The Flight to Nowhere

Embraer 175

Since I'm bored, and its likely you are too - if you're reading this column. I thought I'd capture the highpoints, and lowpoints of this flight to nowhere from Connecticut's Bradley International to Minneapolis-St. Paul. In fairness, this entry should be entitled the flight from nowhere to nowhere, but that'd be cruel.


5 am: Alarm blares. Time to get up and hit the shower. God willing my automatic coffee maker actually made my cup of Joe. I'm targeting to leave by 5:30 to get up to Bradley International Airport to make the flight. What could possibly go wrong? I hate flying, but it beats driving across country.

5:31 am: Grrrr. Not out the door. I have this vision of me standing at the end of the runway watching my plane blast off into the wild blue yonder. Trying to remember what I might have forgotten. I'm sure I've forgotten something, but I won't bloody know what it is until I go to look for it. Raid my Christmas Stocking... bonus, grab two protein bars that Santa left for me, and some breath mints.

5:40 am: Drag my luggage to the car. And my three carry-on bags. I know they are going to give me grief about having three carry-ons (the limit is two) even through one is a C-PAP. I have enough electronic equipment in my carry-ons to make it seem like I'm starting my own electronics store or to wire a small space station. Oh well, with that - I'm off. Glove, hat, snow boots, and I'm off...

6:15 am: Make it to the airport parking garage. Round and round and round we go, where there's a spot, I'll never know. Finally found something in the far corner of the garage. As long as I don't have to clean ice and snow off my car when I get in at 11 pm at night, I don't care if I have to walk 500 feet more.

6:30 am. Bring my luggage to the Delta Counter. I greet the guy at the counter with a smile, and a good morning, and tell him that I haven't flown in a long time - hoping it would help. Nope. I'm being waited on by a older black guy with a huge chip on his shoulder. Frak! He asks me for a credit card without telling me what its for, and then rolls his eyes and takes an attitude when he is forced to explain to me why he wants my card - any credit card identifies you against your reservation in the system. He whines on and on. Grrr. I hate to be stereotypical, but Jesus - it is what it is. So anyways, I try to be nice. He picks up my suitcase and declares that it feels overweight. He weighs it - and indeed - I'm exactly four pounds over the limit.

He tells me I have to remove four pounds from my bag or it will cost me an additional $90. I say or not me ... least, my company will pay it. He remarks that companies have all the money anyway. Wow. I bet this guy voted for Obama. So I take out a pair of shoes and weigh them. They weigh three pounds, he says ok, you're good. Just don't put them back in your luggage. He gives me a big break with the one pound excess.

I marvel over the airlines' genius - so I can be four pounds over the limit as long as I displace the weight by moving it from my luggage bag to my carry-on bag. Ok, whatever.

6:45 am. I bring my bag over to security praying they don't get carried away by ripping apart my nicely ironed shirts and slacks. It took me and hour to iron, press, and fold each item so it fits nicely in the bag. I ask the lady if she wants me to wait, I can tell she doesn't want me to wait, but insists its fine. After 8 minutes of watching the TSA clowns pile more bags in front of mine, I opt to just move ahead through the personal security checkpoint. Screw it!

6:50 am: Ok, I expect that because I'm a white male with blue eyes, that I'll likely fit the TSAs profile of the model Islamic terrorist. So I fully expect to be brought to a private room, stripped, and molested by an army of TSA agents. I put my three carry-ons in grey trays, and they instruct me to take my gear out (two lap tops, ipods, smartphone, GPS, lots of chargers, and a thousand wires) and put them all in separate trays. I'm asked to take my coat off, blah blah blah. To be a wise-ass I put my Manchester United winter hat in separate tray #9 by itself. Whatever. I smile at my weak attempt to get back at the system.
7 am: Not to bad. They let me repack all of my stuff and I head off on my journey through the airport.


7:10 am: Arrival at the dreaded holding area. I encounter a few employees from my last position. They are friendly. And they are kind enough to watch my stuff while I make my first eating violation. Breakfast at -- McDonald's. Jesh, they jack up the prices at the airport - where's the f'n dollar menu? $10 later - I'm off. Back to the holding area. I chat with some folks to pass the time.

7:15 am: I approach the Delta Desk with my so-called Boarding ticket. It states that I have a seat but that its UNASSIGNED. I hand it to the Asian woman and she is smile-free - all business. She hands me a revised boarding pass - aisle seat. Drat! I ask her if I can have a window seat, she says that she'd keep me in mind if one became available. I stumble a few feet from the desk feeling rejected. The lady behind me is greeted with a warm smile from the previously stoic Asian lady. Then I hear, "would you like an aisle or window seat?" I'm thinking "Christ!!" I wasn't even given the option!

I go back to my chair and frown thinking about the injustice of it all.

