District 8 Republican Party US Congress race: The Aftermath (updated)

UPDATE: I see that Harold Johnson has changed his website (click “his website” to go there) once again.  I realize candidates modify it some to be applicable to the general rather than the primary but never have I seen a site change so often and to be so dramatically different. At least he finally decided to thank the voters.  Additionally, I’ve never seen a campaign site where they candidate takes off his “Issues” category. He has changed it before because We the People didn’t like his stance on the issues and he knew to win he best change it but to eliminate it totally?  Perhaps, the political winds have changed once again or the GOP elite didn’t like what they saw and he is needing to work on the Issues (like his previous ooponent Hal Jordan also said when he endorsed him, that he hoped he learned about and worked on the issues).

UPDATE #2: Looks like the “Issues” are back on Harold Johnson’s website.  Harold, are you reading my blog, you devil?
(For those who wish to call me a liar in the comments, just ask and I’ll post the screen captures.)

I wanted to wait a few days before I commented on the run-off race on June 22^nd in the NC 8^th District.  I didn’t want to let my emotions override my intellect.  They haven’t.  It’s now been one week and I still believe, with greater clarity and conviction, the same. The citizens of District 8 experienced a real loss June 22^nd but are not going down quietly.

Already I’ve been called a sore loser, as Tim D’Annunzio has.  Harold Johnson’s supporters are upset, even angry, that Tim didn’t congratulate Harold and had the audacity to continue to stick to his principles and publicly state he will not support him.  They are also upset that many supporters of Tim’s,  including myself,  didn’t come out publicly and congratulate Harold, adoringly give our undying support and loyalty, and promote him.  I will not.  I agree wholeheartedly with Tim.  Why should he? Why should I?  

Certainly not because of the clean and honest campaign Harold ran, because he did not.   I have continually told the Republican Party that I will not vote for a RINO just because they put him up.  I know in my heart that Harold’s not a true conservative and they know it too.  They intentionally put forth and promulgated a moderate as our token representative.   The Republican Party hates conservatives, especially those outspoken ones like Mr. D’Annunzio.  They think we are too radical in what we seek.  Why? We simply want them to honor their oaths to uphold the constitution, and that is radical?  They seem to only support those that will advance their political careers and their desire for power.  They still want to wrench the little power and control we have away from us.   They still seem to think being moderate is the answer to gaining those Independents and Democrats.  This is nonsense.  They won’t get those Democrats anyway and what they’re oblivious to is the true answer:  Conservatism is on the rise in America, not on the downfall.   Conservatives are dominating.  Conservatives will not relinquish willingly this power and they hate that.   Keep following the path you are GOP and you will end up the losers here, and so will we.  However, we will keep our integrity and our souls while you lose yours.  Sold out to the highest bidder.  I have no problem with the GOP supporting a candidate AFTER he’s won the primary but to openly, aggressively and dishonestly malign one of their own during a primary is unconscionable.   I will not accept this candidate that they forced down our throats.  I am not an Independent.  I am not a moderate.  I am a constitutional Conservative, plain and simple.  I’m also an honest and trustworthy person and will only support those that share these traits.

This leads to the way Harold Johnson, the GOP establishment and the media spun the GOP lies, it was appalling.  As far as the falsehoods and misrepresentations all of these people and entities put forth, I learned my lesson in the election of Barack Obama, never to believe what I read or hear again without researching it for truth.  Obviously, the public can still be conned and manipulated. They have not woken up yet.  Harold Johnson, the NCGOP and its minions counted on that.  I am much smarter than that, as I had hoped most true conservatives are.  We know the lies, the tricks and the play on words.  We know what omissions really mean.  We know, no matter how you present it, they are lies.  Regardless of which candidate is the object of the story, I will never take it at face value again.  Obviously, the Teaparty has not learned this lesson either.  The Republican Party played the media game well.  These Republicans do this to get some of the Liberal media love, still not understanding it is short-lived until someone more to their liking comes along.  Oh wait, there is someone now:  Larry Kissell.  I’ll be right there on the sidelines laughing my ass off as Harold Johnson and his supporters claim outrage and scramble to undo the damage.  Yes, I will.

Perhaps we should be expected to support Harold because he got it on his own? No, as he did not.  He was brought into this race from another district by the party brokers, breaking their own party rules with all of them backing him publicly,  profusely and with great dishonesty.  The only reason Harold was even running is because when the Cabarrus County and NC GOP found that Tim D’Annunzio would not let them control him or his message, and their first pick, Lou Huddleston was going down in flames, they went in search of someone else.  Because it was late in the race, they also wanted someone who had some face time with the public and would be readily recognized.  They found in Harold, someone who would be a good little Republican and would kowtow to their wishes and agenda.  Harold Johnson was a poor choice but they worked with what they had. He doesn’t have a clue, not about politics, or the issues we face every day.  He doesn’t have a personal stand on any of the issues or concerns; he only uses the talking points given to him by the Party.  Additionally, he certainly has no inkling of what the rise of the Teaparty is really all about but he sure loved to use us for his own means.

