The only reason I was fired up and ready to vote for anyone in the 2008 US Presidential race was because Sarah Palin was the Vice-Presidential nominee. It gave me a little hope that maybe Senator John McCain knew what he was doing and could make some good decisions as our President. She was an outstanding speaker, beautiful and witty, and was clearly a patriotic, pioneering, all-American girl. However, she was also divisive and controversial the moment she stepped onto the national stage.
If you were a woman, you either loved her or hated her immediately. I'll never understand how women can be so judgemental and hateful to another woman. It is especially shocking when "women's rights" activists and feminists are so eager to attack successful, attractive, intelligent women. The media eagerly attacked Governor Palin for having a pregnant teenage daughter, not having an Ivy League education, and having no national political experience. She was portrayed as stupid, hypocritcal and judgmental.
Because of the media scrutiny, her life has been forever altered. After she and John McCain lost to the Obama campaign, she tried to go back to her life in Alaska as Governor, but the media scrutiny and daily lawsuits filed by obsessive liberals caused her to resign. When the TEA Party movement started, she became a superstar to fiscal conservatives. Not only does she say all the right things, she has lived them in her personal life, business life, and political life.
So, now the GOP is in chaos, because their chosen "moderate" candidate did not win against possibly the worst US President in our history. Mitt Romney was "moderate" in all the wrong ways - moderate on economic policy, moderate on healthcare, and a big-government progressive. He was for all of the bailouts, for government-run healthcare (at least at a state level), and for government being a solution to the problem. Yes, he was a staunch conservative on social policy, but due to our politically correct education system and liberal entertainment industry, the majority of America is not conservative socially.
Republicans continued to play the old game of nominating the moderate country club guy, and using the conservative vice-presidential nominee to motivate the base (and this time the TEA Party). Grassroots conservatives were not as motivate to GOTV for Romney, although they were motivated to GOTV against Obama. But, I always say that in order to win an election, you have to be FOR something. That is why McCain/Palin got three million more votes than Romney/Ryan. The base was not excited about voting for Romney.
I don't know what will happen in the next few years with the Republican Party. I think they need to rethink their party platform at a national level, but I think they might be challenged by a third party (namely the TEA Party) soon, especially if GOP refuses to see the writing on the wall. We need to embrace the fiscal conservatives who have shown proven leadership like Governor Sarah Palin. Conservative leaders that aren't afraid of putting values before party.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
The Twinkie Movement
Apparently, one of the best ways to get the American people's attention is to take away their beloved Twinkies! I was at the grocery store today, and although I rarely ever buy Hostess products for my kids, I made a special point to make my way to the Twinkie aisle. Before I even made it there, a lady I didn't know told me I'd better hurry, because there was a run on Twinkies. I thought it was strange, since she didn't know I might be headed there. Then, when I saw what remained of the Hostess products, a half dozen people were there talking about if Twinkies were really going away.
So, here are total strangers, all coming together for a common cause - the Twinkie! I could hardly believe it. As a TEA Party activist, I have been trying to figure out how to open the average working citizen's eyes to what was going on in our country. Who would've guessed that a food product could be the answer?
Now we have to find a way to message to the people about why the Hostess company is having to close its doors. We have to let the people know that this is not about Wall Street, Big Business, and greedy CEOs. While that may be part of the problem in corporate America, and perhaps Hostess needs to reevaluate if and how they pay their stockholders and if their leadership needs a bigger paycut, the reason Hostess is closing its doors is because the Union refuses to accept the best deal Hostess can give their employees. While many employees are willing to work, their Union forbids it or they will lose their Union representation and benefits.
I see a Twinkie movement starting. Perhaps we should buy up all the Hostess products and set up a table and sell them along with our message of small government, individual liberty, and lower taxes. It could work, couldn't it?
