities doing just that. I think it was Jefferson who said that once people learn they can vote themselves money then our Republic will fail. So now how do you begin to solve this.
1. Get rid of the public education system at the state level and install vouchers. This is already happening in some of the major cities because minorities are the hit the worst. The public education system has become nothing more than a Liberal (read Socialist) think tank or reeducation center. You can try to do it at the federal level, but frankly I think it's a lost cause, the NEA has to big a lobby. If we concentrate on one state at a time and pool our recourses then I think we can do it. This has to be a prime target we can no longer just let these kids be brought up in this atmosphere. The Libs learned a long time ago that the children are the key.
2. We must try where ever possible to elect true conservative (wait for it) Minorities. Even if there is a perfectly viable white male or female candidate we must strive to elect more minorities to the conservative caucus. We need to have Minority role models out holding office, giving speeches, and in the press as conservatives so that Democrats are not seen as the face of the minority vote. I know some of my fellow conservatives might see this akin to Affirmative action, but I assure you when more minorities see more of their own faces, being successful, in the Republican party a lot of the Democrats arguments will be nullified. It will also be a challenge to themselves, "See he can make, and if he can so can I."
3. Play more on the ideas that devide democrats I.E. Vouchers with minorities, Gun Rights with unions, and family values with the Feminazis. Devide and concore is one of the best military strategist ever used.
4. Don't loose heart when you loose. Don't give up. Don't say that I'm just gonna take my toys and go home. We will not win all at once, and some times it may actually seem like were losing. We can and will win this. We must.
Long live the Republic. Long Live the U.S.A.
---max
My, what a nasty little cuss. I guess our founding father's warning about the establishment of political parties isn't good advice in your esteemed opinion? Look, I didn't say it would be easy. Just by eliminating the party affiliation on the ballot would go along way to stop people voting straight party ticket. God forbid they should or would have to find out the views each candidate has.
Parties are a way of making elections easier for idiots who don't take their civic responsibilities seriously.
In many cases, "simplistic" solutions are the correction to problems which are perceived to be complex. They are perceived as such because those whose interests are at risk want that perception maintained in order to obfuscate the real problem.
Get a grip, pal. It's obvious that you are not interested in correcting the problem which continues to undermine our political system, the Constitution and ultimately our nation as a whole.
---max
Further, I would urge every Conservative to begin saving a small amount of money to pore into the coffers of the Presidential Campaign of their choice in 2008.
Term limits wouldn't be necessary if citizens would just vote smart. The problem is that most Americans have disengaged from the system. We've been played for dupes.
We're pretty much at the point where we either have to form a viable party dedicated to preserving constitutional principles or we have to start shooting liberals until we gain a clear majority. </sarcasm>
It was way back shortly after I joined FR and didn't have a knack yet for how to get things done. And then I forgot about this thread until I complained tonight that hardly anybody tried to pursue the idea.
Even back then I spotted that too much GOP leadership was behaving in the way that it has now firmly established as their key campaign slogan:
New leaders are direly needed.
Promoting thinking about ways to overcome the established hierarchy of both parties and their neurotic concern for themselves (while the rest of the nation can go suck gas) is what I hope you all share with me.
The listings at the top of this thread were only meant to be a start. I always hoped others would add to the list, edit it, or make up new lists. Maybe C_O was wrong, and it really didn't matter if this was never widely distributed; that everybody here is really waiting for someone else to do the thinking and the hard work. Still, I'm more optimistic than that, and I'm betting so are you. Let's see what can be done.
mark for tomorrow...
Yes, realignments. You think reforms will come easy? Not going to happen. And I respect this crew I pinged to know it better than most.
Such a task requires thinking outside the box. Especially outside the particular box our establishment obviously keeps operating so well.
Please help promote the idea of this thread. Preferably start a new one. We already know I'm not good at promoting thread like you guys are; (see for evidence -- this!thread!).
Change has got to come from below and outside. Those operating from below can't be allowed go into battle being Polyannas. They need hard training, wisdom, and esprit de corps pumped into 'em. I know it's a cliché, but nevertheless, leaders are made and not born.
Also, there's this kind of brainstorming that could be more widely contributed to here at FR — right under the noses of a variety of – er – foes.
Call me a nut if you wish. But then too there's no denying that I'm an optimistic nut. This nut might even be an acorn. You know what that can become.
Ever feel like people are avoiding you?
LOL That's great historical reference that may be missed by many even as they proceed to follow that path.
Correct. His job is to make sure Hillary gains the White House.
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