7:40 am: Oh No! From a distance I see the worst boss I've EVER had heading my way. A total A-HOLE who I've vowed to run down should I ever have the displeasure to encounter him again. The lady sitting across from me knows the problems I had with him. I signal to her with my eyes. She smirks. He wanders over and starts talking to everyone. Then, in an act of total stupidity introduces himself to me.... "Jeff." He mutters with hand extended. Under normal circumstances, you might normally say something, but surrounded by others who may be mutual acquaintances - best option is to say nothing and shake his hand - but I don't say anything. Funny this is that he's the most despised person in his organization. Well, enough about him. 10 zillion flights, and he has to be on the same flight to nowhere? Pray God's sense of humor isn't large enough to include me being stuck next to him on the plane.

8:00 am: I run into a few more people who happen to be going my way. One is the psychopath lady from Canada. Her name is Dana. And that is pronounced with a short a not a long A. She will correct you each time you say it wrong and get bent out of shape. Of course, I know better than to start off the day with her by mispronouncing her name. She greets me warmly but she is friends with the jackass I mentioned before so I play it cool.

8:05 am: Ok. why not give it a risk and find out if a Window Seat became available. I walk up to the Desk, and before I can finish my question, the Delta lady hands me a revised Boarding pass - window seat and all! Hooray! And bonus - its Row 5!

8:15 am: Boarding time. Ok, first things first - all the important people get to board first. Gold members, silver members, special members, members with stars, blah blah blah. And then first class. And then Zone 1, Zone 2, and lastly me - Zone 3. Hell, I guess I'm one step away from Kennel Class. But at least I have a Window Seat.

As I go to board another lady give me grief about having three bags.  I sharply fire back that one is a medically assisted device that doesn't count against my carry-on total. Seeing the fire in my eyes, she backs off. Grrr.

8:30 am: I finally get to board onto the plane! As I approach my seat, I see that my overhead compartment is already full. And so are the next twenty compartments. I end up putting my stuff over seat 23, I guess it will be a while before I get off the plane since I'd be like a salmon trying to swim upstream to get to my carry-ons. Oh well. Screw it. I'll take what I need and go back to my seat.

8:40 am: Back to my seat. I greet my seat counterpart. She is an older, red haired lady with a white complexion - not sure if this is the ghost or Mrs. Muir. She is very serious and straight-forward. I say hello, she says hello back. I try to make small conversation with her but she's not interested. She's reading work-stuff. Oh bore. No fun chat buddy, I get fuddy-duddy.

William Shatner plays the
perfect terrorized passenger
in the 1963 Twilight Zone
episode: Nightmare at 20,000 ft

8:45 am: Stewardess pushes a button and a recording welcomes us to Delta, and provides us instructions about seat belts, exits, and oxygen masks. The Stewardess emulates the tape by pointing and showing us how to use a seat belt. Sort of humorous actually. My favorite comment is learning that my seat could be used as a floatation device. Sure - if you survive panic, turbulence, smoke and fire, and lights flashing on and off, and then the break up of an airplane at Mock 2 - if by chance we happen to slowly land in a body of water, then I guess I'll grab my nifty seat to use as a floatation device. It's nice to know I have options. All else - punt. Boy, its got to be a crappy way to go.  Every time I fly I think of the Twilight Zone Episode Nightmare at 20,000 feet starring William Shatner which probably doesn't help.

Anyways, I begin to wonder exactly how many large bodies of water are between Hartford and Minneapolis. I bet aside from a few small rivers, probably not many.

8:55 am: We have lift off. Ears popping. Oh joy. I glance left and the red-haired lady is obviously unaffected. But I hear a baby wailing in the background. I feel sorry for the baby, but hope the kid is located right next to my ex-boss. He deserves it.

9 am: Stewardess warns us that the toilets in the back are frozen and won't flush. Everyone is asked to use the front toilets until they "unfreeze".  Boy I wonder if someone found out the hard way.

9:25 am: Things are just peachy. The stewardess comes by. She offers me a drink, I order tea. I ask her if she has honey. She smiles, turns her head to one side, and says in a sexy voice, "No, I'm afraid I'm the only honey here." I laugh, I almost say something coy in response, but I note that the red-haired lady isn't smiling. I keep it clean but smile and ask if I could have some sugar.

The Stewardess hands me a package of Delta cookies to go with my tea.  Wow.  I have to suggest if you fly Delta - these cookies are a must!

9:35 am: No free Wi-Fi on the flight, and I've already gone through the inflight magazines. Might as well blog.

9:40 am: All quiet, then we hear on the loud speakers: "If there is a medical professional on board please come to the front of the plane." Hmmm? Wonder what's going on? This could be interesting.

