RLC Urges Delegates to Oppose Rule Changes

The GOP Should Remain a Bottom-up Organization, Not a Tool of Special Interests

 

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Board of the Republican Liberty Caucus and our chapters across the nation have united to express our concern and dismay over attempts to modify the rules of the Republican Party to reduce the power of the grassroots and centralize control of the party in the hands of party insiders and the presidential campaign.  On Monday the National Board passed the following resolution in opposition to proposed rule changes:

“The National Board of the Republican Liberty Caucus strongly opposes recently proposed changes to the party rules which would give the Republican National Committee unprecedented centralized authority over the presidential nomination process, overriding the autonomy of the states and their long established electoral traditions. We also object strenuously to new rules which would empower the Republican National Committee to change the rules under which it operates between conventions without approval of the body of delegates representing the party membership. These proposed rule changes are tyrannical, contrary to the principles of republican governance and hostile to the interests of the grassroots of the party. Together they constitute an attempt to shift the power in the party from the state parties and their members to an elite establishment which answers primarily to special interests and powerful politicians, a corruption of our party which we believe all true Republicans will find unacceptable.”

Many Republican Liberty Caucus members are in Tampa as part of their state delegations.  Many are young activists who are attending the convention for the first time.  They are getting a harsh lesson in power politics as party leaders clamp down on dissent and use draconian measures to reduce the ability of rank and file party members to influence the electoral process and party policy.

National Delegate Rob Tyree of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Nevada observed that “The rules amendments proposed by lobbyist and political consultant Ben Ginsberg would completely change the structure of the Republican Party into a leadership-first, top-down organization.  Under these proposed rules, grassroots activists would be relegated to being nothing more than a pool of free labor, rather than acting as the heart and soul of the party as they do now.  I would suggest that anyone interested in being part of a party with that type of leadership structure should consider paying a visit to Charlotte, NC next week.”

 

 STATEMENT OF MAINE RLC CHAIR R. KENNETH LINDELL

REGARDING REPUBLICAN CONVENTION RULES

CONTACT: KEN LINDELL 207-446-0966

“The Republican Liberty Caucus strongly opposes recently proposed changes to the party rules which would give the Republican National Committee unprecedented centralized authority over the presidential nomination process, overriding the autonomy of the states and their long established electoral traditions.

“We also object strenuously to new rules which would empower the Republican National Committee to change the rules under which it operates between conventions without approval of the body of delegates representing the party membership. These proposed rule changes are tyrannical, contrary to the principles of republican governance and hostile to the interests of the grassroots of the party.

“Together they constitute an attempt to shift the power in the party from the state parties and their members to an elite establishment which answers primarily to special interests and powerful politicians, a corruption of our party which we believe all true Republicans will find unacceptable.

“Maine RLC salutes Governor Paul LePage for his act of principled courage by refusing to attend the Republican National Convention in protest to its arbitrary action of denying duly-elected Maine delegates their seats as part of this power play by entrenched political interests.”

Dear Congressman Scott,

Last week I attended a meeting of the Dorchester County GOP, as I regularly do, and I appreciate that you took time out of your schedule to come and visit us and keep us up to speed on how things are going in the U.S. House. During your remarks, you hit on many key points, and one in particular that struck me as exceptional in comparison to the average politician. Rather than just pointing out how bad the Democrats are, you asserted that we Republicans need to improve our marketing of our message of conservative principles and American Values. You said (paraphrased):

“We have to stop talking just about the current election cycle and we need to present a long term plan for America. We should talk about 30 year goals, and give people an idea of where we want to take this Country.”

I absolutely agree. This is the difference between petty partisan politics and real leadership. This is the kind of thing that can win over not only the independent voters, but the trust of the American people. If this mission is carried out honestly, genuinely, and enthusiastically then the GOP won’t just win elections, it will win back the direction of the country, and hopefully restore freedom and the American way.

The question before us is: what is the long term vision? What is the 30 year plan?

I urge you to consider this question very carefully, and to not answer too hastily, bending to the influences of the current political moment. Do not create a plan that emphasizes “less government” or “more competition” and don’t use blanket answers such as “return to Christian values.” Do not mince words, do not present patchwork solutions, do not aim for the easily attainable. Nobody was ever inspired by pragmatism or compromise. No, people are inspired by ideas, integrity, honesty, consistency, and bold solutions that are based on right and wrong, not “popular right now.”

