A Republic If You Can Keep It
By RMWStanford | June 14, 2008
When he was asked about what kind of government the Constitutional Convention had produced, Ben Franklin was said to have replied a Republic if you can keep it. The key word that we should take note of in that statement is if you can keep it, Franklin new that a Republic is a difficult form of government to keep because it requires it citizens to be well informed and involved in the political process in order for a republican government to function properly. Too many people in the United States do not do their duty as citizens, they don’t stay up to date on the issues facing the country, they don’t stay informed and they don’t vote. They make excuse for this behavior by saying that one person can’t make a difference, that they don’t have the time, that it doesn’t affect them, but when the average person chooses to divorce themselves from the political process this special interest groups to gain more and more influence and this is one of the reason why it seems at times that government policies serve the interest of a relatively small set of interest groups not the general public.
I know that in Illinois there are many people that are share the set of core beliefs of the Republican Liberty Caucus that are not involved in the political process because they are turned off by the candidates offered by the Republican party right now or because of actions of the Illinois GOP. If anyone reading this is one of those people I hope that you will take a second to consider that instead of waiting and hoping for the Illinois GOP to changes or for some candidate to come around and inspire you that you should start working to things. Instead of waiting for some one else to inspire you to go out and get involved in the political process you should inspire yourself to do so and work to inspire other similar minded people to get involved. Political work takes sacrifice, it requires people to give up their time, time that they could be spend with family, friend, ect, and some times it requires us to give of our money too but I truly believe this sacrifice is more than worth it if it helps to produce a better nation for all of us. Once again if you are reading this and you are one of those people who is sitting on the political side line I would ask you to read over the positions of the Republican Liberty Caucus and take some time to think about them and if they make sense to you and seem like good government policy, then please join us and help to build a better us to build a better Illinois GOP, a better Illinois and better nation.
Topics: Commentary | No Comments »
A Time For Choosing In November
By W. Guy Finley | June 4, 2008
44 years ago a former Democrat took to the stage and told the country how the Republican candidate was the man for the job in November. The Democratic candidate was full of lofty ideals, talking about his “Great Society” and how it was time for a change.
Sound familiar? Yes it does, let’s hope that election doesn’t repeat itself because we know what it led to — the worsening of a conflict in another land, creation of vast amounts of government spending in new programs, a failed public housing policy (see also Robert Taylor Homes and Cabrini Green) amongst other failed policies.
I thought I’d share some of the words of that former Democrat with you, if you are interested in the entire speech you can watch it or read it.
Topics: Commentary, Executive Issues, GOP, National | No Comments »
IL GOP Convention, Decatur, Fri 6/6, Sat 6/7
By spintreebob | May 30, 2008
Please join us at the State Convention. Friday has committee meetings and meet-n-greet sessions hosted by various GOP figures ( Frank Watson, Tom Cross, Kirk Dillard, etc. )
Saturday has the sessions of the whole with speakers, floor debates, selection of national committeeman and committeewoman. Rauschenberger is the most libertarian candidate for national committeeman. He has been featured at several libertarian events.
Decatur Conference Center Hotel
4191 W US Highway 36 (Wyckles Road) Decatur, IL
Most scheduled events are at the above address. Some (very interesting) events might be at nearby hotel rooms.
Topics: Announcements, GOP, Meetings, News, News, RLC-IL | 1 Comment »
More “Leadership”
By Michael Tams | May 12, 2008
This is getting depressingly easy.
This link will take you to the Peoria Journal Star. Good thing worth reading about halfway down the page. I’ll offer this teaser, then go check it out.
Calling Obama a “rock star” in the Democratic party, LaHood said he considers him a friend.
Obama asked LaHood about his future plans. Then he told him something like if he’s elected president, LaHood would be at the top of his “Republican list” for something.
<sarcasm> It’s so nice to see someone who wants to be National Committeeman playing nice with the other guys. They must have a lovely friendship. </sarcasm>
Obama seems to get along so well with Republicans!
Topics: GOP, Illinois | 1 Comment »
Freedom March 2008
By Michael Tams | May 11, 2008
July 12, 2008, Washington D.C. See the link for the video below and this link for more details.
Couldn’t get the video to load, so just click this link.
Looks like the makings of a great event.
Topics: National | No Comments »
Judeo-Christian libertarianism by spintreebob Schmidt
By spintreebob | May 5, 2008
Choose you this day whom ye will serve.