So, here are total strangers, all coming together for a common cause - the Twinkie! I could hardly believe it. As a TEA Party activist, I have been trying to figure out how to open the average working citizen's eyes to what was going on in our country. Who would've guessed that a food product could be the answer?
Now we have to find a way to message to the people about why the Hostess company is having to close its doors. We have to let the people know that this is not about Wall Street, Big Business, and greedy CEOs. While that may be part of the problem in corporate America, and perhaps Hostess needs to reevaluate if and how they pay their stockholders and if their leadership needs a bigger paycut, the reason Hostess is closing its doors is because the Union refuses to accept the best deal Hostess can give their employees. While many employees are willing to work, their Union forbids it or they will lose their Union representation and benefits.
I see a Twinkie movement starting. Perhaps we should buy up all the Hostess products and set up a table and sell them along with our message of small government, individual liberty, and lower taxes. It could work, couldn't it?
Republicans Are Lazy!
The GOP Governors all met yesterday, and decided that Mitt Romney lost because he didn't offer enough specifics during the campaign. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? Where were the specifics from the Obama campaign on economic policy? We haven't see a government budget in four years, and Romney lost because he wasn't specific? I don't think so! Republicans have been losing ground in national elections for dozens of years, because the progressive liberals and Democrats are following a plan.
Democrats, and especially the radical left-wing of the party, had decided long ago that if they wanted to forward their agenda of big government, shared sacrifice, and shared wealth, they were going to have to start from the ground up. They infilitrated our schools, our churches, our neighborhoods, our media, our entertainment, our city councils, local and state governmental bodies, and finally our national representatives. This took almost 100 years to achieve, and along the way, they helped to move popular culture from conservative, traditional family values to a secular, progressive, "tolerant" society. Obviously, some of the causes that liberals championed were important for promoting individual liberty (civil rights and women's rights), and there are some liberal social causes that I somewhat agree with (gay rights, legalizing marijuana). However, the secular-progressive war on religion is unacceptable in America, and their war on our Constitution is down-right treasonous.
Unfortunately, during this long period of time that the Democrats have been expanding their base and spreading their agenda throughout the country, conservatives and Republicans have been diligently working for a living, paying their bills, putting their children through school, and voting on election day. Conservatives believed that was all they needed to do to make sure their children had a better future. And for the last three generations, they were right. But now, the creeping progressive, big government policies that began with Social Security and other welfare programs, has grown into dozens of government agencies that regulate Agriculture, Geology, Education, Environment, Security, and Federal Reserve, is slapping conservatives in the face!
Republicans and everyday citizens allowed this to happen by believing we were doing enough to protect our country just by working, owning a home, shopping, paying taxes, and playing by the rules. We were wrong. While we were enjoying the comforts of our prosperity, others were plotting to take our prosperity away and spread it around to others who didn't earn it. Constituional conservatives can no longer sit on the sidelines of our local, state and federal agencies. We must take an active role in advocating for what we believe in. We must find new ways of spreading our message of individualism, hard-work, and self-sacrifice instead of collectivism, welfare, and shared-sacrifice.
Conservatives and Republicans are definitely not lazy, but we haven't put our energies into growing the conservative movement until now. Winning back the hearts and minds of the American people will be a long term proposition. We need to stay focused, continue to organize or conservative groups, and stop the in-fighting and work together. This war will not be fought or won easily, but together we take our country back!
Democrats, and especially the radical left-wing of the party, had decided long ago that if they wanted to forward their agenda of big government, shared sacrifice, and shared wealth, they were going to have to start from the ground up. They infilitrated our schools, our churches, our neighborhoods, our media, our entertainment, our city councils, local and state governmental bodies, and finally our national representatives. This took almost 100 years to achieve, and along the way, they helped to move popular culture from conservative, traditional family values to a secular, progressive, "tolerant" society. Obviously, some of the causes that liberals championed were important for promoting individual liberty (civil rights and women's rights), and there are some liberal social causes that I somewhat agree with (gay rights, legalizing marijuana). However, the secular-progressive war on religion is unacceptable in America, and their war on our Constitution is down-right treasonous.
