Is there a single Freeper who believes that we can change the Democratic Party into a conservative party?
Clearly we must defeat the Democratic Party if there is to be any chance to change America for the better. And just as clearly, there is only one other political party that can defeat the Democratic Party within a meaningful time period. Many of us would not live long enough to see a third party, absent a charismatic leader with the political strength and conservative appeal of Ronald Reagan, that could supplant the Republican Party.
With the few notable exceptions mentioned above, the past Republican leaderships have not been up to the task of defeating Democrats. The current Republicans in office, the Republican leadership in Congress and the President seem more committed to staying in office than in making a difference. Staying in power by enacting the Democrats agenda is only better because Republicans are better Commanders-in-Chief.
What the Republicans and some Freepers have not realized is that we are in far graver danger of losing America and our freedoms to the Socialists than to any danger posed by the terrorists. The United States is not going to be brought down by foreign enemies. But we must defeat the socialists and the Democratic Party. This is only going to happen if conservatives take control of the Republican Party.
Re-electing leaders who refuse to adopt a conservative platform or have failed to enact the conservative agenda is not the solution to changing the course of America. We can and we must demand more from the Republican leadership at the national level.
The military knows how to deal with discipline problems and to instill unity of purpose in the troops. No attempt is made to identify an individual perpetrator or violator of performance standards. Instead the commander punishes the entire unit for the offense or failure, leaving members of the unit to deal with the offender.
If it becomes necessary to enforce our threat not to vote, that means not voting in local or state races as well. Ours is a bottom-up grass roots effort. Local and state candidates who face the loss of office without our support will multiply our power with the national leaders. I fully recognize the loss of power Republicans face if conservatives are forced to make good on their threat to stay home. An idle threat has no power.
What if I am wrong? Let's look at each scenario in which I am wrong.
What if the Republicans ignore us, and continue courting and counting on the middle to keep them in power? Then conservatives must make good on their pledge and stay home in the 2002 election. If Republicans lose power, they will be able to hear us the next time they run for office. And if Bush is half the man that he is portrayed to be, or that he would have us believe that he is, he can deal very effectively with a Democratic Congress for two years. Significant Republican losses resulting from our conservative boycott in 2002 will resonate loudly in every Republican race in 2004, including the Presidential primary/election. And if we engineer a Republican victory in either 2002 or 2004 as a result of the Contract with Congress, we will have accomplished a tremendous feat. We will have proven that the power of We the people is not an empty promise and we will be well on the path of restoring our Constitutional Republic.
I believe Congressional Republicans and maybe the President are listening to the media. The constant media propaganda barrage is designed to mislead the people into supporting the Democrats. The 24-hour a day non-stop barrage is affecting the Republican leadership as well. They are being misled into believing that Americans are not really conservative anymore. At the least, the Republicans are being brain washed into believing we want a touch of socialism to go along with our independence. It is up to FreeRepublic to show the Republicans and everyone else that the media does not speak for the people. We do! And the people are conservative.
What if it's too late and we learn that either a majority or a substantial plurality of the American people are really socialistic rather than conservative? Then the people are not "United" and don't share a belief in the principles of freedom that made the United States great. If that is true, the sooner we get on with secession and the reinstitution of a new Constitutional republic that guarantees freedom the better.
The status quo or a continuing descent into socialism is unacceptable. Are there any patriots left? "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
I am right about this. I have forgotten the origin of this parable and the precise details, but it has great wisdom in regard to the current political environment.
There are a significant number in any society who routinely have the power to put others to death. There is normally only one who can spare those already sentenced to death by others. The ability to withhold death from someone sentenced to die is real power.
By itself, or even in multitudes, our vote is of limited power. The source of the power that we need to change the course of history and the course of our government lies in the power to withhold our vote, not in casting it for Republicans advocating the status quo.
Was the government smaller when Reagan left? Kinda think not!
An interesting treatise BA..and all worthwhile objectives. But with the minimums you have set you're not going to be doing a whole lot of voting. At least you won't be voting for anyone who will make a difference, i.e. has a chance to win.
A more pragmatic approach might be to realize that your ideals are to strive for but not absolute. Sometimes it's good to take a page from the enemy's book.
The evils of socialism did not happen overnight..they were inflicted incrementally. Incrementalism is the only strategy that seems to work in the long run.
Good luck in your voting process...let us know who you actually wind up voting for and if in fact they were elected :)
I'm printing off that contract, and sending it to EVERY one of my Republican representatives from the village, county, state and federal level.
I wonder what their reply will be?
When I read the title I thought this had been authored by a member of Congress.
Meanwhile, outside the Capitol, the candidates are giving their last electoral speach.
