Why I Don’t Contribute To My State Republican Party
Ken Hughes
October 11, 2005
There was a time as a good little Republican I sent an annual donation to the National and the State Republican Parties. That changed just prior to the last Presidential election. I had written a number of articles in support of the Republican Party and President Bush. My articles are published on the Internet and are read nationally more than locally. Someone in the vicinity read an article and recognized my name. I received an invitation to attend a Republican Party strategy meeting the following week. I thought what the hell, why not? That would be my first and last meeting.
I arrived at the meeting hall adjacent to a bowling ally. I stood for a few minutes at the door. Finally, when it was obvious I wasn’t going to be greeted I entered and spoke to the closest person to the door. I showed him my RNC Platinum Membership Card. He said it wasn’t necessary; I was welcome even if I were a Democrat. He pointed to a long table and said I could take a seat. The room was capable of seating 200 people, give or takes a few. There were maybe 24 men seated around the room in groups of 2 and 4. Not one attempted to welcome me or even find out why I was there. My disappointment in local politics was beginning to rise.
The Guest Speaker arrived; he was a reporter from the local county newspaper. He seemed to be a nice enough young man. He was dressed in a red plaid flannel shirt, jeans, and hacking boots. He began his speech sitting on a table swinging his legs, something I found to be a distraction. His speech was more Q&A than a real attempt to convey a message. His speech lasted about 45 minutes. At the end, he received a mild round of applause and he was out the door. I followed him. No one seemed to notice we were gone.
I introduced myself as an Internet Columnist contributing to a few conservative online magazines, [I don’t consider myself a blogger.] He seemed interested and asked a number of questions. We agreed the meeting was less than spectacular, even by rubber chicken standards. I said I was going to write an article on the meeting and he asked if I would send him a copy. We parted, as we met not knowing more than each other’s names. I wrote the article and sent him a copy. I never heard back.
I sent a copy to the Local County Chairman of the Republican Party. That was over a year ago, today I received a request for a contribution in the mail. I also had two phone calls from paid solicitors. My Republican Party seems to have a hands-out palms-up policy. Because the local chapter of my state Republican Party is so remiss in contacting their constituents in the county and precinct, few people know who the candidates are until they reach the voting booth and get their ballets. They seem to rely on party loyalty for their votes.
I have a new policy for local and state representatives and issues. I vote for a third party candidate or write in fictitious names and vote no on every proposal. I also encourage my friends to do the same. When I’m more than a cash cow to them, I may get involved again.
When this article is published, a copy will be sent to the county, state, and national Republican Party. What do you think the chances are that I will have any effect?
I arrived at the meeting hall adjacent to a bowling ally. I stood for a few minutes at the door. Finally, when it was obvious I wasn’t going to be greeted I entered and spoke to the closest person to the door. I showed him my RNC Platinum Membership Card. He said it wasn’t necessary; I was welcome even if I were a Democrat. He pointed to a long table and said I could take a seat. The room was capable of seating 200 people, give or takes a few. There were maybe 24 men seated around the room in groups of 2 and 4. Not one attempted to welcome me or even find out why I was there. My disappointment in local politics was beginning to rise.
The Guest Speaker arrived; he was a reporter from the local county newspaper. He seemed to be a nice enough young man. He was dressed in a red plaid flannel shirt, jeans, and hacking boots. He began his speech sitting on a table swinging his legs, something I found to be a distraction. His speech was more Q&A than a real attempt to convey a message. His speech lasted about 45 minutes. At the end, he received a mild round of applause and he was out the door. I followed him. No one seemed to notice we were gone.
I introduced myself as an Internet Columnist contributing to a few conservative online magazines, [I don’t consider myself a blogger.] He seemed interested and asked a number of questions. We agreed the meeting was less than spectacular, even by rubber chicken standards. I said I was going to write an article on the meeting and he asked if I would send him a copy. We parted, as we met not knowing more than each other’s names. I wrote the article and sent him a copy. I never heard back.
I sent a copy to the Local County Chairman of the Republican Party. That was over a year ago, today I received a request for a contribution in the mail. I also had two phone calls from paid solicitors. My Republican Party seems to have a hands-out palms-up policy. Because the local chapter of my state Republican Party is so remiss in contacting their constituents in the county and precinct, few people know who the candidates are until they reach the voting booth and get their ballets. They seem to rely on party loyalty for their votes.
I have a new policy for local and state representatives and issues. I vote for a third party candidate or write in fictitious names and vote no on every proposal. I also encourage my friends to do the same. When I’m more than a cash cow to them, I may get involved again.
When this article is published, a copy will be sent to the county, state, and national Republican Party. What do you think the chances are that I will have any effect?
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