Unfortunately, during this long period of time that the Democrats have been expanding their base and spreading their agenda throughout the country, conservatives and Republicans have been diligently working for a living, paying their bills, putting their children through school, and voting on election day. Conservatives believed that was all they needed to do to make sure their children had a better future. And for the last three generations, they were right. But now, the creeping progressive, big government policies that began with Social Security and other welfare programs, has grown into dozens of government agencies that regulate Agriculture, Geology, Education, Environment, Security, and Federal Reserve, is slapping conservatives in the face!
Republicans and everyday citizens allowed this to happen by believing we were doing enough to protect our country just by working, owning a home, shopping, paying taxes, and playing by the rules. We were wrong. While we were enjoying the comforts of our prosperity, others were plotting to take our prosperity away and spread it around to others who didn't earn it. Constituional conservatives can no longer sit on the sidelines of our local, state and federal agencies. We must take an active role in advocating for what we believe in. We must find new ways of spreading our message of individualism, hard-work, and self-sacrifice instead of collectivism, welfare, and shared-sacrifice.
Conservatives and Republicans are definitely not lazy, but we haven't put our energies into growing the conservative movement until now. Winning back the hearts and minds of the American people will be a long term proposition. We need to stay focused, continue to organize or conservative groups, and stop the in-fighting and work together. This war will not be fought or won easily, but together we take our country back!
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
To TEA or not to TEA (Party, that is)!
I have been a defacto TEA Party leader for the past year in my area. I basically inherited the leadership position, although I'm not necessarily someone who has leadership qualities. To be perfectly honest, I was excited about the opportunity at first, and really worked hard to see the most conservative candidates become our GOP candidates in the Texas Primary and our local school board election in May.
Then, life happened this past spring. My husband got a serious infection following a relatively routine surgery, and was sick for almost two months, putting everything on hold. This allowed me to take a step back, away from the craziness of politics, and reassess my priorities. I quickly realized that the world did not fall apart without me in it. I also realized that many of the things I was doing weren't all that important in the long run. Was it really necessary to hold weekly or monthly TEA Party meetings that only a dozen people came to? Was it really necessary to hold forums or attend meet and greets that the same people always attended? Was it really necessary to attend every school board meeting, every political event in the area?
So I stepped back, and decided to take a break from the TEA Party after the primaries were over. Unfortunately, no one was there to pick up where I left off. So nearly six months later, I am left with another decision - do I help get the TEA Party movement back off the ground in my area, or do I try and find someone to continue the fight. I'm no longer interested in hosting meetings, forums and rallies anymore, but finding someone who is willing and able to do so is difficult.
There are very effective TEA Parties and TEA Party leaders out there, but I am moving on. I am involved in my local Homeowners Association, my local school board, and my local Republican Party (for now, at least). That is what I can do to help the conservative cause today. The TEA Party will have my support, but for now, it will need to find a new leader.
Then, life happened this past spring. My husband got a serious infection following a relatively routine surgery, and was sick for almost two months, putting everything on hold. This allowed me to take a step back, away from the craziness of politics, and reassess my priorities. I quickly realized that the world did not fall apart without me in it. I also realized that many of the things I was doing weren't all that important in the long run. Was it really necessary to hold weekly or monthly TEA Party meetings that only a dozen people came to? Was it really necessary to hold forums or attend meet and greets that the same people always attended? Was it really necessary to attend every school board meeting, every political event in the area?
So I stepped back, and decided to take a break from the TEA Party after the primaries were over. Unfortunately, no one was there to pick up where I left off. So nearly six months later, I am left with another decision - do I help get the TEA Party movement back off the ground in my area, or do I try and find someone to continue the fight. I'm no longer interested in hosting meetings, forums and rallies anymore, but finding someone who is willing and able to do so is difficult.
