I have a “Big-H” Heart, having as its foundation passions.  I’m drawn to certain things, find my brain going to them unbidden and/or relentlessly.  I have an affinity that doesn’t exist for other things.  When the passage of time is considered, some of these passions wax, some wane.  But it’s definitely not a zero-sum game by any means: there have been times in my life I have had almost no passion, not for anything.  At others I am strong with passion in many areas simultaneously.  I am not talking about hot Latin love!   The definition I want you to have in mind is that passion is an ENERGY that is a balance of emotion and reason/intellect.  But it is an energy – when it builds with a strength that will rock the world it HAS to come out, to be expressed.  And if small enough to be contained, one can bottle it up or express it with no consequence to the world - the world will not notice in any case.

That’s the foundation of the “Big-H” Heart.  But it is not enough.  We must add the components that will DISTINGUISH the passion, that it not EXTINGUISH.  Discipline.  Will.  Courage.  Submission.  Sacrifice.  Without these, oxygen will be removed from the fires of passion, and the world dims and grows colder.

Why are these words posted here at RedState?  Because my Heart grows daily for public service. 

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Third in a series of personal accounts by a new “Precinct Committeeman”.

The big day came.  On Wednesday February eighth I prepared for my day job as an electrical engineer with an added air of excitement – that night would bring my first meeting as a member of the Placer County Republican Central Committee (PCRCC).  I had some apprehension, as I had not been able to meet most of the other members, and I was aware from reputation that there could be some interesting dynamics within the group (probably true of any group!)  At this point though, I did finally have in my hands a roster of the committee, minutes of the last meeting, agenda of the one to come, and an address where we would meet.  It also helped that I had been able to meet my committee Chairman as discussed in the previous blog in this series.  A nice man, who together with his wife who also serves both locally and with the state, have years and years of service for the  Republican Party in various capacities.

Nonetheless, I was not so much relishing the thought of the meeting as I was responding to what I am sure is the Spirit leading me to this point.  I’m not a politician – I’m husband and dad first, and have a day job that I have been very committed to for many years.  I have no personal agenda to drive at this time, other than to respond to this call to serve.

I caught my ten-year-old son in the hall as I prepared to head out for the day.  Knowing I would not see him until after the PCRCC meeting that evening, I had a special request.  “Son, I have my first meeting tonight, and I would like you to pray for me.  Pray that God would make clear the agenda(s), and what he wants of me tonight, and that I would respond.  Can you do this for me?”  To which I got a “Yes, Dad” and off he went.  He returned less than a minute later, asked me to lean down, and reached inside my sport coat to stuff something into my left breast pocket.  I was blown away as I reached in next to my heart and pulled out a very compact version of the New Testament.  I paused, then asked, “Do you know what you just did?

My son responded clearly, confidently, and with a fire in his eyes, “I gave you the ‘Sword of the Spirit’”  (ref. Eph6:10-20, esp. v17)

That day I went to work, I served at a meeting of the PCRCC, and I thanked God in Heaven for the opportunity to serve Him and to be surrounded by brothers and sisters in Christ and in a parallel context of the fight for freedom in this God-given country we call America.  I had seen firsthand that the PCRCC has some real commitment and patriots, and got to serve alongside.  Finally, I got to tuck my son in after a long day, and yes, he checked, then fell back into bed satisfied.  I was still armed.  With God’s grace, I will ALWAYS be armed.

It’s been a week and a half since CA State Senator Ted Gaines extended to me an opportunity for appointment to the Placer County Republican Central Committee (PCRCC).  That day I published my diary “Off to War?*” to share my “Precinct Project” experience with my extended conservative family, and here is an update…

After prayer and discussion with my wife, I accepted Senator Gaines’ offer a week ago, and have now been appointed to the PCRCC.  This is the culmination of a process that started a year ago, when I was inspired by ColdWarrior to become involved in the party to enact change.  ColdWarrior’s reference material points out that the specifics vary by state/county, and provided contact information for Ron Robinson of the Los Angeles County RCC who took the baton to coach me through the California version of party politics.  My seat on the PCRCC is my local version of being a Precinct Committeeman.  While I am now on the committee via this appointment, I still expect to run for an elected seat in June, and begin serving in that seat in Jan 2013.

