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Let’s keep about the “why” – Here’s a great example of what undergirds the GOP civil war – by Andrew McCarthy at PJ Media (emphasis mine):

The statist side is enthusiastically championed by Democrats, and the conservative side by Republicans, albeit more reluctantly. Like the Democratic party, the GOP is run by Washington-oriented politicians and, thus, is more enamored of Washington-centered fiats than is the conservative base whose support Republicans need in order to be politically viable. In the vogue of establishment Republicans, Jeb Bush ostensibly directs his “Can’t we all just get along?” preachments at the Republican-Democrat divide. Clearly, though, as an all-but-formally-announced contender for the GOP’s 2016 presidential nod, he is more vexed by the widening disconnect between Republicans and conservatives.

Here is the problem for Jeb: There is no common ground between (a) “I should control my own medical decisions, with my doctor deciding what to charge for his services and my insurance company deciding what risks it will cover, at prices to be determined by a free market,” and (b) “The federal government should oversee my medical decisions, tell the doctors what to charge, and dictate what insurance companies must cover at what rates.” In this, as in other matters Gov. Bush calls the “bigger, more pressing issues” – the issues about what kind of country we are going to be – one side has to win and one side has to lose.

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“…the poor you will have with you always…”

“We have just concluded the 5th fiscal year since President Obama took office. During those five years, the federal government has spent a total $3.7 trillion on approximately 80 different means-tested poverty and welfare programs. The common feature of means-tested assistance programs is that they are graduated based on a person’s income and, in contrast to programs like Social Security or Medicare, they are a free benefit and not paid into by the recipient,” says the minority side of the Senate Budget Committee.

“The enormous sum spent on means-tested assistance is nearly five times greater than the combined amount spent on NASA, education, and all federal transportation projects over that time. ($3.7 trillion is not even the entire amount spent on federal poverty support, as states contribute more than $200 billion each year to this federal nexus—primarily in the form of free low-income health care.)

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As a Rep. for Belknap District, I have been working on a bill in our state house trying to repeal and replace the NH Regional Planning Commissions. (I know, I know – I’m crazy…) However, after doing voluminous research, it is quite apparent these commissions are instrumental in Federal agencies fulfilling their “smart growth” agenda here in NH. “Smart Growth” is basically organized planning which tries to prevent urban sprawl, “nudging” people to live in planned urban communities under the tent of ‘sustainable living’. You know the drill – less pollution, less car travel, more green areas, and with the federal programs of EPA – DOT – HUD running the show, private property rights are greatly diminished. In the Progressive mindset, water and other “resources” belong to the COLLECTIVE. And it is the COLLECTIVE who rules in sustainable living. Private (natural) property rights are a “barrier” which must be overcome. These words come directly from Granite State Future – the “home” of NH Regional Planning Commissions.

Here are some figures from the Lakes Regional Planning Commission 2012 budget:

Total Income                    $850,281

Lakes Region Membership Dues           $123,521 (we could use this money)

Total Federal Income                                $572,500 (WHAT!)

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So, the second part of my discussion given at the MCRC meeting last week – finally getting to the center points of the opportunity.  The GOP and the NH GOP are still in the throws of a civil war that has only intensified over the last few years.  It can be broken down into two serious topics, over which I am not sure that there are grounds “To Unite!”.  One cannot come together when there is no commonality (as we shall see).  But first, what is the problem?  Let us continue with two object lessons:

WHAT WE SEE – THE Problem

Let’s continue:

• Republican Party says that it supports and defends the US Constitution, yes? (most nodded in agreement)
• Republican Party says that it supports and defends the NH Constitution, yes? (far less folks nodded in agreement)
• What kind of a Platform does the NH GOP have?  Conservative, right of Center, Center, Left of Center, Liberal?

WHY? Defend your answer. What would you change? Why?

Hand out: (Compare what they WANTED to do vs what Progressives / Socialists / Democrats have actually accomplished:

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“Sooo… Obama shut down the govt to stop GOP from making any change to law he had to change a week later. Good times.”

“This morning I was racist for wanting the OCare mandate delayed. Tonight I’m a pragmatic Democrat!”

Heh!  Frankly, I still think that Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals SHOULD be enforced here:

• RULE 3: “Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy.” Look for ways to increase insecurity, anxiety and uncertainty. (This happens all the time. Watch how many organizations under attack are blind-sided by seemingly irrelevant arguments that they are then forced to address.)

Heh!  This one they did to themselves – Obama voluntarily took Government into an area, massive technology for Obamacare, inwhich it had no expertise

• RULE 4: “Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules.” If the rule is that every letter gets a reply, send 30,000 letters. You can kill them with this because no one can possibly obey all of their own rules. (This is a serious rule. The besieged entity’s very credibility and reputation is at stake, because if activists catch it lying or not living up to its commitments, they can continue to chip away at the damage.)

