Katy's Conservative Corner

Would Thomas Jefferson Approve?

The North Carolina Democrats are having their annual Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner in May in Durham.  This gives this blogger a thought.   

Would Mr. Jefferson be proud of what's going on in the NC Legislature with the Soviet-style "leadership" of Marc Basnight, Tony Rand, and Joe Hackney. 

The poor low-ranking Democrats in the Legislature don't stand a chance to think outside the box  to accomplish reform.  They can't even vote their conscience. 

These poor new Democrat legislators ran for their seats with proud ideals of making our state great.  Yet once they arrive in Raleigh, they are told what to do, how to vote, essentially how to think, and if they are lucky and do everything asked of them, they may get a pet bill INTRODUCED on the floor, without the guarantee of an up or down vote. 

Mr. Jefferson, one of the fathers of our great nation, would certainly NOT approve. 

May God bless America!

Say No to Welfare for Politicians and New Taxes - HB 120 Postponed Again

Please keep those calls to your legislators coming.  Calls change minds, especially if they receive enough of them.  

House Bill 120 has once again been postponed, this time until 3/30/09, in Monday night's session.  Could it be that your calls and letters are working so well that the Liberal leadership has realized that they don't have the votes to get this to pass?

For more information on this terrible piece of legislation, please see KCC's previous blog post, here.  It details how to contact your NC House Rep.

Tell your representative that you've had enough of welfare and goodies for politicians and to just say NO to this bad bill!

Wake County Republican Party Joins Twitter

The Wake County Republican Party has joined Twitter.   Twitter is a popular "microblog" with posts of 140 characters or less.  Virtually taken over by conservatives, Twitter is extremely popular with people of all ages,  and allows users to quickly communicate ideas and thoughts.  

It's a two-way communication, with users responding to each other by placing the @ sign in front of the user name of the person with whom the micropost is directed.

Follow the Wake County Republican Party (@WakeGOP) on Twitter by clicking on http://www.twitter.com/wakegop

Editor's Note:  In a note of thanks, your blogger appreciates Brian Lehrschall has given up his personal user id of WakeGOP and his followers.  His new Twitter user ID is @blehrschall  -- Follow Brian by clicking on http://www.twitter.com/blehrschall  He's a good guy and now needs followers!

If your North Carolina conservative group is on twitter, email us and tell us about it.  We'd like to follow you and share you info with our fellow conservatives.  Don't be surprised if you find a few Liberals following you, too.  They are some of the more frequent readers of KCC.

Your blogger is also on Twitter.  Follow her at http://www.twitter.com/katys

Democrats to Raise Taxes Again: Call your Reps to Stop HB 120 Before Thursday Noon

Update 6:41 p.m. March 25, 2009: House Bill 120 was postponed until Thursday's calendar, meaning there is still time for you to contact your State House Representative.  Phone calls change votes, folks and we need your help!

Please be polite, and leave your message with the Legislative assistant who answers the phone.  If you receive an answering machine, please leave your message on it.  Your Representative WILL get the message.  I simply told my rep. that I felt this bill would raise my taxes and requested that she please vote against it.  You can, too!!!

Here's how to find your State Representative and contact them by phone: 

 Click here, to access the NC General Assembly home page and scroll down to "Who Represents Me" in the far right column. Enter your zip code + 4. 

 If you don't know your full, nine digit zip code, please look up your address on the US Postal Service Website and it will give you your full zip code.

Now, back to the original post:

Political Welfare for municipal races?  Democrats in the State Legislature are trying to raise your taxes again.    This time, they want YOU to pay for the costs of municipal elections in North Carolina.

This means that all campaigns will be PUBLICLY FINANCED, preventing the candidates from using regular rules to finance their campaigns, which limits getting how they get their message out.  This tactic nearly always favors Democrats.

The North Carolina Chapter of Americans for Prosperity (NC-AFP), your blogger, and conservatives across the state are saying NO!  They need your IMMEDIATE SUPPORT.

NC HOUSE BILL 120 is scheduled to go to the House Floor today, March 25th.  Please call, or fax your state Representative.  Additionally, go to this site, sponsored by the NC AFP, and send an automatic email. 

Emails are not nearly as effective and most go to the trash, especially when they all read the exact same wording.  That's why your blogger is urging you to make your phone calls, as written above.  You can even make your calls after hours.

Thanks to NC AFP for alerting your blogger to this important legislation!  Kudos to Dallas Woodhouse and Chris Marie Farr for all of their hard work. 

David Robinson Withdraws from State Chairman's Race

In an email to media and supporters, former Wake County GOP chairman, David Robinson (left/Katy Benningfield photo), announced he has withdrawn from the race for GOP State Chairman. 

