I am heading out to the cabin. See ya!

A few parting shots regarding the Amnesty bill.

Remember that it was plain jane conservative activists that helped twist the arms of US Senators into doing the right thing, so don’t credit ‘Ronnie come lately’ Carey’s leadership at the MNGOP as far as the issues go. All he did was wait until the game was over to cheer for someone doing the right thing he should have done all along.

And regarding that right thing. It turns out that Senator Coleman was not so quick to do so. He came in as the 47th Senator to vote no. Meaning Amnesty had already been defeated before he voted. As one dedicated reader of ResidualForces.com puts it, he had his finger in the air once the bill was dead, he made up his mind.

We, the conservatives, can all be very proud of defeating this bill, and let’s keep in mind that once again, the conservative activists had to save the Republican party from itself. Don’t for one minute forget that leadership matters, and sadly the real leaders aren’t running the delivery vehicle for conservatism, the Republican Party nationally or locally.

Just imagine all of the activists who burned up the phone lines in order to make Republicans like Coleman do the right thing, actually working on their behalf. What if the Republican party could harness the dedicated conservatives to work for the party, rather than save it from its Senators? We need scores of volunteers in 2008 to right the 2 cycle trend of losses for the MNGOP.

We cannot do that if Ron Carey can’t figure out how to tap into the true conservatives. Here’s a hint Mr. Carey, stop waiting until the fight is over to take sides. Lead!

I know a lot of people feel that the Republican party can’t take stands on issues and has to let the candidates do it. Well, we’ve been doing that for a while….. how’s that working for us?

Candidate after candidate has tried and failed to thread the needle, all the while the activists are abandoning a sinking ship, because the ship no carries its cargo. “We’re not them” is a crappy message, and an (R) behind a name is not what gets people to go out and work.

The Republican party of Minnesota has to tap in to the vast conservative movement in order to reverse the course of the Republican party, rather than fight them. Moderation is not the key. Neither is mitigating defeats.

The Republican Party is dropping the ball in tapping into the energy of the conservative activists by being “Ronnie come latelty’s” on the major issues of the day. I’m sorry, I know some of you think Carey just can’t oppose Pawlenty or Coleman on issues, but frankly you’ve been saying that for about 4 years, huh, that’s how long our losing streak is. Coincidence? I think not.

Just imagine if the party had lead the charge in saving this country from the US Senate’s Amnesty bill. That would have been something that would have drawn people to the party. They could have reached out to new people who share at least one value with us, so we could have ‘kept in touch’ with them as the election cycle continues and IDed them on other issues.

But nope, the Party never did a goll darn thing, and all those activists who did the right thing, are still unknown to the party.

You remember the marriage CD? granted, a colossal failure, but the right idea. Conservative issues draw conservative workers. finger in the wind cheerleading draws flies!

The MNGOP has finally weighed in on the Immigration bill, now that its coffin is nailed shut.

St. Paul- Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Ron Carey today issued the following statement regarding the defeat of the U.S. Senate’s immigration bill.

“Senator Norm Coleman is to be commended for his vote today against advancing this deeply flawed bill.  We must redouble our efforts to strengthen our borders by addressing this critical national security issue in a responsible way.”

Now kudos for Senator Coleman for getting it right, but I’d have to give the MNGOP a failing grade for their silence on the issue. I haven’t seen one single action alert to grassroots party activists or nary a press release until now regarding the Amnesty bill.

It is quite odd that the bill died early this morning, and it wasn’t until 6:30 PM that the MNGOP finally got around to this one quote press release. Were they waiting for Coleman’s response before they acted? His did show up in my INBOX just an hour and a half ago.

Anyways, Conservatives won the day, no thanks to Carey, and frankly deserve the credit. if it wasn’t for us lowly bloggers and activists melting the phones and hammering out the posts, this bill would have passed. It was only under the same pressure as we saw regarding Harriet Meiers that the elected officials did the right thing. We changed their minds. Most Senators were ready to pass this abomination until we stepped in.

So once again, way to go Coleman, but Chairman Carey, exactly what did you do? maybe we should just get you some pom poms, because leading a movement doesn’t seem to be your thing. You seem to follow much better.

