Words Into Action

Comment

Comment by Daria Novak on January 7, 2011 at 2:48pm

Sharron - then I must be one of the most incredibly blessed in the Western world as I have been the subject of many, many personal attacks for standing up for my political beliefs at every turn during my Congressional campaign! Unfortunately, it can go with the territory. lol

One thing I did was to forbid the same from ANY of my Congressional campaign staff and volunteers. I had a zero tolerance policy on negative attacks. I got rid of 3 people for just suggesting we do it. I kept my word about taking the high throughout - with no exceptions. AND, I stated this throughout the campaign and challenged anyone to show me where my crew didn't adhere to it. I'm not kiddin' and it was hard to adhere to at times.

As a result, I have people coming to me every day now saying I was the only federal candidate in my state not to get into negative campaigning or a spitting contest. I did it right and went after my opponent's record using simple statements of fact as comparison. I am proud I can stand behind every single statement I made during the campaign. It is really, really hard to stick by principles and, oh so easy and tempting to give in and respond with a like attack. I was determined to change the course of politics in CT and it is working.

It won't happen overnight, but we as a Party are changing and improving here. If we stoop to the lowest common denominator, then we are no better than our opponents.

With regard to responses....

The first thing I try to do is to determine if the attack merits a response. If it does to limit damage, then it should be quick and forthcoming. When my children were little I would tell them to respond to other kids calling them names by saying "Only people with limited vocabularies find the need to use words like that." Sad, but I have used a variation of this with adults in politics here.

Here are a few other phrases and quips you might employ to shut them up quickly...

"I'm surprised and shocked you find it necessary to go to such a low level to make you feel good about yourself. I mistakenly thought you had more self-esteem."

"If you had a valid argument you wouldn't need to resort to inflamatory statements and lies. You're doing this reinforces what I already knew.  I am correct in my thinking."

"You just lost what little respect I had for you. And, it is obvious from your comments that you have no respect left for yourself either.  That's the real shame here, not that we disagree." [Then just walk away.]

"I'm taking the high road and from your comments it is obvious I am traveling alone."

"When you lost your civility you lost your argument with me.

"Our Founding Fathers warned us about those who would try to destroy America from within. I choose not to play your game."

Sometimes I repeat the lie they are telling to them, or tell a person I am with the story first and say "you wouldn't believe the latest gossip/lie/vicious statement.... (tell it) and then laugh it off and say I couldn't have made up a better one if I tried myself.

This is true. A member of the State Central Committee made up this lie while I was campaigning and told it everywhere within the Party. She said I had a "Monica Lewinsky problem" and that I had "slept with President Reagan and the entire Secret Service Team on Air Force One." (I've never been on AF 1.) I laughed so hard when I heard it. I am not a skinny little or young kid. I had my son at 39 in 1995 and my daughter at age 40. The picture is a mismatch!  This is my favorite rumor to the point that I told people I must go out and buy myself a blue dress one day! lol It was even spread by a Republican State Assembly member. These slugs exist within our population of both political and non-political types. Just take a deep breath. You know the truth. The greater the attack the more the other must be afraid of your strength and beliefs. That in itself is power.

At some point this type of garbage from the "low lifes" we have to deal with is going to happen to you in politics. The personal attacks are the hardest with which to deal. Before I go out to an event I always say a little prayer to help me do the right thing and get through the day sticking to my principles. My word and my reputation are everything to me.

Whatever you do, don't sink to their level. The other thing I always try to do is to anticipate what lies will be told and have facts to back up my position. I even memorized a few citations to back up my arguments without getting emotionally involved. It takes practice but by sticking to it you will be viewed as part of the new Republican Party and a leader to be reckoned with of strength, courage and principle.

I hope this helps some. Keep you sense of humor, too. And, remember you are not alone. God is on the side of good people in America.

Comment by Sharron A. Clark on January 7, 2011 at 1:42pm

Thanks, Daria, for your comments about Heritage Foundation : -)  Im glad I support such a great organization!  Another thought that's been going around in my mind is how Republicans and Conservative non-Republicans can instantly counter hateful (usually untruthful) personal attacks.  Sarah Palin, and other Republican women candidates are targets for vicious words and parodies.  Remember the old "Sticks and Stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me?"  The Democrat Party operatives and previously "mainstream media" have raised toxic rhetoric to an art form.  Any ideas about a quick slogan like Sticks and Stones that could help all of us when hurled insults and poisonous statements?  A Biblical text tells us we are "Blessed" when they hate us.

