Big Tent BS

BS, It’s what’s for dinner

Contrast that to the Republican Party of Arkansas (RPA) where we also claim to have the big tent. Unfortunately our big tent seems more in line with an autocracy of elected officials, donors, and people who make a living being a Republican. It doesn’t seem to include the people who hold signs, make phone calls, and donate to their local favorite near as much as it favors elected officials, who are our employees after all, and the donors, who would not donate without a quid pro quo, and of course RPA employees, who would have to find a real job if they weren’t “professional” Republicans.

A statement like the preceding is nothing but noise or sour grapes without proof. So let’s start with elected officials. There’s no doubt that at the national level it is a rare politician who isn’t owned by someone or something. Donors, PACs, political leaders who made a career out of amassing plenty of money so they can control those seeking election by their purse strings like Speaker McConnell, and of course the requirements to do favors so you’ll have some political capital to spend on your favorite project. And don’t forget lobbyists and donors, who will pay a politician to see things their way. These are all ways national politicians of both major parties are “owned.”

Just like the minor leagues in professional sports, the RPA is the Class AAA team for the RNC. RPA subscribes to the same platform and rules, has the same issues with the inability of the people to compete with donors and PACs to affect policy, and has people who are professional Republicans who protect their perks and power like a she bear protecting her cubs.

The problem, of course, is RPA is supposed to represent us, the people. How can it pretend to represent us when it lies about who it is and how we are to be treated? We know that the government closest to us is supposed to be the most responsive. How does the RPA justify a statement like “Unlike Democrats, Republicans are a party of free thinkers, with each member having the right to his or her own opinions. The fact that a person is Republican does not mean that such person must automatically agree with everything other Republicans espouse or do” which was part of an Investigative Committee report. As soon as someone does act in a way that offends their tender sensibilities, the RPA, through a local committee, does what? Do they counsel? Do they intervene? Do they accept their own statement and realize each of us has a right to our own opinion?

No, they bring charges, bogus by the way, and remove the alleged miscreant. The main complaint is that the person charged is aggressive. As an investigative reporter that’s sort of his job. Doesn’t matter that he investigates Republicans and Democrats. Doesn’t matter that his statements are not incorrect or wrong. What matters is he makes people uncomfortable. That’s it. The sheep fear a wolf who has never bitten them. That’s the big tent as practiced by a local, poorly led committee. The problem is if you’re not like “them” you’re not welcome. If you judge the committee by their decisions on who can be a member, the majority of people in it are sheep who would rather go along to get along than to lead or make their own path.

But, you’ll say, that’s a single example of a local committee, and not RPA itself. Correct on its face, however each local committee exists at the pleasure of RPA, so if injustice by a local committee is allowed by RPA then it is the responsibility of RPA.

The next question should be “then show me an example of RPA being corrupt, wrong, or unfair.” No sooner said than done.

The first of two examples is another county committee that has had some intense conflict. There are allegations of incompetent leadership, a group that is more interested in their own power than in the Republican brand, lawless behavior by members at meetings as well as verbal attacks by members on public officials. It seems RPA is preparing to decertify this committee of over 200 members as a result of the bad actions of probably no more than 25 members.

Well, that’s what they have coming, you say. They made their bed, now they sleep in it. Of course it’s never that simple. The majority of this committee are grassroots people, some of whom didn’t like the time it was taking to make changes. Their solution was to take matters into their own hands, and like almost every revolution that precedes it, they devolved to irrational, sometimes illegal or violent tactics. Why doesn’t RPA just get rid of the trouble makers? Because it’s not in the RPA’s best interests (read politician/donor/professional Republican here).

December 2, 2024 RPA will decide if they will remove 200 Republicans from the party as a result of 25 miscreants. Great leadership – NOT!

There’s a second example that is tied to, and partially the result of, the example above.

RPA holds a State Convention every two years. To make a long story short, typically the RPA Chair is elected to chair the convention, which the rules require have an independent chair. This year an individual who is prominent in the grassroots cause beat the RPA chair and was elected Convention Chair. In addition to the RPA Chair being the first to ever not be elected Convention Chair, the grassroots had an agenda. There were changes the grassroots wanted instituted, they were allowed to make the changes under RPA Rules and Robert’s Rules, and they had the votes to get it done. RPA did everything they could do to prevent the grassroots agenda from being discussed and passed. These changes caused a problem with the elected officials who felt disenfranchised by one change (as servants of the people, they should be directed by the people, not directing them), and several of the other changes raised the ire of one political faction or another.

So, RPA, being a big tent outfit – ask Trump, he’s hired reformed Democrats – did what you’d expect petty, small people to do. They’re going to try to remove the duly elected Convention Chair as a result of RPA’s own misdeeds and alleged inappropriatly signing documents. Did I neglect to mention that the Chairman of RPA signed a document he was not authorized to sign, and had another RPA staffer also sign illegally?

So who is the ultimate owner of all of this? It would have to be the governor, as all of the appointments and privilege come from there.

We’re going to the governor’s office December 2^nd at 9:30 am to ask her about of all of this. We hope you’ll join us.

We can’t ask often enough that you contribute to a charity or organization that is taking care of the hurricane victims. The government is ignoring their disaster response responsibility in favor of DEI and people need help NOW. We recommend Samaritan’s Purse or Mercury One as already on the ground and doing excellent work. Thank you.

Jack Sotallaro

Continuity planning, civilian and military

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