SOTH Pelosi’s House just gave themself a big fat raise, and in a cowardly manner.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Despite low approval ratings and hard feelings from last year’s elections, Democrats and Republicans in the House are reaching out for an approximately $4,400 pay raise that would increase their salaries to almost $170,000.

The cost-of-living raise endorsed Wednesday evening gets lawmakers back on track for automatic pay raises after a fight between the parties last year and again in January killed the pay increase due this year. That was the first interruption of the annual congressional pay boost in seven years.

The blowup came after Democrats last year fulfilled a campaign promise to deny themselves more pay until Congress raised the minimum wage. Delays in the minimum wage bill cost every lawmaker about $3,100 this year.

On a 244-181 vote Wednesday, Democrats and Republicans alike killed a bid by Reps. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, and Lee Terry, R-Neb., to get a direct vote to block the COLA, which is automatically awarded unless lawmakers vote to block it. The Senate has not indicated when it will deal with a similar measure.

I guess merit pay doesn’t mean a dang thing on Capital Hill, since only 14% of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing.

I just fired this email off to Senator Coleman. I would suggest you all do the same or something similar.

Dear Senator Coleman,

Thank you for opposing Amnesty Today!!!!

I’ll keep it short as you must be getting thousands of contacts, of much more importance.

I have been rather hard on you on this issue leading up to this vote today, but am so very thrilled that you voted the right way in the end and look forward to seeing you reelected. We may still have some major disagreements, but this vote today went miles to regain my trust.

Sincerely,

Andy A. Aplikowski
(aka: AAA)
www.residualforces.com

SD51 GOP Chair
6th District Vice Chair - Anoka County

And now I will be donating to his campaign. You should consider doing so too.

(Remember we have to use the carrot and the stick approach everyone. ) 

It doesn’t have to be a large donation. Every bit helps.

I was laying sod here at work this morning when I received a call from a dedicated reader of ResidualForces.com alerting me to how the US Senate had just killed the Immigration bill on a cloture motion, or the failure of it.

Senator Coleman voted to kill the Amnesty bill!!!!!!

Thank you very much to him and the other 52 Senators who blocked this crazy bill.

I hope that the huddled masses in the offices of power brokerage in DC and St. Paul have learned a thing or 2 from this one. Don’t mess with the base.

I had a nice long post written aon this one, but my better judgement took over. ( I know, I was surprised I had one too.)

let’s just leave it at this.

I completely agree with Jeff at TvM on this one.

One problem with politics is that it gets to be an insular club for those immersed in it. It has its own rules and protocols and being the fallen creatures that we are, somewhere in the mists of time one smear begat another, and another, and so on, till in politics it’s expected that you lie in the weeds waiting for your opponent.
At what cost do we as a party embrace a no holds barred approach? How do we get Mom and Pop excited about supporting this party when our motto is “No Better Than The Other Guy!”?

Yeah, this version of the post is far less controversial.

It is high time the GOP (at all levels) learn it can’t simply sit on their hands and let elected Republicans destroy the principles of the party.

(Via Malkin)

I think it is time to take this goll darn party back before it destroys itself and the country.

(I will be posting more on what YOU can do to really make a difference later today. The rant really took off, and needs to the keyboard schpittle cleaned up.

Here’s some ideas forStay tuned to Residualforces.com for how you can send a real message to Party leaders and Officials so they represent the values and principles that you do.)

First.

El Presidente Bush ha propuesto un programa de trabajadores temporales para poner a trabajadores extranjeros en contacto con empleadores estadounidenses que estén dispuestos a contratarlos cuando no haya ciudadanos estadounidenses disponibles para realizar dichos trabajos. El programa les abrirá las puertas a nuevos trabajadores extranjeros y a los hombres y mujeres indocumentados que actualmente están empleados en los Estados Unidos. Este programa también permitirá que los trabajadores indocumentados que actualmente están empleados salgan de las sombras y participen legalmente en la economía de los Estados Unidos sin alentar más comportamiento ilegal.

That is from the national GOP’s webpage.