The truth of our current situation is that most people aren’t tuned in to Politics. Most people aren’t card-carrying members of the Republican or Democrat party. Most people don’t really follow the issues that closely, and really, who can blame them? What is there to be inspired about with our current state of partisan bickering, special interest lobbying, and endless thousand page bills that nobody reads?

I ask you to recognize that one of the most inspiring documents in history, the Declaration of Independence, does not say that we have the right to “more life” or “more liberty” or “more pursuit of happiness.” It says that we all have the unalienable right to our own life, our own liberty, and our own pursuit of happiness. It doesn’t say that, when a government violates those rights, the solution is “less government.” On the contrary, it says that when the government crosses those boundaries, we should remove the government!

Don’t take me the wrong way, I’m not asking you to introduce a bill to dissolve the government. What I am requesting is that as you formulate your 30 year plan to restore prosperity and freedom, you do not partake in the same sort of political thought that has dominated the discourse at the federal level for so long. I’m asking that when you present a picture of what things will look like 30 years from now it doesn’t leave every government institution in place with simply minor adjustments, tinkering around the edges, with some reductions. I’m asking you to plant yourself firmly in the perspective of individual rights and examine each and every aspect of the federal government and ask the fundamental question: is this the proper role of government?

If not, then take out your eraser, and wipe that particular function, or regulation, or department off of your long term vision. If it is wrong, just remove it. Then figure out a transition that will take us from today, to a future without that injustice. Do you want to inspire Americans to vote for Republicans to restore prosperity and freedom? If so, then show them a future where wrongs are eliminated, not simply reduced. Give us a vision that inspires our support, so that people will vote for Republicans, not just against Democrats.

As an example, let’s take the income tax. During every election in my life, Republicans have said that they won’t raise taxes. Sometimes they even say they are going to lower taxes! Unfortunately, that rarely happens. But is this really a message that inspires people? If a robber robbed you every month, then one month decided to tell you “don’t worry, next time I wont’ take quite as much” would that really make you feel any better about the situation? I doubt it.

When you set out your 30 year plan, you have the opportunity to propose the elimination of the income tax! After all, taking property from people just because they are productive can’t be rationalized as morally right. We also can’t say that we live in a capitalist country when people earn a paycheck and the government takes a large chunk of it, otherwise known as potential capital savings. So don’t offer us a vision that says you will “lower the income tax.” Instead paint a picture where we live in a free country, without an income tax, where the common man can accumulate capital! Of course we can’t do this over night, but we didn’t have an income tax until 1913, so surely you can come up with a plan that will abolish it over a 30 year span.

I could go on with many examples such as this but I think my point has been made. I appreciate your time and the amount of effort you put into communicating with your constituents. I hope that this message finds you well, and that it inspires you to be bold, and to fight for those principles that made this country great.

Sincerely,
Tom Utley

 

Pro-Liberty Caucus Announces Congressional Endorsements

Bills, Hernandez, Fields and Byberg will be advocates for sensible, constitutional government

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 20, 2012

CONTACT: Norann Dillon, 763-516-1175 or info@rlcmn.org

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, the Republican Liberty Caucus [rlc.org] and its Minnesota Chapter [rlcmn.org] jointly announced endorsements for four Congressional candidates who will sincerely uphold the oath to protect and defend the Constitution.

CONCORD, N.H.—As the Republican Liberty Caucus of New Hampshire adds 22 endorsed candidates and four recommended candidates to its list of supported contenders for the Sept. 11 New Hampshire primary, the organization will focus its remaining efforts on identifying the best Republicans for elected office in a final round of endorsements and recommendations prior to releasing its voter guide right before the election.

The RLCNH 26 endorsements and recommendations released today are for new candidates who scored well on the organization’s survey found at www.rlcnh.org/survey and who made it through a reputation-screening process run by the RLCNH Endorsements Committee. Last month, the RLCNH endorsed and recommended 90 incumbents based on how well their voting records reflected the essential principles of limited government, individual liberty, personal responsibility and free markets. Earlier this summer, the RLCNH endorsed an initial 20 new candidates who met the same criteria as the current group.

“The RLCNH is happy to offer voters today’s list of ideal Republican candidates who have shown their willingness to stand firm on principle and continue the work of the current Legislature to restore liberty and prosperity in New Hampshire,” said Carolyn McKinney, chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus of New Hampshire. “As we get closer to the primary, the RLCNH will start to identify key districts where these true Republicans are running against weak, big government Republicans. Following a final list of candidate endorsements and recommendations, we will release our voter guide to make sure New Hampshire continues to move forward in its effort to restore the ideas that made our state and country great.”

