Tom Kawczynski - Off the Record

Rules allow us to make sense of our world so that when we don't know what we are doing, we can follow the rule and make what should be a better informed decision than we might through ignorance alone.  A sound principle, but one that begins to get tested as rules turn into laws, mandates that remove sensible action and replace that thoughtful deliberation with formal procedure.  Politics, and parties in particular, are rife with this foolishness.

The City of Pittsburgh is having a mayoral race this year.  The heavily favored incumbent Democrat, also, through the artifice of a write-in campaign, is on the Republican ticket.  Even though his policies run counter to all that the GOP theoretically supports, the committee people seem unwilling to stand in opposition because he followed the rules.  This is absurdity, and is one of the continuing reasons why people rightfully don't trust parties.  When bylaws replace sense, and laws replace judgment, then our process is truly broken.

For all the reservations that it sometimes brings me, I continue to work within the party for the moment because I take a flexible view of our relationship.  I will not support anyone whose views I do not like.  I will support, regardless of party, ideas and people moving in the right direction.  I have no intention of ever smiling when I see crap and saying that I am simply a "party guy".  But, we need organization, and we need people who will come forward with new ideas and vision for the future that is compelling.  Parties can help with that.

We need a party that represents conscience over protocol.  Republicans have lost their own base because the conservatives and fiscally responsible people out there are tired of being force fed this crap about what is necessary according to the rules of some other.  Vote your mind, show your heart, and give people something to believe.