But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Purpose
The term libertarian is thrown about, both among those who claim the label, and those who don’t. The goal of this article is to define one particular sub-set of libertarians. First of all, note that libertarian is spelled with a small l in the title. By common convention, a capital L Libertarian is associated with the LP Libertarian Party. A small l libertarian is tries to avoid that baggage.
Topics: Commentary, GOP | No Comments »
IL Senate Rejects
By Michael Tams | May 1, 2008
I was going to entitle this post “IL Senate Rejects Recall” but with such an opportunity to be provocative…
So, indeed, as this story explains, the IL Senate rejected a recall provision which would have put the issue in front of voters in November.
The measure was opposed - surprise! - by Senate President Emil Jones. Who, by the way, says he needs a raise!
This might be funny if it weren’t happening to us. No. I take that back. None of it is funny. We’ve got major issues in Illinois, all of which makes the prospects of a Constitutional Convention rather interesting. Impeachment remains a viable option, I might add.
Topics: Illinois | No Comments »
Yet Another Reason Why We need a Change in the ILGOP Leadership
By RMWStanford | April 23, 2008
Today in the Daily Herald there was article that shows the exact reason that the Illinois GOP needs a major overhaul in its leadership. There are reports that Governor Blagojevich enlisted the add of Bob Kjellander, a major insider in the Illinois Republican party, to attempt remove Patrick Fitzgerald from his job as US Attorney. Is this what an Illinois Republican Party leader should be doing? Possible working with a Governor who office is under investigation by the US Attornery to try and remove him the US Attornery from Office?
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=177986&src=109
“As federal investigators closed in, Gov. Rod Blagojevich insiders were angling with Bush administration architect Karl Rove to get U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald kicked out of office, according to disclosures made in federal court.
Topics: Commentary, News, State Issues | No Comments »
The Value of the RLC
By Michael Tams | March 27, 2008
I’m currently reading “Origins of the Bill of Rights” by Leonard W. Levy, which is so far a fascinating primer on why the BoR was both deemed unnecessary and later a condition of ratification. A great quote from this book got me thinking tonight.
Regarding the Convention, George Mason wrote:
“America has certainly upon this occasion drawn forth her first characters… of purest intentions.”
The value of organizations in the liberty movement - such as the RLC - is best understood in this context: in the founding generation, the best and brightest were well-known throughout the country. Part of this may be that there were fewer people; part of this may be that there was less “entertainment noise” for lack of a better word. There was more focus on relevant topics and ideas, and less distraction with both the frivolous, and the baser aspects of society. Notable exception notwithstanding, it was a wholly superior culture.
I do think that Providence has played the starring role in the history of this country, and that this American Revolution is not complete. When the time is right, once again, the first characters of this Republic will be called upon to do the work that is required. It is groups like the RLC which create the foundation for the future success of the Republic; when the time is right, we’ll be prepared to lead. I’ve been encouraging every liberty-loving person I know to work to take back the GOP, but also to find ways to connect with like-minded people outside the party apparatus.
The networks we build today will be our friendships and alliances tomorrow.
Topics: GOP | No Comments »
First Post at RLCIL: What’s Wrong with the GOP
By Michael Tams | March 24, 2008
Thank you to the gentlemen behind the Illinois chapter of the RLC.
Instead of listing my CV or a 10,000 word essay on my political philosophy, I think if one simply googled my name or, perhaps, “American Federalist Blog” you’d find plenty of information; if folks are interested in checking out my prior writing and philosophy, they can have at it. If not, they can skip that and I avoid the appearance of shameless self-promotion.
With that out of the way, let’s get started.
I heard a prominent GOP official tonight lamenting that the problem facing the Republican Party is sort of a guilt-by-association one; it’s not the GOP that’s bad, it’s just that they get lumped in there with the Democrats who are really responsible for bad governance. With all due respect - hence, no names - this guy couldn’t be more wrong. Our problem is one of people. We’ve allowed the party bosses to pick the wrong ones, and not recruit the right ones.
This gentleman was making his case, and the usual litany was employed with limited effect. I say limited, for I am certain that some Republicans in attendance bought his pitch. He rattled off the usual: infighting among Democrats make Springfield toxic; Republicans try to work with their colleagues across the aisle, and the Dems don’t; the opposition is fiscally irresponsible, we’re not. He spoke in defense of the party, expressing the need for a capital bill (”they” want $25B, “we” only want $6B), the importance of the CTA legislation, and, of course, the warning to watch out for tax increases.
Topics: Commentary, GOP, Illinois | No Comments »