Ten minutes later, this Middle Eastern guy wearing a huge pair of glasses comes waddling back to his seat - diagonal from me - with the Stewardess in tow. She hands him a ginger ale. Oh No. Let's hope this guy doesn't have the flu or some dreaded stomach aliment that can be spread across the entire cabin. This guy should have taken the bus.

I feel bad for the poor guy sharing a seat with him. Uhg!

10 am: Baby wailing away in the back. Mom starts to pace in the aisle with crying baby so we can all get a earful. Poor kid. Keep her away from the Middle Eastern guy.

10:30 am: Stewardess finds a new seat for Middle Eastern guy's seat-mate. Poor guy. It's too late if this is anything but motion sickness. I make eye contact with the guy behind me who looks over at the Middle Eastern guy and then looks at me and smiles, and rolls his eyes. Then he says, "Jackass will infect us all, he should have stayed in Hartford."

10:50 am: Back to playing games on my phone. The red-haired lady is reading her printed emails. Who prints their emails? She reads them over and over. God, this lady is too serious.

11:00 am: Stewardess back with another Ginger Ale for the Middle Eastern guy who looks like he is going to puke.

11:15 am: Guys behind me are in loud conversation - most of it is ripping Hartford for being a big crap hole that used to have a lot of business, and now is on the verge of destruction. Sort of entertaining listening to these business guys go into detail about why Hartford and Connecticut have turned to dust. This guy is really hitting all the right notes. Keeps talking about all the abandoned buildings, and businesses leaving the State. I bet these guys didn't vote for Dan Malloy.  I chime in that the new Governor will not likely make the business climate any better.  They agree.

Red-haired lady reading what appears to be a 100 page presentation. Snore. I bet she is the type that as a kid got a 100 on the test and ruined the curve for everyone.

11:25 am Middle Eastern guy heads back to the toilet. Guy behind me glares at him and remarks that he was concerned that they were going to turn the plane around an hour ago because of this guy. I say, "Me too."

11:35 am: Mom and wailing baby make their rounds with two other children in two. They realize they can't get into the bathroom because the sick Middle Eastern guy is having his own personal party in the John. The Stewardess lets them know the bathroom won't be available for some time. They retreat in disgust. The poor mom looks miserable.

11:36 am: Middle Eastern guy returns, barf bag in tow. Please buddy, keep it together until we land. You can barf all day long in the airport. Just keep your puke to yourself.

11:50 am: We land safely. No big problems. As predicted, I'm about the last one off having to go to the rear of the plane to get to my stuff.  The fuddy-duddy doesn't even say "Good bye". Oh well.  And the adventure continues.

Like I said this was hardly an exciting entry.  But it was fun writing it.


The original entry can be found at www.thekingsview.blogspot.com

Lieberman, Giffords, McMahon again, and The Coming Storm

With the week almost over, I thought I'd draft up something to post.  I've been busy working on a few different pieces, but alas - I've been heads down on a number of other commitments which have kept me from finalizing the entries. And these are real barn burners which are sure to tick of the Proletariat at Status Quo (Republican) Headquarters over in New Britsky.  And Hey, I appreciate the traffic to the blog, and your emails -  its been quite reassuring to know that like-minded people are "tuning in" from Twitter, Facebook, and through general searches on the Web who are sick of the collusion and idiocy within our CT GOP leadership.  My advise is to keep up the pressure, and never give up!!

So onward...

On to the Galactic Senate for
Joe Palpatine?

This week our old foe (and sometimes friend) Joe Lieberman announced he's not running for re-election.  We know he has some health-related issues, and given that Senator Palpatine has been in there for eons, he's probably ready for a change of pace.  Running as Al Gore's running mate probably aged him more than his recent inter-party battles with the fringe elements of Connecticut's Democrat Party.

In truth, I'm not a huge fan of Joe Lieberman because his record shows that despite the left-wing media's determination to paint him as a moderate, he's voted with Democrats 95% of the time.  He voted for socialized healthcare, gay marriage, bailouts, and all the tax and spend bills Democrats have rammed through during their off and on majority.  On the other hand, he supported the Gulf War and the extended war in Afghanistan which was considered too Republican-minded for crazed anti-war crowd in Liberalville. 

Oh, yeah, then he gave a speech in support of his friend  and colleague John McCain at the Republican National Convention.  This was probably one of the few moments in the last 60 years where friendship actually stood above politics.  Unfortunately, for Joe, it pretty much led to the beginning of the end for his tenure as a Democrat.  But to his credit; he got the last laugh. He taught his own Party a lesson by running as an Independent and defeating both the Republican and Democrat candidates, and returning to the Senate for a final victory lap.

There is a lot of speculation in the Websphere about whether or not Lieberman will actually complete his term.  The real question being would he actually step down early knowing that it would give Governor Dan Malloy the opportunity to appoint a temporary Senator, thus handing Democrats the advantage of running from an incumbent position?  We don't know.

