GOP and AIP
The American Independent Party and Republican Party may have many issues in common, however the AIP is to the GOP like the Socialist Party of the U.S.A is to the Democrat Party. It can be argued how many people from these fringe groups of the AIP and SPUSA have infiltrated the GOP and DNC, respectively, however that doesn't mean the Republican party needs to make nice with people posing as Republican's but really holding allegiance to the AIP. I believe there are people out there identifying and claiming to be Republican's but really associate themselves with and want the AIP ideals to take over the party.
First off, I am a Republican and proud of it. I understand that people who feel they are more in tune with the ideals of the AIP have to join us. Just like Socialists feel they have to join the Democrat party. However, I do not want to see the Republican party hijacked by the AIP like how the Democrat party was hijacked by the SPUSA, or people sympathizing to that belief structure, over the past 10 years.
If these fringe groups are unhappy about lack of representation they have all the power under the Constitution to run their own candidates. They obviously have formed their own parties. As we have seen, the Green party has been able to put candidates on the ballot, even if they become a spoiler. If the AIP cannot get the traction they need then they have to realize that there is not a problem with the rest of us, but that there may be a problem with their message and how they try to get it out. Not enough Americans are coming on board to their cause. The difference happening now is that the Democrats have allowed their party to be taken over. The Republicans still have a fighting chance.
We need to stick to our principles and not allow a subtle insurgence to take over. We need to stick to fiscal responsibility, smaller government, state's rights, support small business, less taxes for individuals and corporations, free markets, and traditional American values. The Republican party needs to get back to its roots and get the message out. What we don't need is to vindicate such a polarizing figure like Alan Keyes as a figurehead. Especially when many true Republican's roll their eyes at him.
I am certain that the principles I layed out above are what true Republican ideals consist of in this current age. If people want to expand them to incorporate exclusion and negativity towards other groups (excluding socialists of course) then we as a party are getting off track. I believe one of the best things about the Republican party is that we don't look at race, creed or gender as a qualifier. We are blind to these things because of our beliefs in what our country represents and what our government's function is in our society. We all believe in the American Dream; we all believe in equality; we all believe in being in control of our own destiny. Don't let any Democrat tell you otherwise.
With all of that being said, I feel it is important that true Republicans need to think and reflect on how our party moves forward. I have been a supporter of the Republican candidate for the special election taking place in the Illinois 5th Congressional District until recently. The more I look into the Republican candidacy of Rosanna Pulido the more I am dismayed. I believe she is actually someone that is a part of the AIP and trying to use the GOP as a tool for support since the AIP cannot support themselves. Besides all the other articles and blog threads out there this is the one that finally convinced me:
Now, while I am not overly confident in National and Illinois State GOP support for the 5th Congressional District of Illinois, I am suspect of whether or not the Pulido Campaign is making the effort to work with the RNC or just trying to run an AIP campaign while forcing the hand of the RNC for their monetary and member contributions.
If there is anyone to blame for that it is the ILGOP. They should have been all over this race once the Blago scandal hit. I feel if Quigley wins it will be almost impossible to try and take this seat back in 2010 (but believe me I will do my best to help). If Pulido wins it will just be a gimme for the Democrats in 2010.
The link below is pertinent to this entry:
Posted by Chris Barkulis at March 25, 2009 
Categories: Pulido,Illinois 5th Congressional District,Republican
Tags: SPUSA DNC Illinois 5th Congressional District AIP Pulido Quiqley Republican Democrat GOP
Categories: Pulido,Illinois 5th Congressional District,Republican
Tags: SPUSA DNC Illinois 5th Congressional District AIP Pulido Quiqley Republican Democrat GOP
Hello!
It's me again, Marcy (Lifepath) from the AIP. I just read the above article, and it appears that I might be able to aid your understanding a little bit, without going into debate. Our core issues, the life issues, are the non-negotiable ones, the remaining issues are the negotiable ones, and I noticed that you did not mention the life issues. Perhaps that is the big troublespot between you and the AIP. We left the Republican Party last year because of the Republican Leadership, not because of the Conservative Republican's--Pro-Life or Pro-Choice.