Better yet, perhaps I should support Harold because his supporters respected my decision in supporting the candidate that I felt was best for District 8, North Carolina and our nation, because they did not.  I still believe I made the right choice on whom to support and I also believe a grave injustice was done and the outcome will prove to be regretted.  I will not just switch sides.  I refuse to allow you to hook up an old, lame horse to my stable and have me call him mine, instead of the thoroughbred.  There was never a chance for me, but if there ever was a mere chance others would support Harold, it was lost with many when Harold supporters on Twitter, Facebook and using public media venues, continually attacked their own party members and fellow conservatives for voicing their opinions during and after the run-off.  I watched them even have the gall to tell one to leave their party just for voicing their opinion and standing for their candidate.  Really?  THEIR party?  What party is that?  The party of sore winners?  The party of moderates?  The party that continue selecting our representatives for us?  The party that will just take us on a slower path to Socialism and  Communism?  Those so called Teaparty members claiming they were from the 8^th District?  The so called Conservatives?  Those with voters still allowing themselves to be manipulated and duped? The party of win at all costs? That party is not my party. Just as Tim did, that person didn’t back down. Neither did I, nor will I.  I don’t care what they think.  I follow my morals, values and principles.  I stated before and I mean it today, I will not vote for Harold Johnson.  Not only will I not support Harold Johnson, I will continue to bring the truth of him to you.

Contrary to their arrogant suggestions, I will not leave my party either.  I will stay and fight from within.  I will fight the lies and corruption I saw come out of this US Congress race and in other research I have done on the NCGOP and national GOP elite.  I will not let them continue to take my party and my country where they have for several decades, leading us to where we are today.  I’m sure they want nothing more than for me to go away. This was made clear from the many derogatory comments from so called people on the same side. Nope. Nada. Uh uh. Ain’t gonna happen.  I will seek out other conservatives in my state and across the country to help.  It’s what I must do to stay true to myself and my beliefs. 

Most importantly, perhaps I should support Mr. Johnson because he shares my principles?   This was the defining one for me. Harold Johnson most definitely does not.  I, unlike Harold don’t conform to others’ wishes.  I don’t wane in my beliefs, nor sacrifice them by changing according to which way the political winds are blowing.  I don’t do this for nobody.  Harold has, if he ever believed them in the first place, all for votes and stature within the Republican Party.   To me, this is unforgivable.  Also, I’ll be darned if I STILL don’t know what he believes in, how he stands on the issues or what his resolutions are.  He doesn’t have the resolve to accomplish anything from what I’ve gathered.  He will be exactly what the GOP elite wants.  What is that?  I believe they chose Harold Johnson as just a placeholder to go with their flow just in the interim.   Remember, Lou Huddleston was their first choice but was losing to Tim D’Annunzio’s conservatism appeal.  With Harold’s age, they know he won’t make it in office but for a couple years.  Who will be their put up patsy then?  Fetzer, perhaps?  Just a guess as he knows he’ll get creamed against Pat McCrory for Governor.  He doesn’t stand a chance.  Besides, Mr. Fetzer, you have a lot of gall assaulting Tim for things in his past, much of it when he was a teenager and the rest from second and third hand information.  Why do I say you have gall?  There sure is a lot in the rumor mill and in public knowledge about things in your closet, or should I say, now out of the closet. (Catch my innuendo there?  I can play the game too.)

There are consequences, good and bad to every decision, every outcome.  We have yet to see them or what those involved true intentions and ambitions are. What will they be seeking in paybacks and their future endeavors?  Believe you me, the other Republicans running for office and those currently in office are counting on repayment for their support of Harold Johnson.  It also keeps them on the good side of the GOP elite.  I wonder what Justin Thibault’s future plans are after gaining the Cabarrus Co GOP Chairmanship on the coattails of others?  What are NCGOP Chairman Tom Fetzer’s prospects for the future?  What are some of the aspirations of the “Teaparty” members breaking their rules and mission coming out in support?  Looking for a boost up, are ya?   (Speaking of the Teaparty, I will be coming out with an article very soon on the part they played in this election, my opinion on their gullibility and the damage it has done to the brand and its members.)

So all these people involved in the undue and unjustly impugning of Tim D’Annunzio and true conservatism, once again, sacrificed my principles for political clout, paybacks, control, influence, and power.  We’ve seen this in several districts in our state alone.  I’ve had enough. I don’t believe Harold, or the rest of them for that matter, sees the urgency and desperation many of us feel in stopping and reversing our country’s move towards Socialism which is now in turbo mode.  Just because a person has been selected, or preselected as in Harold’s case, doesn’t mean I will support him, promote him, let alone vote for him.  Harold Johnson is, and will continue to prove to be, just another  lap dog for the Republican Party.  It is my vote and it is my honor that I use to cast that vote.  I will not use it to promote someone or ideals that I do not believe in.  I want a candidate that shares my core values, inspires me, and encourages me that all is not lost in our fight for freedom and liberty.  I want someone who believes in what they say, has a plan and solid solutions. 

