From the diaries by Erick.
Third parties in America need to die. Yes, I just said that. We are a two party political system. Oddly enough, the Progressives figured this out much faster than the Free Market movement. It started with leftist intellectual G. William Domhoff, who wrote in the 1970s:
For Democratic Party ideology is what Democrats say it is-and what they say it is is determined by the people Democrats elect to attend party conventions and nominate to stand in general elections.
It was a message to the hard left components of the American political spectrum: this is your path to power and it is a path they have taken.
As the Left has ably proven with the Democracy Alliance and Tim Gill’s outfit in Colorado, it’s not about running candidates in the party system to support the party hierarchy or the party bosses. It’s not about giving money to a party and hoping that party uses it wisely. It’s about principle and a disciplined power structure outside the party. I have to confess, what I love most about it is the entrepreneurial nature of it.
It is precisely this need for a free market power structure outside the purview of either party that was the genesis for American Majority Action. A 501c4 dedicated to free enterprise, individual liberty and reducing the size and scope of government, American Majority Action is meeting the needs of the freedom loving, authentic grassroots movement in America today. While some sit and theorize as to how to win the war and others use this moment to grow their organization’s fundraising list, American Majority Action is moving to help the grassroots movement in practical ways.
This Tuesday, September 14th, American Majority Action is launching multiple Liberty Headquarters in conjunction with local tea party groups in several states. Replete with 21st century technology, these are not your mom and dad’s local party headquarters. These are robust technology centers geared towards engaging American voters in the political arena, further enabling the tea party movement to move past protesting and into action.
We have already gotten calls from party entities, worried that we are stealing volunteers that they assumed would man their victory centers. Let me be clear on one thing: the tea party movement did not spring up to help the Republican Party. In fact, I would say one of the key reasons the tea party movement formed was because of the feckless nature of the Republican Party and its willingness to expand government spending and government intrusiveness into our lives. If you look at the tea party movement, it is a melting pot of political heritages many of whom would not describe themselves as Republicans. Best of all, according to the Sam Adams Alliance Early Adopters report, almost 40% of the tea party movement leaders are engaged in politics for the first time. All they know is that something is wrong and they are going to do what it takes to fix it.
I love this period in American history. It is a moment of renewal and a reawakening to what has made us great. We are a government of the people and for the people. Coupled with it is the dawning realization that we have a Republic to protect.
So if you’re still sitting in the bleachers wondering what to do this fall, come join us. This is a team effort.
Moe Lane
Dan McLaughlin
Dan Spencer
Jeff Emanuel
Neil Stevens
I hit your contact page
Loren Heal (Diary) Monday, September 13th at 11:51AM EDT (link)at the Hancock Committee site.
The Concord Project would love to coordinate with you.
–
Join the Concord Project, and follow @lheal, if you dare.
How can we contribute
Trevor Gardner Monday, September 13th at 11:52AM EDT (link)with either time and/or money?
“The warrior performs best when he has something to war against”
-Terry Taylor
Judgement Day is November 2. There will be no unicorns.
Thanks for asking.
earlgrey (Diary) Monday, September 13th at 12:00PM EDT (link)hard to keep up with so many worthy efforts.
So many ways to volunteer your time. Please don’t sit on the sidelines. Even if you just call a local campaign and volunteer to call or GOTV.
BTW, I met Lamar Alexander last week, and simply told him that I was a former tea partier that is getting involved in the republican party. I want them to know we are serious, and that was all I could say to convey that message to him.
tgard12, welcome to Redstate, there's lots you can do
ColdWarrior (Diary) Monday, September 13th at 3:49PM EDT (link)As they say, all politics is local. Wherever you live, try to get in contact with the conservative Republican candidates’ campaigns and volunteer to help them get out the vote for their candidacies. They’ll put you to work.
If you happen to live in an area where all your candidates are going to win easily, then try to get involved in Get Out The Vote for other candidates around the country. A good resource is www.40seats.com Go to the web sites and donate to the campaigns and help make phone calls from afar.
And, if you’re not already a precinct committeeman, seek out your local Republican Party committee and attend the meetings and find out there how to become a “card carrying member” of the party. And take along with you every conservative Republican you know. As a PC, you’ll get to help elect the leadership of the Party. Only PCs get to do that. Click on the links below to learn more.
Thanks for getting involved!
For Liberty,
ColdWarrior, PC (that’s “precinct committeeman,” not “political child!”)
Conservatives, UNITE! CHANGE the Republican Party and save the world by UNITING INSIDE the Party as precinct committeemen. NOW! (50 days until Nov. 2 — what are YOU DOING to help get out the vote in your precinct?)
Please help GOTV!
In 2012, will YOU become a “voting member” of the Republican Party in your precinct?
Where it all started. Twitter @kaltkrieger
Unified Patriots.