We sinceerely believe that the Republican Leadership wants to be liberal and/or moderate, and wants to turn its back at least on all of its Conservative Pro-Lifers. We in AIP would dearly love to see all of the Republicans brought back together again, but we do not believe that it is ever going to happen.
You must not be aware that AIP will support all Pro-Life Candidates--Republican, Democrat, or Independent, thus, we are supporting Rosanna. Our issue is Life, not in going after power, or money, or big numbers--people who believe in us will provide all of that as we need it. If you don't believe that, then please get to know us better (if you don't get along with Tom, you are welcome to correspond with the rest of us at AIP on Facebook or Twitter.)
I would say to you that if you are Conservative Pro-Life or Pro-Choice, make a serious study of the Republican Leadership prior to the 2010 election. My guess is that they will welcome Conservative Pro-Choicers with open arms, but not Conservative Pro-Lifers. AIP will not accept Pro-Choicers as nominating members (this is probably what got you so upset with us), because we have been burned so badly in the past, and we are not going to allow it to happen again.
You are welcome to all of this information, because you do not sound hostile, you sound conflicted. You provided a lot of valuable information to us regarding our internet usage, and we appreciate it. Thank you! If you are not Pro-Life, we still may be able to provide you and your fellow Conservative Republicans with voting alternatives if the Republican Leadership won't listen to you--we promise we won't try to suck you in--we just want to help you in areas where we do indeed agree, and turn everything into a win-win situation.
God Bless You!
Marcy Steinour
Huntsville, Texas
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There's a lot I could say, but I am busy working on Rosanna's campaign. Let me just say that there wouldn't even be an AIP party if the Republicans weren't spineless on their platform.
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Chris,
I would be careful about calling people a "fringe" group. After all, using your logic, the patriots of the Revolution were also a fringe group with at one time, few members and no conceivable influence.
"We need to stick to our principles." What principals are those, Chris? Do you mean the platform planks? They are ignored by most Republicans. Why does the party even have a platform?
"I believe one of the best things about the Republican party is that we don't look at race, creed or gender as a qualifier." Well, keep going. The GOP no longer considers the true pro-life ethic a qualifier. No longer is the strong support of marriage a qualifier. No qualification standards for smaller government, tax reform, domestic spending. The truth is Chris, there are no qualifications to be a Republican these days. Given that, how can one possibly masquerade as one? The party has become a competing team of members whose primary objective above any "principle" is the acquisition and retention of party and subsequently, individual power.
You can label what I have presented as mere rhetoric if you so choose. So let's look at the fact that is the poster-child of the current GOP:
John McCain was the GOP candidate for president in 2008. Does McCain hold the Republican "principles" in his heart? He was the original RINO! He was a constant obstacle to conservatism at virtually every turn. He seizes the GOP nomination and presto! He says he is now a conservative and most Republicans decide to forget the past 20 years.
Principles? The party is bankrupt of principles. The two-party system is almost anti-American. It is like watching two basketball teams battling it out in the last of the playoffs. The competition is relentless on the court. But from afar, you see two groups doing the same things and for only one objective - to acquire and retain the power of the win and the year-long term as champion.
All that aside, I do not fault you for defending the Republican Party. Your words could have been my words just two short years ago when I ran as a life-long republican for the Eighth Congressional District in Michigan. I challenged a powerful incumbent as a platformist in the primary. I really thought as you do that the GOP platform was something worth running on. I was met with anger and resentment by the party establishment. The Republican Party sent the message loudly and clearly, it's party over principle.
I believe it is only a matter of time before you receive this message too Chris.
Regards,
Patrick J. Flynn
State Chair
America's Independent Party of Michigan
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Patrick, I understand your frustration, but I have to agree with Chris. For us conservatives, we have to join together in order to achieve the objectives of true conservatism. The power is within the party, and it is the closest we can come to achieving our goals. If we branch off, we dilute our power and our message. I respect the AIP and their pro-life message, but I couldn't advocate breaking away from the Republican party due to the fact that it would be difficult to get anything without them. After all, pragmatism is important in trying to achieve our objectives, especially in the political climate we find ourselves in right now. Please don't be the Ralph Nader of the Republican Party. We need unity now more than ever.
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