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 Ive 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, Ill 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 its strengths and its 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 RINOs 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 RINOs 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.' Youll 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 RINOs 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 nations history. In fact, the few that have claimed conservatism (and largely arent) 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 1900s Democrats were the conservatives, while Republicans were the first to drift off into progressive socialist politics. Unfortunately for us today, early 1900s '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 youre like me youre a working stiff with a job somewhere or youre working your buns off keeping a home together, caring for your family. You dont have a lot of time or a lot of money to sink into political activities, so if youre 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 dont 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 Ariannas 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 RINOs 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
"I dare any of those who are advocating third parties to give me evidence of how voting for third party losers like Alen Keys has advanced the conservative movement."
EternalVigilance wrote in response:
"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."
*********************
Hmmm...the most remarkable thing about your response to Victory Rocks is that we are presented with a unique blend of ad hominem and straw man arguments. How did you address the issue of failed historical attempts at Third party candidacies? By equating "history" with the negatively associated phrase "backward-looking". Just answer the question please.
BTW, you completely ignored my questions in post #168:
"How is your group designed any differently from the Republican party? How will you exclude people whose opinions differ from your own? How will you "sell" Americans on voting for an independent party candidate when they are convinced that any such vote translates into a vote for democrats?"
Care to answer them now?
Exactly! And if we want control of the GOP, we have to remake it from within. This means grassroots, local level involvement.
I’m traveling, so I don’t have the luxury of giving this important thread the attention it deserves.
I’ll be sure to answer your questions thoroughly later.
But attending a rally is so much easier than heavy lifting! ;-].
What’s up? LTNS.
“Yet, it is literally the voting public at large that determines what a political party becomes its strengths and its 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”
Correct.
WE, who vote Republican, are the Republican Party.
Power for the sake of conservative governance. Reagan did it, and it can be done again.
Most conservatives are Republicans, most Republicans are conservatives. “Palin/Bachmann” are in that group.
“That message will be: Join or Die!”
... which 3rd party attempts are contrary to. It’s splitting, not joining. At least live up to your own bumper stickers!!! 3rd party is a quick path to political oblivion.
“I fear the GOP brand is damaged in the eyes of voters and citizens do not want to self-indentify with it.”
Nothing is permanent. Work to fix the brand.
“Completely wrong. ALL political parties operate under the same rules, federal and state. All have a similar party structure, and anyone can move to occupy that party structure. They can be supported by others, or opposed by others. Been there done that. Third parties are a losers route. “
CORRECT on all points.
I’d rather live (and vote) by my principles in political oblivion than sacrifice them for political relevance.
New tagline...
Wrong.
Whenever I see that phrase I know someone is trying to sell me something I don't want.
Then the GOP should quite working so hard to become one.
Ron Thank you for the intelligent post.
You are 100% correct, voting on a third line, even though s/he may represent what we really need and want is not a good way to go. We can never win that way at all.
What we need to do is purge the party, keep RINO’s out, push good people in and support them.
perhaps the most important thing is to make our voice as one to the head of the GOP and let them know that bending to the left is not what we want. That giving into the liberals is not the way to go.
I really think that we have very few elections left if we allow the trend to continue where Liberals are making the rules as they go along. Between voter fraud in ACORN presidential orders etc. We may only have two choices bad and worse.
Now is the time to tell the GOP we need true conservative principled people to run for office. Offer a very clear contrast to what is in the congress now and we can sweep America back on her feet.
You ignored my point.
You're gathering power up in the name of some non-existent "Reagan," but that power is being using ultimately to empower folks like John McCain and a bunch of unprincipled spineless jellyfish like him who are considered to be the leaders of the Republican Party.
Completely impractical. It makes the whole exercise worse than useless. You'd do more good for the country if you did absolutely nothing.
Millions of Republicans have already done that. They didn't listen. Now what?
Kev, you’re not going to get anyone to agree on a litmux matrix. The reason is back at Post 19.
***Then there is some hope. Because your post #19 doesn’t make much sense.
If you can’t even convince 150K that you’re right, you think you have a chance convincing 60 million?
***I don’t need to convince 150k. I need to convince about 3 or 4 of the highest alpha freepers, like JimRob. And it isn’t a matter of convincing them that I’m right, it’s just a matter of showing them the way to a better FReeperdom, where RINOs are forced to operate out in the open rather than behind cover of a facade of conservatism. Do you know why JimRob doesn’t want that? It’s likely to be because he wants FR to have big numbers, lots of participants, plenty of RINOs for the ENTERTAINMENT value.
Wow...
Discourage, disparage, divide, and defeat - tactics straight from the radical left.
I started wondering who you were working for after the first couple of posts on this thread. Now you've removed all my doubts.
In place of the imperfect GOP, you urge that conservatives embrace chronic defeat and political irrelevance in the form of a third party. No thanks. I prefer to help elect conservative Republicans to office and battle RINOs, as I have done for quite some time.
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