13 members flee Republican Party

[dinar_stud]

13 members flee Republican Party

 

In a letter dated yesterday (pasted below) Maine’s Republican National Committee Member, six state committee members and six members of the party (including their 2006 congressional nominee Scott D’Amboise) have resigned and/or unenrolled from the Republican Party..

 

 

The letter outlines many grievances ranging from congressional Republican unwillingness to restrain the National Security Agency (I am with them on this one) to supporting undeclared wars (did they care about this under George W. Bush?), to being mad at Maine Republican legislators for not sustaining Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of the budget, to being mad at the governor for vetoing a bill that would have allowed raw milk to be sold. (Really?) The gang of 13 ends by saying:

 

“Therefore, for the above-stated reasons, we can no longer allow ourselves to be called nor enrolled as Republicans; we can no longer associate ourselves with a political party that goes out of its way to continually restrict our freedoms and liberties as well as reaching deeper and deeper into our wallets.”

 

About a month ago, I blogged/tweeted that Rick Bennett had accepted the hardest job in Maine when he was tasked with leading Maine Republicans as their new chairman. Perhaps he is happy to have these folks gone, or maybe it is simply the tip of the dysfunctional iceberg.

 

Full text of letter:

 

August 18, 2013

 

To Maine State GOP Secretary Chuck Mahaleris:

 

There are times in your life when you must choose between two paths.

 

The first path, if taken, would require us to remain within the Republican Party despite the fact that we know without a doubt that Republican ideas of more freedom and less taxes — while sounding good and repeated by any and all candidates – are in fact, worth no more than the paper that they are written on.

 

The second path leads to a principled preservation of our individual integrity, helping out our fellow citizens at the local level, and doing our level best for our Creator, our families, and our friends.

 

We have therefore chosen to follow the path of the latter.

 

Effective immediately, we the undersigned are unenrolling from the Maine Republican Party. Furthermore, those of us who hold official Party positions, be they at the Republican National, State, County or even Town Committees, hereby resign. Our reasons for doing so are as follows:

 

The RNC:

 

At the RNC, we have fought the good fight and kept the faith with regards to the rules. The Resolution that was passed in January 2013 by the Maine Republican State Committee put the RNC on notice that the grassroots were listening (and watching), leading to the rules battles which have taken place consistently since the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa.  The duplicity and lack of political courage which has been on display in this matter has sealed the fate of this Party.

 

Furthermore, it has become clear to us now that the RNC has no intention of reforming and would rather fly under invalid rules than to right the wrongs of Tampa. We therefore cannot, in good faith, support or defend the actions of the RNC.  To violate our consciences and support those actions would make us part of the problem – especially after we clearly provided and handed the RNC the solution which was flatly rejected.  The RNC now owns their demise.

 

Congressional Republicans:

 

In the House of Representatives, the cowardly leadership of John Boehner reached a new low in December 2012 when he purged the most fiscally conservative GOP members from leadership positions, citing their “unwillingness to be team players.” Political punishment such as this from Speaker Boehner has garnered justifiable rage from conservative groups, and from us, as we expected better.

 

Furthermore, the House Republican leadership’s utter disdain for the United States Constitution, specifically the 4th Amendment, was on full display as they worked overtime to kill the Amash Amendment which would have gone a long way toward constraining the NSA to the boundaries of the Constitution and seriously curbed their ability to conduct mass surveillance of Americans.  Be it known that we cannot and will not support nor defend these actions.

 

In the United States Senate, we see Republicans all too willing to pass unconstitutional bills related to subjects such as the Internet Sales Tax and Immigration. Whether through arrogance or ignorance, they fail to understand the simple fact any revenue generating legislation must originate in the House of Representatives.

 

Additionally, the Senate Republicans continue to support undeclared wars, meet in secret and supply arms to our “terrorist enemies” who we vowed to destroy after 911, and then tell us they love our troops – so long as it’s our kids and not theirs who have to go fight.

 

Lastly, all too many Senate Republicans are more than willing to pass new “feel good” gun control legislation that would do nothing to stop another Sandy Hook massacre, all the while restricting 2nd Amendment rights of law abiding American citizens. We cannot support nor defend these actions in good faith.

