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
So what is your touchstone for Congressional ratings?
And given that you condemn the entire national GOP, why not evaluate both Senate and House members?
Most GOP Congress members opposed amnesty and LOST, regard the UN as by turns incompetent or malevolent, and almost all voted against the Obama economic program. That is not a bad record, even by your standard.
Power for the sake of conservative governance. Reagan did it, and it can be done again.
EternalVigilance responded (Post #236):
You're gathering power up in the name of some non-existent "Reagan,"
Another straw man argument, EV. Rockingham did not say that we need to gather power in Reagan's name, but that just as Reagan did it once, we can do it again.
Rockingham wrote (Post #258):
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,
EternalVigilance responded (Post #259):
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.
No bait-and-switch, EV. Rockingham clearly mentions House members first.
You're right. I stand corrected. That's what I get for posting on the fly while I'm traveling. :-)
By going into oblivion you are sending the country faster into socialism. if you oppose socialism, you are violating your principles by doing so. If sending USA faster in that direction is your principles, you have a nutty set of principles.
Why is Obama trying to bankrupt America with $16 trillion in spending over the next 4 years?
“What are your non-negotiables? “
1) Anyone who is stupid or disloyal enough to run in a third party nomination or on a third party ticket should never be supported. Ever.
And people stupid and wrong enough to advocate for third parties should NEVER EVER BE LISTENED TO. I know this from the hard experience of how some Libertarians up and ruined a local party structure hereabouts.
2) Read, understand and agree with the Texas Republican Party platform.
“I’d rather live (and vote) by my principles in political oblivion than sacrifice them for political relevance.”
BTW ... Such thinking just warms the hearts of Carville, Begala, Rahm E. and Pelosi.
They are thrilled to hear of your willing step into oblivion.
Correct. EV's strategy of buring every possible bride to uniting the right is so bad its almost as if the left created a mole. EV works for Alan Keyes, who in turn was so bad a candidate he almost single-handedly vaulted a leftwing state senator to the White House.
“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. “
I and 98% of common sense conservatives agree.
The 2% splitters are the most extreme and try to make up for their small numbers with extremist rhetoric and a lot of huffing and puffing. In the end though they have no followers and they get 1% in the elections.
WE NEED TO UNITE THE RIGHT TO WIN.
UNITE THE RIGHT.
JOIN OR DIE.
NO THIRD PARTY. NO SECOND PARTY. JOIN TO MAKE THE MAJORITY PARTY. THATS A NEW SMART, PRINCIPLED REPUBLICAN PARTY BUILT ON CONSERVATIVE IDEALS AND GOP ENERGY.
“A Conservative Party that can pull 20-30% of the vote can Keep...”
Obama and the Democrats in power long enough to cement the New Deal 2.0... that’s their goal - a generation in power by cementing the liberal POWER STRUCTURE.
We just dont get it. We dont have the luxury of losing a single election anymore. If we dont stop them in 2010 - GAME OVER FOR LIBERTY.
“The Democrats have not yet split along natural lines of ideology (which they will, someday).” - They are 100% on the LEFT now. All are Obama Democrats.
” The Republicans are much closer, therefore a third party will hand the Democrats even more complete control than they have now.” CORRECT.
It’s over dude. Buy some ammo.
“The country doesn’t have that long. “
If Alan Keyes wasnt such a screwup candidate in 2004 we’d have had more time. If we didnt throw away energy and opptys chasing the false dream of 3rd parties we’d have more time.
“But, if you insist on being a blockhead Charlie Brown, no one can stop you.”
Ironic EV - you are the one insisting on being a blockhead.
If you voted for John McCain and Sarah Palin you're a hypocrite, then. They stand in opposition to large swaths of your state party platform.
For example:
All innocent human life must be respected and safeguarded from fertilization to natural death; therefore, the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We affirm our support for a Human Life Amendment to the Constitution and to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protection applies to unborn children. We support the Life at Conception Act. We oppose the use of public revenues and/or facilities for abortion or abortion–related services. We support the elimination of public funding for organizations that advocate or support abortion.
The bolded parts are just a few of the tenets of your party that he makes a mockery of.
What tripe.
“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.”
It’s impossible for EV to get real. He has by now told you that any elected conservative Republican is not really conservative. Yawn. It’s actually a marxist crtique he uses, knock down the established folks with critique after critique and offer only a meaningless token substitute that is totally unrealistic. Facts are irrelevent and will be gainsayed until the cows come home. How do I know - I’ve been there ... EVERY SINGLE GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE WAS UNACCEPTABLE TO HIM and he critiqued Thompson, Huckabee, Romney et all loudly ... until Keyes came along. Yawn. 1%er who just capped the McCain victory laps.
His goal is not to help but to destroy. destroy the good name of men who have done good public service. In other words, abandon good solid conservatives because they are (shudder) HUMAN BEINGS WHO ARE IMPERFECT. Who will replace them? Super-robot-android-Keyes-Borgians?!
No. They’ll be Obama-bots.
But EV doesnt care. He’ll have cleansed the nation of the stain of Reagan conservatives daring to be 99.9996% good ... how dare they be .00001% bad! Much better to have 94% bad socialists!
I refuse to associate myself politically any longer with anyone who breaches their oath to protect and defend the Constitution, which states as its crowning purpose the protection of posterity.
I could care less whether the Republican Party lives or dies. But the compromisers in your party are helping destroy the republic. They could care less about the core principles that our liberty depends on. That I care about.
You're delusional. Those who meet your description in any leadership position in the formerly grand old party are almost nonexistent now.
I can't help it they all stunk.
bookmark
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