In his withdrawal announcement, he wrote the following letter, stressing what he'd like to see happen with the NC Republican Party:

Dear Fellow Republicans:

As many of you know I have decided to withdraw my candidacy for Chairman of the NCGOP.  The privilege of this candidacy was a true pleasure.  I have met many committed conservatives and am confident that our Party is alive and well.  I have also made a number of observations during my travels from county to county, as follows:

1.  This is a very big state.  The Republican party under-utilizes the Congressional District organizations; which should not be used just to bring information to the Party, but should be used by the party to distribute our Republican message.  In addition, the Republican Party should have a Media and PR presence in each of the 4-6 media markets in this State.  Volunteer regional spokespeople should be carefully chosen and constantly utilized.  In addition, a simple media production capability at the NCGOP headquarters will also quickly pay for itself.

2.  County party organizations should raise money.  Great things would happen if every county party in this State would raise at least $10,000/year.  County party officers should be trained in fundraising, as necessary.  When you don't ask for money you have already made a potential donor's decision for them - and that's a presumptuous and costly thing to do.

3.  "Grassroots" means rolling up your sleeves.  Republicans cannot genuinely speak about a grassroots resurgence while at the same time passively awaiting the next Ronald Reagan.  Our Party can still win big in this State; but only if the winning effort begins at the block captain/precinct chair level.  I have met a number of Republican activists who are hoping the next NCGOP Chair/Presidential Hopeful will raise all of the money, do all the work to spread the message, and excite the masses.  This is naïve; each and every one of us needs to be the message - now.

4.  There are two distinct uses of political technology.  Twitter and blogs and the like can be useful tools for connecting hard-core activists.  But we should also remember to use technologies to connect new voters with our message.  Communications portals aimed at the non-activist voter marketplace should: (1) be clean and professional looking; (2) be informative, but not overly cumbersome to use; and (3) exist simply to get people involved - by requesting a newsletter, donating money, joining an auxiliary, or even just by downloading voter guides.  Many county parties have websites that are geared solely to the activist audience.  This must change.  Even the NCGOP website could stand to be re-worked - too many articles that no one reads and an online donation program that is ineffective.

5.  While we must fight the Democratic Party's ideology and agenda, our true enemy is apathy.  Our like-minded meighbors are generally apathetic for all the right reasons: they are raising and educating children, building businesses, taking care of relatives, paying taxes, and paying bills.  But, to succeed, the Republican Party must convince their neighbors to add one more thing to their busy schedules - to get involved politically.  Sure, a conservative message will resonate.  But, a personal invitation to get involved is the best way to bring folks into our Party.  Again, this is a 'grassroots' responsibility.

6.  Our conventions do not look like our platform in many respects.  Very few minorities; very few young families; very few young people.   We must build bridges to these groups - and we must do so quickly.  The NCGOP must monitor and respond, in Spanish if necessary, to published misinformation in the media.  The NCGOP must engage entrepreneurs and small business owners, of all races.  The NCGOP must court social conservatives, of all races.  And, the NCGOP must tap into the frustrations among all taxpayers, transcending race, with governments that have for too long overstepped their constitutional boundaries.

7.  We spend far more time talking about how we will 'carve up the pie' than we do in 'baking a bigger pie.'  Of particular, personal concern is the NCGOP request that each member of the State Executive Committee contribute $120/year to the Party.  The level of commitment, at present, is pitiful.  Why would a large donor contribute to our efforts if our activists don't believe in their own product?  Executive Committee members - write your checks now - for the future of our Party.

8.  An email address should be the minimum price of admission to any Republican function.  Period.

9.  I have traveled many miles with the other four declared candidates for NCGOP Chair, and I have enjoyed their company and commitment to the Republican Party.  Each brings distinct talents and energies to their campaign - talents and energies that I am confident will translate into positive momentum in the 2009 and all-important 2010 campaign seasons.  I am not going to endorse anyone for this position.  If the Republican Party is to win, then the minimum commitment for any Republican activist should be to research each candidate and reach their own conclusion.  Your decision is simply too important to be swayed by my opinion.  I do look forward to seeing many of my new friends in Raleigh in June.  Please, please, spread the word - let's have the largest convention gathering ever.  Let's show our opponents that we mean business in 2009 and 2010!

10.  Finally, I have been convinced and convicted over and over again these past few months that this Nation is indeed the last best hope for man on earth.  God bless America.

 

                                                            See you in Raleigh!

Editor's Note:

Your blogger thanks David Robinson for his long service to the Wake GOP and his willingness to serve when no one else was willing to step forward.