Republicans should resist any changes to the Obamacare law – make the Democrats and Obama Live. Up. To. Every. Jot. And. Tittle.  They wrote it, no Republican voted for it – they own it.  Let them defend it.  Let them be held accountable to the voters – don’t pass anything that would help them get out of this jam.  Start the media offensive now – hammer that over and over and over again: “Don’t blame us – Dems did this ALL by themselves”.

Make no mistake 

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From the National Journal (emphasis mine):

It took a tea party insurrection that disabled the federal government and wrecked the Republican brand, but after months of handwringing, establishment Republicans are preparing to attack ultra-conservative ideologues across red America.

From Alabama to Alaska, the center-right, business-oriented wing of the Republican Party is gearing up for a series of skirmishes that it hopes can prevent the 2014 mid-term election from turning into another missed opportunity. But this will not be a coordinated operation. It will be messy, ugly, and prone to backfiring. And if the comeback succeeds, it will be in fits and starts, most likely culminating in the selection of a presidential nominee in 2016.

“Hopefully we’ll go into eight to 10 races and beat the snot out of them,” said former Rep. Steve LaTourette of Ohio, whose new political group, Defending Main Street, aims to raise $8 million to fend off tea party challenges against more mainstream Republican incumbents. “We’re going to be very aggressive and we’re going to get in their faces.”

So, how does that sound any different than Obama and the Democrats in their fight against Republicans?  Again I will repeat what I said about TEA Party, conservative grassrooters left the GOP and went to a third party: “We may not win but you will surely lose”. 

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If she had as much of a shred of compassion for the low-skilled low-wage American worker as she does the illegal aliens that Big Biz, Big Govt, and her palie-walies Maverick and Grahamnesty, she wouldn’t be in as much hot water.  It would have been much better if Kelly Ayotte, she of the “common sense”, actually hung around with folks who exhibited…..wait for it…..common sense.  Especially on the idea of granting amnesty and legal status that should not be here – that would be Pete Session (Senator, too!):

The President said he has not heard any good reason to oppose the Senate bill. Clearly, he has not listened to the ICE and USCIS officers warning that the bill would permanently undermine enforcement. Here are three more reasons: the Senate bill will lower wages, increase unemployment, and reduce per-capita GNP. All of these statements are confirmed by the Congressional Budget Office. Under current law, we will provide approximately 10 million grants of permanent residency (green cards) over the next decade. Under the Senate bill, that number will triple to more than 30 million. Further, the Senate bill would double the number of guest workers at a time when a record 90 million Americans are outside the work force. We need to get Americans off of unemployment, off of welfare, and back into the labor force — but the ‘reforms’ proposed by the Senate would put even more Americans out of work.

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As I am wont to do, I surfed over onto this post and something caught my eye about Obama’s overreach to one-size-fit-all healthcare system that worked oh so well in other countries:

Yesterday President Obama was crying about the fact that people have not signed on to his website. It’s because the website is broken. The fact they poured 648 millions on this site will make you scream. They didn’t test the site until one week till the opening of the website. This site is a glorify geo cities website. In fact i think they use AOL as the servers. The fact that a government agency have this much problem with the website tell you how bad obamacare is. Then Obama gave out a phone number that basically when typed out is F you when you dial the number. Thou the number is about as bad as the website always busy and you can’t get a hold of anyone.

…This all a ruse for Obama to implement the single payer health plan that have harmed people of many countries like Russia, China,England and Cuba This idea will not work why? Ask Hawaii Ex. Governor Linda Lingle she had a plan like single payer for kids in Hawaii but she was quick to find out that people were taking advantage of that…

I remember posting up about that ill-fated Hawaii attempt for universal single payer healthcare – for kids – back in 2008.

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‘Grok friend John Hawkins has a new column over at Townhall that outlines the 10 most essential rules that you have to follow if you want to be an “Establishment Republican” (other than blue blazers for men and pearl necklaces for women):

1) There is nothing ever worth fighting for except Democrat policies: If you’re going to fight for something, make sure you’re fighting your own base to help the Democrats achieve some policy goal that makes Tea Partiers want to stab themselves in their eyes…

2) You must systematically destroy any person, place, or thing that excites conservatives: Nothing good ever comes from conservatives getting excited; so make sure to target anything and anyone that gets them fired up…

3) You’re a winner just by virtue of being an establishment Republican: When Tea Partiers rally behind a candidate who loses, it’s because those guys don’t know what they’re doing…

4) Trash conservatives, but hold your fire against Democrats: There’s a reason that both John McCain and Mitt Romney fought harder against their Republican primary opponents than they did against Barack Obama…

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Well, this micro-saga started when a Merrimack County Republican Committee (“MCRC”) meeting turned out to be rather short for me (“An NH GOP State Committee Member, computer bag, and tripod walk into a Merrimack County Repub meeting“):

…Only if one believes the meme of “anybody with an R next to their name IS a good Republican” and that NEVER should one Republican attack another? Sorry, we don’t believe that – for if you believe that anything is possible, well, you may find Rs voting like Ds and acting AGAINST the Republican Party Principles (and too bad if it is your friend).  Well, it certainly felt like was a bit of payback time for our pitchfork times by some who haven’t like the idea that we at the ‘Grok don’t accept that meme.