Harold Johnson is not a fighter.  He hasn’t fought for one darn thing in his life.  Throughout this entire primary, all I know about Harold is he’s no Tim D’Annunzio.  Damn straight.

 This is why I am asking the following:

Although this is undoubtedly too soon as the wounds and hurt are still fresh in my mind as they must certainly be in yours, Tim, if you read this I want to ask you to consider running again for US Congress in 2 years.   We already believe in you, your integrity,  ideals and your solutions for our country.  We are bigger than one loss, than one party.  With our support we can also help you gain more presence in the Western part of District 8.  I’ve heard people who really know you in the Eastern part love you and your family.  They love your generosity, your community involvement, your business and economic sense, and your good nature.  We can help you bring these qualities to the western part, allowing them really get to know you to see you are not the person that the GOP elite, the media, nor Harold Johnson are making you out to be. (Ever thought of starting a wind tunnel here? Just a fleeting thought.)

We also now know how the GOP will react as they have tipped their hand big time.  With our help, you can counter this and build your presence here.  You have 2 years to do this and we are here to support you.  No decision is needed now.  Take a well-deserved break.  Spend some quality time with your family, your church and your community.  I’ve heard you have a new Grandson.  Enjoy him.  Then come back soon and help us fight for America.

In closing, the Republicans still don’t seem to get it.  It’s not about parties.  It’s not about voting for someone just because they decided to pick the candidate they think we should have and support. We’ve seen how that worked out in other races.  It’s about losing the country we love.  It’s about fighting for the America we want our future generations to experience as we did. It’s about the Founding principles that our country’s foundation was built on.  It’s about the greatest nation in the world being changed for the worse and the possibility of its loss forever.  It will already take generations to fix the damage that has been done thus far.  Let’s start today to revive her and take back the freedoms, liberties and rights given to us by our creator.

Readers, I just want to leave you with one additional thought: Trust me, if the Democrat Party and the Liberal media thought Tim D’Annunzio would be the easy one to beat, he would be their “chosen” one right now.

A Letter From The Eighth District Tea Party To Harold Johnson

Since the North Carolina 8th district Republican congressional race entered a runoff it has become one of the most contentious races in the nation. One candidate claims support from the Republican Party establishment and the Tea Party and the other candidate is being attacked by the Republican Party and attacking back while also claiming support from the Tea Party. Along with the runoff candidates espousing very different ideas of how to fix our country there abounds concerned conversations with Republican Party interference and Tea Party endorsements.

Not to be lost in all this is the real reasons we are faced with this unlikely and volatile mix to start with. It boils down to this; we have been ruled by two political parties that have financially bankrupted our nation. Their mismanagement provoked a reaction in the people who assembled en-mass to protest and form Tea Party Groups who have set out to do something about it. The result of all this is a very nasty political runoff in the 8th district.

All of this has come about because of the failure of both parties to govern with sound fiscal and moral principles and then, after seeing the response of the people they have continued to turn a deaf ear. Setting the Democrats aside it is clear that the Republican establishment has failed miserably to recognize why the Tea Party exists. Early on they began damage control and sought to capitalize on the Tea Revolution by pulling the Tea Partiers under the big tent. They wooed many by saying we share the same values while laughing at us behind closed doors. This is the result of many years of poor management of our nation’s resources and the Party that is supposed to represent conservatism bears the larger part of the blame. Here are just some of the more notable picks from our Republican establishment: John McCain, Jumping Jim Jeffords and Socialist Dede Scozzafava. Let’s be honest, there are many more like these. Has the Party changed?

What Next?

First, everyone should already know but just in case, the “Tea Party” is not a political party and doesn’t intend to be. (This should put you political operatives at ease….at least on this one issue). Anyway this is not a party it is a revolution. Additionally it will be necessary to give some history of the groups in the 8th district in order to clarify which candidate has the support of the tea party in the 8th district runoff and why.

For now it is necessary to digress so that we may set the stage before the runoff.

Last year when the revolution started it appeared to be a sudden reaction to the new Obama administrations massive bailouts, private sector takeovers and spending. I would like to point out that this was only a spark that ignited the revolution. It is what lies beneath and what came before that provided the fuel that started this whole movement. The tea party revolution is a visible, public display of something that has been fomenting for years. Here are two examples.

1. For all of my adult life I have heard, “The Republicans are taking us over the same cliff, only slower”. We would laugh as if it were a joke but the truth is this statement came out of an underlying knowledge that we were headed for a disaster and both parties were complicit in creating it. We have felt this way for more than 30 years.

2. In 2007 congress decided they wanted to push amnesty which was in effect a pool of cheap labor for industry (Republicans), and more voters (Democrats). Citizens barraged congress to voice their opinion and “burning up the phones” became a household term used to describe how conservatives of all stripes stopped Amnesty. Being a year before Barak Obama was on the radar and two years before the bailouts, what caused this sudden move to stop congress?

Revolutions are never a sudden change in the attitude of the populace. They are a public manifestation of an attitude that was in the making for some time before. It is an underlying social discontent. Some historians use the term “massive social discontent” to describe what precedes a revolution.