There are very effective TEA Parties and TEA Party leaders out there, but I am moving on. I am involved in my local Homeowners Association, my local school board, and my local Republican Party (for now, at least). That is what I can do to help the conservative cause today. The TEA Party will have my support, but for now, it will need to find a new leader.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
A Fire Rises!
It has been a week since President Obama won reelection. I have gone through a myriad of emotion since then - sadness, despair, fear, disbelief, rage, and depression. Maybe that seems extreme over an election, but for me and many other Constitutional conservatives, this election was about more than a man. It was a mandate from the people on the direction our country will take for the future. If the election results are accurate (and there are some questions about the results), then America has moved away from its Christian, family-centered, independent roots and toward a secular, fatherless, dependent society.
After sorting through all of my emotions, and assessing the reactions of other conservative grassroots activists as well as the GOP political elite, I have made a decision. I will not give up on my country. I will work with other grassroots activists to update the conservative message, and I will work to educate college students, single women, minorities, and liberals about the US Constitution, fiscal responsibility, and government independence!
There are 27 states that have filed a petition with the White House on whitehouse.gov for secession from the United States. I understand the sentiment. However, I don't want to be something different than the USA. I can see removing a few states from the Union, but I want to keep our Constitution. Of course, someone pointed out that perhaps petitioning for secession is a bit ironic. But, I feel this is more of a statement than an actual movement at this point.
We need to concentrate on what we CAN do right now! This is a battle for the soul of our country! Constitutional conservatives are losing!!! We need to figure out how to infiltrate the MSM, Hollywood, radio, and television. We need to put out interesting, fresh internet videos that kids will find and watch that have a mild conservative message. In psychology, I learned the easiest way to change someone's mind is through behavioral shaping - moving the thoughts and behaviors in small ways over a longer period of time to get to the desired result. Republicans and Conservatives have been pummelling Americans with a strict moral message that is in conflict with the messages we encounter through our daily interactions.
Americans didn't accept women in the workplace, gays fighting in our military, single-parent families, or teenage sex and abortion overnight. This was done over a long period of time through very small changes in our television shows and movies, the education system, and our politics. Liberals have discovered this. Yes, the riot and protest in the streets to get attention over their favorite issues. But many of them have gone underground and assimilated into our society to quietly take over every corner of American society. They are our teachers, our pastors, our volunteers, our local politicians, our actors, our media, and our business owners. This is where we must begin.
This is not going to be a sexy war! Conservatives need to realize we let our country slide over the last 100 years. Many younger Americans believe the Constitution is antiquated, that family-values are antiquated, and that being proud of your country is antiquated! Because trophies are given to everyone now, pride itself has now become an old-fashioned idea. How dare we believe that our country is the BEST country in the history of the world. We need to work even harder than we worked the last four years. We need to be in the PTAs, the MUD boards, the HOAs, the School Boards and the City Councils. We need to be members of our Churches and charity organizations. Do what you can and do your part!
I don't know where our battle will take us. We need to start being proactive, however, instead of being reactive like the last four years. None of the insane policies that are undoubtedly coming our way should surprise us now, and we need to stay focused on our ultimate goal of promoting the US Constitution, fiscal conservative values, and government independence. If we do this, a fire will rise, and our movement will grow!
After sorting through all of my emotions, and assessing the reactions of other conservative grassroots activists as well as the GOP political elite, I have made a decision. I will not give up on my country. I will work with other grassroots activists to update the conservative message, and I will work to educate college students, single women, minorities, and liberals about the US Constitution, fiscal responsibility, and government independence!
There are 27 states that have filed a petition with the White House on whitehouse.gov for secession from the United States. I understand the sentiment. However, I don't want to be something different than the USA. I can see removing a few states from the Union, but I want to keep our Constitution. Of course, someone pointed out that perhaps petitioning for secession is a bit ironic. But, I feel this is more of a statement than an actual movement at this point.
