Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Motion For Compliance
Here is the First Draft of the Motion I intend to enter into the Record during the June Linn County GOP Central Committee Meeting.
Input, suggestions and critique is welcome the Comment Section is Moderated but I will attempt to post them in a timely manner
Whereas: the Result of the Point of Order and Law raised in this years February meeting placed the Membership List of the Linn County GOP Central Committee in Dispute, because the appointment of Members had not been in Compliance with The State Election Code, nor with the Constitutions of the State and County Party and By-Laws
and
Whereas: The Ad-Hoc Committee assembled to rectify this situation by compiling a List of Members from the Precinct Caucus Form As, exceeded their Authority by giving Voting Rights not in Compliance with the Election Code, Constitutions and By-Laws
I Move: That a Quorum of Duly Elected Central Committee Members whose names appear on the Precinct Caucus Form As as having been Elected to that position be assembled.
For the Purpose, if they so choose
By a Majority Vote of their Quorum to,
Fill any Vacancies of Committee Members in Precincts
Appoint Assistants for each Precinct
In accordance with the provisions of the
AND by a majority vote of their Quorum, if they so choose
Affirm all Actions, Elections and Votes that have takenplace in the interim as
The Will of the Body of the Linn County GOP Central Committee
What we got here
Have you ever looked around and had the uncanny feeling that you were part of a Movie?
Recently I have had the odd deja-vous impression
What we got here is... failure to communicate
Or at least that is what seems to have been the case for the last two months, there was however extensive communication at the May Central Committee Meeting, to say the least.
Before I get into the present I wish to make some comments on the past.
I first started making County Meetings just prior to the 2006 Elections. No reflection on the Executive Board at that time I was impressed with Dan Abolins drive and dedication, but things were a total mess.
When the next Executive Board took over, the Committee was broke and had to clear up some serious financial reporting issues that took the better part of their two year term , but they accomplished that goal.
We ended up with a strong IMO system of sub-committees for volunteer organizing and fund raising and were so successful, that unlike most of the Counties in Iowa, we paid for the entire 2008 Election, the Election Victory Offices, had established a Permanent Linn County GOP office, with some equipment staffed by volunteers, we had set up a social network webpage on Facebook for speedy communication AND we had about $5000 in the Bank.
Then we voted in a new Executive Board. What has transpired since?
The Sub-committees? Do not Exist anymore.
Our Permanent Office? Does not Exist anymore.
Our Meeting Location? Changed to the far end of the County.
But we were informed we MAY be meeting in a more Centralized Location, sometimes.
We Do have a Coffee morning rotating around the County, the First Friday of each month and that IS a good addition,
The Communication during the May meeting was
The Issue of using the NRA logo, without their permission, was raised and the Body was informed that an apology had been made, but when requested that the Body be informed as to who that had been delivered to the answer was vague.
The issue of using the name of the Tea Party organization for the April meeting without consulting with them or getting their approval was raised and there was a commitment made to refrain from that in the Future.
There was a LOT of communication on the minutes of the last two months and those issues are to be worked out.
The issue of illegal proxy votes at the March Election was raised and the Executive Board was tasked with an inquiry.
The Issue of the termination of the Permanent Linn County GOP Office was raised and the point of order was, by what authority did the Executive Board terminate the Lease and eliminate the Office, since it had been established by a Vote of the Body of the County Central Committee.
The answer seems to have been that the Executive Board felt they did not need to return to the Body for that decision and could make it themselves,.
Now THAT does appear to this writer as a direct violation of the Linn County Republican Party Constitution.
Which states
The general management of the affairs of the party in Linn County is vested in the Linn County Central Committee
and
The Executive Committee shall transact the routine business
of the Linn County Central Committee during the interim of the meetings of the Linn County Central Committee
. Any business transacted or action taken shall be reported to the Linn
County Central Committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
The Executive
Committee is subject to the orders of the Linn County Central Committee, and none of its acts
shall conflict with actions of the Linn County Central Committee.
Others may disagree, but I do not think voiding Lease Agreements and Closing down Offices, that have been established by a Vote of the Central Committee constitutes "routine business" and it is my opinion that the Executive Board exceeded their Legal Authority when they took this action.