In this nation, unlike any other in history we are we are faced with a rare opportunity to change our government peacefully because our Forefathers, in concert with their most profound spiritual values were wise enough to pen the Bill of Rights that secures our freedom to respond to this problem. I might add that the first amendment is no small entry into the more noble annals of mankind. Consider this transcending quote by William Cobbett, “Tyranny has no enemy so formidable as the pen”. Our First amendment guarantees that we will never have to use the Second as a defense against tyranny.

Seeing that a peaceful revolution was occurring it was my intent to build a member organization capable of channeling that discontent into productive and meaningful actions that would challenge our politicians and/or replace them. After all, is there anybody that would disagree that this would be the ultimate aim of the tea revolution? Yes, all of us who identify with the principles will act accordingly on their own but it is just as true that without organization you will accomplish little. Imagine if no one had taken the time to organize the Obama/Celgard protest in Charlotte. So more than anything it is how much organization is needed and in this case I am asking you; how much organization is needed to save our nation from despotic dysfunctional Parties and tyranny?

Now who are those who we call Tea Parties and who are those groups in the 8th district that both candidates are referring to when they claim they are the Tea Party candidate?

The Tea Parties are primarily made up of fiscal conservatives and those who recognize that expansion of government is directly tied to shrinking individual freedom. With this said the core values of most “Tea” groups in our nation are fiscal sanity (which includes principles of free market economy), less government, and individual liberty. In addition there are many people who identify with the principles the Tea Parties but have never attended a meeting of any sort. Although these people believe the same they are not a “member” as the term implies.

Throughout the 8th district there are four tea groups. One is ours, We The People NC (WTPNC) and from ours came one, We the People Stanly (WTPS). Separately a group was born in Cumberland County called We The People of the Sandhills (SWTP) and another called Tea Party Patriots (TPP) which resides in Richmond County.

The Richmond county group has a philosophy that is a mix between conservatism and socialism. It is a small group of about a dozen and because their core philosophy does not concur with that of other Tea groups they have alienated themselves from the mainstream of the Tea Parties in the 8th. The Sandhills We The People started as a tea party in the spring of ’09 with around 350 patriots. Since, they have become more formally organized and have joined forces on several occasions with WTPNC. We The People Stanly, as mentioned earlier began when a group of Stanly residence who were attending the events held by WTPNC decided to start their own organization in Stanly County. They comprise of around 250 and are currently somewhat inactive. WTPNC is comprised of a list of around 700 and holds meetings in the range of 300 – 500 which makes us the largest and most active in the 8th district. Because we are at the center of the controversy it is necessary to elaborate some on who we are.

The mission of WTPNC is “To Unite and Equip People to Preserve, Protect and Defend the U. S. Constitution”.

(You can find our statement of beliefs at http://wethepeoplenc.org/mission.htm). Dedicated to the principles of free market economy, less government and individual liberties we have worked hard to grow an organization capable of managing the activities that we see are necessary to fulfill our mission.

We were started as an organization; not as a “Tea Party” but we fully espouse the spirit of the Tea Revolution. Our meetings in 2009 were designed to reach others who were concerned about where our country was headed. Our monthly meetings grew in size very rapidly until we were meeting at 500+.

We are governed by a CEO, President and a board of directors that preside over the many activities we are engaged in. Most all activity is governed by parliamentary procedure. In addition our weekly board meetings are attended by many members who are invited to be part of the “round table”. These members are able to have as much input with their ideas as any board member. The only qualification for this participation is that they adhere to our mission, values and beliefs. This we believe has formed a successful model where there is solid management coupled with grass roots participation of the many different types of people who make up the Tea Party Revolution.

Our organizational structure is based on the goal to educate, organize and engage. It is made up of two legs; education and activism. Our education ranges from economic literacy and constitutional studies to training candidates and volunteers for future races. Our activism ranges from open protests to letter writing and organizing events for mass meetings.

Following our mission, vision and values it is necessary that in order to affect change we also needed a committee that can legally speak with a political voice and raise money for the candidates that we feel will advance our mission. Therefore we established a Political Action Committee (PAC). (More on this later.)

Now, which candidate and why.

Several weeks ago a controversy started when an article came out in the Independent Tribune with a title that originally said, “Local Tea Party Members Endorse Johnson”. The article tried to paint a picture that these people mentioned were all in the 8th district when in fact most were in the 9th and 12th. Since it is now proven that only one of those mentioned is a leader in the 8th district (TPP in Richmond County), the Independent Tribune changed the title to “Regional Tea Party leaders support Johnson”. This article was a blatant attempt of the Johnson campaign to paint Harold as the tea party candidate. We didn’t even look at ourselves that way until Johnson chose to attack us and now the attacks continue with Harold saying he is the “real tea party candidate”.