Live Blogging the Wake County Convention

After a much needed-week off to recover from a sinus infection, your blogger spent the week away from her computer catching up on her reading. She didn't read a single email or write any blog posts.  The rest was much needed.

Tonight, we are live blogging the Wake County Convention, at 7:18 p.m. at the Daniels Middle School Auditorium in Raleigh.

Wake County Chairman David Robinson, also a candidate for state party chairman, introduced a speaker from the Media and Public relations committee who stated that the main goal of that  group was to take back the Wake County school board, "which has been all over the papers this week".  Your blogger notes that the Wake County schools are one of the state's worst and your blogger's child will never darken the door of a government school here. 

Ron Margiotta is the lone conservative member of a very liberal Wake County School Board.  Margiotta asked for our help in voting on more fellow conservatives to join him on the Board.  Margiotta noted the current public dissatisfaction with the Board.  He emphasized that we need to continue that momentum all the way to October.  Margiotta also supported smaller school districts, which he argued would be more responsive to the parents in their communities.  He also thanked Wake County GOP Chairman David Robinson for his support.

Ron stated that County Sheriff Donnie Harrison was one of the best sheriffs in North Carolina.  Ron called Sheriff Harrison a hero.  Ron wants to gives this county "back to its parents and the taxpayers."  Ron joked that he was shocked by all the liberals and leftists in this county when he moved here.  He said he had expected "a bunch of Russell Capps and Donnie Harrisons".

 Former Guilford County GOP Chairman Marcus Kinley claimed to be the best qualified candidate running for NCGOP Chairman.  He claimed to be a great fundraiser.  He bragged about running his own business, as a stock broker.  He claimed to have great skills in customer service.  He talked about how the GOP has strayed from its principles.  Marcus said he had no motives for political advancement beyond NCGOP Chairman.  He was very long winded.

Chad Adams (left), formerly of the John Locke Foundation roused the audience.  He said he is the  only NCGOP Chairman candidate to have visited every NC county.  He took credit for defeating numerous land transfer tax initiatives.  He also stated he wanted to be a "full time Chairman" with no other motives to use this office as a stepping stone.  He said he was not the status quo candidate, but the candidate of "fundamental change".

Bill Randall (right), of Wake Forest, is retired military and is upset that the GOP has conceded the black vote both in North Carolina and nationally.  This is wrong as many blacks are just as conservative as anyone else.  We have to expand our base.  He added that "we as a nation have forgotten God".  He stated that we are now ashamed to even mention our faith and say "one man, one woman, one lifetime," and the "sanctity of life" are vital.

Former Raleigh Mayor Tom Fetzer said the greatest problem this country faced was how both parties have strayed away from the principles of small government.  He also argued that as a country, we've strayed from properly following our Constitution. 

Fetzer (right) reminisced of how he became the first Republican mayor of Raleigh in 1993 and how the conservatives changed things in Wake County.  He also spoke of the need to re-elect Senator Richard Burr, his college roommate and close friend.
 
He said we must take ground from the Democrats and we must do it by raising money.  Fetzer says he's raised millions and millions of dollars.   We also need to recruit the best candidates.  Finally, we must build the best grassroots organization.  Fetzer urged us to make sacrifices that we'll need to accomplish our goals.

Newly-elected Wake County Chairman, Claude Pope honored now-former County Chairman Robinson and his team with kudos and his vision for the future including taking on liberal Raleigh mayor, Charles Meeker.  Your blogger wishes Pope and his new team all the success in the world.

Editor's Note: All Photos by Katy Benningfield, copyright 2009.   Additionally, Rob Benningfield contributed to this report.

AFP: Tell Sen. Hagan that Card Check Legislation is WRONG (Video)

Working people nationwide are signing petitions, and making calls to tell their U.S. Senators, letting them know that they deserve the right to a secret ballot regarding union elections.  It's just plain wrong for a worker or group of workers to pressure others, and then force them to openly vote a certain way.  That removes a key value  our forefathers fought and died for. 

During the Presidents' Day holiday, the NC Chapter of the Americans for Prosperity held  rallies in Greensboro and in Raleigh, letting junior U.S. Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) know the facts on the impending card check legislation.  Those in Raleigh, stood out in extremely cold weather to make their opinions known!

In Greensboro, Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC, 6th District)  excited the faithful and in Raleigh, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) symbolically "voted in secret"  (left).

The video below is a synopsis of the events of the two days.  Watch closely as you may even find yourself or someone you know.  Your blogger did.  The events were part of the AFP's "Save my Ballot Tour".