God has lined up many people and opportunities on this journey – and today was one of them.  When I told Ron the great news a week ago, he told me that there was a Republican Conference (California Northern Region, one of eight state regions) today (Saturday) in Yuba City, an hour’s drive from my home.  Got to love God’s timing.  I registered and looked forward to a great day, which is what I got!

There was so much great material today I will not be able to cover it all, and will try to summarize:

• This is the first such Northern Region Conference in memory for those I talked to in attendance, and excitement was very high.  Something about being together with fellow soldiers, with a common vision, energy and aspirations that is very, very motivating.  I want to serve my peers and countrymen well!
• We were hosted by Dr. Arnie Ziederman, the Vice Chairman of this region and Chair of the Amador County RCC.  We opened with an invocation by David Kugelman, who shared several great Bible verses that have application for us: Prov15:9, Prov28:12, Prov28:2, Prov29:16, Matt5:10.  The Pledge of Allegience was led by Clay Maynard, Chair of Sutter County RCC.
• We followed with a quick summary from all the Chairmen present from the 19 counties in this region.  Where they are, neighboring counties, area covered, population, registration breakdown, events, fundraising techniques, particular challenges, etc.  Very interesting for this newcomer, as I got a feel for local issues, alliances between neighboring counties, etc.
• Dr. Joel Strom spoke in a “leadership training” section of the event.  I didn’t get a chance to meet him personally, though I wish I had.  I am very impressed with what he is doing!  He has been focused on the policy issues of healthcare for some number of years, (30?)  When we had Obamacare rammed down our throats, he put together a plan to build an army of doctors ”Doc Squads” to fight it.  He said he got no help from state or local GOP, and was basically shut down.  Except that he didn’t take no for an answer, and has pursued this vision without them.  He confidently stated that when he builds and trains an army of 10,000 doctors to fight Obamacare, it WILL get used.  It made me think of the scene in the movie “Facing the Giants” where the coach is exhorted to “prepare his fields for rain” in a farming metaphor.  Dr. Strom is preparing his fields!
• We got to hear from all Northern Region Candidates for State Assy, State Senate, and US Congress; and then from all our incumbents who were present.  Another great experience, getting to know each to some degree.  I was especially grateful to hear very impassioned and expanded presentations from both Doug LaMalfa (CA Assy, running for US Rep) and Dan Logue (CA Assy).  These guys gave great examples of the fights they are taking on to protect citizens from the state.
• We had four workshop sessions, one of which included our own Ron Robinson, who already seems a great and long-time friend.  I was introduced to Don Schweitzer, Chair of the Siskiyou RCC, and his wife, Vice Chair, by Ron.  They are both involved for the same reason as me – ColdWarrior and Ron Robinson leadership and inspiration!  These guys are making a tremendous difference – 3% of the room were people Ron had helped to get on their own RCCs.
• Great, dedicated people all around – from those that put the event together, to the delegations from the RCC’s, to our speakers and workshop leaders.  Is it just me, or is it great to be surrounded by like-minded people who are so committed to having our country be the shining city on a hill?
• My RCC was full, as many seemed to be; but there were multiple counties that are NOT full.  Let’s go RedStaters – are we going to jeopardize the mission by leaving holes in our front lines?!?!?
• Guest Speaker Shawn Steel, CRP National Committeeman gave a great talk,
• Dennis Revell introduced a movie to close the day, “In the Face of Evil” Reagan’s War in Word and Deed, winner 2004 Best Documentary.  I had to leave before that one ended, but learned much about my favorite modern president.  I had no idea how much earlier he had started his war against communism and for freedom.  I thought this was something that only been characteristic of his presidency, but he was fighting this fight prior to becoming state Governor, while President of the Screen Actors’ Guild.

