For Conservatives who seriously want to kick some RINO butt...

5/10/09 | Ron C

[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

[Man50D]

The moderates have their wing but they’ve gone by the wayside.

Oh really? Tell that to the OP national leadership. They have ensured Conservative principles have gone by the wayside.

Do we have moderates at the national level? Yes. Do they have power? Yes.

That couldn't be more of an understatement. They control the OP otherwise you and other OP members would not have to keep posting at a Conservative website trying to convince Conservatives to support the OP! Moderate is euphemistic spin for socialist.

As far as what I see at FR is a great number of whiners and naysayers and far fewer of the doers.

Hey, that's a great recruitment slogan to woo over Conservatives to your side! It's also another indication of deep denial by OP members your party is becoming more irrelevant to Conservatives because they realize beating your Republican head against the growing socialist wall is doing or accomplishing nothing.

Keyboard activism. Useless. Utterly useless.

Then why do you keep posting to this thread and website? Obviously you believe it's only keyboard activism if someone has a dissenting viewpoint but your views are more cogent and therefore above your so called keyboard activism. It wrongly presumes anyone who opposes to your OP baloney is not active beyond FR even though you don't know the person to whom you are responding. It further belittles FR as if communicating via this website to share ideas and further the cause of Conservatism is a useless and irrelevant tool. Spoken like a true big tent Republican.

You want to get things done you need a vehicle that’s a part of the process, and that process is getting people elected.

If the people you are referring to are similar to the OP socialist elitists you elected in the past then it's time for you and other OP members to drive that vehicle to the scrap heap. A new process is emerging and it's saying time to create a new vehicle with strong conservative principles and no more OP. You can keep on anointing yourselves the great and powerful OZ but more Conservative are seeing what's behind the curtain.

I don’t care what vehicle you choose, but choose a vehicle.

Conservatives have been telling you repeatedly the vehicle they are going to drive but you refuse to accept taking a ride because of your delusion some how you're going to suddenly oust the socialist leaders in the OP.

[Man50D]

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.

The last thing Conservatives want is to inherit a party that has continually refused to accept Conservative principles for many years. Conservative are moving beyond the OP precisely because they haven't won in the OP for years. Rejoining an increasingly socialist party is hardly winning.

[EternalVigilance]

Ridiculous.

[EternalVigilance]

I did not ignore your point. I responded to it.

Actually, you didn't.

Let's try this another way:

What are your non-negotiables? Can you briefly tell us what it is that would disqualify any candidate for party or public office from ever gaining your support?

[Munz]

SCREAM it and keep doing so until they listen.
They are starting to I think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYN1vbMH1rA&feature=player_embedded

The republican party is up in arms trying to figure out what to do. They need to hear us loud and clear till 2010 and after letting them know that the people who may vote for them are hard core conservative, not leaning liberal.

We need to take back the party. Splitting our votes among third party people will not help us at all. We are divided that way.

[gwjack]

Ron —

Thanks for posting this. It is very interesting, and reminds me of the late Abe Lemmons (NCAA Basketball Coach). During a game once his team was getting the raw end of all the calls. Abe called a timeout and inquired of the lead ref, “Can you give me a technical foul for what I am thinking?” After reflecting a moment, the ref said, “No, Abe. I can’t give you a T for what your are thinking.” Abe then said, “Well, I am thinking that you are the lousiest ref ever to call a game and I think that you are borderline cheating!” He added a few uglies and naughties. Abe got a technical.

Gwjack

[EveningStar]

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.

Source?

[Paige]

I want to thank you for your post. WE can take back the GOP, but some have to be willing to work in their areas.

In my ever so humble opinion, people are guilty of looking at the overall big picture and do not understand the importance of the grassroots movement. The people’s district is how we take back the HOUSE, from there go state wide and take back the Senate. Hopefully, people will begin to realize this is district by district - state by state. Because this is doable.

Thanks again!

[Rockingham]

The Republican party is not “socialist.” Indeed, it is the political home of most conservatives in the country and is rapidly repudiating the errors of the Bush years.