 

Maine Republican Legislators:

 

In Maine, the Republican legislators in the House and Senate failed to sustain the Governor’s veto on one of the most important pieces of legislation of the 126th. Maine Republicans were justifiably outraged, especially at those legislators who campaigned on lower taxes.

 

We have been told that many donors have refused to donate one more cent to the MEGOP due to this budget debacle, but nevertheless we are expected to ignore these facts and get out there and raise funds for the party. This we cannot do in good faith; the Republican Party has lost its way and the donors know it.

 

The LePage Administration:

 

Not to be outdone by the legislators, this Administration’s support for Common Core Education Standards, the Internet Sales Tax, the atypical meddling in the business of the Maine State Committee, as well as the vetoes of the Drone and Cell Phone bills left many of us incredulous.

 

However, the straw that broke the camel’s back for many of us was the veto of LD 1282 (the “Raw Milk Bill”) and those who voted to sustain it: a sad day indeed for the small farmers of Maine.  We want our God-given rights to buy, sell and consume what we want protected by the law – not restricted by FDA or USDA directives. These actions we cannot explain nor defend in good faith – the Republican Party has lost it’s way.

 

Therefore, for the above-stated reasons, we can no longer allow ourselves to be called nor enrolled as Republicans; we can no longer associate ourselves with a political party that goes out of its way to continually restrict our freedoms and liberties as well as reaching deeper and deeper into our wallets.

 

We instead choose the path that focuses on ways to help our fellow Mainers outside of party politics.

 

Some of us may be town officers or board members.

 

Some of us may leave all options on the table with regards to running for higher office as Independents.

 

Some of us may be small farmers and gardeners who desire to help feed their communities.

 

Others may simply want to just get part of their life back, catching up and spending more time with friends and neighbors.

 

Sincerely,

Republican National Committee Member:

Mark Willis, Washington County

Maine Republican State Committee Members:

Thomas Barry, Androscoggin County

Ann-Marie Grenier, Cumberland County

Gregory Hodge, Lincoln County

Olga LaPlante, Cumberland County

Russell Montgomery, Knox County

Violet Willis, Washington County

Maine Registered Republicans:

Sam Canders, Penobscot County

Bryan Daugherty, Penobscot County

Maria Hodge, Penobscot County

Randall J. Grenier, Cumberland County

L. Scott D’Amboise, Androscoggin County

Debbie D’Amboise, Androscoggin County

 

 

 

 

SOURCE

Edited August 20, 2013 by dinar_stud

[DinarMillionaire]

YES! These are true Americans. They are dead on. The Republican party HAS lost their way. They have become Democrats and the Democrats have become Progressives, Socialist, Communist, all are so far left they have alienated half the conservative (center right) country. Time for a true Conservative Party. Hats off to these Patriots.

[Bob]

"The Possum Party!!??"  "Just sayin!"

 

"Stay thirsty my friends!"

[BobCoss]

I think DinarMillionar is exactly right & we either are going to have a political revolution or a physical one if we are going to have a country that resembles anything like what it used to.

[TPSprayduster]

lol, now the GOP is thought of as the democrats.  They know the ship is sinking so get off it so they won't get the blame for the mid term rout.

[Thaiexpat]

Refreshing to see real people stand-up for principles and not party. If enough brave souls do the same, the country just might be saved. Good luck to them all. Cheers

[gymrat76541]

"The Republican party HAS lost their way."???????????????????????????

 

Did I read that correctly?

 

Do you not realize what you are giving up?

 

Golf Club gold status, free valet parking, membership in the millionaire clubs, 1 free table dance at nudie bars, etc.......

 

WOW

[hame55]

13 members flee Republican Party

 

In a letter dated yesterday (pasted below) Maine’s Republican National Committee Member, six state committee members and six members of the party (including their 2006 congressional nominee Scott D’Amboise) have resigned and/or unenrolled from the Republican Party..