Next Steps:

• My first PCRCC meeting as member of the Committee is Wed, 2/8, 7PM.  Let’s get to work.
• The CA GOP has a convention 2/24-26.  I plan to attend, and am seeking a delegate spot so that I will be able to vote on an agenda that includes an update of the state GOP platform.
• I am looking for twitter followers to expand my reach within my conservative family (and further): @MikeFrey95746  (no askie, no gettie!!)
• If someone can tell me how to insert pictures into these WordPress posts, I’ll be able to add a picture of Ron Robinson, the Schweitzers, and myself – a portion of our CA Precinct Project club!

Well, it’s been a long day (it’s now Sunday morning!), but I am still full of energy and optimism fueled by new friendships and opportunities to make a difference.  Let’s all work together to put this country back in the hands of conservatives who want to serve and defend this country!  More later! 

Than be embarrassed.  I’m guessing it’s a pride issue.  I really would rather not have people tell me the politicians I support look like they could audition for the next “Dumb and Dumber”; with the obvious extension that I must be dumber than dirt as well.  I assert from various diaries I’ve read, and positions I’ve seen taken that I’m not alone on Pride Island.  I think it’s a thriving resort!

But hey, here’s the deal: if I have to live with wounded pride, or chalking up the Great American Political Experiment as a loss, I’ll take the wounded pride.

So why do I go here?  It appears to me that a big part of our candidate selection process has been driven by this dynamic.  A candidate starts to lead, something embarassing happens, we move to another.  I’m not going to play this game.  There is not a walking, breathing human that cannot be presented in a bad light by a hostile media (I use pravda as my term of derision), and even our own team in the guise of the “establishment”.  So avoidance of embarassment is not a technique that will leave a candidate, not until the hostile parties decide that our spin-the-bottle game is pointed at someone who cannot threaten their choice(s).  You are going to have to take a principled stand, and not only hold it, but get out of your comfort zone and promote it.  Tell people why it is better for us to deal with [insert wart here] than {choose as many as you like: Obamacare, nanny state, open borders, financial ruin, …}.

Consider this: avoidance of embarrassment would have knocked out the following heroes, and more:

• David, who slew Goliath.  “Really? YOU? You’re puny, we’ll lose!”  King Saul tried to go here, but David would have none of it.  Result: Goliath slain.
• Paul of the New Testament: “Put you in a leadership position in our Christian movement?  You’re the ultimate flip-flopper!  You are on record that we are Blasphemers and Heretics!”
• Jesus: Fear of embarassment (among other issues) led me to deny him for 20 years.

So the first candidate I chose was Rick Perry.  AFTER he had embarrassing moments that would be (and later were) thown in my face for daring to support him.  I was with him til the end, and I’d do it again.  I’m not sure which candidate is my next choice (I still haven’t met my usual rule of leaning in the same direction for more than 24 hours!), but when I choose, I will do so free of fear of embarrassment.  I will guarantee you that my choice will have said or done things that can be used to embarrass me.  But I will look to a candidate and a future that is bigger than this.

(Title from some TV commercial I saw a million years ago, that always stuck with me.  I didn’t make it up.)

The roller coaster continues.  I was disappointed yesterday to see Governor Rick Perry leave the 2012 presidential race.  In my mind, he was the best candidate we had running, and the only one that gave me any hope of a smaller, more constitutional, less-intrusive  federal government.  Alas, my vision was not to be.  My choices narrow.  I’m not decided on where to go from here in terms of the candidates - but no matter what, my choice will still be from my (limited) perspective, and is not (necessarily) the will of God.  Thank God that he hears our prayers (I have plenty of evidence), and thank God that he does not always do what we ask of him.  He is the only one that sees the big picture.

This reminds me of a day one of my employees asked me a question about why a decision had been made by higher-level management, a decision that made no sense to him.  I explained the whole thing from my (still limited, but bigger than his) viewpoint.  He listened quietly and intently, then concluded something to the effect of, “I am SO grateful that I don’t have to look at things from all of those perspectives!!!”

