I think I nailed it on the head (here) back on November 17th with my first impression of the group NoLabels. But now that the Live Free or Die Alliance (LFDA), whom I have often opined springs from the same pedigree of liberal-fronted groups pretending to be middling ports of in-betweenedness in the political/ideological storm, is seeking the opinion of its members on NoLabels effort to penetrate New Hampshire, it is time to revisit this.
Let me save you the trouble of wondering what they are about. I believe NoLabels goal is to shift the electorate to the left. Their first, and so far only plank, is to open primaries to everyone who can vote. Now ask yourself, who does that help?
It helps Democrats.
Opening up the primary process will only favor more moderate Republicans or democrats running as Republicans, supported by votes from outside the party, even outside the state if we continue to let brain-washed, liberal-ette college students cast ballots in our local elections, (a problem our new legislature needs to fix) and more importantly in state level or presidential primaries where any democrat will do, but where a RINO Republican is desired most by democrats. (Think John McCain).
And what of New Hampshire? We already has open primaries, so NoLabels can’t possibly have a reason to waste time here, (on this issue) unless they have other motivations–which I confess I could care less about. I know who they are, and they are not interested in fostering a less extreme, bi-partisan worldview. They would be here to shift policy away from liberty and constitutionalism.
So maybe we take this opportunity to shift the debate the other way. We tighten up the primary voting. Limit it to registered members of either party in their respective primaries. People who want the chance to pick a candidate will have to join the party to vote in its primaries, which given the New Republican–conservative and libertarian members in the Granite State, should only make our pro-constitution, pro-liberty caucus stronger.
It’s a hill worth fighting for. We’ve made huge strides this year. Given the laws of politics, and human nature, (and entropy) the more principled position is always the one that suffers unless someone is willing to stand up and defend it. We have people willing to do that. So why let the unwilling make it meaningless with open primaries that will invariably result in candidates who have no interest in the platform or policies of the party they claim to represent?
I believe New Hampshire needs to move towards closed primaries. We’ve had more than enough of the no-accountability, party crasher mentality. People need to step up and choose a party to give their vote some meaning. And once it has meaning, to use that vote to work within the party framework to define platforms and policy. The most dangerous ones, the ones who don’t care or can’t be bothered, the passively indifferent, they’ll stay on the sidelines and wait for the general. And all things being equal, a solid conservative beats a democrat more often than a RINO does.
It’s your party. Your platform. Yes, it’s harder, but then nothing good was supposed to come easy. And easy is most certainly our enemy.