Since my telescope has been pointed at the madness within the Connecticut Republican Party,  I don't have much insight into the current relationship between the Dems and Lieberman; other than he still caucuses with them.  I guess he could either serve out his term and let everyone just play their own game, or he could mend ways with his Party and throw them a bone to close the loop on his Democrat legacy.

Personally, I hope he serves out his term and tells Connecticut Democrats to stick it.  It would be a fitting way to go out - standing tall, particularly after the way they sought to censure, and embarrass him for being loyal to his old friend, John McCain.  Let that be your legacy, Joe.  Who knows when we'll see that kind of gesture in Congress ever again. 

^^^^^^^^^^

I haven't written anything on the whole Gifford's story because quite honestly, I'm tired of hearing about it.  The media's handling of the whole situation from the minute the bullet left the chamber to the present endless coverage has been nothing short of disgraceful.  Even one Connecticut Television Reporter, George Colli, tweeted that the event could be the defining political event of our time.  I thought about tweeting back to him, but I didn't want to make him look any dumber than he already did.  This is what happens when a political candidate loses and turns news reporter - they pimp their own malarkey.  Colli is better off up on Fox 61s roof talking about snow.

Like everyone else, I hope she pulls through.  I'm horrified at the murder of the 9 year old girl who had so much to live for, and yet her life snuffed out by a sick marxist wackjob.  This guy deserves the death penalty.  It aught to be interesting to see how this all unfolds.  In the meantime, journalism sank to a new low.  And you wonder why Republicans can't stand the Media.  Pathetic creeps.  All of you.

^^^^^^^^^^^

My last comment is on the dark clouds over the latest Connecticut GOP alignment.  From the way things are shaping up, Chris Healy seems ambivalent over the steady outcry over his failure as Chairman of Connecticut's Republican Party.  The chief incompetent got an earful last weekend at an event held in New Britain with 500 outraged Republicans.  He sat silent and motionless,  taking it all in, and likely secretly adding names to his enemies list for future reference.  So arrogant and detached, he probably missed an opportunity to defuse some anger by - at a minimum - talking to the crowd and accepting some personal responsibility for the CT Party's fall backwards in the face of National Republican victories.  Also, we know that Healy has been busy working over State Central Members, and Town Committees trying to sure up his own support.  I can't imagine what kind of story he's concocted to explain away complete defeat other than to throw the candidates under the bus;  At times I wonder - does he actually "get it"? 

Would we really be surprised to
see the Return of  Sith Empress
Linda McMahon?

On its merit, he should be so embarrassed by his detrimental impact on the last election that he should have never showed his face at a GOP event for at least six months AFTER his resignation.  But under orders from his new Master - Linda McMahon, he's staying put to - in a way - pay back a favor for his ineffectiveness.  His job is to jump the gun and get his shock troops in place to support her next Senatorial run (or should I say purchase) when Lieberman steps down.

There are other names floating around for Chairman given the statewide recognition of Healy's ineptness.  But if Healy doesn't resign (unless a majority of State Central Membership calls for a vote of no confidence) then we are stuck with him and likely another series of dimwitted maneuvers to advance his lose-win agenda.  Yeah, that's - we lose the election, and he wins by collecting big bucks from Linda McMahon (or his wife does or both). 

Republicans will be stuck in a permanent spin cycle on this one.  It will take someone with a tough skin and a fair amount of cash to overcome the antics from Republican Headquarters doing Linda's bidding, and McMahon's personally financed propaganda machine.  I think a lot of good, principled candidates are going to look at the tall mountain of greenbacks to climb and say forget it.  But we might get a candidate similiar in nature to a Peter Schiff (certainly NOT Peter Schiff I pray God - he doesn't have the personality or organizational skills) to stand up and challenge Linda on policies and issues.  Hopefully, not someone with a background  that is more controversial than hers. 

So unless someone takes action, we are certainly going to face doom.   You might ask, why King, do you expect that Linda would automatically lose?

Well, in the first place, as post-election results have shown, Linda is unpopular among women. And her overall vote count wasn't as close as expected. This is due in part because she helped build a Pro-Wrestling circus that advocates violence and promotes bad behavior (even if only resulting in moms trying to get their 8-year olds to stop emulating wrestlers by jumping all over the sofa  and fighting at school), and second, her arrogant mailings and attacks on fellow Republicans are not something that will simply pass from memory.  People are still angry about the convention-rigging, and nasty personal attacks.