I’m sorry, but when even the Republican party gives up on the rule of law, they deserve to live with their mistakes. And when they obviously give up on English as our primary language, well, I say frack them. Not one more dime from me, and i advise the same for you.

Republican Party (National) Platform:
We oppose amnesty because it would have the effect of encouraging illegal immigration and would give an unfair advantage to those who have broken our laws.

Then why the heck are the leaders of this party trying to force Amnesty upon us?

Second

They’re not listening to our voices, or their own written word and stated positions, so send them a message, Not One More Dime, and if you donated within the last year, demand it back. Since this Amnesty bill is such a big issue and will destroy the party at all levels, ane weaken our nation and security I am going to do something that will piss a lot of people off, but someone needs to speak up.

I encourage people to hold all affiliates of the national GOP who do not stand up and speak for their members accountable as well. The Minnesota Republican Party Platform also states that it opposes Amnesty too, but the Party has yet to do anything to enter this debate. Only 22% of Americans support Amnesty or this current bill, yet the MNGOP leadership is too afraid to take a stand on Amnesty because of ….. well…. you know. It is a leadership issue, or rather, a followship one.

Senator Coleman’s unsure position on the issue is a huge problem for Minnesota Republicans. The people at MNGOP HQ who are calling the shots are suffering from the same problem that the National Party is. They are too afraid to take a stand on a critical issue, just because of who supports it, no matter how wrong they are. As one of the insiders has said, The MNGOP is an affiliate of the RNC and must work directly with them. Well, then they should suffer as well when they ignore the desires of the party members.

Third

Do not donate to any party affiliate (IE State Parties) or a candidate who does not openly and publically oppose this bill and Amnesty in general. They will never learn until we stop giving and showing up to work for them. Let them hire their new friends, the illegals, to do what we used to. Until they see that their inactions and silence speak louder than words, they don’t deserve our undying loyalty. All our desires, values, and principles mean nothing to them, what you give and do will be a waste, if you believe in advancing OUR issues, that is.

Instead!!

There are a lot of great Federal and local Republicans who have a pair, and are willing to do the right thing on Amnesty and a host of other things. Donate your time and money to them directly. Don’t give to the RNC or MNGOP until the stand up for the issues you hold to heart, and they state they support securing our borders first and foremost and oppose Amnesty.

Give to local GOP groups, BPOUs, and candidates who oppose Amnesty for illegal aliens. Hold you campaign donations until you have proof that the candidate is supporting your ideals. Your dollars will be much more valuable to local Districts so they can spread a positive message on why to vote FOR Republicans.

This is really going to piss off the powerbrokers, but once again, someone has to save this party, and I don’t give a schtuckee what they think anymore. If the National and State party orgs are working against you, or refusing to work on your behalf, screw them. Find your City, County, Legislative, or Congressional level GOP group. Work with them to make a real difference. Trust me, show up and you will see a host of people who not only share your values, but are working towards their behalf, not trying to cover for those on OUR side working against us.

We can take back the MN House, but not if we waste millions on one or two state wide races.

You can find links to both GOP Congressional and local groups here. Find yours and give to them. Show up and work to take back the MN House. Work to reelect one of the members of the US House. Take back the 1st, and make dents in the others in Blue Districts. Don’t for one minute listen to the powerbrokers of this party who consider this as a Blue state, and unwinable in certain Districts. We may never win the Downtowns, or Duluth, but not even willing to try isn’t going to move OUR ball down the field. Mitigating loses is a piss poor characteristic of leadership.

Seriously, if the state Party and RNC are going to ignore one of the biggest issues out there, they have obviously not learned a darn thing from 2006. Republicans lost largely in part because voters saw they didn’t really mean what they say, and were unwilling to fight for their core principles. Massive spending, corruption, and ignorance of the common sense lead to the ruling party being tossed out both nationally and here in Minnesota.

And what did the party orgs learn? Apparently nothing. Instead they are either sticking their head in the sand and ignoring yet another major issue that is driving the base out of party, and the party leaders are holding the door open for them.

They will never learn unless the funds dry up and workers stop showing up. Angry Al, and liberal think tank attacks are doing nothing for the base which is still licking its wounds. We need someone to lead this movement, and if they are unwilling, why should we follow?