 

 

The letter outlines many grievances ranging from congressional Republican unwillingness to restrain the National Security Agency (I am with them on this one) to supporting undeclared wars (did they care about this under George W. Bush?), to being mad at Maine Republican legislators for not sustaining Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of the budget, to being mad at the governor for vetoing a bill that would have allowed raw milk to be sold. (Really?) The gang of 13 ends by saying:

 

“Therefore, for the above-stated reasons, we can no longer allow ourselves to be called nor enrolled as Republicans; we can no longer associate ourselves with a political party that goes out of its way to continually restrict our freedoms and liberties as well as reaching deeper and deeper into our wallets.”

 

About a month ago, I blogged/tweeted that Rick Bennett had accepted the hardest job in Maine when he was tasked with leading Maine Republicans as their new chairman. Perhaps he is happy to have these folks gone, or maybe it is simply the tip of the dysfunctional iceberg.

 

Full text of letter:

 

August 18, 2013

 

To Maine State GOP Secretary Chuck Mahaleris:

 

There are times in your life when you must choose between two paths.

 

The first path, if taken, would require us to remain within the Republican Party despite the fact that we know without a doubt that Republican ideas of more freedom and less taxes — while sounding good and repeated by any and all candidates – are in fact, worth no more than the paper that they are written on.

 

The second path leads to a principled preservation of our individual integrity, helping out our fellow citizens at the local level, and doing our level best for our Creator, our families, and our friends.

 

We have therefore chosen to follow the path of the latter.

 

Effective immediately, we the undersigned are unenrolling from the Maine Republican Party. Furthermore, those of us who hold official Party positions, be they at the Republican National, State, County or even Town Committees, hereby resign. Our reasons for doing so are as follows:

 

The RNC:

 

At the RNC, we have fought the good fight and kept the faith with regards to the rules. The Resolution that was passed in January 2013 by the Maine Republican State Committee put the RNC on notice that the grassroots were listening (and watching), leading to the rules battles which have taken place consistently since the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa.  The duplicity and lack of political courage which has been on display in this matter has sealed the fate of this Party.

 

Furthermore, it has become clear to us now that the RNC has no intention of reforming and would rather fly under invalid rules than to right the wrongs of Tampa. We therefore cannot, in good faith, support or defend the actions of the RNC.  To violate our consciences and support those actions would make us part of the problem – especially after we clearly provided and handed the RNC the solution which was flatly rejected.  The RNC now owns their demise.

 

Congressional Republicans:

 

In the House of Representatives, the cowardly leadership of John Boehner reached a new low in December 2012 when he purged the most fiscally conservative GOP members from leadership positions, citing their “unwillingness to be team players.” Political punishment such as this from Speaker Boehner has garnered justifiable rage from conservative groups, and from us, as we expected better.

 

Furthermore, the House Republican leadership’s utter disdain for the United States Constitution, specifically the 4th Amendment, was on full display as they worked overtime to kill the Amash Amendment which would have gone a long way toward constraining the NSA to the boundaries of the Constitution and seriously curbed their ability to conduct mass surveillance of Americans.  Be it known that we cannot and will not support nor defend these actions.

 

In the United States Senate, we see Republicans all too willing to pass unconstitutional bills related to subjects such as the Internet Sales Tax and Immigration. Whether through arrogance or ignorance, they fail to understand the simple fact any revenue generating legislation must originate in the House of Representatives.

 

Additionally, the Senate Republicans continue to support undeclared wars, meet in secret and supply arms to our “terrorist enemies” who we vowed to destroy after 911, and then tell us they love our troops – so long as it’s our kids and not theirs who have to go fight.

 

Lastly, all too many Senate Republicans are more than willing to pass new “feel good” gun control legislation that would do nothing to stop another Sandy Hook massacre, all the while restricting 2nd Amendment rights of law abiding American citizens. We cannot support nor defend these actions in good faith.

 

Maine Republican Legislators:

 

In Maine, the Republican legislators in the House and Senate failed to sustain the Governor’s veto on one of the most important pieces of legislation of the 126th. Maine Republicans were justifiably outraged, especially at those legislators who campaigned on lower taxes.