It was through WTP-PAC that we researched and had face to face Q and A meetings with many candidates with whom we asked questions that reflected our core values of free market economy, limited government (shrinking government) and individual liberty. The conclusions of that committee culminated in the endorsement of eleven politicians which were publicly recognized on April 19, 2010 at an event held at the Cabarrus County Government Center. Additionally we published the endorsements in the Independent Tribune and on a voter card which was handed to voters on Election Day. One of those endorsements went to Tim D’Annunzio.

I would like to confirm that Harold Johnson is the tea party candidate…. of some…. in the 9th and 12th districts. Trouble is that you are not running in the 9th or 12th, you are running in the 8th.

Harold, we had nothing against you and said nothing derogatory about you. You simply failed our qualifications when you sat across the table for 2½ hours and answered questions. It was absolutely clear that you were just as uninformed on the issues in early April as you were in December and woefully empty on solutions. The leadership of WTPNC, the roundtable and many others in our group have had discussions with you and drawn the same sad conclusions. In addition, with the state of our nation as it is there was no sense that you were on a mission to go to Washington with a passion to save our nation from collapse.

Further it was very disturbing to find that you were asked to come to the eighth district so that the Republican Party would have someone to run against Tim D’Annunzio.

You also failed to meet with and otherwise fill out a questionnaire that We The People Sandhills asked you to fill out. http://wethepeoplenc.org/sandquestions.htm After the same careful consideration that group, the second largest in the 8th decided on their own that you did not share their values. You have not earned the right to call yourself the tea party candidate in the 8th district. In fact you have shown by your actions that you are more prone to follow the Party by showing disdain for any Tea Partiers that disagree with you. I know this because I am intimately aware of the “back room” discussions you had.

Your own rule is that when the other guy attacks you have the right to attack back but I have more integrity than that so here is my answer to your attempt to drive a wedge in the Tea Party of the 8th. We continue to grow stronger and there are other elections coming up. Who knows, maybe by then if there are still elections you will understand these are perilous times or maybe you will still be just another empty suit given to us by a power hungry Republican Establishment who still hasn’t got it.

If there are others that think that you are capable of doing the job I hold nothing against them. If their desire is to have someone who “can beat Kissell” and it is not important that we stand up to the Party that has proven themselves so inept, so be it. If others believe as you do; that we need to “slow the growth of government” instead of stopping it and reversing it, so be it. And if others feel like they need government to help them like you say “Government’s role should be doing things for citizens that citizens cannot do for themselves” then so be it. After all this is only about whether or not we will even exist as a free and prosperous nation in 2 – 4 years.

Let the record be known as it is written here that Tim D’Annunzio is the candidate that was endorsed by WTP-PAC and represents most who call themselves members of We The People NC and We The People of the Sandhills, the two largest and most active tea party groups in the eighth district.

Michael Kelly
Founder WTPNC

A Teaparty Patriot weighs in on Harold Johnson’s stance on the issues

We’ve heard about likeability, the idol effect, Harold not living in the district he’s wanting to represent, etc. We’ve heard about the GOP establishment’s involvement in this primary race and how they’ve chosen Harold.  We’ve heard the lies, and innuendos fed to and perpetrated by the media.  We’ve heard the spin.  Now let’s move on to SEEK THE TRUTH.  Let’s talk about what’s really important, what we should actually be voting on: the issues.

How does Harold see them and what does he propose to deal with them and/or resolve them?

Look at the candidate’s sites and you will see the differences.  Harold is to the middle. Not only that but he is vague and noncommittal. He still believes in Government interference, Government to the rescue and the nanny state.  He still doesn’t understand the Constitution and what LIMITED part the Federal Government is supposed to play in our lives.

Each person we send to Washington takes an oath to uphold the Constitution. So why aren’t they?  Either they don’t know what it says (much like the bills they vote on) or they’re lying.  Either way is unacceptable.

Although we could look at each issue and tell you why Harold just doesn’t get it. for now let’s just choose a couple  issues from Harold’s website to talk about.  Let’s focus on the ones most on people’s minds right now:  Government’s role and spending, along with Jobs and the economy. 

I know all the ways to minimize the role of Government, decrease their spending,  and how to create jobs and boost the economy.  After all, I’ve heard them over and over again from Republicans.  We’ve even heard Obama and the Democrats spout them when they are pretending that’s what they want too.   As I pointed out in an earlier post, they know they have to move to the right to win an election.  They are talking points, buzzwords…period.  Just like Harold, I could type them up and put them on a site, as well.  Other than the words on a page, it doesn’t mean I know one iota of how to create jobs or grow an economy.  Tim D’Annunzio is the only one running in the District 8 race I hear not only stating these talking points, he goes into extreme detail and what do you know…he’s the only one who’s actually created jobs and runs a successful business.  Harold can spout those talking points too but he’s not walking the walk.   By what he has chosen to post on his website, it seems as if he isn’t prepared to either.

Since Harold won’t actually talk about the issues, all we have to look at is his website.  Therefore this is taken from Harold Johnson’s website (displayed in italics) with narration added within ( ) by a Patriot of the Tea Party Revolution.

“Families across the District are hurting and need help. While the free market is a better economic engine than the government, the government must still play an important role in our economic recovery.”