More important is that since the Republican Party appears on target to maintain the status quo and repeat last year's collusion and treachery, its likely that Tea Party members and others will work to form a coalition under the Constitution Party.  Laugh all you want, but even if those numbers appear small; the little army is quite capable of inflicting damage to McMahon's candidacy.  These folks are pissed off enough, and will work like machines to get out the vote for their Independent candidate which will derail the McMahon train in the General Election.  Even Healy and his cronies can do the math, Democrats stick together, and in a close election,  Republicans losing an additional 4-7% points to an independent candidate guarantees defeat for McMahon - regardless of how many millions she spends.  The science of demographics and the forecasting tell the story.

So there you have it.  Another week of trouble in paradise.  There's plenty to talk about next time... Dan Malloy is going to provide all of us with plenty of material over the next four years.  I hope he is enjoying the televised applause over handing out donuts to his union buddies during the series of snowstorms because there's a whole new storm coming - the battle over the state budget.  I can't wait!

The original blog entry can be found at The King's View at http://www.thekingsview.blogspot.com/
  

The Connecticut GOP Crisis Part 2: Redefine the Party

It is understood that you cannot win elections without votes.  However, you cannot win votes unless you stand for something worth voting for.  For as long as I can remember, Connecticut Republicans have had something of an identity crisis.  No one can explain in simple terms what it means to be a Connecticut Republican, nor can they tell you how it differs from being a Connecticut Democrat.  Moreover, Connecticut Republican Party leaders have gone out of their way to publicly distance themselves from the National Republican Party as an asinine strategy to pander to the local media.  This particular tactic of watering down your own platform to appeal to your opposition's base hasn't been particularly rewarding for Republicans who haven't seen a Republican majority in the Statehouse since 1972, or held key state offices in several decades. 


The Party of Chris Healy

For years, we've had serious problems with Connecticut's State budget caused primarily by the tax and spend policies of the majority Democrats in Connecticut's Statehouse (few people deny this truth).  On the other hand, we've also had twenty years of Republican Governors who've refused to use the power of their office as a bully pulpit, or even taken action by vetoing budgets that couldn't be reconciled.  Further, Republicans have always touted that Connecticut is a special place where Democrats and Republicans work together to settle their political differences, and as a result of this - Connecticut's financial woes have multiplied to the point where we are in our own economic crisis.  It's clear that the price of putting so-called collaboration over principle hasn't been beneficial for taxpayers or businesses.

As a Republican and an activist, I've always been placed in a precarious position of having to defend the record of our Republican Governors to both Independent and Republican voters.  And to a large degree, voters who say there doesn't appear to be much of a difference between the two parties - have a point.  Up until the last election, the idea of voting Republican to serve as some form of counter-balance to a spend-happy legislature seemed to be a useful strategy, but when a Republican Governor ends up going along with the Democrat's spending policies year after year, then few arguments can be made to show the pubic a tangible difference.

If anyone has paid close attention, Connecticut Republicans have also never taken their underticket seriously.  In previous years, the sitting Republican Governor rarely bothered to campaign with the Secretary of State Candidate or Treasurer Candidate, or others.  Republicans have treated the Governor's race as an all-or-nothing contest, with the other races serving as filler in the background.  In fact, I was told that the Governor would intentionally not appear with other Republican candidates in fear that they would bring her/him down in the polls.  Hardly the team effort one would expect to see from Republican Party leaders or candidates.

The Connecticut Republican Party has never implemented a coherent strategy for turning Connecticut Republican.  I believe its because those who've been in power lack the vision and ability to make it possible.  This has led to a defeatist approach that has led to ever shrinking representation at every level of Government.  The Connecticut Republican Party has never felt compelled to infuse activism as a tool for educating the public, or for molding public opinion on critical issues impacting Connecticut residents.  Activism under Chairman Chris Healy has been limited to him sending out a press release or his making a rather boring appearance on the local political circuit.  Neither tactic has been successful, whatsoever.  The Republican Party leadership is Connecticut is tired, lazy, and inept.

The most recent election cycle saw the public energized to a point not seen in many years, but the state party had no strategy for enlisting the multitude of activists coming out of the woodwork and mobilizing them in a manner beneficial to winning elections.  Many people seeking to volunteer called GOP Headquarters and were turned away or told to call back, or call elsewhere.  The Party's inability to take motivated individuals and put them to work underlines the inherent failures of the Party Leadership.

As some friends of mine have pointed out, the Connecticut Republican Party seems to be afraid of itself.  In its effort to not appear controversial or confrontational, it hides in the shadows during times of public discourse.  It seems to be satisfied to stand for nothing rather than take any stand at all.  Frankly, its an embarrassment for those of us who are proud to be identified as a members of the National Republican Party.  Our national party leaders are brave enough to stand up and debate, write, litigate and work on behalf of conservative economic and social principles.  If it weren't for the National Republican Party, there would be little reason to be a Republican in Connecticut at all.