The Body of the Central Committee is the Legal Authority for General Management and cannot be overruled by the Executive Board
Now their INTENTIONS may be in Good Faith, but Good Faith as I have stated in one of my previous articles does not endow Legal Authority.
While your Heart may be as Pure as the Driven Snow, and your Cause Just and Righteous, you are either in Compliance with the Rules of the State Election Code, the Constitutions of the State and County GOP or you are NOT.
Which brings us to the subject dear to my heart. We are in my opinion STILL not in compliance as regards Voting Members,
When I asked if there was a Quorum present, I was informed there was, BUT that count included what was termed Alternate Committee Members and as far as I can tell
There is NO repeat NO such designation in the Rules and Election Code as an Alternate Committee member selected during the Caucus Elections.
This Category does not exist, AFTER a duly Elected Central Committee is convened they may appoint Assistants who have Voting Rights in the absence of the Elected Committee Members, the Elected Committee Members may also Fill Vacancies by a majority vote.
But we never did this, The entire result of the Issue that David Chung raised at the February meeting is that until we have a quorum of Elected Committee Members assembled we cannot fill any vacancies nor appoint Assistants.
The only Legal Authority the Ad Hoc Committee formed to deal with this issue had, was to find and recognize Elected County Committee Members, using the Form As as a resource.
They exceeded their brief when they gave Voting Rights to persons appearing on the Form As described as Caucus Chair, Co-Chairs, Secretaries or Alternates.
In one case , the duly elected Committee Member was prevented from voting because their name did not Appear on the Form A and one of the persons responsible for seeing that the Form As were filled out, who had not attended a Committee Meeting for most of the previous year voted instead.
The Solution to all this is simple and I will submit a written motion to the Committee for the next meeting.
Assemble just ONE TIME a Quorum of Elected Committee Members, they can Recognize ALL of the people should they wish, who have been given voting rights, to Fill Vacancies in Precincts and to be appointed as Assistants for Precincts to Vote in the Elected Committee Members absence, AND they can adopt as the Will of the Body ALL Decisions that have been voted on during the recent past.
If we do this we will be in FULL compliance with the Election Codes and our Constitutions and By-Laws.
It has been presented to me that we should just let things ride until the Next Election Caucuses.
That says to me
Just pretend we are in compliance with the Law,
Who cares?
Well I care.
How about YOU?
So we have serious Issues in Linn County,
Which in my eyes have simple solutions.
Obey the Election Code of the State of Iowa and the Rules outlined in the State and County GOP Constitutions and By-Laws
Friday, 15 May 2009
Dotting the Eye of Sauron
Anyone who, knows me, or has been following the articles on this website recently, should realize that I stand firmly for making sure the Is are dotted and all the Ts are crossed.
The entire thrust of most of my posts has been on issues where I believe we have not, in the local GOP apparatus, done everything in compliance with State Election Code and the various State and County Constitutions and By-Laws.
So you might understand, how I felt when upon arising to get ready for work recently, I received a phone call from the
Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board.
Not the sort of thing, one expects, or enjoys before one's first cup of coffee.
The Long and Short of it is. I and a few others placed a small Ad in the Marion Paper opposing the passing of the Local Option Sales Tax. AKA LOST.
It seems someone filed a complaint with the State Ethics Board because the Ad did not list any personal identification.
Now I wish to thank the person who brought this matter to our attention, because I DO wish to ensure that anything done, that I am involved with ,that has a political nature, is done in the correct manner and in compliance with the Laws of the State of Iowa.
A person who SUPPORTS Raising Taxes, of course, has a perfect right to use any tool that the legal system holds to try to silence opposition to that position.
I would find it perfectly understandable if a Progressive Democrat had pulled such a maneuver. I might even give them grudging respect, as it was a clever move.
What surprised me was that this action was taken by a member of the
Linn County GOP Central Committee.
Since our first meeting in April was advertised as a Linn County GOP Central Committee and TEA Party Rally, I was not aware that the official position of the County GOP Central Committee was to support the LOST agenda of raising taxes.