(Harold, the free market is not just better, it is the ONLY option. Government is NOT an economic engine. Government cannot create wealth!)

The government can help by creating a favorable climate for job creation by reducing taxes and streamlining regulations and bureaucratic red tape. The government must also take more steps to protect North Carolina jobs by cracking down on the flood of illegal Chinese imports by increasing Customs enforcement at our ports and borders. We are fortunate to have right here in the District two economic drivers with enormous potential– both the military and the bio-tech industry can be forceful agents for job creation and we must fully utilize both.

(You have it backwards. It is the increase in private enterprises ability to provide wants and needs to the military and biotech establishments that are the economic drivers. When private enterprise does this with government-funded programs, they are being paid by tax dollars, which are taken from the very people that are creating the wealth in the first place. This doesn’t create wealth but only a recycling of already created wealth.)

“Washington should not interfere in the private sector and compete with companies and citizens who already support government through taxation. Government’s role should be doing things for citizens that citizens cannot do for themselves.

(There is nothing that the citizens can’t do for themselves. We are not babies in need of a caretaker. Government is tasked with doing what We The People determine it should do and that is extremely limited and defined in our U.S. Constitution.  Harold is a man that has said nothing of substance in all the days of his campaign and look at what he thinks of government once more…, “Government’s role should be doing things for citizens that citizens cannot do for themselves.”   Harold Johnson, isn’t that what is wrong with government in the first place?  When will you and that status quo of yours get it? If a citizen really can’t do something for himself or herself, isn’t that the job of charity organizations?  I think you need to read the famous story of our great hero Davy Crocket. Then maybe you will understand why the Tea Party refuses to back you. )

We must keep jobs in America but having the second-highest corporate tax rate in the developed world hurts our competitiveness. Lowering the rate would boost growth and help make U.S. companies more competitive. While a lower corporate tax rate does not make the system simpler, it would indirectly help by reducing the incentive for companies to engage in complex and inefficient tax-minimization strategies.  In today’s global economy, it is increasingly easy for jobs and capital to escape high-tax nations and migrate to low-tax nations. This means that the reward for good tax policy is greater than ever before, but it also means that the penalties for bad policy are greater than ever before.  Congress can do much more to help. We can slow the growth of government spending that is adding to the deficit.

Whoa!  Let’s stop here and look at this last line again: “We can slow the growth of government spending that is adding to the deficit.”

(Harold Johnson what are you thinking?  We have been sacrificing great amounts of our time and money to tell governments at all levels to stop growing and start shrinking. And what are you saying? What does slowing growth mean? It means it is still growing, only slower.  Slow the growth? Isn’t that what the establishment has been giving us for ….ever? No Harold, we want it to stop immediately and then shrink it!

We used to laugh when we said, “the Republicans are running us over the same cliff, only slower.” Apparently you think that is OK. We don’t think it is funny anymore. I can see you don’t get it.) 

We can reform runaway entitlement programs that are growing far beyond our ability to pay for them. And we can work to further alleviate the excessive taxation, mind-numbing regulation and senseless litigation that is closing down small businesses and costing American workers their jobs.

(In the end Harold doesn’t understand what causes growth in the economy. A simple analysis of his website reveals his penchant for relying on the Federal government to “Create” jobs with tax dollars. This is the same flawed thinking that gave us the problem we have today. Any jobs, whether direct or indirect that are a result of programs paid for with tax dollars must be refunded year after year or the jobs go away. This means the government must continue to take from some and give to others year after year in order to keep the jobs.  Wealth is created when I am able to produce something that someone else wants or needs. If I find enough people that want or need what I have produced I will receive more return. If there are so many that want or need what I have that I cannot provide this by myself then I must hire someone to help me. This is how jobs and wealth are created.)

Now to private property as it is also an important part of our economy and personal livelihoods.  It is also something that although Tim D’Annunzio speaks of frequently, Harold does not.  (First, private property and ground, land, or dirt are synonymous. Property ownership makes that property, private.  All that we see, whether natural or manmade, comes from property.  Whoever or whatever controls the use of that property is the landowner.  All that is manmade comes from the property and government controls how property is used then they control me.  And they control my ability to take from the ground to provide for wants and needs, including my own and especially food, clothing and shelter.  The crux of freedom, free markets and wealth creation are dependent upon individuals having the freedom to take from the ground and produce products that people want and need.  We must get government out of the business of controlling property.)

(Empty suit.  One day I wondered what that was.  I heard the term before and I heard it applied to Harold Johnson.  So I had to know what that meant.  Here is what I found; “empty suit” has come to mean a phony, or someone inefficient and incompetent.  He is all talk and no action, or all arrogance and no substance.)

On a personal note, I also noticed that missing from Harold’s site, unlike Mr. D’Annunzio’s,  is any discussion on something that’s very important to our local economy and lives in the 8th District,  Agriculture. 

Do you see true conservatism in Harold’s message or stances on these issues?  Do you see the following of our Constitution?  I see more government interference into our lives.  I see a Nanny state.  I don’t see Harold as anyone I could vote for.  Do you?  REALLY?