In the rare event, where you do see Connecticut Republicans leaders take a stand, its usually in reaction to what has already happened at a point when its already too late to do anything about it.   Taking the low road of whining about what's transpired is hardly a way to inspire people to join a cause and take up action with you.  In fact, I've known a number of people who have moved away from the Republican Party and joined either the  Constitution Party, or the Libertarian Party for the simple reason that there is at least some level of organized activism in place to challenge the status quo and mold public opinion.

In the beginning of this entry, I mentioned that you need votes to win elections.  This means that you need a set of principles that are appealing to the majority of voters which serve their best interest.  For the longest time, we've packaged progressive positions (that have been only slightly less progressive than those pursued by the Democrat Party) and tried to sell them as Republican ideals.  If Democrats desire high tax increases, and our position is to be for tax increases that aren't as high as the Democrat Party's numbers, then we serve no one's interest, and many Republican voters will opt to stay at home.  If on the other hand, we changed our public image and worked to protect residents from additional taxes, unchecked spending, and promised to fight on behalf of taxpayers, we would gain a whole new population of supporters and members who would see Connecticut Republicans as more than a group of wishy-washy yes men.

Connecticut Republicans are ripe for renewal in a period where new jobs are scarce, housing values are diving, and businesses are leaving the state due to what is becoming an increasingly hostile environment for them to survive in.  In his first week in office, the new Governor, Dan Malloy, is proposing further mandates and taxes to make it harder to companies to want to remain in state.  Republican leaders should not be sitting quietly watching things unravel but actively voicing opposition in the strongest manner possible. Republicans should be working with business groups to form alliances and influence those in the statehouse on the ramifications of regressive policies.

Republicans should be writing columns, appearing on media outlets, and organizing rallies to obtain presence and mold public opinion.  The Tea Party volunteers, loathed by the media and liberals, are self-engaged in the debate.  By and large the Connecticut Tea Party is a result of the ineptitude of Republican Leaders who were not interested in activism or mobilizing volunteers.  Granted, the rise of the Tea Party was a national phenomena, but the outrage in Connecticut far exceeds many states because of the economic climate and under-representation of conservatives in office.  And, as I've mentioned in previous entries, the blatant distrust of Connecticut's Republican leaders doesn't help matters any.  The Chairman's hijacking of the state convention which included the locking out of candidates from speaking or showing a 5 minute video to express themselves has fractured the party beyond repair.  It is for this reason, the Party leadership must change hands, else the fracturing will continue.

Returning to our Roots

The Democrat Party's make up is a large mix of special interest groups such as union employees, labor groups, social liberal groups - from the anti-war crowd to gay rights activists.  What's long forgotten is that the Democrat coalition is just as fragile as ours.  The union machinist who is angry about foreign products flooding our markets isn't interested in the gay activist's agenda to want to marry and adopt children, but since both agendas are part of the Democrat platform, they both tolerate each other, and have learned to work together to achieve the same result.

The Republican Party seems to have a march larger problem.  How do you establish a platform which incorporates sound economic principles, adheres to constitutional laws, and encompasses a set of moral social standards that differentiate us from the free-for-all values of the left yet don't alienate people who may disagree on certain aspects of social policy.  This is more than getting different personalities to work nicely together, its preventing elements of the party from ripping each other to shreds or hijacking the Party to advance a minority's agenda.  And beyond that, its making sure that some elements of the Party do not become over-representative of the Party's platform so as to neutralize the Party's ability to attract voters and win elections.

Obviously, this is a big challenge for the simple reason that those who actually get off their duff and work - participate in campaigns, put up signs, make calls to get out the vote tend to come from the hot-button-issue corners of the coalition. These are the activists who do 70% of the work required to deliver the candidate to victory.  So you might ask, well if they do 70% of the work why can't they develop the platform? And its because while they might be 70% of the Party workforce, they may only represent 15% of the public's viewpoint, and some of them tend to care about very little else.

What is needed is a leadership team that can work with different groups, stick to the basics without alienating those who may not agree on one or two issues.  The team must also reach out to people from various backgrounds and find ways to encourage them to recognize that the Democrats policies are counterproductive to Connecticut's economy, and social well being.  Facts are facts, and the record of the Democrat Party carries with it a pattern of increased taxation, out of control spending, and hostility toward companies.  How hard can it be to get out front and present these facts to the public? 

Social Conservatives tend to dislike hearing that fact that the basis of the Republican Party's existence has always been tied to free market economics and and individual liberty.  At its root, much of this already includes gun ownership, less government, lower taxes, and freedom of religion, etc.  Since the encroachment of the left's new ideology, which began after WWII, the Republican Party has had to take up causes that used to be part of the normal mindset of people in both parties - I'm referring to things like reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and hearing a morning prayer in school, or defending against the assault on Christmas.  These concept of supporting things like Christmas are not actually conservative principles as the left and the media ascribe them.  These are generally accepted principles which liberals have gone out of their way to tear down so as to create a more decedent society free from Christianity and Western Traditions.  These are the same people that attempt to put Islam on the same level with Christianity, which is of course in contrast to the Western values that led to the creation of the United States in the first place.