If this was not the case then, why, I wonder would someone on the Central Committee make an issue of our small Ad?
We live in interesting, albeit occasionally confusing times.
It is written that in the End Days there will be Signs in the Heavens.
It is almost eerie that in 2005 the Hubble Space Craft took a photo in the constellation Piscis Austrinus that is the exact image of the "the Great Eye of Sauron".
This photo was taken in 2005, compare it with this screen saver from 2004.
The photo taken by the Hubble is of the Star Fomalhaut. In ancient Persia, this star announced the arrival of autumn weather.
The End of the Season of Life and the Harbinger of the Cold, Bleak, Dark Season of Winter.
Fitting, when one considers the election results since the Eye of Sauron opened 3 years ago.
But to return to our present Saga. The results of the Inquiry by the
Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board was?
Not much of anything really. We have to buy another Ad stating that we sponsored the first. But the even better news is that we now have an excellent resource in Des Moines who has been very helpful giving us detailed advice and instruction on how we should precede with this issue and any other matters, we may wish to pursue.
So we actually owe the person who complained to the State Ethics Board a debt of gratitude, their efforts have been very helpful to us.
And yes I am quite aware of their identity, I have in my possession an email from Des Moines informing me of exactly Who and How this Action was initiated.
But in the interest of keeping to Principles instead of Personalities
until the Fullness of Time is appropriate I will only refer to them as Smeagol
That seems fitting somehow.
I don't mind opposition, I expect my opponents to be passionate in the defense of their position, it does sadden me that someone in the GOP Leadership found it necessary to take such drastic action as filing a complaint in Des Moines in response to an Ad that
Opposed Increased Taxation,
So I send out the Call
AWAKE! ARISE THE WEST! TO ARMS
For the Hosts of Mordor Gather!
The Great Eye of Sauron has opened
and it's corrupting influence has found fertile ground.
Even among our own Ranks
Friday, 8 May 2009
The Worm Ouroboros
The Worm Ouroboros (1922) is a heroic high fantasy novel by Eric Rücker Eddison. The book describes the protracted war between the domineering King Gorice of Witchland and the Lords of Demonland in an imaginary world that appears mainly medieval and partly reminiscent of Norse sagas.
Though triumphant, the Demon lords find that victory is bitter because there are no more enemies worthy of their heroism, no more great deeds to perform. The Lord Juss says to Queen Sophonisba:
| “ | Thou O Queen canst scarcely know our grief: for to thee the blessed Gods gave thy heart's desire: youth forever, and peace. Would that they but give us our good gift, that should be youth for ever, and war; and unwaning strength and skill in arms. Would that they might but give us our great enemies alive and whole again. For better it were we should run hazard again of utter destruction, than thus live out our lives like cattle fattening for the slaughter, or like silly garden plants. (page 392) | ” |
Sophonisba, gifted by the gods with the power to grant wishes, returns the world to how it was four years ago; and so, with a blare of trumpets, an ambassador from Witchland arrives, "craving present audience," and
the story starts over again.
Now, I am of course not saying that the Republican Party WANTED things to go back to the way they were, but that does seem to be the Human condition, after Great Trials, Adventures and Adversity, the Ultimate Evil is Vanguished and then
Everything returns to the way it was before and the process starts all over again.
If we look at the ebb and flow of power between the Democratic and Republican Parties over the years we see this repetitive pattern over and over again,.
Indeed the most extreme reverses seem to follow the Greatest Victories.
Let's take a look at a graph of Republican Seats in the Senate over the past 50 years I have two lines for 40 and 60 seats with over 60 you can end a Filibuster, less than 40 you cannot maintain one,.
Now does the balance of power in the Senate look, THAT much worse now than in the past?
What about the House? I placed a line at 218, the House has 435 members if you have 218 Seats, you have a majority.
Ok you can see the whole pictue and to tell the truth I would prefer it be a different one, but I don't see it as that much worse than what has gone before.
Do you?
One thing history has taught us about Politics, whatever the situation whether in our favour or against it, we can be certain of only one thing
This too shall Pass.