So go local.

Support candidates and party affiliates that have stood up and fought for your values. The message of the DFL sucks worse, so vote for us, is not one that will draw voters and more importantly, volunteers to our ranks. We need to grow this party, not by moderating our message, abandoning our principles, and trying to tear down our opponents over frivolous and meaningless things, but by convincing people that the Republican Party will fight for the rule of law, secure borders, return trust to Government, and against granting Amnesty to those who entered our country illegally.

The further destruction of the party will not stop until we the members do something. The status quo mentality is killing us. So stop funding it.

We made a mistake and didn’t change CEOs locally, and one was rammed down our throats nationally. They are either leading us down the wrong road, or following the wrong horse who has no intentions of pulling OUR cart along with them.

This is a great and simple way to explain where the party is going. (Via Dean Barnett)

Don’t follow them off the cliff, and for gOD’s sake, stop funding their demise.

(AAA’s note, I know this is going inflame some people, but I don’t care. Their behavior has led to this. The fact that I can sit back and say I told you so if my fears pan out is not comforting to me. Some people say us good guys need to be here to pick up the pieces after the party implodes, again, we can do better.

I’d much rather save this stinking party before it is too late. Let’s turn the goll darn elephant away from the cliff it is headed for. I feel the best way is to hurt them where it really counts. They ignore the calls. They ignore the majority opinions. They ignore us, the REAL Republican party.

Well they can’t ignore dwindling money. Word has it that maybe what I am suggesting is already taking place. Fundraising may be faltering already.

It is not too late to do the right thing.

The Republican Party of Minnesota HAS to come out urging Sens. Coleman and Klobuchar to oppose Amnesty. They need to remind Coleman about our platform, and how it opposes Amnesty, otherwise all the attacks releases in the world won’t get the 20,000 volunteers needed.

Call the Republican Party of Minnesota. 651-222-0022 and demand Chairman Carey publicaly urge Sen. Coleman to vote against teh Amnesty bill regardless of if his amendment makes it. If you get what i fee you will, that is no repsonse, or worse spin, then demand any donations back from the last year. Tell them that you will not donate if they continue to remain silent on one of the biggest issues before America today.

Until the Party leaders, who are far more connected with the real Republican party, are forced to deal with us, the angry mob, they will never learn. And until they no longer have endless resources to fritter away on what they and those advising them want, they won’t understand that they are destroying the Republican Party.

So go local. Ignore the RNC and MNGOP until they prove they will even try to stand up for us. Support candidates and local GOP groups with the money and time you can give.

MNGOP 651-222-0022
RNC 202.863.8500
NRSC (202) 675-6000 This one is key. this is the Senate GOP Campaign org, and must feel the heat.)

And last but not least, Sen. Coleman.
202-224-5641
The DC office probably is overwhelmed, so i’d call his campaign.
(651) 645-0766
That is where the lack of funds will hit home and maybe sway our wayward Senator’s mind to stand with us, not against us.

If you do have a few dimes burning a hole in your pocket, give to the MN House Caucus or your local BPOU. Reps. Kline and Bachmann could always use the funds, and deserve our undying support.

That’s the term flying around for those who are going to support Amnesty.

I’d sure love to see an action alert put out by someone saying to call Senator Coleman and urge him not to go over to the dark side on the Amnesty bill.

If there is a provision to allow those who entered our country here illegally to pay a fine and stay, that is Amnesty, and teh bill is not worth voting for. PERIOD!!!!!!!!!

Call Senator Coleman and tell him to vote NO! regardless of his ‘amendments’.

Sen. Coleman’s
Washington Office:
320 Senate Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Main: 202-224-5641
Fax: 202-224-1152

It is high time the GOP (at all levels) learn it can’t simply sit on their hands and let elected Republicans destroy the principles of the party.

(Via Malkin)

I think it is time to take this goll darn party back before it destroys itself and the country.

(I will be posting more on what YOU can do to really make a difference later today. The rant really took off, and needs to the keyboard schpittle cleaned up.

Stay tuned to Residualforces.com for how you can send a real message to Party leaders and Officials so they representthe values that you do.)