Tag: Conservatism (page 3)

Self described moderates complain after every 'surprising' loss that the conservatives are chasing them out of the party.  Often that nonsequitor is used to explain the loss, and make themselves feel better for having no core foundation.

The side bar (hash tag #RightMi) had a real winner link to a story by a recent teenager with all the answers to our current political problems. His premise is essentially, that anything Bill Buckley Jr. has said, is correct, and applicable to our current election results.  Specifically noting the "Buckley Rule" of selecting a winnable candidate, thus advancing conservatism in that manner.  Inks writes:

"Looking at the past two elections, it seems that the GOP has forgotten the last three words of the Buckley Rule, and it is now costing us elections.

On the national level, the party primary voters have forced candidates further to the far right on issues that make our candidates undesirable to moderate American voters. During the time he was governor, Mitt Romney had viable, working solutions to health care and environmental problems. "

So Much Bloviating.

Inks has adopted the 'loser' posture, where there is nothing to stand for but (what is apparently) the winners position. (even if wrong.) He has twisted a mildly misinterpreted Buckley stance and given new meaning to the word accommodation and capitulation.  Mr Inks should remember in the last century the national socialists were elected as well.  Yes, the winners can be wrong, and standing for something opposite what those 'winners' stand for is unacceptable to this young man.  Buckley's "rule" once again is abused for a squishy position of a milquetoast political wannabe.

Buckley by the way was one of three, including conservative hero Russell Kirk to convince Barry Goldwater to run for president anyhow. What Buckley hadn't seen coming, was the shift in the way media, and the progressive/socialist training farms known as public schools and universities would through relative shifts, change what is a winning candidate.  The acceptable forum in fact, for Mr. Ink's article we should note, carries a small irony.  

Thanks to Adam for the reminder

"Outside of its legitimate function, government does nothing as well or as economically as the private sector."

The result of Saturday's Michigan Republican convention was very conservative, and very consistent with tea party and traditional values that have been notably lacking in recent years.  Add to this a solid backing (almost purposefully noticeable) of candidate Kerry Bentivolio in the 11th district, and it should be clear that some folks are starting to pay attention to the grassroots.  And those grassroots are now becoming more fully vested in the party, and changing from within.

The slate?

Michigan Supreme Court Justice:
Stephen J Markman - Incumbent
Brian Zahra - partial term incumbent
Colleen O'Brien - new nomination

State Board of Education
Todd Courser - New
Melanie Kurdys - New

MSU Trustee
Melanie Foster - Incumbent
Jeff Sakwa - New

U of M Regent
Dr. Rob Steele - New
Dan Horning - New

Wayne State University Board of Governors
Michael J. Busuito
Satish B. Jasti

The Michigan Supreme Court pick was an interesting one for a number of reasons.  We have seen much of the criticism of either O'Brien or Markey on RightMichigan.com, and frankly it was undeserved.  Both candidates represented a conservative rule of law perspective and the nomination of Colleen O'Brien should not disappoint anyone.  I tried to refrain from affecting the discussion and was particularly neutral and trying to look at qualifications and overall perspective.

I carried that neutrality into the convention and had no reason to specifically support either candidate, and was not worried about the outcome other than a bit of a nasty back and forth with passed out literature left in the seats for attendees.  There were good people I knew supporting either candidate.  After listening to both candidates in caucus, re-looking at notes, talking to friends who supported either candidate, reviewing caseload, history, etc., my decision to support a single candidate started to develop.  I even spent 20-25 minutes speaking with justice Stephen Markman.

Saturday Morning found me leaning Jane Markey.

Most folks can't hold on to a thought for more than a minute or so before the phone rings, or a hot flash news item distracts them.  In fact lives have become so busy, its amazing that understanding of cause and effect is as broad as the 5% that it seems to be. In fact I fear analytical abilities are on the wane. Without that important skill, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep people focused on what has truly become the enemy of our liberty.