Yes,the camera was voted out and given that the tripod legs were “frozen in fear” afterwards, I had to carry it out of The Draft.

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For years, Democrats have tried and tried and tried to disarm the US Citizenry, arguing that we are “not to worry – leave your protection to the Police” even as Grokster Steve points out, Government is under no compunction or legal responsibility to protect ANY particular person. None, nada, nein, no – so even when Progressives argue and stammer that you have no right to defend yourself (right, Deputy Dawg Shurtleff?), the Government they want has no right to defend you either.

Progressives want you helpless and defenseless all the way around.  Someone breaks into your house?  Someone is stalking you?  Someone comes into your store and starts taking your inventory?  Someone rips your car door open and carjacks you?  Sneaks up on you at the ATM?  Ah yes, once again, you’re screwed coming and going – not allowed to protect yourself as an individual and the Collectivist Progressives say “so sorry – no controlling legal authority to do that”.

Enter Interpol – the international law enforcement group – that is now starting to think (and SAY) “Hey, police can’t be everywhere – maybe arming citizens is a GREAT idea!“:

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Progressivism is nothing more than a euphemism for “Slow Communism” or, if you like, “incremental Socialism”.  Communism is the result of a quick “BANG!” while incremental Socialism is the proverbial hand torquing up the water temperature under the frog.  All it takes is an uninvolved electorate and people that think like this:

• NH State Rep Kris Roberts (D): “Government has to protect us from our own stupidity.”
• NH State Rep Leigh Webb (D): “The role of government is to legislate behavior“

And there is no opting out with these people either; it’s “one for all” whether you want to play along or not.  Progressivism knows no “aisle” – there are some Republicans that believe in this same vein as the chuckleheads above.  Some permanently and some wig-wag back and forth.  To that latter group, we can now add NH State Rep Steve Vaillancourt (R) – the self-professed Libertarian (e.g., “Let people choose for themselves”) in joining the Progressive totalitarian spectrum (“Iss verboten!”; emphasis mine and reformatted):

CONCORD — Legislative efforts to ban smoking used to draw huge crowds to lengthy public hearings where heavy hitters testified for or against prohibition.  Eventually, smoking bans were approved at restaurants, bars, public buildings such as the State House and some private buildings.  Social, fraternal or religious organizations have continued to welcome smokers because (1) they have restricted memberships and (2) some key lawmakers — including former state Sen. Jack Barnes, R-Raymond — did not want to restrict World War II veterans’ activities after they had served and sacrificed for their country.  Two bills will be introduced in the 2014 session that may change things, however. A House bill will be sponsored by Rep. Steve Vaillancourt, R-Manchester, and a Senate bill will be sponsored by Sen. Lou D’Allesandro. “I’ve always felt that if secondhand smoke will kill you in a restaurant, it will kill you in a social club,” Vaillancourt said, noting the exemption has been debated before.

Right – so social clubs can make their own decisions as – in essence, the Freedom to decide if they were to allow smoking or not. 

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Oh, Sidenote first (because it IS just that kind of day): OK, Landrigan, you and DiStaso are a pair today.  He can’t tell a TEA Partier from shinola and you can’t even get the names straight: “Bragdon goes on offense in offering defense”.  Even as we are castigated as mere bloggers, all I keep hearing is layers upon layers of factcheckers and editors.  Really – can’t even fact check your own headline?  And you two are supposed to be the “experts”?

Finally, a high level Republican actually knows the meaning of the word that one hardly NEVER sees in Politics: Loyalty.  From the Telegraph, we see Bill O’Brien showing the loyalty to subordinate.  He didn’t have to – he just did the right thing.  He gains nothing politically by doing this (more later on this line of thinking).   He put someone else before his own well-being.  He’s trying to not leave anyone behind that is under attack and calls out those that should be the cavalry coming over the hill, pennants waving and guns blazing to protect their own: the NH GOP.

Once again, though, the Chair lowers its behavior well under my extremely low expectations – giving into that just WONDERFUL Democrat trap called Political Correctness.  It is like the Chair is OBSESSED with using that tool of Marxist Culturalists everywhere.  Only problem is that it IS gonna bite her, too:

“The first is that Democrats have turned their tried and true Alinskyite demonization campaign on Pete. No surprise there. But, the second thing? In likewise tried and true fashion, the Republican state party is threatening to withdraw support from Pete. They want him to validate the Dems’ libelous narrative by running from his beliefs and, it seems to me, apologize for having offended the liberals.”

Once again, we see the Party willing to put additional sacrificial lambs on the altar of Political Correctness – seeking some small measure of approval from….umm, 

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