Resistance Is Futile

Posted on May 18th, 2009

The Republican Party (especially in Arkansas) is currently facing an identity crisis, but not in the manner you may expect. While there is a definite battle going on between the moderate and conservative wings, the one I want to discuss here is even more basic. There is an ensconced leadership structure made up of both wings of the party who seem to be more dedicated to holding their particular power status quo than they are growing the party and actually implementing the party platform.

One thing I always do is try to recruit my campaign volunteers to become active in the party. Countless times I have heard them say something like this, “No, I can’t deal with the ‘us four and no more’ attitude.” My personal experience is that most of those who say that are simply giving up before making the proper investment in the organization, but there is more truth in the statement than there should be.

The latest manifestation of this is the apparent desire of some within the party to prohibit the use of technology in Republican meetings according to a recent tweet by @jasontcpa AKA Jason Tolbert. I don’t know any further details. Are these bans for strategic or executive meetings, or for meetings that are open to the public? I can understand that a certain measure of privacy is needed in those situations, but then how wise is it to have someone in a meeting that could just as easy tell the party secrets AFTER the meeting as DURING the meeting. The same “security” would have been breached anyway.

It is more likely that the intended target of this ban is the public meetings where activists show up and voice their opinion and question the speaker. See, that is the real problem, the real crisis, for the Republican Party right now. We want to hold neat nice little well controlled “listening tours” so we can learn the right “words” to say in a campaign… but we don’t want to really LISTEN and work to implement the ideology we are hearing. If we did, we would not have to go on a tour… we could simply go to a county committee meeting, a TEA Party, or God forbid, read the party platform.

Technology is playing a wonderful role in disestablishing the entrenched and abusive power structure in the mainstream media that has had full control over the news and information we receive, filtering it to suit not political motives necessarily, but to maintain their POWER and INFLUENCE. The same is now happening in the Republican Party. Although the “deciders” think they know better than the “people”, and think they know better how to grow the party… history has shown they don’t. It is time to step back and let a new generation of young Republicans to start taking the helm. They need your support and your advice, but like it or not, they won’t accept your Luddite terms. Resistance is futile.

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3 Responses to “Resistance Is Futile”

1. Bob Porto Says:
   May 18th, 2009 at 12:52 pm

   Amen, I am 52 and am into the high tech. I twitter, facebook, and blog, I am all about change for the better. If the left used it and elected Obama, we need to do the same and not waste any time.
   As for the younger generation. I am all for that also, I say get rid of the dead weight of days gone by. I am not impressed at all with the Rep. party in this state. I have found a few good people working but in general, a sad example of leadership. I do believe that in Arkansas it is hard to be effective but you have to try. I dead dog can run for office on the Dem ticket and get elected. What does that say about our State or party?

2. Tsudohnimh Says:
   May 18th, 2009 at 9:36 pm

   Amen. However, it goes to the deeper problem of the GOP playing politics with verbage and crafted statements. When you return to a party of convictions and integrity then this is not necessary.

   The TRUTH will set us a free.

   Tsudo
   @tsudo on Twitter
   KnowtheNetwork.com

3. menapotstirrer Says:
   May 27th, 2009 at 6:50 pm

   Once again, you are spot on Mark. The entrenched leaders have held the reigns of the Arkansas Republican Party with clenched fists for years. I believe this has been orchestrated by a few people to satisfy their desire for power. They’re not controlling much if they’ve weakened the party to the point we can barely recruit candidates for statewide office in a state that votes solidly Republican when presented with alternatives. We’ve got to do what WR suggested. We need to reflect the views and values of the everyday Arkansan. We can’t reflect what we’ve historically refused to see. I’m pleased with the new direction we are presently headed. I hope the commitment to the grassroots continues.