When Ronald Reagan ran in 1980, he was elected because he brought a vision of prosperity,  and optimism to America, and he followed through with policies that advanced those causes.  Reagan didn't stand out on a soapbox and preach hellfire against those who disagreed with him.  He didn't isolate people and tell them to get lost because they didn't agree with everything he said, or chase them out of the Party because of they didn't fit his perfect mold.  But do you think Ronald Reagan would have sat by quietly while lunatics tried to remove Merry Christmas from our culture?  I think not.  No less than he went after Communists, who he defeated through words and policies.

Reagan openly pursued simple policies of economic freedom, less government, and adherence to constitutional ideals.  He welcomed all walks of life and backgrounds while standing firm on conservative principles.  Reagan never wavered.  Today we could use his example and rebuild Connecticut's Republican Party based on principle, energy, and activism.  Again, Reagan didn't front the social issues in a way to divide or antagonize the coalition; he fought to establish the basics - conservative economic principles, less government (intrusion and taxation), and individual liberty.

Lastly, don't listen to the fools who opt to say, we can never win because there are simply more of them than of us, or we are a different state.  That's the laziness shining through our leaders who should be put out to pasture. As far as I can tell, the people in Connecticut haven't seen many principled Republicans in leadership or running for office. If Republicans in Connecticut want to win, act like winners, nominate winners as leaders, run principled individuals for office, and show the public that we are more than progressives in suitcoats.   

The original blog entry can be found at http://www.thekingsview.blogspot.com/

The Connecticut GOP Crisis Part 1: Replace the Chairman

We all know how miserable the results were for Connecticut Republicans in the last election.  And a good number of my friends invested incredible amounts of personal time and energy into trying to elect Republicans wherever possible.  Of course, we knew going in that many of these races were a long shot, and some of them were likely not winnable given the demographic certainties.  Notwithstanding the odds in places like Connecticut's First Congressional District, Republican activists forced Democrats to spend far more time and money to ensure the margins were sustainable to deliver a win not embarrassing to a sitting party leader.   


The party of Chris Healy

Where many of us still struggle to understand the results is in places where Republicans have previously held seats, and where polls showed Republicans ahead by decent margins just days prior to the election; I'm referring to Connecticut Congressional Fourth and Fifth Districts.  Given the tidal wave of Republican support across the country, it seemed a foregone conclusion that even in this traditionally blue state that at least those districts that leaned red would come through if, as projected, Republicans would show up, and Democrats stayed home.  Yet, Democrats won by substantial margins in both districts.

Another seat that could have been winnable for Republicans was the Connecticut Second Congressional District; a seat once held by Rep. Rob Simmons.  But this race was doomed from the start because it was sabotaged by Republican State Chairman Christopher Healy and his politicos even before the candidate, Daria Novak had legitimately landed the nomination.  Healy opted to push controversial news reporter Janet Peckenpaugh who had neither the background or capacity to hold the office.  More so, and adding further damage, Healy worked hard to undermine the nominated candidate by seeking a ruling that would enable the State Party to funnel money to candidates other than those nominated by the Party at the State Convention.  Healy's actions helped destroy any chance for Daria Novak to succeed.  Doug Dubitsky, a nice guy, probably didn't help matters by serving as a spoiler during the primary. 

I could devote a whole essay to the United States Senate Race.  Winning this seat was a tall order to begin with made more difficult by the State Chairman and a very rigged State Convention which saw Rob Simmons railroaded out of the nomination.  Linda McMahon spent a lot of money, and for every dime spent and every vote bought, it's pretty clear that that residents of Connecticut don't want anything to do with Linda McMahon.  I was concerned with McMahon from the start based on her background and history, and watched her campaign implode against a weakened Dick Blumenthal.  Her post-campaign comments about "not going away" have Republicans of all persuasions fearing the future, and praying that just goes back to Wrestling and leaves politics and Republicans alone.

And lastly, the Gubernatorial race played out like a bad B movie.  We saw massive failures of coordination at the onset, starting with a Republican Governor AWOL from start to finish, a Chairman disengaged from the race, which led to a bloody primary between Republican candidates who cut each other to shreds giving Democrats plenty of ammunition to use later on.  And we saw buses visiting places with more candidates than consituents, debates of shame, lack of issue management, and failed allocation of resources at key polling locations that proved costly in the final hours of the election. 