 

We have been told that many donors have refused to donate one more cent to the MEGOP due to this budget debacle, but nevertheless we are expected to ignore these facts and get out there and raise funds for the party. This we cannot do in good faith; the Republican Party has lost its way and the donors know it.

 

The LePage Administration:

 

Not to be outdone by the legislators, this Administration’s support for Common Core Education Standards, the Internet Sales Tax, the atypical meddling in the business of the Maine State Committee, as well as the vetoes of the Drone and Cell Phone bills left many of us incredulous.

 

However, the straw that broke the camel’s back for many of us was the veto of LD 1282 (the “Raw Milk Bill”) and those who voted to sustain it: a sad day indeed for the small farmers of Maine.  We want our God-given rights to buy, sell and consume what we want protected by the law – not restricted by FDA or USDA directives. These actions we cannot explain nor defend in good faith – the Republican Party has lost it’s way.

 

Therefore, for the above-stated reasons, we can no longer allow ourselves to be called nor enrolled as Republicans; we can no longer associate ourselves with a political party that goes out of its way to continually restrict our freedoms and liberties as well as reaching deeper and deeper into our wallets.

 

We instead choose the path that focuses on ways to help our fellow Mainers outside of party politics.

 

Some of us may be town officers or board members.

 

Some of us may leave all options on the table with regards to running for higher office as Independents.

 

Some of us may be small farmers and gardeners who desire to help feed their communities.

 

Others may simply want to just get part of their life back, catching up and spending more time with friends and neighbors.

 

Sincerely,

Republican National Committee Member:

Mark Willis, Washington County

Maine Republican State Committee Members:

Thomas Barry, Androscoggin County

Ann-Marie Grenier, Cumberland County

Gregory Hodge, Lincoln County

Olga LaPlante, Cumberland County

Russell Montgomery, Knox County

Violet Willis, Washington County

Maine Registered Republicans:

Sam Canders, Penobscot County

Bryan Daugherty, Penobscot County

Maria Hodge, Penobscot County

Randall J. Grenier, Cumberland County

L. Scott D’Amboise, Androscoggin County

Debbie D’Amboise, Androscoggin County

 

 

 

 

SOURCE

Sounds pretty good to me.

The entire Repug party can disintegrate before our eyes into Tea Partiers, true conservatives and gun fanatics ... the upshot being they won't be one Big Business Party anymore. That's good for the country.

 

Then the Dems can fragment at will - the scum at the top can be the Business Party and many others who truly care about the country and saving the planet can be true Dems...progressives. 

 

What I do find amazing is how righties think liberals are toileting the country...I am truly baffled. We are only standing up for your rights to be free and prosperous.

[DinarMillionaire]

"The Republican party HAS lost their way."???????????????????????????

 

Did I read that correctly?

 

Do you not realize what you are giving up?

 

Golf Club gold status, free valet parking, membership in the millionaire clubs, 1 free table dance at nudie bars, etc.......

 

WOW

I consistently see certain people refer to the GOP as the Party of the Rich, with an insinuation that GOP legislation is designed to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. YET ... many of the richests people in the U.S. actually support Democrats. Why? Because only fools & suckers believe the Democrats are for the poor and middle class. If the Republicans favor the rich, WHY DO THEY VOTE DEMOCRAT?

Here's a few examples of the rich that support Democrats.

Bill and Melinda Gates $53 billion, Supported Obama, Democrats Warren Buffett $47 billion, Supported Obama, Democrat Eli Broad $5.9 billion, Supported Obama, Democrats journals.democraticunderground.co madfl... John Doerr, $1.7 billion, Supported Obama, Democrat venturebeat.com/2009/02/06/obama-appoint... Gerry Lenfest, Supported Obama, Sestak, Democrat www.campaignmoney.com/political/contribu... John Morgridge, $1.6 billion. Supported Obama, Democrat www.newsmeat.com/ceo_political_donations... Paul Allen $13.5 billion, Supported Obama, Democrat www.campaignmoney.com/political/contribu... Laura and John Arnold, $4 billion, Supported Obama, Democrat www.campaignmoney.com/political/contribu... Michael Bloomberg, $18 billion. Supported Obama, Democrat Michele Chan, $5 billion. Supported Obama, Democrat Barry Diller, $1.2 billion. Supported Obama, Democrat –nymag.com/daily/intel/2008/10/barry_dill...