Thursday, 7 May 2009
The Rumors Of Our Death
Upon being informed that a newspaper had printed his obituary, Mark Twain is reported to have said
The rumors of my Death have been greatly exaggerated.
I am beginning to feel that way about the GOP.
We are continuously hearing about the demise of the Republican Party.
GOP - DOA ?
Are the reports of the death of the GOP, to paraphrase Mark Twain, "Greatly exaggerated?" Or are we seeing the inexorable demise of a doomed beast -- like seeing the last wooly mammoth go down in tar pits of La Brea?
The defeats suffered in the 2006 mid-term and 2008 Presidential elections, combined with the recent defection of Senator Arlen Specter to the Democratic Party, certainly left a whiff of lingering death in the air. Was Specter's decision a mandatory 10-count that will allow the Republicans to get off the mat and fight on? Or was it the final knockout roundhouse?
I am sorry but there is quite a bit of exageration here. The 2006 Election was the average outcome of a second term bielection. It is true that the Democrtic Party did much better than the Republican Party in that election, but there was nothing out side of the normal range.
House of Representatives
Senate
All of the above looks daunting, I will be the first to admit that, but if this portends the demise of the Republican Party shouldn't it be as bad or worse than what has gone before???
Let's just take a look and see how the present state compares with say the 1976 Election?
Party summary
Senate
TOTAL members: 100
House of Representatives
TOTAL members: 435
Now I might be biased but I don't see much difference in the balance of power in the Senate and the distribution of House seats looks better today than after the 1976 Election.
But what about one might ask the overwhelming victory of the Democratic Presidential Candidate?
Was it really that overwhelming??
1976 Jimmy Carter against Gerold Ford
Carter won with 50.1% of the vote to Ford's 48%
2008 Barack Obama against John McCain
Obama won with 52.9% of the vote to McCain's 45.7%
2008 was better than 1976 but neither compare with 1964
Johnson had 61.1% of the vote to Goldwater's 38.5%
No any prediction of the demise of the Republican Party
needs to explain why it did not curl up in die during the last
40 some years when things looked as bad as they do now or even'
worse.
Whatever became of that Carter fellow anyway?
Oh I remember now
..
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
The LOST Free Lunch Isn't
Well the dust has settled in Linn County Iowa and the forces of Let's Raise Taxes, someone else will pay for it, have won,
Here is an exchange I had on facebook, The names are absent, because at the present time I prefer to speak about Principles rather than Personalities.
It all started when I read the following
"congratulations Marionites. We passed the LOST penny and will receive $20 million over next 5 years for sewer, streets & parks. Also our sewer bills will remain static rather than double as projected. Good for Marion!!"
My immediate reaction was, "this person sounds like they really think someone just GAVE them -$20 Million. Don't they realise that $20 Million just left the wallets of taxpayers and went into the hot little hands of politicians???
I responded with
I see if they don't get the vote they want just keep doing it over and over until they get the vote they want?
sounds like some recent Congressional Races to me.
and
"Also our sewer bills will remain static rather than double as projected. "
But your TAXES are going up $20 Million dollars or do you really think folks are going to drive to Marion to give them that money?
Guess who gets to pay for the bulk of your $20 million dollar windfall, guess who gets hurt worst by a tax lke this?
Now I WAS mistaken about the $20 Million cost to Marion Taxpayers for which I was promptly corrected.
the bottom 60% of income earners pay less than 1% of federal income taxes on net.
When "tax credits" primarily go to this group in the form of checks from the government (rather than a reduction in their tax burden) it is simply an abuse of the language to call the spending a tax cut.
What it really should be called is "Redistribution of Wealth" and isn't that what this article started with someone crowing about?
They are happy they will be getting back more than they pay in.
Of course Obama's plan will end up with folks who did not PAY income tax at all getting checks cut from money taken out of the pockets of those who DO pay taxes.
In the words of our good friend they would be monumentally STUPID not to vote for someone who would do that for them
As for the rest of us, we would be equally STUPID not to resist it,
But if we have those among us that don't mind this process as long as THEY are on the receiving end of the handouts we have a problem, particularly if the person is someone we voted for and helped elect,
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Good Faith Is Not Legal Authority
Someone remind me, the Road to Where, is Paved with What?