Harold Johnson: The Engineering of a Facade (Part 4 of 4)

In this last part of a four part series, I want to talk about the next essential step Harold and the GOP elite did to create his facade. You need a political hack, er..consultant who knows all the games of deception you need to incorporate into your campaign.  Well, Harold found a doozy, Douglas F. Stewart III, better known as Dee Stewart.

One of the strategies Mr. Stewart likes to uses is to move college students into area and pays them for contract labor to knock on doors.  Of course, it’s very expensive and sometimes it fails as in the case of the Bill Graham for Governor campaign which paid over 260K for this to no avail.  Also involved was Michael Aaron Lay who pled guilty regarding election fraud in the McHenry campaign. Oh is that McHenry, Patrick McHenry, the Congressman?  Why yes it is. Mr. Lay was McHenry’s staffer and roomie.  Mr. Dee Stewart was McHenry’s political consultant.  He was also Patrick McHenry’s chief of staff and worked for Robin Hayes.

Oh and look..who came out in favor of Harold Johnson. Patrick McHenry and Robin Hayes.  Also, who else did Patrick McHenry endorse at one time? Why, he endorsed Tom Fetzer for NCGOP chairman.  Guess who was working behind the scenes with Fetzer during his fight for Chairmanship?  Dee Stewart.

See how the good ole boy network works?  Everyone is connected and they work in unison.  They do this to get political paybacks from each other.

Another one of Dee Stewart’s cheap maneuvers to to put out mailers right around the time where it’s too late to try to counteract it, just before the election.  Sound familiar?  The Harold Johnson campaign just did the very same thing, sent out a mailer about the size of a hardback book, repeating all the lies and innuendos Tom Fetzer did.
 
The only other person I will mention is Virginia Foxx’s support of Harold, only because I want to indulge in the irony of it. How gracious of her, especially since Harold lives in her district but didn’t support her. He didn’t vote for her. I don’t mean he voted for someone else, he hasn’t voted much at all.  As a matter of fact, Harold hasn’t voted in a primary or municipal election since 1992.

Now, let’s talk about the second stringers in NC GOP chariman Tom Fetzer’s little army. Mr. Fetzer is a career politician and knows how to play the political game to its fullest.  After he decided that Tim D’Annunzio was not one to be put under his thumb or squeezed, and Lou Huddleston’s limited attraction was collapsing due to Tim’s conservative appeal, he pulled the fossil, Harold Johnson, out of Iredell County’s closet to run in District 8. Now that he had his patsy, he knew if he were to be successful in getting his stooge in place, he needed to demonize Mr. D’Annunzio. This was the only way to try to bring Tim down as he was well liked, he knew the issues, had solid ideas and solutions and a plan to accomplish them. Without going into the numerous instances, he and his county GOP chairs made it quite clear, in words and action that they were supporting Harold Johnson.  They broke their own Republican party rules.

They employed the well-known political ploys of demonization and personal attacks.  One way this can be done is to lie about the person themself and to misrepresent their platform.

Lou Huddleston did this as well. For example, at one of the forums, the method was to pick a question out of the mix, ask the question to each candidate and they would be allowed to speak on it for two minutes. There was no back and forth and no debate. Instead, each candidate was to be given a chance at that same question. They also were not to attack any of their opponents. Lou Huddleston was asked the question something like, “What do you propose to do with the Federal Government?”  His answer was to the effect of “Well, I certainly wouldn’t do what my opponent wants and to rush right in and dismantle the Federal Government and all it’s departments….”  He then went on for the two minutes misrepresenting and lying about the position held by this opponent.  Although no name was mentioned, everyone knew who he was speaking of. When it was Mr. D’Annunzio’s turn, he didn’t get that same question like he should have. He was asked another instead and he stated his answer was No.  He then said that he’d like to use the remainder of his time to clear up the misrepresentations of his stances and refute what Mr. Huddleston had said. Suzanne Rucker, Ms. former Democrat and Chairman of the Cumberland County Republican Party,  jumped up and told him this wasn’t allowed.  Tim said he felt he should have the chance to explain his true positions. She ran onstage and took the mic out of his hand. The liberal newspaper, the Observer, again by Jim Morrill, published their version of the facts instead of what really happened.

The main idea here is that there were up front rules in place and they were broken and nothing was done about it. There was no rebuke or attempt to stop Mr. Huddleston.  Yet, there was towards Tim.  I feel they should follow their own rules and be equally fair to everyone.  Just as a mention as well, Ms. Rucker decided to further break Republican rules twice more, by writing op-eds and placing them in local media.

Although there were many even more blatant illustrations of bias I could have used as examples I choose the one pertaining to misrepresenting Tim’s stance on the Federal Government.  I chose this because this is the one the GOP establishment and his opponents keep hitting him over the head with, untruthfully and as a scare tactic of course, but that doesn’t stop them. 

