OCREC – Business As Usual?
02. Feb, 2010 
7 Comments
Tom Tillison
Feb. 2, 2010
As reported in the Orlando Sentinel today, a lengthy list of Central Florida’s GOP leadership gave it’s blessing to state Sen. John Thrasher’s bid to serve as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. The list included Lew Oliver, OCREC Chairman, Gerald Braley, OCREC State Committeeman and Nancy Patterson, OCREC Committeewoman.
The question that comes to mind is how did the leadership of OCREC arrive at this decision? The January meeting just took place last week and the topic never came up. I can also attest that, as a member, my opinion was never sought on the matter. Is it unrealistic to expect that consideration…naive, perhaps? Do these individuals not represent the membership, at large, and, in as much as they do, their decisions reflect on the whole, do they not?
There is a prevailing opinion that the Republican Party is a ‘top-down’ organization, and, actions such as this serve only to perpetuate that opinion. Leadership acting unilaterally, with little respect for the populace, is precisely what has motivated millions of Americans to rise up over the past year and get involved in the political process, many for the first time ever. I have heard some quantify what is happening in America today as just part of the normal ebb and flow of politics, nothing more than the pendulum swing back to the right. To think like this is a grave mistake and a true failure to understand that we are experiencing a significant, lasting change in American society.
For the party establishment not to see this and continue with a ‘business as usual’ approach is a direct threat to the success that is so critically needed in November. Success that will only come with a unified party where everyone feels valued, a party pulling together to achieve a common goal, which cannot happen with out of touch leadership. If the present leadership cannot comprehend this, and develop a strategy to ensure these results, then, perhaps, we risk the future of this great country to continue under its guidance.
I totally agree. I was suprised and not surprised. I was surprised because I thought that in this day and age, the leadership would get that the old ways will not work. If the RPOF wants to increase representation they need to listen to the members. I wasn’t surprised because organizations are slow to change. They need to wake up and get it!
I just called and spoke with both Rae and Sylvia. They pointed out that ONLY members of the POF (too new to know what that is) can vote on the members. They both made the point that “we” as PC’s do not count????? I think I see a change coming. The POF meeting is not until Feb. 22, 2010 when they will actually decide and vote. “WE” the PC’s will not be brought into the conversation nor will the subject be brought up to us. I think this is very wrong, this is DC style politics.
It’s time to call malarky on moves like this. One cannot say they are in favor of bottom-up, grassroots-fed organizations and then behave, as one always likes to reference, as a politburo and expect the membership not to be incensed.
Frakkin’ A, I am SOOO calling malarky!
If you want to see an outsider who HAS real conservative principles and DOES believe in true grass roots from the people bottom up, then Mark Cross is the person to vote for. Mark is an ardent supporter of the Constitution and will fight to preserve it tooth and nail!
I’m trying my hardest to believe that the local party (OCREC) wants participation and involvement from the community. However, at almost every turn, it seems that this organization (OCREC) simply wants “business as usual”, and that does not involve imput from outsiders.
I will continue to do my best to change this “top down” approach. I want to have an effect, I want to have a voice, but I can only go along for a certain amount of time before hope is lost.
Please, lets continue to spread the message that Republicans in Orange County want a party of cooperation and efficiency. We do not want exclusion and bureaucracy.
I am NOT saying that I agree with the Chairman’s decision to endorse Thrasher. I would have liked a say in the matter. However, he is not obligated to request opinions. If he did ask for opinions and they were given then he risks dividing OCREC into pro and anti Thrasher lobbyists all focused on convincing him to bend to their wills. Since he can only vote for one person he will tick off all of the factions who wanted him to vote differently.
Remember we are a Republic NOT a Democracy so the majority does not always rule. We have to abide by and work within established law, rule and protocol until we are able to enact change from within.
I have installed a poll at http://www.ocrec.org for you to chime in on your RPOF chairman opinion. I will forward the results to our chairman on Feb 15th prior to the election. He is not obligated to listen and he is not required to vote according to the wishes of the masses. Like all elected officials however, there will be a time when the voices of we little people mater.
Until that time, follow the rules. Keep praying for the hearts, souls and minds of the leadership and the government. A convincing argument may change a mind but only God can change a heart.
Hmm, the poll results show Thrasher winning by 55% so far. It may not be Lew Oliver that you need to convince. It might be the population.