Kang (looking like Bob Dole): The politics of failure have failed. We need to make them work again. Tomorrow, when you are sealed in the voting cubicle, vote for me, Senator Ka... Bob Dole.
[applause]
Kodos (looking like Bill Clinton): I am looking forward to an orderly election tomorrow, which will eliminate the need for a violent blood bath.
[applause]
From the sky comes a scream, as Homer is crashing right into the Capitol. A few footsteps later, he comes running down the stairs.
Homer: America, take a good look at your beloved candidates. They're nothing but hideous space reptiles.
[unmasks them]
[audience gasps in terror]
Kodos: It's true, we are aliens. But what are you going to do about it? It's a two-party system; you have to vote for one of us.
[murmurs]
Man1: He's right, this is a two-party system.
Man2: Well, I believe I'll vote for a third-party candidate!
Kang: Go ahead, throw your vote away.
[Kang and Kodos laugh out loud].
-- "Treehouse of Horror VII"
Other Perot voters out there - Don't let anyone tell you you threw away your vote- the 20% of the popular vote scared people in Washington more than you can possibly imagine. He also talked about whittling the govt down to size, and most of the above agenda...
I'm hoping that one of our friends can supply s with a link to all the addresses of all the ass-bites in DC so we can send this.
I am concerned, however, about a tax system that exempts so many voters from the pain. That was the method used to start the federal income tax (it only applied to the "rich"). A "Fair Tax" comes close, but with current FET's and State/local taxes thrown in, it would be very tempting (and lucrative) to barter or just plain cheat. This is already happening with cigarettes.
Someone should have the balls to turn Social Security into Welfare For the Elderly. Anyone who thinks that the gov't owes them all their SS taxes back plus interest at retirement age should realize that the Supreme Court ruled just the opposite in Flemming vs. Nestor in 1960.
People also need to put their money where their mouths are and stop sending their kids to public school, whether or not we have vouchers or an education tax credit.
There can be no moderate position on income, capital gains, property, and estate taxes; they must be completely abolished. Realize that this will be difficult as long as Republican Free-Trade-Uber-Alles types continue to demonize any increase in tariffs or other indirect taxes. Is there anything else we could tax instead? Pot? Raise VISA fees?
I would also suggest that we need to have mandatory military service for 3 years at age 18. Those who don't want to go into the military could serve their time as public servants (White House interns, congressional staff, etc.). There is a serious disconnect between the people and their gov't that causes a near total political ignorance in this country.
That said, I really think a repeal of the 17th would really help out. Make the Senators directly responsible to the State they represent, not the people who paid for their elections. If the state doesn't like what their Senator is doing, yank him out and send someone who will act in the best interests of the state.
If you want to stop the growth and intrusiveness of the Federal Government you must deal with unfunded mandates. This is where the government requires the states or individuals to spend money without giving them the money to do it. The states would love this. The liberals would scream bloody murder. That is enough of a reason to do it.
SECTION 1: The Federal Government of The United States of America, may not require the expenditure of any money, in any amount, for any purpose by any individual, corporation, or governmental body except that the Federal Government provides the money to be expended. The requirement may be in the form of, but not limited to, legislation, regulation, or judicial ruling.
SECTION 2: The Federal Government, for the purposes of this amendment, is defined as all members of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of government whether elected, appointed, or hired. A person is deemed to be a member of one of the branches of the Federal Government if they act in an official capacity for the Federal Government, whether or not they receive compensation, in whole or in part.
SECTION 3: This amendment shall not be interpreted to exclude the collection of information directly related to the collection of Federal taxes or the execution of Federal contracts for which goods or services are provided to the Federal Government.
SECTION 4: This amendment shall take effect on the first day of the second month following ratification by two thirds or more of the states.
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I know a lot of people won't like the part about taxes but the government does have legitimate duties and must be allowed to collect taxes.
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Jamais reculez á tyrannie un pouce!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! Never give an inch to tyranny!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
Davy Crocket did a couple of stints in Congress, then went out in a blaze of glory at the Alamo. I've heard his time in Congress was honorable, but have no way of knowing for sure. Nevertheless, he didn't stay in DC 'til death do us part'.
Maybe we can hatch a program whereby Senators and Congresspersons who leave after one or two terms are entitled to get a song and a movie written about them, provided they go off and die defending something worthwhile. For most of the current critters, it would work wonders for their service record, wiping loads of scandal, misdeeds, and outright treason from their public images; history would be much more forgiving.
As for the songs and movies, no one would be required to watch or listen. At the worst, they couldn't be much more disgusting than some of current hollywood stuff.
Printing, email, keep it going.....