In any case, we know for sure that God moves the pieces to make the most glorious outcome possible, that he loves us, and that we can choose to trust Him and share eternal life with Him.

The rest we don’t know.  Does he have a solution that will be better at getting us less intrusive government sooner?  Maybe.  Does he need to humble us some more?  Send us all the way into slavery so that we will return to Him?   Ick, I personally don’t want doors two or three.

Thank God that he sees and knows all, and is loving, faithful, and just.  The same God who can raise the dead and defeat Satan is totally capable of defeating the mainstream media and the Republican Establishment.  There was never a RINO that God couldn’t outwit or outrun.

I don’t know the outcome, but I will let God be God, and I will trust Him.

Is it really time to ship out?  Did I even get to go to basic training?

This is my chance to go fight for what I believe, for the America that seems to have been misplaced gradually over my lifetime, and even before.  2007 and 2008 were the years that I started to really pay attention and do more than vote.  My votes were clearly not enough to make a difference – my ballot was useful in predicting the outcome of our California elections, but only in the sense that a photographic negative is useful to predict the final printed photo.  I’m a fish out of water here. 

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A few weeks ago I finished reading an astonishing book, Heaven is for Real, by Todd Burpo.  I’m now enjoying the experience of reading it to my children, and in the process, get to spend more time enjoying and absorbing the material.

It occurred to me lately that this book contains an eyewitness report that life begins in pregnancy before the 8 week mark.  I guess that people could still argue about the window from conception to 8 weeks, but anyone choosing something other than conception is clearly at terrible risk of having miscalculated on that one….

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Not. His. Gift.  According to the introduction in a compilation of the Federalist Papers by a Clinton Rossiter, referring to Hamilton’s performance at the Constitutional Convention, “he was irregular in attendance and unpersuasive in argument.”  But the United States of America may well have already failed were it not for his glorious contribution.

Likely best known for his status generally as a “Founding Father” or specifically as the first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton’s greatest achievement was his role as catalyst for the adoption of the newborn Constitution of the United States of America.  Though the wind was at the back of the Federalists after the Revolutionary War, by the time the Constitution had been fearfully and wonderfully made in the womb of the Constitutional Convention the forces and voices of disunity had grown into a potent force that threatened to split the nation asunder, leaving it as three or more separate confederacies.  The fate of the nation hung in the balance.

I give you — “Publius”

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It is no wonder to me how bad of shape the country is in, when I see the type of article I came across yesterday.  The mystery then becomes how deep and how wide is God’s grace that we function at all as a nation, rather than a population of slaves to a wiser and stronger people.

Though I loathe giving this article a link, the drivel deserves to be exposed.  My title is a play on his, with me happily imagining the author as an employee of Apple, handicapped with his current logical and business prowess.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-apple-would-solve-the-debt-crisis-2011-08-02?link=kiosk

After my despair that such an article could be written, I was at least enheartened by the many comments that explained the obvious misplaced analogy – customers of a business spend by choice, and the company is governed by competition in the marketplace.  The statists were not swayed.

Maybe exposing the incoherence of the argument, within the context of the author (let’s treat the government as a business), will help put this to rest.  Let’s take a look:

Before we can even get to the article, we see that the author’s train of thought derailed at the station.  The subtitle “If U.S. were run as a business, it wouldn’t cut spending” fails a sanity test.  It is exactly IF the US were run as a business, whether Apple, or any company that has successfully recovered from an annual loss at 50% of revenue, that it would immediately cut spending.  God knows that we wish the US was run more like a business.

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There is a war going on, and it’s not Democrats vs. Republicans.  It’s not rich vs. poor.  It’s not black vs. white.  It is between those who think the people can make decisions for themselves, and those who think a ruling class should make these decisions.  All else is deception.  

The bottom line is Americans have been lulled to sleep and have failed to vigorously defend America’s principles, most visibly in our abdication of our constitution.  America is not failing because our founding principles were wrong, we are failing because we have abandoned those principles.  People are rightly skeptical of both parties when they claim they have the answers or solutions, when neither one has cared a whit for America.  They only have loyalty to themselves and their power.  Politicians and Parties cannot restore this.  Only “We the People” can.