When government controls our purse, we are not truly free.

Period.

Below the fold, is a new project I hope will help to reverse the trend towards political and economic ignorance.  It will be offered free for a time to radio stations that wish to have a morning minute type programming, or even something for fill in between programming.  It will be edgy, and hopefully coherent.  

The idea came while making commercials for the state representative race I was recently involved with.  As one of the most effective parts of the campaign, it was clear how effective radio could be if used properly.  At the same time, it provides a new programming option for stations that want to enhance their talk radio line up.

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson is renewing his call for Republicans and Democrats to narrow their selection to one candidate to avoid the cost of a special primary election to fill the term of former U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter.

Um, Brooks .. there is only one Democrat from Local 245 in the special election.  AND there was only one Republican that filed well in advance too, well, until the cabals write-in candidate and her endorsing former state legislator and current Livonia council president, undoubtedly squeezed that Livonia civics grapevine enlisting at least two other filers covering for write-in Nansee Crassis.

Patterson said Tuesday that both major political parties should hold a lottery to pick one Republican and one Democrat in order to avoid a special primary election Sept. 5.  
....

"This is about fiscal responsibility," Patterson said in an early morning statement. "If there is only one candidate from each party running, there is no need to spend tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on a special primary election.

"It's ridiculous to spend that amount of taxpayer dollars on a special primary election for just a couple weeks in office."

Fiscal responsibility?  Really?  Sorry bub, you tossed that meme out the window with pushing the DIA tax hike.

But, OK, Brooksie, have your handpicked crony, MBT author and Corporate welfare write-in candidate drop out first.

"Taxes go to projects that are worthy, whether we use them or not," Patterson said, noting that when he travels around the world to recruit business, he is always asked about schools, neighborhoods and cultural amenities. "The DIA is a huge opportunity for me to answer that question in a positive way. It's an economic development tool for me."

Or not?  Holy bejesus!  Why don't you have another cocktail, Brooksie?  You too, Nolan.

They don't need to.

When Rep Roy Schmidt -D became Rep Roy Schmidt -R, it didn't change who he was.  Like painting a blue Ford Pinto red, it hardly makes it a Lincoln Towncar. The taint that is now apparently giving fuel to the most leftist Democrats for the upcoming elections truly drives home the fact that where THEY come from nowadays, is really a degenerate pool of deceit and sleight of hand.  By embracing the left into the Republican party, the infection is immediately seen for what it is.

True principles do not allow deception to become a part of their playbook.  Open, honest, and upfront dealings, along with explanation of consequence are the only way in which political matters should be handled.  Sadly, there are still those who are willing to accept a second rate toss off from a second rate political ideology that has no conscience.

Remember who hid the source of funding and authorship until a Mackinac center intern discovery, of the RMGN document.  The admission as displayed in the discovery, was they (the Dems) were worried about their reelection chance in 2010, so a small cheat was needed.  The cheat as was revealed was the nearly complete re-write of our Michigan constitution.  They won't talk about that along side new complaints about the Republicans will they?

And then recall the big cheat, where not only was a vote draining scheme concocted, it involved straight up fraud and document forgery.  Hell some of the candidates not only lived outside the district, but didn't even know they were running!  But the Dems won't do anything but briefly complain that because they were busted then, the republicans should face the same fate now.  And never mind the fact that in their effort 9 felony counts were placed on the culprits in contrast to ZERO for this recent event.

And now, the lefty Dems are crying foul for a "Republican" scheme to win a particular seat once occupied by the same man who wants to occupy it as a republican?

Yeah.  I can relate.

Republicans need to give him back. He isn't natural here.  It isn't what we are about. That's THEIR gig, and they are upset our leadership got excited about picking up the seat.  No excuses.  Wrong is wrong, and people are about sick of the games played simply so some can hold on to their political jobs.  Schmidt is a Democrat, played a lefty game, and became the baby ruth in our pool.