Learn how to GOTV at The Concord Project and at Procinct and
I support the idea of a moderate democrat 3rd party -nt
bannedtroll Monday, September 13th at 11:56AM EDT (link)I’m a banned Democrat who came here to promote the idea that Republicans are racists for disliking Barack Obama.
Bleh ... absolutely not.
Change Jar Conservative (Diary) Monday, September 13th at 1:26PM EDT (link)Although I’d be tempted to help fund the Green party to steal votes from the Dems.
********
Formerly know as “Oz” in these parts
If you also support a separate communist, socialist, and green monster party I'm with you
Beaglescout (Diary) Monday, September 13th at 1:42PM EDT (link)The more the Democrat crazy fringe can be diluted the better.
“A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.”
Of course, sorry for any confusion.
bannedtroll Monday, September 13th at 4:41PM EDT (link)I think they’d be best served with 2 flavors of democrat parties – one for the moderates and one for the uber progressives.
I’m a banned Democrat who came here to promote the idea that Republicans are racists for disliking Barack Obama.
Sorry, but not for me.
logus (Diary) Monday, September 13th at 1:40PM EDT (link)I realize that this nation is a two party system. In fact, over the last couple of decades, and especially between the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections, both the RNC and DNC effectively got together to make it even harder for third parties to gain national traction. Both parties are calling the shots, making the rules. In that manner, they really are two sides of the same coin.
As a Christian first though, my politics and my feelings for this nation and its future are third or fourth in line, maybe even lower, depending upon the issue. I am a voting citizen, and one who values principle above compromise. There are just too many times the RNC/GOP gets solid Christians to compromise on serious issues in deference to the future, vis a vis, political tactics. 1994, social conservative values went by the wayside in favor of fiscal issues. Now of course, fiscal issues are extremely pressing.
I understand that it’s worked for the left to change the Democrats from within instead of from outside. There’s a reason for that. Lack of consistent moral principles. To them it’s the end justifies the means, and if you compromise one value in favor of another to gain the end goals, ah well.
Not for me.
Interestingly, I’ve been following politics, current events and the news now for 12 years thanks to the interest and encouragement as well as enjoyment of a good friend of mine. Yet, as the nation faces its worst situation – starting three years ago – we both find ourselves getting less and less interested in politics. And the more I see the Tea Party doing, and getting organized – commercial – the less I’m interested in it.
I vote for candidates, not parties. And I don’t give much credibility or interest in PACs of any sort. They’re just organizers and lobbyists of a different stripe. No thanks.
Instead I find myself desiring to grow stronger in my faith and walk with the Lord and family. Prior interests in getting politically active, getting on a radio show (my buddy and I joked that wouldn’t it be fun to work for Glenn Beck), running for office, etc. pale in comparison.
I’m not saying that being politically active is wrong, but I do wonder how many people are truly analyzing what they believe and how they’re applying that to their daily lives. Perspective and priorities.
Issues of life are more important to me than our national debt.
“The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.”
James A. Garfield
Wading Across
You are needed in the political battles
Beaglescout (Diary) Monday, September 13th at 1:47PM EDT (link)What was it that John Adams said again?
By all means, do not neglect your immortal soul. Nor neglect the imminent threat to end your freedom to worship God as you would and evangelize to those who need to hear.
“A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.”
And I do battle.
logus (Diary) Monday, September 13th at 2:20PM EDT (link)With my vote and my voice. But I’m not a joiner.
The only way to truly change this nation, and thus its politics and government is by starting with the homes, shifting the mindset of the populace.
There was a time when we didn’t have PACs and so many political organizations. There was a time when our nation had a pretty strong, individualized and moral fiber.
Pray for revival, preach absolute truths, preach conservativism, preach love and be loving. The efforts of the conservatives in this nation I just do not see as bringing this nation any true, lasting “restoration”. Instead the pendulum will just swing the opposite way a bit.
Adams by the way was a horrible politician, but a good statesman.
“The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.”
James A. Garfield
Wading Across
You're wrong on this one.
Brian Hibbert (Diary) Monday, September 13th at 1:57PM EDT (link)You complain that the GOP is compromising it’s moral values, but have you ever stopped to think about WHY they are so willing to do that???
Part of the reason is because the leadership thinks they need to move to the left to capture votes from the Democrats. And a large part of the reason they can do that is because conservatives have allowed it to happen. We have stayed home or cast protest votes instead of supporting less than “pure” candidates. Many have abandoned the party for the Libertarians, or the Constitution Party or whatever Ross Perot’s party is called now.
And WE have allowed the Democrats to take control of this country by taking those actions.
But we can change all that. Get inside the party and start picking the candidates who are able to make it to the primaries. Get on your county executive committee and start giving input into the local decision making. Become a precinct committeeman and start getting your neighbors and friends involved in the process too.