Comment by Daria Novak on January 7, 2011 at 12:56pm

We need to speak to both active and inactive voters to give them brief data points (or picture stories) on what this Administration's policies mean to them as an individual or a family. Too many people hear "Dream Act" and think it sounds good. Or, "Food Safety" and intuitively make a false assumption from the title that it could NOT be bad, it is about safety. IMHO, many Americans are lazy and don't do the research. Heck, our Congress doesn't!

If those of us who are active help, we can inform the masses who don't work at it about what really is occurring in Washington. When I spoke to someone about EPA regulating water pollution I received the reaction that this sounds good, our water will be cleaner. When I painted a story they could see with the pragmatic result of the EPA's actions I received the exact opposite opinion from the same voter. In reality, the EPA put through regulations forcing homeowners, who change a tire for a neighbor and charge them five bucks (or any auto mechanic help), to submit and pay for testing of a sample of runoff water from the roof of their garage every single month to ensure there are no pollutants in it.

One picture woke up a voter and made a bigger impact than arguing in detail. they won't forget the garage example, while they may the costs and numbers associated with it. We can alter perceptions if people understand WHY these extensive and burdensome bureaucracies are bad for the American economy as "For the Real Change" stated this morning.

Sharon A. Clark asked how we counter these flawed sources. We cite Heritage Foundation and others. We "paint" examples that show just how outrageous this government's intrusions are into our lives. Americans love our privacy. We have expressions in our language such as "what goes on behind close doors is nobody's business." We use our cultural norms, backed up by facts, to convince people that this is NOT what we want, what we were promised , or what is good for our nation.

I support clean water. I DO NOT support the EPA forcing some retired person in the countryside who adds $5. to his monthly income by changing snow tires for a neighbor to have to submit to regulations and costly monthly water testing. That is government on steroids and BAD for us.

If you think about it, there are several major issues that come up again and again. Sharon, if we have our facts correct on those issues, we will change people's minds. Voters are intelligent people, but often don't have the time or desire to become experts on a multitude of topics. We can do the work for them.

If they see a pattern of overly paternalistic government reminiscent of the early days of communism or socialism in Europe, it will make an impact.

Personally, I think we ought to study our political history beginning around the time Wilson came into office and look at a before and after picture of our government. It started spinning out of control long ago and then slid into socialism more quickly after WWII. We are not going to alter perceptions overnight, but it is possible because one underlying value our population stills holds is a strong belief in individual liberty.

If people here and on our Republican Town Committees across America all wrote Letters to the Editor and organized friends and neighbors to do the same, it will change how people think. I have seen this happen in my geographic area. People like to read their hometown paper to find out the local happenings. Get a variety of individuals to continuously comment. Get a dialogue going.

In negotiating school they tell students never to place something on the table if it is not negotiable. We must bring up the liberal agenda. Don't let it sit unchallenged. We may not be able to back politicians off the full agenda but we can push it back, make cracks in liberal arguments, and change the current momentum. another example... look at how fast Obama changed course on the "death panels" once people started speaking out and he didn't have political backing for it!

Obama's goal is make our population so dependent and intertwined with government that it emerges as our permanent caretaker and makes our decisions for us without our consent. Once that fully occurs we become slaves to the system and will not easily escape. Look at how hard it was in the USSR and now in China and elsewhere. Americans bristle at the term slavery.

Provide pictorial examples of how this is occurring with the government as the new master. And, how we are losing our right to govern our own lives, etc. The "hum" can start inside a PTA, church, town hall, newspaper, radio show, gun club, chamber of commerce, etc.

There are many places to get your facts. Be sure to have a citation so no one can accuse you of fear mongering. Keep the example short and vidid. I have seen this work again and again.

For example... below someone mentioned gas prices. Find out the high point for gas prices in Europe. We usually relate better to comparisons with Europe v. what occurs in the developing world. Figure out what it costs them to fill a car. Then find out how much a typical person in your area drives per year or per month, or the size of their tank. Use European pricing and BAM!!!

I can legitimately state that Obama has talked publicly about how our gas prices might have to go up to the European levels. Tell someone if that occurs and we have to pay the same it would cost us about $120 to fill a car with a 15 gallon tank. Even writing that makes me cringe.

Most of all... we can state our frustrations here, but let's no expend too much energy on the negative side without participating in positive actions to change the situation. We need plans for each of our communities to change business as usual and to put us back on the track to prosperity. We have new leaders coming into Congress and others rising up through the ranks who are strong and smart. Let's praise them when they do a good job. They need to hear that the sacrifices they are making and their work is noticed and counts toward the overall goal of a free and prosperous society.