Earlier this year there was some confusion as to who exactly had voting
rights in the Linn County Central Committee Officer Elections.
The Point of Order and Election Law raised was quite correct, however the process used to attempt to correct this problem was IMO flawed.
As I read the Iowa State Election Code, the Constitution of the Republican Party of Iowa, and the Constitution of the Linn County Central Committee and it's By-Laws there are only two ways to become a member of a County Central Committee.
To be elected to that position at a Precinct Caucus during an election.
Or
To be appointed to that position by a majority vote of the Central Committee.
A majority vote of the Central Committee may also appoint Assistant Committee Members who can be given voting rights in the absence of the persons holding voting rights by the two above means.
During the process to bring the roster of the Linn County Central Committee into compliance, the Form As from the Precinct Caucuses were used.
It was stated to me during the April Linn County Central Committee Rally that "Good Faith" was used to assemble the list of credentialed voters.
Upon my question, "But by What Legal Authority were persons NOT elected to those positions during the Precinct Caucuses given voting rights?"
The response remained, we acted in Good Faith.
Sorry but Good Faith is not Legal Authority.
Of course if a persons name DOES appear on a Form A as having been elected by that Precinct to be a Central Committee member, then the Ad Hoc Committee formed to assemble the voting list has evidence of Legal Authority to recognize those as having Legal Voting Rights.
No one else qualifies. No one whose name appears only on the Form A as a Chair, Co-Chair, Secretary or Alternate qualifies under the Legal Code,
An attempt to give every possible precinct representation by filling vacancies with the above designations, while it might be well intended and acting in--
"Good Faith"
Does not give any Legal Authority to that action.
Good Faith is not nor can it ever be by itself Legal Authority.
In recent times it has been presented to us, that our most basic principles,
Free Market Capitalism, Personal Responsibility, The Rule of Law
must be held in abeyance for the Greater Good,
or because it would be too too difficult to actually enforce certain Laws such as our Immigration Regulations.
To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
To the above the responses have ranged from Tea parties,
and the moral case against redistribution,
to associations in response to the overwhelming problems of Illegal Aliens in this country
My concerns IMO are part and parcel with these ideals.
The events leading up to the formation of the new Leadership and the events following, the complete shutdown of two way communication the feelings in some of abandonment and being ignored,
Are not conducive to Unity, or at least not the Unity of any but the Discontented,
Which is not a suggested goal for Leadership
Remember, Information is Power and Communication is Liberation.
There will be a Coffee Meeting May 1
Mr. Beans
1080 East Post Rd
Marion, IA 52302 US
View Map
When: Friday, May 1, 7:30AM
If they have your support, or if you feel they should be given more time, go to it and tell them,
If you have questions, go to it and ask them
Linn County Precincts
Have you ever been confused about what Precinct you are in?
What County District? What State or Congressional District?
This is a work in progress to give you a one stop answer to those questions
The links will take you to the information on the Linn County Auditor's Website.
Cedar Rapids Precincts
Marion Precincts Linn County Precincts |
State Level Maps
- MAPS:
- Congressional & Legislative Districts:
- 22 X 34 inches pdf format (2 pages) (large plotter required to print map)
- Congressional Districts Only:
- 8½ X 11 inches (B&W) pdf format jpg format
- 8½ X 11 inches (Color) pdf format jpg format
- Senate Districts Only:
- 8½ X 11 inches (B&W) pdf format jpg format
- 8½ X 11 inches (Color) pdf format jpg format
- 8½ X 11 inches (with 2009 legislator names) pdf format jpg format
- House Districts Only:
- 8½ X 11 inches (B&W) pdf format jpg format
- 8½ X 11 inches (Color) pdf format jpg format
- 8½ X 11 inches (with 2009 legislator names) pdf format jpg format
- Individual District Maps(8 1/2 X 11 inches)
- Senate Districts House Districts
- Printed copies are available:
Legislative Information Office
(515) 281-5129 or lioinfo@legis.state.ia.us
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Well At The World's End
The "Well at the World's End" is an adventure fantasy published in 1896 and considered to be an inspiration to J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis.