With 107 endorsed candidates winning their elections in 2010, the RLCNH swept 80 percent of its post-primary candidates into office. These endorsed Republicans passed 338 bills, leading the restorative, common sense changes desperately needed after years of wasteful Democratic spending and the resultant taxes and fees that left the New Hampshire economy in shambles.

Endorsed Republicans in the next biennium will have to continue the responsible decision-making that led to this session’s $1 billion budget cut, which allowed the Legislature to reduce taxes, fees and regulations and foster the beginning of economic growth. Further cuts to excessive and burdensome government will be needed to make the changes necessary for sustainable prosperity among New Hampshire’s working families and businesses.

The RLCNH has raised its standards in making endorsements for the 2013-2014 Legislative Session to send a clear message to voters about which candidates will truly support the organization’s Liberty and Prosperity for New Hampshire agenda, and which will simply continue business as usual in Concord.

“The just ending session of the Legislature was one of the most refreshing in modern times because it featured statesmen who truly executed on the mission they promised to voters,” McKinney said. “The RLCNH is interested in making this type of honest politics—focused on reducing the size of government by cutting the budget and reducing taxes, fees and regulations, and letting people live their own lives and raise their own children—a new normal within New Hampshire. We expect endorsed candidates to give deference to their campaign promises and their oaths to the N.H. and U.S. Constitutions above any testimony given by state bureaucrats or lobbyists.

“No longer can New Hampshire afford to accept mediocrity in the Legislature,” McKinney added. “Republican representatives, senators, executive councilors and governors should be spending every day of their elected office driving more power away from government and into our homes, private sector businesses and non-profit organizations.”

Because timing is now short, new candidates—particularly those with a primary—who have not yet filled out the RLCNH survey are encouraged to do so by visiting www.rlcnh.org/survey.

RLCNH THIRD-ROUND CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENTS 

 

Endorsed Executive Councilor Candidate

Robert Burns, Executive Council District 4

 

Endorsed State Senate Candidate

Dennis Acton, Senate District 23 (Brentwood, Chester, Danville, East Kingston, Epping, Exeter, Fremont, Kingston, Sandown)

 

Endorsed State Representative Candidates

Keith Carlsen, Cheshire 6 (Keene Ward 3)

Jacqueline Casey, Hillsborough 34 (Nashua Ward 7)

Donald J. Frye, Hillsborough 16 (Manchester Ward 9)

Bianca Garcia, Rockingham 8 (Salem)

Dan Garthwaite, Hillsborough 12 (Manchester Ward 5)

Shuvom Ghose, Hillsborough 11 (Manchester Ward 4)

Robert D. Goodman, Rockingham 36 (Exeter, Newfields, Newmarket, Stratham)

Donald Gorman, Rockingham 32 (Candia, Deerfield, Northwood, Nottingham)

Brian Griset, Rockingham 18 (Exeter)

Elijah Haykinson, Hillsborough 7 (Bedford)

Kevin J. Kervick, Rockingham 30 (Portsmouth Wards 1, 2, 4 & 5)

Gerard A. LeDuc, Merrimack 21 (Epsom, Pittsfield)

David Murotake, Hillsborough 32 (Nashua Ward 5)

Kelleigh Murphy, Hillsborough 7 (Bedford)

Ron Noyes, Merrimack 27 (Concord Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7)

Eric Rolfs, Hillsborough 37 (Hudson, Pelham)

Emily Sandblade, Hillsborough 18 (Manchester Ward 11)

David Schoneman, Hillsborough 22 (Nashua Ward 3)

Phil Straight, Hillsborough 21 (Merrimack)

Len Turcotte, Strafford 25 (Barrington & Lee)

 

RLCNH THIRD-ROUND CANDIDATE RECOMMENDATIONS 

 

Recommended Executive Councilor Candidate

Jerry Thibodeau, Executive Council District 1

 

Recommended State Representative Candidates

Patrick J. Bick, Rockingham 8 (Salem)

Robert G. Fullerton, Strafford 17 (Dover Wards 5 & 6, Somersworth Ward 2)

Lee Shaikh, Merrimack 9 (Canterbury, Loudon)

If you’re going to the AFP Summit, don’t miss the RLC exhibit booth!