But this does not mean the Parties are equal.  They are not.  First of all, only two will be put in positions of power, Republicans or Democrats.  Third parties can help shape the debate, but the truth is that votes for them are wasted and only reinforce the power of the leading Party.  This is why people and political organizations actually fund third parties on the other side of the political divide – this will weaken their real opponents.  And within the two major Parties, there is one difference that trumps all others – the philosophy about the size and scope of government:

  Republican: decentralized, smaller government in hands of local people.

  Democratic: centralized, bigger government is better.    

The Republican Party advocates reduction in the scope and power of government.  As such, it becomes an umbrella for “Conservatives”, “Constitutionalists”, “Libertarians”, and “Tea Partiers” who don’t wish to discard the value of their votes.  All of these movements are united in their position on the scope and power of Federal Government.  Look at the Tea Party: this real grass-roots uprising against the tyranny of government works within the Republican Party, not by running third-party candidates.   But since they deplore many of those wearing the Republican badge, they field their own Republican candidates in the primaries to push the Republican Party back to alignment with freedom, and in doing so, the Tea Party has been holding the Republican Party accountable!  By successfully replacing powerful or establishment Republicans (ala Charlie Crist, Mike Castle, etc) with truer conservatives, Tea Partiers show that they are far more interested in a successful America than in the power of the Republican Party.

The Democrat Party advocates government solutions, and increase in the scope, size, funding, and power of government.  This is a basic fact.  This is why this party is an umbrella for “Liberals”, “Progressives”, “Socialists”, and “Statists” – all of these movements are aligned in their support for increase in the scope, size, funding, and power of government.  They are aligned against the very foundational principles of America. They survive by painting two false pictures: (1) that Democrats are the champions of the down-trodden, minorities, and the working man; and (2) that Republicans are evil racists.  They offer false choices between big-government solutions and no solutions.  There is plenty of counter evidence and argument to both of these tenets, but you won’t find it in your mainstream or liberal media outlets.

If “We the People” will not help return America to its principles, we are THE problem.  We can only believe that we govern ourselves and do what it takes to do it successfully, or believe that we should be governed.  And once you believe the latter, you have in fact ceded control to those who HAVE NO INTEREST in your well being – you have already accepted your slavery.  If we will not “be the bosses of them” (our government), no one will.  If we will not blow away the smoke screen that the corrupt and power-hungry use to hide the theft of both our freedoms and our opportunities, we are done.

If you want to buy into the story you are being fed by your government and mainstream media, you have already left America, you just forgot to change your address.

These ideas are not, and never have been, American, but they are at play in the US:

1. that the Federal Government should do what can be done at state or lower level.
2. that an elite class can govern the country better than “We the People”.
3. that equality of outcome should be pursued versus equality of opportunity.
4. that politicians can be trusted to act in America’s best interests.
5. the courts and the judicial branch should make law.
6. that America should cede sovereignty to international bodies.

Here is the battle plan:

I)      The General Election, November 2, 2010 – “This far and no farther!”

1.  I will be voting blanket “Republican”.  More so than ever before, this is not a partisan thing.  Those in control of the White House and Congress (Democrats) stand against America, and are destroying everything America stands for on a scale I have never before seen attempted.  It is NOT ENOUGH that they lose seats.  They must lose them on such a grand scale that it will be generations before they can contemplate such flagrant disregard for the will of the people and the good of the country.  Anything less admits defeat, and accepts bondage.

2.  I will vote “Republican” down to the local school board members.  The future Senators and Representatives might be today’s school board members.  I am finding out the partisan alignment of candidates for even “non-partisan” office.

3.  I will swing behind the Republican candidates, whether I voted for or against them in the primary.  For example, I voted for Chuck DeVore in the US Senator from California primary, but will now be voting for Carly in the General.  Carly will be much more in alignment with the constitution than Boxer.