[Rockingham]

Disloyalty to the GOP party, grave character defects, or not being a conservative, broadly defined.

[EternalVigilance]

Party first, huh.

Not a single actual concrete principle to be found in your reply.

Pretty typical of where the GOP is at, and why it’s headed for the ash heap.

[EternalVigilance]

is rapidly repudiating the errors of the Bush years.

Laughable.

[Rockingham]

Wait and see.

[Rockingham]

Of necessity, political parties are expedient at the margins. I would grudgingly accept a moderate as a Republican senator as the difference between GOP control or Democratic control.

[EternalVigilance]

The country doesn’t have that long. Waiting until next season to see if Lucy will pull the ball away again, in spite of her reassuring words, is not an option.

Lucy doesn’t get to play on our team any more.

But, if you insist on being a blockhead Charlie Brown, no one can stop you.

[EternalVigilance]

They’re all moderates. Not a pair in the whole bunch put together.

[BlueDragon]

I find it interesting that you wrote;

How would you know about America’s politics, since you know so little about its language.

...leaving out the necessary question mark... you know, the one particular punctuation mark that typically is placed at the end of an interrogatory?

Where you trying to give us a clue as toward how much you yourself know about American politics?

Perhaps not, but it did give me a smile, and I'm not even officially part of the grammar police patrol (though I do volunteer as a spelling enforcement officer, being as 'ol computer does all the work, enabling me to reap all that free glory with little or no effort).

On the other hand, Party politics as you put it, are indeed "part of the problem". Or, perhaps another, equally valid way to put it would be, intra-party politics, are part of the overall challenge.

It appears to me that Ron C.'s here stated opinions drove right at how he himself thinks one can address the challenge, thus work towards solving the problem.

You may disagree with him, but look for a moment if you will, at the other large political party.
What has happened there, over the last few generations, but what looks like a total take-over from within, by the likes of Alinsky acolytes such as Hillary Clinton and the teleprompter guy?

Meanwhile, guys like Ayers are still hovering, hanging back near the shadows, while continuing to push their agendas with some effectiveness, even getting away with it to a degree --- and not being visibly seen by the majority of the public as being the communist tools which they are?

On the contrary, their communist manifesto-like ideas, after much work, much polishing (including copious amounts of liberally applied misrepresentation) has actually SOLD, been bought by a great many in this nation as being normal, healthy, political thought and opinion.

It's dirty, but it's working for them. Guys like Ayers have openly admitted that they realized they had to work "from within". Or have you not heard of what they themselves referred to as "the long march through the Nation's institutions"?

One may go another way, and try to work from the outside---in. But please, when it comes to Ron C. or others encouraging others to get involved in local Republican organizations or the like, I implore you and others here to not crap in the face of those whom see their own calling as being one in which they must give much of themselves, in the hopes of working peacefully, lawfully, from within.

Both efforts, both from within, and from without, can be complimentary to one another. It would do us all well to remember this, and if we bite (and backbite) one another, see to that we do not entirely devour one another.

[Rockingham]

Get real. The House has 31 GOP members with 100 per cent American Conservative Union ratings for 2008, and the Senate has 1 GOP member with a 100 rating and two more with 96 per cent ratings. Most of these GOP Congressmen are notorious for being the no compromises type, God bless ‘em.

Take a look for yourself: http://www.acuratings.org/

[EternalVigilance]

ACU ratings are a joke. Sucker bait. Coordinated political cover for incumbent Republicans.

But, in any case, you just pulled a bait and switch. You said Senator, not House members.

[Man50D]

The Republican party is not “socialist.”

Your leader have supported or do support amnesty for illegals, The law of the sea treaty that will cede at elast some of our national sovereignty over to the one world order UN, the socialist bailout plans just to name a few major issues. All are the same positions taken by the socialist Democrats.

Indeed, it is the political home of most conservatives in the country and is rapidly repudiating the errors of the Bush years.

You have a very loose definition of Conservative. Rapidly repudiating? Are you rapidly repudiating the socialist bailout plan by merely saying it's wrong? Big deal! Why didn't you move to stop the incremental socialism years ago?