This weekend Americans for Prosperity is holding their annual Defending the American Dream Summit in Washington, DC.  It’s a conservative and libertarian oriented non-partisan event which draws the attention of a lot of major political figures and has a strong lineup of speakers and events, including a lot of activist training.

This year the Republican Liberty Caucus will have a presence at the event, with RLC National Chairman Dave Nalle joining RLC activists from local chapters in hosting an exhibit booth to promote the RLC and our nationwide efforts – taking our message of less government and more liberty right to the belly of the beast.

If you are attending the conference as an activist, a blogger, a speaker or a guest and you’d like to find out more about the RLC or if you’re a member and would just like to stop and chat, come to our booth which will be located in a “heavy traffic area” yet to be determined. We have RLC merchandise and promotional materials and it’s a great chance to meet RLC members and supporters from other parts of the country.

Dave will also be tweeting about the experience if you follow @texliberty.

For Release: July 30, 2012

Contact: Dave Nalle (chairman@rlc.org or 512-656-8011)

Dewhurst-Cruz Race is a Test of the Character of Texas Republicans and the Future Direction of the Party

 

As conservative Republicans work to eliminate or reduce the amount of money New Hampshire spends on government programs, critics on the political left have emerged from time to time with the idea that these policies are immoral—or as one outspoken critic said, “morally repugnant.” This criticism is predicated on a belief that only government can provide for the basic needs of people who can’t provide for themselves. We agree that people need to take care of one another. It is our moral obligation. But it’s not government’s job to do it. In fact, one of the best things about American history is how well we have taken care of one another, even before the federal government launched its “War on Poverty” or created programs such as Medicaid or Obamacare. Alexis de Tocqueville, a French political thinker and historian who travelled to America in the 1830s, wrote that one of the strengths of 19th Century America was its “robust civil society,” which he defined as the institutions, such as the family, the church and other secular civic organizations, that operated between the individual and the government. He praised these institutions, explaining how they tempered the isolating tendencies of individualism and the “despotic proclivities of centralized [government] administration.” Unfortunately, civil society has significantly declined in the past several decades because government has overwhelmed, and in some cases taken over, these institutions using our tax dollars to fund and direct them. We can observe this in the entitlements given to poorer families, the grants given to our nonprofit organizations, the “compassionate conservatism” that added new public grants to assist church-sponsored charity and all the rules and laws that these institutions must follow to keep the money flowing. It is precisely the absence of that money and those rules and laws that make private charities more effective than government programs. Private charities are run at lower costs with the help of volunteers and private donors who give only to those organizations they believe are the most effective. These charities are comprised of neighbors helping neighbors; not government officials handing out money that doesn’t belong to them to people they don’t know. And because it is neighbors helping neighbors, any fraud or abuse is diminished because the act of giving is a powerful tie that binds, making it much more difficult for those receiving aid to take advantage of the generosity of those who serve them. When centralized government administration is responsible for “service” in society, as it is today, this severs the individual ties of service and charity that have traditionally held us together for our mutual private benefit and the good of society as a whole. Individuals have resultantly become more isolated and selfish as government has moved in to redistribute wealth according to a single, centralized understanding of morality that is demonstratively incorrect. In fact, the liberals and “progressives” who subscribe to the idea that government must provide for others have suffered the greatest impact on their own morality. According to the report, “Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism,” Syracuse University Professor Arthur C. Brooks found that conservative-headed households give, on average, 30 percent more to charity than the average liberal-headed household, even though liberal households tend to average incomes 6 percent higher than those of conservative families. His study also found that conservatives donate more time and give more blood. A true understanding of practical reality shows that conservative Republicans, who want to reduce the programs run by government, are actually more in tune with civil society and the individual moral strength that develops when people are free to keep what they earn and dispense it how they see fit. It is the conservative understanding that respects the dignity of the human person and values his or her work as well as the products and services derived from it. This is the philosophy that encourages people to be more creative and industrious, which results in innovations that fill real needs in society. It is also the understanding that produces wealth and allows individuals to serve others out of the goodness of their own hearts. There is nothing more moral than this. Conservatism also fosters the organic growth of charitable organizations, which allows society to fill its own needs as they arise. It sustains those privately funded programs that actually make a difference in people’s lives, and it allows ineffective programs to fade away. It encourages people to get back up on their feet and provide for themselves rather than linger in dependency and want. This in turn allows more people, who experienced the love of someone else’s individual charity, to turn around and help others in the same way. There is nothing more moral than this.