So, this one has had me fired up for years now and is at the heart of why I have chosen to return to politics in the past few years. The Political Photo Op – whether it be a politician at a local boy scout ceremony, a local charity event, a senior center, or the opening of a new business – this is when we see our local legislators smiling and looking so proud to be doing such a great job for their constituents. The world is on fire and our Constitutional rights are being stripped away at every turn, but Happy Golfing Day and Dog Day to you from your local politician!
Now don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of things that should be celebrated and shared at the community level. The achievements of our community members are, of course, valid and important; However, where are our Republican legislators when serious issues arise in areas such as education, immigration, gun rights, civil liberties, etc.? These are the issues that matter more than any as they provide the very foundation for our Republican values, not to mention our US citizenship. Where are those photo ops? Where is the Republican PR Machine on these issues? Why do we not see press conferences with Republican Leaders and Legislators on the steps of Beacon Hill? Where is the Massachusetts Republican Caucus? Where is the Republican Voice??? Yes, before you come at me, I know we have had a few moments of assertiveness from the Party – Fattman and Durant providing a couple most recently, but it’s not nearly loud enough, aggressive enough, or frequent enough. I shouldn’t be the only one fired up and ready to scream from the rooftops!
The grassroots base of the Republican party is screaming, and the MAGOP’s silence is deafening. But hey, we shouldn’t be too dismayed as apparently there’s a strategic reason for this. According to Republican insiders, they stay quiet to appeal to the Unenrolled voters, apparently a 55% state majority. You see, according to the MAGOP, our party leaders and legislators must stay quiet in order to remain in office. The theory is that, in this neon Blue state, they have to placate the Unenrolled voter who may find their actual views and values, if articulated out loud, down right offensive and thus won’t vote for them in the future. The strategy is about being quiet to gain votes. Hmmmm…how’s that strategy been working out???
Let’s do the numbers, shall we? At present we have 3 Republican State Senators out of 40 and 25 State Representatives out of a total of 134! So, if we do our basic Common Core math (without the circles) we get to a total of 28 Republican legislators in the state – is there any way we would ever be able to pass or stop legislation on Beacon Hill? Absolutely not! No disrespect to our Republican state legislators, but these numbers provide no real opposition to the runaway Democratic legislation happening here in MA. So essentially, it’s like they were never elected in the first place…it is a lame duck strategy that only serves the individual who retains the seat and not their constituents. If we want to change the outcome, we need to change the strategy. We need to be proud of who we are and what we stand for. The silent majority is out there and waiting for leadership. As Jim Jordan recently stated in his bid for the Speakership, the American People are “thirsty for leadership.”
The question is, do we want to be the Loud and Proud party, or the Sculk and Sulk party? We have nothing to lose; with these numbers, the outcome is the same whether they are elected or not. I know I am personally tired of apologizing for being a Republican in this state, and I know many others who feel the same. Why is it that our Republican Leaders don’t feel like us? Well, the current system seems to work for them, but it is the grassroots base that resides on the frontlines in the trenches; we are the ones serving on the RTCs trying to convince our friends and neighbors that it’s worth it to join us. We are the ones that have to endure the hate speech on local social media sites because we have an R behind our name, and we are the ones taking some serious hits as we attempt to run for office and change things from the ground up – without any help from the MAGOP. And yet when we try to engage our MAGOP leadership, we are stymied at every turn.
Those of you who are disgusted with the party right now, I see you! I empathize with you. I get you. But we can’t give up. Failure is not an option. The fight within the Republican party both at the state and national level is a purge of sorts. Entities must be razed before they can be rebuilt stronger and wiser. While it’s cringe worthy and stomach turning to watch, it is very necessary. Stay the course, my grassroots friends.
-Stacie
Chair, Grafton RTC