... and of course .. George Soros ... who is the most visible Democrat Billionaire.

[thegente]

There are plenty of folks on both sides of the aisle to blame for turning this country upside down. Repubs, Dems, Fascist, Crony capitlaists, big bankers, etc...they are ALL in league together...using the old left and right paradigm seems to still work on the simple-minded who can't see the forest for trees. This country was made up of all shapes and sizes and colors, and most folks will never agree 100% on everything. We as Americans need to realize that, and respect the individual liberties of others and return to the Constitution, that way, we are all free to live as we want, not as our government has been trying to dictate to us for the last 12 years.

[Maggie123]

There are plenty of folks on both sides of the aisle to blame for turning this country upside down. Repubs, Dems, Fascist, Crony capitlaists, big bankers, etc...they are ALL in league together...using the old left and right paradigm seems to still work on the simple-minded who can't see the forest for trees. This country was made up of all shapes and sizes and colors, and most folks will never agree 100% on everything. We as Americans need to realize that, and respect the individual liberties of others and return to the Constitution, that way, we are all free to live as we want, not as our government has been trying to dictate to us for the last 12 years.

 

Thanks Gente. Well said... nothing will change unless and until people realize that.

 

Guess we will see next election if folks get caught up in the left/right paradigm or if they will decide look out for everyone involved... all of us.

 

Just seems bone-headed to vote for someone you don't like while holding your nose because they were picked out by your party.

 

I never have and never will subcribe to any party's platform... they are both all a big lie.

 

I look at the person... what they stand for... and try to figure out if they are being honest.

 

I believe Dr. Ron Paul was... sad he didn't get treated fairly last election... Not sure about Rand Paul but I agree with him about foreign aid.

 

Anyhow I hope people start using their own brains instead of soaking up what their favorite news channel tells them to think... We'll see.

[jonjon]

The republican party is overrun with them.

[gymrat76541]

I consistently see certain people refer to the GOP as the Party of the Rich, with an insinuation that GOP legislation is designed to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. YET ... many of the richests people in the U.S. actually support Democrats. Why? Because only fools & suckers believe the Democrats are for the poor and middle class. If the Republicans favor the rich, WHY DO THEY VOTE DEMOCRAT?

Here's a few examples of the rich that support Democrats.

Bill and Melinda Gates $53 billion, Supported Obama, Democrats Warren Buffett $47 billion, Supported Obama, Democrat Eli Broad $5.9 billion, Supported Obama, Democrats journals.democraticunderground.co madfl... John Doerr, $1.7 billion, Supported Obama, Democrat venturebeat.com/2009/02/06/obama-appoint... Gerry Lenfest, Supported Obama, Sestak, Democrat www.campaignmoney.com/political/contribu... John Morgridge, $1.6 billion. Supported Obama, Democrat www.newsmeat.com/ceo_political_donations... Paul Allen $13.5 billion, Supported Obama, Democrat www.campaignmoney.com/political/contribu... Laura and John Arnold, $4 billion, Supported Obama, Democrat www.campaignmoney.com/political/contribu... Michael Bloomberg, $18 billion. Supported Obama, Democrat Michele Chan, $5 billion. Supported Obama, Democrat Barry Diller, $1.2 billion. Supported Obama, Democrat –nymag.com/daily/intel/2008/10/barry_dill...

... and of course .. George Soros ... who is the most visible Democrat Billionaire.

Ghee Whizz Millionaire Dude, Did I offend you? 

I am sooooooo sorry. I did not realize how thin skinned you are about politics.

Was I politically profiling you? LOL

Of course, money is spend out between both parties. How else do they get people to pay for those 10 thousand plate dnners?

WOW Lighten up alittle.

[yota691]

From this article... comments......Ethan Strimling ·  Top Commenter · Works at LearningWorks

School is in session.

1) Perhaps "abandon" would be a compromise, but I am fine with "disassociate" or "remove from association." As with "flee," they all say you are out and moving on.