We need to concentrate on what we CAN do right now! This is a battle for the soul of our country! Constitutional conservatives are losing!!! We need to figure out how to infiltrate the MSM, Hollywood, radio, and television. We need to put out interesting, fresh internet videos that kids will find and watch that have a mild conservative message. In psychology, I learned the easiest way to change someone's mind is through behavioral shaping - moving the thoughts and behaviors in small ways over a longer period of time to get to the desired result. Republicans and Conservatives have been pummelling Americans with a strict moral message that is in conflict with the messages we encounter through our daily interactions.
Americans didn't accept women in the workplace, gays fighting in our military, single-parent families, or teenage sex and abortion overnight. This was done over a long period of time through very small changes in our television shows and movies, the education system, and our politics. Liberals have discovered this. Yes, the riot and protest in the streets to get attention over their favorite issues. But many of them have gone underground and assimilated into our society to quietly take over every corner of American society. They are our teachers, our pastors, our volunteers, our local politicians, our actors, our media, and our business owners. This is where we must begin.
This is not going to be a sexy war! Conservatives need to realize we let our country slide over the last 100 years. Many younger Americans believe the Constitution is antiquated, that family-values are antiquated, and that being proud of your country is antiquated! Because trophies are given to everyone now, pride itself has now become an old-fashioned idea. How dare we believe that our country is the BEST country in the history of the world. We need to work even harder than we worked the last four years. We need to be in the PTAs, the MUD boards, the HOAs, the School Boards and the City Councils. We need to be members of our Churches and charity organizations. Do what you can and do your part!
I don't know where our battle will take us. We need to start being proactive, however, instead of being reactive like the last four years. None of the insane policies that are undoubtedly coming our way should surprise us now, and we need to stay focused on our ultimate goal of promoting the US Constitution, fiscal conservative values, and government independence. If we do this, a fire will rise, and our movement will grow!
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Do You Hear The People Sing?
One of my favorite Broadway musicals is Les Miserables. I never paid much attention to the story, but love the music, and love to play it on the piano. As I was attempting to destress today, I started to play some of the songs, and one of them stuck out to me. It is a battlecry - a song that was song to rally the troops (sad, sick, weak, tired, and ill-equipped as they were) just before heading into battle.
This musical is written about the The French Revolution, a revolution against a monarchy and for equality, citizenship and inalienable rights. It seems appropriate to revisit such times in our world's history, doesn't it? People were tired of working long hours and having little to nothing to show for it - all of their money going toward an overgrown government that promised to take care of the citizens, but only took care of itself. The working class lived in relative squalor, barely scraping by, while the ruling class enjoyed lavish living conditions.
Much like the modern day TEA Party, the grassroots citizens in France longed for freedom and prosperity and worked together to accomplish those goals. When it became clear that the French government would not hear their requests for individual rights and religious freedoms, they rose up. I see the same thing happening in America today. The calls for secession grow louder every day the government ignores the will of the people. I know many of us will continue to try and work through and with our current government to make sure our Constitutional freedoms are upheld. However, if the time comes when it becomes clear the government is no longer willing to listen, we must be prepared.
I thought I'd share the words from the song that inspired this post:
Do You Hear The People Sing?
Do you hear the people sing,
singing the song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
echoes the beating of the drums,
there is a life about to start
when tomorrow comes.
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Beyond the barricade
is there a world you long to see?
Then join in the fight
that will give you the right
to be free!
Will you give all you can give
so that our banner may advance?
Some will fall and some will live,
will you stand up and take your chance?
The blood of the martyrs
will water the meadows of France!
Do you hear the people sing,
singing the songs of angry men?
It is the music of a people
who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
echoes the beating of the drums,
there is a life about to start
when tomorrow comes!
