Posted on 06/20/2011 11:57:33 AM PDT by Kenny Bunk
If you believe that the overall structure we have today, with the two parties and the current overall level of government, regulation and taxation could work well, but you think Republicans run things better than Democrats, your plan could work. What will be required will be for you to get very actively involved in the Republican party. Let me explain a bit more what you need to believe if your plan is to work:
The Republican party today has as its primary goal, getting more Republicans elected to acquire more power and prestige for Republicans. They might pay lip service to "smaller government" and "lower taxes" and other things that sound kind of good. At the state and local level, they might even pass "10th amendment resolutions" and do things that look like they want to trim back some on government, but in the end, it's all about more Republicans wielding more power. It really sounds like your plan could call for more of that. If so, you should work within the existing party structure.
I don't believe that's the solution. In my opinion, the solution is stronger local and state governments first, and a strong commitment to the Constitution of the United States. It is especially important that everyone at all levels, from the individual voters, up through city councils, mayors, county commissions, governors and state reps, all the way up to the US Congress and the president, all must understand the limits that Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution places on the Congress and the entire United States government. Ultimately, the 10th Amendment is where , along with our States (the legislatures and governments of our states) told the Federal government, “What you see in the Constitution, that's it. You can't do more than that, we are responsible for the rest.”
Our problem today is that we've forgotten that. With freedom comes responsibility. Too many people in this country are willing to take the security of slavery over the challenges of freedom.
But back to the political realities of today. The first reality is that less than 5% of the voting public choose our elected officials. I know that's much lower than General Election turnouts, but the General elections are just where we chose between the two parties. The Primaries usually have much lower turnouts, and that's where candidates are selected. That's where the action is.
If you really want to return to Constitutionally limited government, you'll find that Republicans generally aren't interested in that. This is especially true with the "Republican Leadership." The Constitution is an impediment to them achieving their primary objective, which is more power for Republicans.
You have to reach out to the grass roots, and make the small gains at the local level.
A better strategy than nailing a copy of your "Manifesto" to every Republican party county office would be, contact every voter in your precinct. Personally hand them a copy of the United States Constitution and ask them to read it. Maybe form up a local "Constitutional study group." You can get a list of all registered voters in your precinct from your county election supervisor. That information is public record. Usually, the database you get also tells party registration, and whether or not they voted in the last primary. Be aware that the primary voters are hard core partisans. They are more likely to be in line with the "leadership" of their party and will care less about actually limiting government to the Constitution and taking local (sometimes even personal) responsibility for things that shouldn't be done by the Federal government.
Then, as a local group (call it a TEA Party, a 9-12 group, a county constitutional protection convention, or whatever you might wish), start vetting candidates and finding people who will actually follow the Constitution. If you can get enough "regular people" out for the primaries, you'll overwhelm the "party leadership" and their 5% that vote in the primaries, and you can get a candidate who 1) is not a career politician, and 2) cares more about the Constitution than they do about party power and personal power.
If you read my example above, with the park renovation, you'll see that even the City Council has to pay attention to and respect the United States Constitution. It's easier to take payoffs in the form of "grant money," but that is what has destroyed our country.
That's my strategy, and the strategy of some of our local TEA Party and 9-12 groups down here in Florida. I personally have made it my goal that within the next 9 months, I will personally introduce myself to and hand a copy of the constitution to every voter in my precinct. Since I'm in Florida, and Florida actually has an oath to support the United States constitution on the application for voter registration, I will also point out that if they are a registered voter, they have already sworn to uphold and protect that document, and they should understand it and protect the ideals of our nation's founding. We are also always searching for candidates, for every position from President down to "Mosquito control officer." When primary time rolls around, we'll revisit everyone with some information about which candidates are committed to freedom and the United States Constitution, and ask for support for those candidates in the primaries. That way, there will be a choice in the General election who really does respect the Consitution of the United States. Even better if we can find on in each party to guaranty we have someone who will respect and follow the Constitution of the United States (as originallly intended by the founders).
That would be far preferrable to these same local and state governmments begging Uncle Sugar Daddy not to close the bases because of the perceived "negative impact" on jobs (government jobs at the bases). Most of these facilities could be more productive and more efficient in the hands of entrepreneurs and private businesses.
OK, Mrs. Cincinatus! But what ... exactly is The Perry Program ... The Perry Plan?
Is he hot enough to get Ms., Mr., and Mrs. Republican off the couch and out to the polls? Where does he stand on illegal immigration? Taxes?
We don't need another focus grouper talking about gay marriage. We need someone to (a) get out the vote because without a massive Republican turnout, we are looking at the Mombasa Moonbeam ...again. (b) We're dieing out here. We need specifics .. action ... no more "conservative" platitudes.
Is he a tough-talking Mexican-Pandering RINO ... or the real deal?
So, what do we do to counter this 24/7 attack on good Americans who love their country and want what is best for everyone?
Rick Perry has been giving a talk on the 10th Amendment, explaining how when Federal controls are loosened on states, those state economies take off as businesses gear up, that jobs will come and the teachers will be paid and the roads will be built, etc.
Rick Perry's common sense 10th Amendment - the power back to the states solution to take our country back - state by state: "Don't spend all the money! -- Have a fair and predictable tax and regulatory policy! -- Have a legal system that does not allow for over suing and makes [lawsuit] loser pay!"
I think this is a perfect appeal to the country -- to an electorate who does not follow this as closely as we do. Of course Perry's ideas are broader than this but that is the essence (and an essence is like a sound-bite).
As Rick Perry says (in the link) "Texas has led but its been a hell of a struggle against Washington D.C. Government must trust the people but this administration does not trust the people."
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