[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: The Magnificent Contradiction

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
The Magnificent Contradiction
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1243630127.shtml


   Many years ago I had a brief flirtation with the Libertarian Party. It
   was different. It had answers, and some deep thought underneath those
   answers, thinking I still very much respect and embrace today. But
   there was one obvious problem. Our natural, well-founded distrust of
   government left us with no taste for politics. We saw it as a
   negative, keeping worse people than ourselves out of power. We had no
   real positive goals beyond the virtuous platitudes. We didn't want to
   build a Light Rail line, like the supposedly independent, freedom
   loving Jesse Ventura.
   Judging by various accounts including last night's debates, I think
   this is fair to say of the Republican Party as well. We act to fight
   off Democrats and their destructive policies, not build unneeded
   highways, arenas, and museums. We are hesitant to ask for donations,
   not being able to offer such baubles. We rebel at the idea of paying
   off unions for support. We look at it as part time, something to do
   after work. The Democrats look at politics as a career.
   During the debates last night, the question of whether they should or
   would draw a salary came up. Some said yes, some said no. (A big thank
   you to [1]Matt Abe at Northstar Liberty for this coverage.) There were
   a couple of interesting responses.
   Deputy Chair candidate Fleming said she would because salary equals
   accountability. I agree. Chair candidate Ruud said that not paying a
   salary limits the field. I agree with that, too. In fact, it's a
   critical first step in creating real careers in Republican politics.
   And why not? Keeping the liberals at bay is a noble, worthwhile
   profession. The DFL majority in the 2008-09 Minnesota Legislature and
   President Obama illustrate this like never before.
   The Chair is a key position. Rather than agonize or muse over what the
   duties should be, pay enough to get someone who knows what to do.
   We're capitalists. That's our advantage, and a big one. Let's use it.
   Let's act like shareholders, buy some stock, elect a Board, and hire
   the best damn CEO we can afford. At $10 a share, even a couple hundred
   thousand owners could afford to get the best. Turning this around, a
   star at the helm would inspire membership in a competent organization,
   one we can be proud of once again.

References

   1. http://northstarliberty.blogspot.com/2009/05/liveblogging-minnesota-gop-leadership.html