Now of course neither I nor anyone I know has ever been on an adventure to The Well at the World's End.
But some of us did sally forth recently on a Journey to
The Rally at Linn County's End
Myself, I am not one to Vote for Change, merely for the sake of Change,
When it is presented to me that something which has served me well in the past needs altered, I prefer being shown some substantive gain to be derived from the departure from what has been before,.
You see I am something which is called a CONSERVATIVE
I am also a Devout Capitalist and it is written in the
Rules of Acquisition: Thou Shalt Not Hinder the Customer From Parting With Their Latinum.
Adjusting that paradigm to meeting attendance, translates as, if you wish folks to come to your meeting you need to smooth their path.
You need to have the meeting place where it is easy for them to go, where they might go occasionally, often for other reasons.
The short form of the above is
Location, Location, LOCATION
If you think like I do, you might have wondered, "Is there a place in Linn County that is FURTHER away from the people we wish to attend Linn County Central Committee Meetings and still be IN Linn County?
I confess I cannot think of one,.
What would in my opinion be an optimum location?
Well maybe a Central Location? Since folks in Iowa are like folks elsewhere, and those who live out in the country come into Town to Shop, maybe around were they might come to shop?
Perhaps they might want to get something to eat before or after the meeting? How about also where there is a nice selection of restaurants a range of which could fit any budget?
Hmm that sound a lot like
Where we used to HAVE our Meetings.
And to top everyting off, besides being a Conservative and Capitalist, I also place a priority on Fiscal Responsibility.
The Deal we had at our previous location as I understand it was, $50/month and some of us dine there ( I always did) plus booking one Party a year, which we always did.
Now the new place looks very nice, but I still wonder, what was the Gain by this Change?
How exactly did we benefit?
You might want to ask this for yourself if you are curious about the same things I am.
Technorati Tag::REPUBLICAN PARTY OF IOWA ****Election Laws of the State of Iowa ****Precinct Caucuses ****Linn County GOP Central Committee****View blog reactions
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Solutions
When someone brings up an issue and points to some occurrence to which they object, it is only fitting and proper that they be asked and respond to the question.
Well what do YOU think should be done about this, or are you only capable of complaining?
I stand ready to address such a question.
There may be those who dispute my conclusions that the only persons who could be considered to be credentialed to vote in the March Elections were those persons who appeared on the Form A Caucuses as actually Elected to the positions of County Central Committee Members, but I feel that I stand on Bedrock
One foot firmly placed on the Iowa State Election Code and One foot placed firmly on the Constitutions of the State Republican Party the Linn County Central Committee and the latter's By-Laws.
The First thing we should do IMO is determine if we in fact had a Quorum of Elected County Committee members in attendance at the March 17 meeting
We can do that by comparing those who are Listed on the Caucus Form as actually have been elected to those positions, with the list of those who voted that night.
Persons appearing only as Chairs, CoChairs, Secretaries or under the classification of Alternates do not qualify, In fact the only position that is called Alternate that is chosen at the Precinct Caucuses is Alternate to the County Convention,
Upon determining the above. those legally Credentialed that night to vote , should recast their votes and we should accept the results of that election no matter what they are.
IMO it is important to impress on them that they should recast their votes as they did on March 17 and not take into consideration any factors that might have influenced them afterwords,
That done the Quorum of Central Committee Members can appoint new Members to fill any vacant positions,
Can in addition by a majority vote appoint Assistant Committee Members in any number to the various Precincts. Those do not have voting rights except in the event of the absence of one or more of the Voting Committee Members.
I do not think this is a complicated process. At it's end the result would be a County Central Committee and an Officer's Election, fully in compliance with the State Election Code, the Constitution of the Republican Party of Iowa and the Constitution of the Linn County Central Committee and it's By-Laws.
Clean elections are a particular concern of mine, considering how distorted they have been in different places around the country in recent times, and I feel we are on more stable ground intellectually and morally, if when we object to such incidents, that we are in fact following our own rules on our Elections.
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