Tag: Conservatism

The Traverse City Record Eagle is one of those papers that persist in perpetuating the belief that the news is slanted, and editorial bias is more important than actual news.  The editorial page is even worse with frequent attacks and letter limitations that would make the casual observer think this is a leftist community; a non truth if ever there was one.

One of the results seen in a community that is still conservative, and mostly traditional, is that the profitability of such enterprise can be lessened to a degree which puts it continuing viability in peril.  The Record Eagle has become a leftist blog, as partisan and unreasonable as any out there.  It is poised to attack opinions as soon as they are uttered, as long as those opinions don't jibe with their ideological perspective.

I am, as always concerned about collateral damage to a community that has such firepower, loose, and uncontrollable.  Not from a censorship perspective, but one that recognizes the bullying done, and how it will in the end do a disservice to the community, and the owners who expect profitability from their acquisition.

On January 19th, I offered my services to Community Newspaper Holdings Inc., (CNHI) which owns this paper.

As inviting as a life away from political theater might be, its detracting elements are unfortunately the very reason we persist.  Common sense often ignored, calls out for correction.  Ideological corruption of our traditions and beliefs demands challenge. Transparency and openness requires that we run around, opening windows and letting the sunlight in.

Sleeping on the job is not an option. Never mind that we do tire on occasion. It doesn't matter that we've done our job already. That we have endured the wholesale idiocy promoted by the left, and our sanity firewall is perpetually tested.

I attended the last meeting in my term as a County commissioner tonight.

The interesting thing about serving as a public official is the curious inhibition to controversy one can develop. (unless one is a whacked out lefty - where the more absurd the reasoning the better) Its too easy to start worrying about whether 10% of one constituent group or another will be upset by simple common sense decisions or a reasonable stand on principle.  Simple fire resistant pajamas are sufficient for most politicos I think.  Instinctual survival techniques, such as not opening ones big fat mouth at an inopportune time suffice quite well.

Take Jon Huntsman: the governor of Utah for more than four and a half years. Huntsman also served stints as the U.S. Ambassador to Singapore and China in the early 1990s and late 2000s, respectively. Besides being fluent in Mandarin, his governorship saw the highest contemporaneous job growth rate in the country. The man was electable.

And if that isn't enough, Newsweek reported in 2011 that Huntsman was ready after the 2008 election to tweak party platforms to reach a younger base. The key changes: a more centrist Republican approach on "immigration, gay rights and the environment."

Never won a state in the primary.  Drops out with placing 3rd in New Hampshire.  Not even a noteworthy stalking horse candidate.

Self described moderates complain after every 'surprising' loss that the conservatives are chasing them out of the party.  Often that nonsequitor is used to explain the loss, and make themselves feel better for having no core foundation.

The side bar (hash tag #RightMi) had a real winner link to a story by a recent teenager with all the answers to our current political problems. His premise is essentially, that anything Bill Buckley Jr. has said, is correct, and applicable to our current election results.  Specifically noting the "Buckley Rule" of selecting a winnable candidate, thus advancing conservatism in that manner.  Inks writes:

"Looking at the past two elections, it seems that the GOP has forgotten the last three words of the Buckley Rule, and it is now costing us elections.

On the national level, the party primary voters have forced candidates further to the far right on issues that make our candidates undesirable to moderate American voters. During the time he was governor, Mitt Romney had viable, working solutions to health care and environmental problems. "

So Much Bloviating.

Inks has adopted the 'loser' posture, where there is nothing to stand for but (what is apparently) the winners position. (even if wrong.) He has twisted a mildly misinterpreted Buckley stance and given new meaning to the word accommodation and capitulation.  Mr Inks should remember in the last century the national socialists were elected as well.  Yes, the winners can be wrong, and standing for something opposite what those 'winners' stand for is unacceptable to this young man.  Buckley's "rule" once again is abused for a squishy position of a milquetoast political wannabe.

Buckley by the way was one of three, including conservative hero Russell Kirk to convince Barry Goldwater to run for president anyhow. What Buckley hadn't seen coming, was the shift in the way media, and the progressive/socialist training farms known as public schools and universities would through relative shifts, change what is a winning candidate.  The acceptable forum in fact, for Mr. Ink's article we should note, carries a small irony.  

Thanks to Adam for the reminder

"Outside of its legitimate function, government does nothing as well or as economically as the private sector."

The result of Saturday's Michigan Republican convention was very conservative, and very consistent with tea party and traditional values that have been notably lacking in recent years.  Add to this a solid backing (almost purposefully noticeable) of candidate Kerry Bentivolio in the 11th district, and it should be clear that some folks are starting to pay attention to the grassroots.  And those grassroots are now becoming more fully vested in the party, and changing from within.

The slate?

Michigan Supreme Court Justice:
Stephen J Markman - Incumbent
Brian Zahra - partial term incumbent
Colleen O'Brien - new nomination

State Board of Education
Todd Courser - New
Melanie Kurdys - New

MSU Trustee
Melanie Foster - Incumbent
Jeff Sakwa - New

U of M Regent
Dr. Rob Steele - New
Dan Horning - New

Wayne State University Board of Governors
Michael J. Busuito
Satish B. Jasti

The Michigan Supreme Court pick was an interesting one for a number of reasons.  We have seen much of the criticism of either O'Brien or Markey on RightMichigan.com, and frankly it was undeserved.  Both candidates represented a conservative rule of law perspective and the nomination of Colleen O'Brien should not disappoint anyone.  I tried to refrain from affecting the discussion and was particularly neutral and trying to look at qualifications and overall perspective.

I carried that neutrality into the convention and had no reason to specifically support either candidate, and was not worried about the outcome other than a bit of a nasty back and forth with passed out literature left in the seats for attendees.  There were good people I knew supporting either candidate.  After listening to both candidates in caucus, re-looking at notes, talking to friends who supported either candidate, reviewing caseload, history, etc., my decision to support a single candidate started to develop.  I even spent 20-25 minutes speaking with justice Stephen Markman.

Saturday Morning found me leaning Jane Markey.