Membership in a political club requires action

All the uproar over caucus protocol, which varies from state to state, only seems to become a focal point when someone believes they’ve been disenfranchised. The reaction is questionable when party function, structure and strata as a club is overlooked. Far too many seem to think that registering as a democrat or republican and marking a ballot is where it begins and ends in the political process. However, what just occurred in Colorado and all the resulting fallout points to how important it is to view party membership as more than simple affiliation… that is, if the individuals really wants to have their voice heard.

Anyone who has been involved in a community organization, such as the PTA, area chamber of commerce or Rotary, knows that in order to have any influence in the decision-making process they have to attend the meetings. They must show-up and be vocal. The republican party requires the same kind of involvement. If a member has strong enough opinions and wants to be heard, taking an active role cannot be avoided. A political party does start at the grassroots, beginning with the district club or division. Local meetings are often run like any other club or organization where members participate in fellowship, glad-handing and the point of business – addressing political issues. Individuals promote their viewpoints at the local level and it gains support, or it doesn’t. People who rise through the ranks to be club presidents or representatives to county and state delegations are those who made the effort to first become involved, whatever their ultimate goal. This is not to say that as someone goes up the rungs of involvement they always stay true to their original purpose. Power, even in a local club, can entice some to compromise on their original intent. It is a pitfall of life and conviction to one’s values is, frankly, the only guard against losing direction. What is seen as corruption on a state or national level by a single voter back home who never participated in the local process, often begins at the bottom. It doesn’t take much for someone to lose their way when bombarded by special interests and what initially might sound reasonable. It does take commitment to stay on track and faith plays an essential part, whether it’s faith in Christ or faith in some other religious or secular ideology.

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Last year’s policy change by the party executive committee to bypass a presidential preference poll was sensible and complied with party rules according to the RNC. Binding delegates to candidates before the full slate would be established or winnowed would have created more problems than solved. Delegates who attended the state convention were chosen to represent the local clubs, and whether by preference poll or by individual pledge, they still had the obligation to act for their constituent club members. Voters who never thought it necessary to attend local meetings and are now fuming that they were overlooked, forget that just casting a vote isn’t enough. The details are what most people rebel against, but it they don’t take the time to do more than go to an occasional rally they haven’t fully accessed the process and made the effort to influence it. Sweat equity is what makes the difference in the long run, not after-the-fact mob-style anger and intimidation, or threatening the life of a party executive who was elected to his or her post. How much an individual really wants to see positive changes is reflected in whether they are willing to attend to business on the ground floor, not whether they just want to complain and eventually vote for the lesser of two evils.