From: Sally Zelikovsky
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2009 7:52 AM
To: 'Errol Termolina'
Cc: 'Kevin Krick'; 'Sashi McEntee'
Subject: RE: Tea Party
Thanks for your reply.
I do have a few thoughts to share.
This struggle is remarkably different than your run-of-the-mill political
issue.
People justifiably feel they are fighting for their future, for the future
of the country, for their children, for their safety and economic security.
Every day, there is a new pronouncement from the Admin or Cong of some
liberty being whittled away. People feel they are fighting for the life of
the Republic as well as the Republican Party.
Republicans and conservatives of all shapes and sizes, are scared. People
like me, who have never protested in their lives, are taking to the streets,
clamoring to be heard in fear and desperation. For those of us having to
pay college tuition, losing our jobs and homes, seeing our retirements drip
down the drain, this isn't a game. It's real life and has real, painful
consequences. We feel like we aren't being heard or listened to and sadly,
by Democrats as well as many in our party.
This is a nationwide movement, one that the Republican Party desperately
needs to support in order for it to survive. Without the votes of the
millions who are undertaking this effort, the Republican Party will continue
in its downward spiral. What use is a party that won't take a stance on an
issue as compelling and prosperity-threatening as this one? This myopic
perspective is rooted in impotence and that's not going to recruit members,
drum up dollars or cultivate strong future candidates. If the party won't
stand behind the people, the people will not be there for the party.
Honestly, not one of us is thrilled we have to protest. We have jobs and
school and families we would rather be with on April 15th. I have been
working 24/7 on this as a volunteer-I have much better things to do w/ my
time, like look for a job. But we have literally been forced onto the
streets. Are you afraid to get your hands dirty by forwarding the press
release? It's ok for us to take to the streets, but you don't want any part
of it? And then you are going to ask us to support the candidates you prop
up? Well, I can tell you that when the 150 people on my email list get wind
of this one, they aren't going to be happy w/ the MRCC. And by the way, you
should know that many constituents are miserable that they have to protest
and feel they wouldn't have to be doing this if the Republican Party had
done its job in the first place. Yes, that's how many feel.
You can embrace your limited view or choose to do what other republican
parties have done across the country-they not only plan to use their email
lists to forward information about this event, but intend to show up to the
Tea Party and register voters while sending the message that the Republican
Party stands with the people on this issue. Now, that's a Republican Party
your average Joe will support.
The issue of our economy is vast in scope and affects all aspects of our
lives. It goes to the very core of conservatism and therefore, the
Republican platform, that is, limited government, low taxes and liberty,
including economic liberty and free enterprise. This issue is so profound,
I am even getting support from democrats. This disaster BHO has created is
giving us the opportunity to recruit disillusioned Democrats, much like 9-11
did. Yes, this is that big.
If the Republican Party cannot wrap its hands around an issue that is
uniting millions of conservatives (most of whom vote Republican) and cannot
see this as a struggle not only for the success of the Republican Party but
for the life of the country, then the Republican Party is in more trouble
than I could have ever imagined.
I think I am beginning to understand how it is the democrats can continue to
walk all over us, when we are unwilling to work with one another for petty
reasons such as (1) glutting people w/ emails (emails many of them have
indicated to me they would have liked to receive from the MRCC-and, by the
way, all I asked is for a one time distribution of the press release) and
(2) doing our advertising (I cannot even come up w/ a parenthetical for this
pathetic excuse).
I have heard rumors about the last few meetings and refused to believe them.
I stood up for the MRCC on several occasions the past few months. I know
you are facing some battles with a group of conservatives who want to take
the party in a different direction in order to have a real impact. I've
been reluctant to agree with them and have mistakenly defended the MRCC and
some of the outrageous actions that have been taken recently. However, after
seeing how you have taken such a hands off approach to this issue, the MRCC
itself has reinforced all of the negative rumors floating about town.
This is a truly sad state of affairs. My arm is still outstretched and I
remain willing to work with you on this. I hope you can see things from the
perspective of hundreds of your constituents/members.
Thank you,
Sally Zelikovsky