The only way this country will move away from the socialist ideology that is now gripping it is if we ALL stand together and take back the GOP, then stand together and take back this party.
You don’t have to be in the Tea Party movement, but you should get involve in local politics in order to guide this country back to a more moral footing.
“All that is required for evil to conquer is for good men to stand by and do nothing.” Don’t just stand there.
Candidate for Trustee of Illinois Central College
Socialism doesn’t work. It looks nice on paper, but it’s been tried and it’s failed miserably every time (usually accompanied by widespread death and suffering).
Proud member of the V.R.W.C.
Take back our party!
Check out Unified Patriots
Sure, force them to decide.
logus (Diary) Monday, September 13th at 2:11PM EDT (link)But do not compromise. My way of being poltically active is just preaching social and fiscal responsibility and conservatism.
I find it telling that quite often in the past, the two parties took on the platforms of third parties to garner votes.
Yeah, we can take over the pig, like a Matrix-style effect, or we can starve it.
I voted for Purgason last month over Blunt. This past weekend, here in St. Louis, Roy gets trotted out by Dick Morris at the 9-12, Tea Party event. He is a political operative and a hack. I’m not going to vote for Blunt this November and I don’t care if he loses and Robin wins and the Democrats manage to hold onto the Senate. I do not respond well to political games and being force fed the lesser of two evils of politicians. I’ve sadly squelched my principles in the past, I cannot do it again. I held my nose for McCain in deference to Palin.
It starts in the churches and the homes, and not with PACs or various organizations, and not thru Beck’s 8/28 ecumenical method.
Lasting change and improvement for this nation will not be due to the forced efforts of any conservative, but only thru true, spontaneous revival.
“The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.”
James A. Garfield
Wading Across
Are you counting on a miracle?
Beaglescout (Diary) Monday, September 13th at 3:08PM EDT (link)Because this makes it seem like you are.
God has a funny way of answering the prayers of those who refuse to do anything practical to save themselves, and instead insist that praying for miracles will solve all their problems. I believe that God endowed us with divine reason so that He would not have to intervene in everything, and so that the divinely ordained laws of the physical universe and of the moral universe would not be broken by his actions. After all, if God constantly changes reality to suit His intentions, then what does that do to the divine order as perceived with our limited human senses? It throws our reasoned understanding of God’s plan into confusion. It renders God’s gift of divine reason irrelevant. And that itself would go against God’s plan.
“A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.”
It's a balance.
logus (Diary) Tuesday, September 14th at 5:31PM EDT (link)The Bible is replete with Divine callings and miracles, while at the same time action being taken by the individuals. Gideon, David, Hezekiah, etc.
I have concerns though that God is being pushed down in the equation though right now. Too many thinking that they can purely do it on their own. It’s not “I can do all things”. It’s “I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.”
Real miracles are possible, and I am not saying to sit back and wait for them, but I am reticent to jump in with what’s going on in the conservative crowd nationally. And I do truly believe that in the end, only God can save this nation, not we ourselves… because to believe that we are the people we’ve been waiting for, and only we can save our nation… that’s the height of arrogance and pride. But it seems to be going with the direction of this nation, towards Nationalism and a religion of Americana amongst conservatives, rooted in some pluralism.
“The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.”
James A. Garfield
Wading Across
My belief is obviously different from yours
Beaglescout (Diary) Wednesday, September 15th at 1:23PM EDT (link)But I believe that God’s gift of reason to man is sufficient to turn this nation around. God never favored a nation over another enough to save it from its own folly, not even Israel. Why would He start now? It falls to us, to men and women endowed by God with divine reason, to save this country and allow it to continue to be a beacon of liberty and freedom to the rest of the world.
God allowed the world to live in tyranny from the first kings up until 1776. He will not stop it from returning.
“A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.”
Sounds like you're removing God from the equation completely.
logus (Diary) Thursday, September 16th at 10:48AM EDT (link)“But I believe that God’s gift of reason to man is sufficient to turn this nation around”
Divine reason? The only being capable of “divine” reason is God, not man. We have been given reason, yes, but to say it is divine is to denote godly attributes. Sounds about as much hogwash as “divine destiny” in my view.
I admit I have a very fatalistic view of things, but I do believe in the maxim: Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. I’m not saying we should just sit back, but I do believe priorities and perspective are more important. And I cannot believe that “saving” this nation falls squarely and purely on our shoulders and moreso is going to be possible purely by our own hands.
That in effect becomes a form of autolatry, and frankly since we’ve already got an autolater-in-chief, let us pray we don’t fall into the same trap… which I see potentially forming with this new ecumenical, pluralistic new “paganism” of Americanism.
It’s a bit long, but I’ve tried to explain myself in a bit more detail here and elsewhere on my own blog. I know I fully go against the grain of the majority of conservatives in America right now, and I like it that way.
“The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.”
James A. Garfield
Wading Across