Comment by Linna on January 7, 2011 at 10:25am

For the Real Change -- we all have to be mindful that this huge mess was started

30 years ago by progressives who want this country to be socialistic.   Now, this

is going to take the good will and energy of all of us ... not just our Congress.

Remember, WE are the people who run this country.   Let's back up the people

who are making a big effort for this change ... yes, Daryl Issa is going to bring

accountability to expose corruption, Ron Paul wants to audit and get rid of the

Fed, Speaker Boehner will have a job on his hands as they will try to destroy him.

Our 2012 presidential candidate will be encouraged by the left-wing media for

somone who will lose, like they did with McCain.  Conservatives have to be

smart and see through the lies ... this is truly the only way we can salvage

freedom and democracy.   Let's all join hands and be steadfast!

Comment by For the real change on January 7, 2011 at 1:08am

I am so hopeful that the GOP will do some real concrete changes that we need to save our country, and cutting their own budget 5% is a good start!  However, along with being hopeful, I am skeptical, too!  I see GAS prices going up, my health insurance went up 2X in one month; this month I had to pay the first increase of $35-, and I just received a letter last week stating that they had to increase it another $20 starting in March. Food has gotten more expensive, and I am still under-employed, and I am a professional with a Bachelors degree. Right now, I guess I am lucky to have been given a chance to work through a stimulis program  for Seniors making $8.00 an hour, 20 hours a week after looking desperately for 2 years for a job; however, I will feel real blessed  when I can get a permanent job making enough money to fill my tank once gas reaches $5.00 a gallon and continue to pay my health insurance if it continues to increase.  I am lucky to have someone help me with utilities, but I was just told they are going up too.   I want to see Congress do something about all these increases when people are still struggling!  Why hasn't anyone yelled to Obama about gas prices going up, health insurance increasing- right now, utlities going up, food prices going up, and still NO JOBS!!!!?    I hope they investigate the whys.  Along with cutting budgets, have congress CUT ALL THESE HORRIBLE REGULATIONS that are strangling our job creations and our lives!  Look what all this false GLOBAL WARMING MYTHS have done to us.  Get rid of these layered bureaucracies, lobbyists and false prophet-profiteering charlatans,including liberal medias, destroy our country!  I hope Congress follows through, because I read the Dems are wratching up to bring Pelosi back as Speaker in 2years. 

Please GOP rebuild our home, again!

Comment by Sharron A. Clark on January 6, 2011 at 10:57pm

The House Republicans are off to a good start!  Keep up the good work!

There are extremely important issues for 2011.  

We must not stab fellow Republicans or TEA Party folks in the back!  Here in Colorado, we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory!  We lost the Senate and Governor's races!  We cannot let these things happen again!  We must vet the best possible candidates and make sure there is no "Dirty Laundry" to muck up the works.

How can we educate the electorate to see that Democrats royally messed up our economy... Although we don't watch the spin doctors of MSN, CBS or CNN, there are many folks who believe what is said and printed.  How are we going to counter these flawed sources?  

Comment by Sylvia Beltran on January 6, 2011 at 9:29pm

Republicans lost their way after Reagan.  We must not be complacent because they now have the House.  We must be watchful, engaged and active.  I'm a proud California native who is tremendously saddened to have witnessed the (almost) demise of my wonderful state.  The silent majority must not remain silent any longer.  The Republicans in the House have made good start, but I expect more.  They work for me, and I will help fire them if they don't stick to their principles.

Comment by Daria Novak on January 6, 2011 at 7:47pm

In CT we have recommitted ourselves to holding Congress accountable to the Constitution and to the people. We don't want to lose any of the gains we made in 2010. The Constitution Brigade has been visiting classes in CT schools handing out and teaching about the US Constitution for close to two years.  Now we are receiving invitations to do so not only from high schools but it is moving down to the level of the junior highs. Teachers, finally, are beginning to get the message here that students need to grow up in a culture supporting the idea that this great nation requires citizen participation to remain free.

 

According to the Heritage Foundation I am one of the largest purchasers of their Constitution pamphlet in the entire US.  That must mean CT, the Constitution state, is well read on the subject!  I would like to challenge those here to spread knowledge of the Founding Fathers and the Constitution in your schools, too.

 

If you have questions about how we are doing it, please contact me and I would be happy to help you with obtaining materials, lesson plans, etc. We Republicans can afford to have disagreements on issues and policy details and all the while remain free to do so because of the guarantees provided in our Constitution and the Bill of Rights. It isn't about political correctness, it is about America and prosperity. The Constitution is a grand document for all time and all people. I hope our Congress understands this epic point.