4.   I will vote for California Measure20 and against California Measure27, to take and keep redistricting out of the hands of the politicians.  If this is not clear to you, go to gerrymanderingmovie.com.  This is very important.

II)      From November 3, 2010 to the primary election in June 2012:

 1.  Within your chosen party: find and promote good worthy candidates into the system.  Encourage them to become involved and prepare and take the necessary steps to be on the ballot in June 2012.

2.  Write your representatives and give them feedback.  Let them know you’re watching.

3.  Work to turn your government back to the constitution.  Demand that they stick to their roles, and free the other branches to do theirs, and the people to do ours.  Ours is to get off of our butts, shake off our apathy, and get to work in some way or another.  Use the old ethic of taking the job you can get and preparing for the job you want.

4.   Help your neighbors.  When we do what God has asked us to do, there is less pressure to violate the constitution to come up with an inferior solution.

III)      Primary, June 2012

1.  Now is the time to screen replacements for any incumbent who has proven to be disrespectful to our constitution, tone-deaf to his or her constituents, beholden to interests contrary to that of their constituents and/or nation.  Republican or Democrat.  If not great, they’re gone.  If in doubt, vote them out!  We have to make room for ones who will do this right.

2.  It is the time to find the candidates that you want, or possibly even become the candidates that you want.

a. These are candidates that will make the country stronger.

b.  They will be constitutionally constrained.

c. They will be public servants, not a political elite.

d.  I will be voting in the Republican primary for candidates who will:

i. Abide by the constitution

ii. Push power down to lowest level

iii. Cut spending

iv.  Reform entitlements

e. I will be looking to get rid of incumbent Republicans who will not vote American!

IV) General, November 2012

1.  Now we are looking to elect the best candidates from the primary, and since we made sure that we had great choices there, this should be easy!

2.   In the General Election we are looking to get rid of both members of both parties who do not vote “American”. 

V)      Lather, rinse, repeat:

1.  Primaries for parties to select their candidates, where you personally have been involved enough to make sure that you believe there is a good candidate positioned in the running.  You should not have to feel like you are voting for the lesser of evils in a primary.  If you do, you have not done your part.

2.  General Elections are a time to (ideally) vote for someone you are excited about, but (if need be) to hold your nose and vote for the candidate from the major party that is the better of the two choices.  There are only 2.  See the general rules below.  This is a reason the Tea party was a force this year – they worked within the system and were relevant, not outside and irrelevant.

VI) General Rules:

1.  “We the People” must be responsible.  We can’t blame government – WE are the bosses of government.  In this way, the “buck stops here.”

a. We are responsible sometimes by our actions, and sometimes by our INactions.

b. Every vote we make contributes either to the mess or to the cleanup.  We cannot expect government to police itself.

c. When individual politicians are bad, we must be willing and able to replace them.

2.  To the degree we let government grow “over” us, we must relinquish our own power.

a. To the degree that we let this power centralize, we increase the odds that it will spin out of our control.

3.  We are all human.  In addition to messing things up with well-meaning errors, we humans can find many other tools to do so: selfishness, neglect, apathy, greed, malice, etc.

a. The less power is centralized, the less one or a few humans can mess things up.  To the degree that power is decentralized, we diversify away from single-points-of-failure.

b. Power corrupts.  Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

c. The simpler the rules, the easier both to live by, and to enforce.

4.  Political parties:

a. There are bad apples in all parties.  Human nature is what it is.  See (3) above.

b. Because there are bad apples in all parties doesn’t mean all parties are the same:

i. A party which seeks to grow or expand the role of the federal government is inherently more dangerous because it takes power from the people.

ii. A party which seeks to limit government is inherently safer, because it leaves government with fewer resources with which to go wrong and tyrannize the people.

c. The Republicans are the more conservative major party, but this does not mean they are all conservative.

d. A third party will never produce our president or a relevant factor in our congress.

e. Third parties can expose or promote issues and solutions, but this does not matter until the issues are co-opted into one of the two major parties. 

f. A vote for a third party either as a sincere choice or a protest vote is a vote for the most overall-favored party.