This musical is written about the The French Revolution, a revolution against a monarchy and for equality, citizenship and inalienable rights. It seems appropriate to revisit such times in our world's history, doesn't it? People were tired of working long hours and having little to nothing to show for it - all of their money going toward an overgrown government that promised to take care of the citizens, but only took care of itself. The working class lived in relative squalor, barely scraping by, while the ruling class enjoyed lavish living conditions.
Much like the modern day TEA Party, the grassroots citizens in France longed for freedom and prosperity and worked together to accomplish those goals. When it became clear that the French government would not hear their requests for individual rights and religious freedoms, they rose up. I see the same thing happening in America today. The calls for secession grow louder every day the government ignores the will of the people. I know many of us will continue to try and work through and with our current government to make sure our Constitutional freedoms are upheld. However, if the time comes when it becomes clear the government is no longer willing to listen, we must be prepared.
I thought I'd share the words from the song that inspired this post:
Do You Hear The People Sing?
Do you hear the people sing,
singing the song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
echoes the beating of the drums,
there is a life about to start
when tomorrow comes.
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Beyond the barricade
is there a world you long to see?
Then join in the fight
that will give you the right
to be free!
Will you give all you can give
so that our banner may advance?
Some will fall and some will live,
will you stand up and take your chance?
The blood of the martyrs
will water the meadows of France!
Do you hear the people sing,
singing the songs of angry men?
It is the music of a people
who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
echoes the beating of the drums,
there is a life about to start
when tomorrow comes!
The 108 Percent?
Four days after President Obama surprised conservatives by winning a second term, we are learning more about how Team Obama outplayed Team Romney! It seems that Mitt Romney's election team did not use the best technology, did not reach out to youths, hispanics, other minorities, or non-Christians. It appears that President Obama's election gurus increased voter registration in all of those categories. They also used high tech GOTV (Get Out The Vote) equipment, and it actually worked. Obama's team also successfully supressed the Christian vote by going after Mormonism (and having CNN and MSNBC doing hit pieces on Mormons). They successfully supressed the military vote by not getting the ballots to them in time. They successfully made the election about social issues and emotion rather than economic and fiscal responsibility.
There are also some strange things going on in three of the swing states with the voter registration roles. In crucial counties in Ohio, Florida, and Colorado, voter registration is equal to or greater than the total number of eligible voters in those counties. In other words, 100% or more of people 18 or older are registered to vote in these areas. In one county in Ohio, there are 108% of the voting population registered to vote! Amazing. How is this possible? Well, one explanation is that each of these counties hasn't purged their voter roles in a very long time. Another explanation given to us by a Colorado County Clerk is that their county is a destination/vacation county that has many temporary residents that may be registered to vote there. Of course, that doesn't explain why the voter turn-out in these specific counties happens to be about 20 percentage points higher than their state or national average.
One thing is clear to me. President Obama and his GOTV team is doing things that the Republican Party can't even imagine, let alone keep up with. It is time for some new thinking. We must analyze the Obama GOTV machine, and get it right this time. or conservatives won't have a chance to win back the hearts and minds of the American people.
There are also some strange things going on in three of the swing states with the voter registration roles. In crucial counties in Ohio, Florida, and Colorado, voter registration is equal to or greater than the total number of eligible voters in those counties. In other words, 100% or more of people 18 or older are registered to vote in these areas. In one county in Ohio, there are 108% of the voting population registered to vote! Amazing. How is this possible? Well, one explanation is that each of these counties hasn't purged their voter roles in a very long time. Another explanation given to us by a Colorado County Clerk is that their county is a destination/vacation county that has many temporary residents that may be registered to vote there. Of course, that doesn't explain why the voter turn-out in these specific counties happens to be about 20 percentage points higher than their state or national average.
One thing is clear to me. President Obama and his GOTV team is doing things that the Republican Party can't even imagine, let alone keep up with. It is time for some new thinking. We must analyze the Obama GOTV machine, and get it right this time. or conservatives won't have a chance to win back the hearts and minds of the American people.
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