 

If our legislators in DC can comprehend fully what "we the people rule and not Congress" means, and if we the people continue to hold our elected officials accountable, then "rule of law" will remain the norm going forward and our nation will have great hope for the future. Neither Republicans nor Democrats are immune to Potomac Fever. We the people, you and me, must be the antidote. From time to time we must deliver a booster shot to those in power to remind them of the dynamic life force that exists outside the body politic in Washington.

 

We cannot be complacent and expect this Congress to do what is right without our support and encouragement. They need to hear from us on a regular basis to effectively serve our citizens. There appears to be a lost generation out there who think the state should have responsibility for us from cradle to grave. We know better. This Administration is simply another form of slavery for our people IF we allow it all-encompassing power. Thirty-five million cut is a very minor start for the new Congress. It shows good intent. But it cannot be construed as evidence that they WILL do right by the American people who elected them.  We must ensure they continue to hear our voices, to share our concerns, and to vote the will of the people on all legislation.

 

The momentum is on our side. We may remain blind at the helm of this Administration but the Republican-led Congress can become our eyes until the 2012 election. Let's keep the pressure on this week, this month and all the ones following it.

 

As leader of the free world, we are the only nation tangent to the major powers in both the economic and political/military arenas. Some nations may be jealous of what this new nation has made of itself, other will strive to achieve what we have developed, while yet others will despise our belief in the equality of all men.  The American people and the American way of life are special, a God-given gift that can't be taken from us by any administration. The government is NOT a higher power than the people of this great nation. This advancement in thinking has served us well since our founding.  

 

We must remind Congress of this when they read and vote on each bill. We must get them to question if it is allowed by the Constitution? Does it overstep the bounds of power about which our forefathers warned us in their writings? And, does their work continue to strengthen the country and increase freedom for our people to prosper and live our lives without excessive government interference? God blessed this nation with bountiful natural resources, a self-reliant population of achievers, and a vision for our people in this great nation to become all that each individual can imagine.

 

This Congress, this month, marks a major turning point in America.  For many decades we have strayed from the path lit by the light of freedom and wandered into the dark recesses of socialism and government occupation of our private lives. The citizens in Congress today took a stand; they sent an initial blast across the bow of those who would choose to limit our greatness. The message is loud and clear.

 

We choose to remain a free and prosperous people.  The war has begun in earnest in DC.  But it also is up to the troops at home to support the warriors we sent to Washington to do battle for us. Let's continue to march into the light and take up the struggle where earlier generations failed. I, for one, am ready to stand strong for America.  

 

I won't accept the 21st century waning of my country's freedom, power, geographic integrity, or ingenuity. This will be a century for America, as leader of the free world, if we follow through on what Congress started today. Tell them we are awake and ready to fight for America in the hallowed halls in Washington and in every state capital in this nation-state. I pray you are with me. Our patriots are ready to fight through the ballot box this year and in ones to come... for America the beautiful... land of the free... home of the brave. Our best days remain beyond today's horizon. For the more free and prosperous our land, the farther into the future we will guarantee the uplifting of all people.  Again, I ask you to join me and other citizen leaders across America. Let's take on this task so that we can pass the torch to the next generation guilt- and debt-free, ready to advance to heights not yet imagined by us.

 

 

Comment by Terri Lee Donohue on January 6, 2011 at 5:34pm

Not only do I think it's wonderful that the new speaker spent the first 90 minutes having the Constitution read outloud, I think that each time they reconvene they should do so starting with the second reader starting each time.  That would mean that ever single one of them would have read the whole thing outloud at some point and give them, prayerfully, the right footing before anything else is discussed.

Comment by Cathy Jenkins on January 6, 2011 at 5:27pm

The fact that the Dems were not happy about the reading of the Constitution on the House floor, should be a tell tale sign in and of itself as to how they view their job responsibilities to the American people. We are in an economic crisis, on the verge of total collapse. If we don't turn this around yesterday, and stop with the entitlement programs and the unnecessary government regulations on small businesses, I'm afraid we will have gone too far and our ability to stay a world leader will be a thing of the past. International talk is already on the table regarding the US dollar and wanting to go to a "one world currency" because our debt and the value has shaken the faith of the lenders. Like it or not, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and Defense are the biggest chunk of where our budget goes and we must revisit those programs.  We can't afford to take away from Defense, but just tackling the fraud and abuse that goes on will make a huge contribution! Whatever happens, must be done swiftly and timely in order to save what is left.

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