2) The Maine Republican Party did actually support, emphatically, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I remember, because I sponsored a bill in the Maine Senate calling on Congress to not invade and Maine Republicans voted almost unanimously to oppose our efforts. I believe the Maine Republican Party released a similar statement.

3) I am fine with your position on raw milk, but with all the issues out there harming Maine's farmers (and our economy in general), it is a little tough to understand how this was considered the cream that rose to the top (excuse the pun).

4) Amen.

Ethan

Response...Mark Willis · George Mason School of Law

Ethan,

Let's go to school.

Lesson one: I think it's time to dust off the ol' Webster's Dictionary and get the language right (assuming you actually read our entire letter). “Flee” implies that we were being chased or running away from something. Not the case. “Disassociate” i.e., “To remove from association ” is more like it. I know it may be a hard concept for a liberal like you to grasp but we simply exercised our free will and decided that it was time to disassociate ourselves from a political party that continues to restrict our freedoms and liberties – not a whole lot different than the Democrats as you should know – sorry to disappoint.

Lesson two: As proponents of a non-interventionism foreign policy and support for Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution (that is, Congressional power to declare war – saving you the time to look it up), I find it amazing how your powers of clairvoyance allow you to erroneously assume that we supported GWB when he sent us to Iraq and Afghanistan? Where, pray tell, does one acquire such power? 

Lesson three: Your lack of understanding of legislation near and dear to local farmers such as the raw milk bill only confirm the narrative that both parties really could care less about the rights of small farmers. Right now it's a toss up between who could care less between the two parties. Congrats, you do have something in common with the Republicans.

Lesson four: Lastly, I am glad to see that you agree with us on the NSA amendment...wait, I believe I am channeling your clairvoyance: you probably agree with us on the Drone and Cell phone bills too.

Best, Mark

Edited August 20, 2013 by yota691

[DinarMillionaire]

Ghee Whizz Millionaire Dude, Did I offend you? 

I am sooooooo sorry. I did not realize how thin skinned you are about politics.

Was I politically profiling you? LOL

Of course, money is spend out between both parties. How else do they get people to pay for those 10 thousand plate dnners?

WOW Lighten up alittle.

Nope, not thin skinned. Just countering your all too often perpetuated class warfare claim that the Republicans are the people of the "rich country club party". Argued this misnomer all too often. That's a ploy by the left to create class warfare, something I've not bought into, as so many have. I'm not rich, but I don't subscribe to the lefts montra that government needs to take care of me. I'm man enough to make it on my own, with only the blessings of god, not the government.

[Maggie123]

Wait A Minute Guys!!

 

I've seen a lot of "bridge building" going on here the past few weeks...

 

Now when one or the other says something about your old affiliations... you get all in a huff??

 

Time to make the break and come together.

 

Lets DO protect our constitution... something neither party is doing.

 

Time to let go of the same old lies... stop the knee-jerk reactions... and come together.

 

just sayin.

[pattyangel]

I'm perplexed by some of your comments.  Although it is your opinion and I can respect that. 

 

I would think you would be over joyed that some of these Republicans has decided to disassociate themselves from their party. It seems to me that they are taking steps to stand up for our rights.  So why all the faultfinding's. I thought we wanted to unite and work together.  It begins with us people, with us. 

[Shabibilicious]

Have to appreciate politicians with the stones to call a shot a shot.......and do the right thing.  We could use a boat load of that sort of thing, right here.  Too many folk hang their hat on their ego.    

 

GO RV, then BV

[dog53]

Screw the democrats

Screw the republicans

Definitely screw the progressives

and screw independents.

The only party that should be listened to is the american people`s party.

But first we must learn to get along well enough to be able to be heard.

Only then will we get our country back.

and I just dont see that happening. 

[pattyangel]

Screw the democrats

Screw the republicans

Definitely screw the progressives

and screw independents.

The only party that should be listened to is the american people`s party.

But first we must learn to get along well enough to be able to be heard.

Only then will we get our country back.

and I just dont see that happening. 

Gosh Dog, I really love your choice of words. Excellent and to the point !!!

[Bunk]

  Oh Those Mainahs !!