The bottom line is that our Connecticut State Republican Party leadership failed us.  And in the final analysis, things spiraled out of control starting before the nomination process ever began, and the results at every level will likely prove more costly to taxpayers than ever before.

So anyone reading so far is saying, "Hey King, that's great.  You've told us what everyone already knows. So repeating the same rhetoric doesn't buy you anything."

Well, fair enough.  It doesn't buy me anything.  And quite frankly I'm not looking to be bought, or sold on anything.  I'm just a voter who is sick and tired of being represented at the state and federal level by individuals who are counter-productive to our ability to create jobs and improve our Connecticut economy.  This is the central point that we should all be concerned with. 

If you thought Connecticut Republicans were angry before the election, you should listen to them now.  Normally after such a multi-tiered loss, people burn out and go away and recharge their batteries for a few months.  Instead, it appears that the outrage over party shenanigans and what is being seen as "step backwards" via losing the Governor's Office has brought people to a fervor pitch.

I've been very clear about what I think of the current Republican State Chairman Christopher Healy.  He should resign.  If Healy worked in the private sector and produced these kinds of results, he'd be fired.  The results show that since he's been state chairman Connecticut Republicans have done far worse at every level, and Democrats are now even a super-majority in the Statehouse.  It seems that the only one who's benefited from Chris Healy serving as State Chairman is Chris Healy.  Imagine that? The amazing thing is the nerve this guy has to stick around; lately he's putting himself front and center putting out press releases and attending meeting to give the appearance that he's in charge and leading us forward.

Well, he's not.  And he can't.

What he's doing to working his ass off to maintain the status quo, surrounding himself with loyal idiots at State Central who will defend his failed leadership, and spin his horrific record to the end of the Earth.  He's most concerned about keeping his position of power so he can hobnob with Republican leaders at the National Party and find ways to make himself rich and important because clearly he can't do it in the private sector.  Sadly, Healy has big balls, and he doesn't see his failures as his own, and having people he's hand picked surrounding him all day tell him how wonderful he is probably doesn't help OUR cause - getting Republicans elected to all offices and turning around our economy.

The biggest sign that he's delusional about his capability is his audacity to announce that he was considering a run for National Republican Party Chairmanship.  Can you imagine? Based on his record in in Connecticut?  It's no surprise his candidacy lasted ten minutes.  He's the last thing the RNC needs right now in its moment of triumph.

You have to realize that anyone with an ounce of integrity would have resigned already.  Most would be embarrassed about EVERYTHING that has happened within the last year alone - from turning on a former Congressman (who likely had much to do with him even getting the job he has) to undermining nominated candidates, to conflict of interest by having his wife take a high paying gig working for a primary candidate who never stood a chance in Hell.  Yet, he holds his head up high and works to build his fledgling dominion at GOP Headquarters.  Sort of sad.  Sort of costly to us all.

The Republican Party here in the State of Connecticut is severely fractured.  There are economic and social moderates, tea party folks, Fairfield County factions, second amendment groups, big business groups, small business groups, conservative sub base laborers, pro-life groups, and all different kinds of other groups clamoring for a voice.  To say that the Connecticut Republican Party lacks a cohesive identity is an understatement.   It's a mess.  And the mistrust of those at the top is more than evident than ever before, which is why it needs to change.

If we learned anything from this past election, its that writing a big check (in the millions of dollars) doesn't really win you friends, and it surely doesn't win you elections, no matter how historic the dollar amount.  And it isn't a substitute for a winning strategy. 

The best thing the Republican Party could do is to hold caucuses, elect new people outside of Healy loyalists, and start over.  Yes, I know this would remove favor and patronage as a prerequisite to election to State Central, and its Committees, but would be much better than it is today.  And it may give us the best chance of realigning the Party for resurgence.

Look, I know this is blue sky.  This tactic won't get rid of all the bad apples who have brought us down the tubes.  But its likely the only chance to put in fresh blood, and reinvigorate the GOP with fresh ideas and winnable strategies.  It's also the chance to remove the power of the few who seek to rule by minority status and return the Party back to its constituency.

If we don't do this, the party will fracture further.  Those people who felt betrayed, and don't see a form of remediation will likely walk away, and/or form third parties which would be devastating to the Connecticut Republican Party, and to those of us who want to see tax reform and economic changes, and see Connecticut return to a pro-business state once again.

If you can share the message, tell it from the mountains. It's time for Chris Healy and his cronies to go.  Let's rebuild the Connecticut Grand Old Party together, for a brighter tomorrow.

In my next entry, I want to deal with the varying dynamics of Connecticut Republicans, and the dangerous upcoming battle to forge a unified platform for the Party.  This won't be your Grandfather's blog entry so I hope you catch the next installment.

The original blog entry can be found at http://www.thekingsview.blogspot.com/