The reason I am concentrating on just this one instance is I happened upon a nice little article titled Republican Senators Declare Themselves Gutless Wonders. (Click the title to view.)  It’s about how the GOP elite are doing the same thing to Sharron Angle in Nevada who is running to unseat Mr. Harry “taxes are voluntary” Reid.

Her positions are standard Conservative positions and they are the same as Tim D’Annunzio’s.  Just as most Conservatives, Mr. D’Annunzio, Ms. Angle and many others are for eliminating unneeded agencies, bureaucracies and Departments within the Federal Government and those that are unconstitutional. Perfectly sound logic, right?  Not to the GOP establishment.  They tout it as these Conservatives just want to go in there and totally dismantle all Federally run Departments and programs and they want to do it RIGHT NOW.  This is the lie.  They do not want to dismantle them, for one, they want them assessed as to their functions, how well they serve and how they are actual run, but more importantly, their constitutionality.  They also feel that if they are necessary programs deemed beneficial, as they believe many are, they can be moved to the states and to the people if THEY so choose.  The second part of the lie is they want to do this all at once.  They aren’t fools. They want to do this incrementally.

They want to get back to the principles that whatever the constitution doesn’t mention explicitly as a role of Federal Governement should be left up to the States and more importantly, the people. They can run any program better than the Federal Government can. The Federal Government can’t run anything right: case in point, Social Security.  It allows free market principles to come into play, lowering costs through competition. It also gives the people choice and the freedom to run their lives as they want without intervention or interference from the Feds.  The idea of leaving things at the State level is the ability to pick up and move if you don’t like it.  If the Federal Government rules it or makes a law, it applies to all states so, where’s that freedom and choice to decide what’s best for you and yours?  They don’t want you to have liberties and freedom. They want the power and control.

There are many other things that Sharron Angle and Tim D’Annunzio share opinions on.  Several Senate Republicans have not only come out against her on her conservative stances but are chastizing her and refusing to back and support her due to these ideals. Just as the NC GOP party and Washington Gop elites are doing here in the 8th District. Why?  They have their own dog, or I should say, RINO in the race.  This is happening all across the country.

Now, to be fair, I admit Mr. D’Annunzio made missteps. But the one thing we all say we want, is someone like us. We say we want someone who’s gone through trials and tribulations.  We say we want someone who understands how to have to live life the way we do, facing what we face every day.  We say we want someone who has or had to struggle to get by, to face unemployment, foreclosure, loss of business, and to have experienced the personal and social difficulties we all do. Except we don’t really want someone like us, do we?  We can’t accept these people for all their qualities, good and bad. Neither does the establishment and will do anything to stop us.

How can a normal, everyday, common citizen ever get the money to fund a campaign, fight the smears that will most certainly come, fight against the lobbyists, PACs adn others?  Say we want to send an average, working person to Congress who makes let’s say $40,000 or so a year. They don’t have the money nor the means to hire political consultants, pay people to get others to the polls and all the other people they need to run a campaign?  Typical people like this don’t have the network of people to get it from either. But if you have your own money and can afford to do these things, you are marked as “rich” and are considered as buying the race.

Money is only one part of the dilemma. Tim was the first to tell you he’s not a politician.  He also told you he is far fom perfect, as all of us are.  Neither are typical American citizens polished, nor are they made of steel.  How can they ever hope to be able to also fight the Washington good ole boy network establishment?  How can they know the little tricks, ploys and games they need to play to get into office?   Who can stand up to all the criticisms and personal attacks upon themselves, their families, their entire life history? How can keep their emotions, fears and feelings in check through it all?  Even if all of aspects of life, personal, business, social were stellar, the facts and truths would then just be manipulated or put into outright lies. How do you squelch and defend these?   How can anyone ever hope to succeed without turning into one of them?  We are amateurs, they are the professionals.  All of these things make it virtually impossible to ever run for office.  Unless you are Harold Johnson and become the puppet of the GOP establishment or somebody.  The problem is Harold, you’ve just sold your soul to the same devil We The People want you to fight.  You are now one of them and beholden to them.  This is truly a shame and needs to change.  Our Founding Fathers never meant it to be this way.  This is our country and it’s time we took it back.

Might I also suggest that the Teaparty stop allowing themselves to be used and disassociate themselves from the GOP, or if they really want to make a difference, infiltrate it and take it over.  Just merely associating themselves with them and not claiming it as theirs, tarnishes their credibility and defeats their purpose.  It’s obvious Harold Johnson ignores the presence of the Teaparty just as the Republican Party does, until they need them. Harold chose not to fill out a questionaire from a couple Teaparty groups and offshoots, yet runs around claiming their values are his and they support him.  Not bothering to fill out those questionaires or going to talk to them, once again proves what I’ve stated before, that Harold thinks he’s entitled and that he can’t talk about the issues.  I can’t blame him, after all.  It’s like a kid who can’t read, yet graduates from high school. If you can’t do it, fake it.  This is even worse than a RINO, this is ineptness, disgraceful, but above all, scary.

Harold Johnson: The Engineering of a Facade (Part 3)

The GOP establishment is controlling all of Harold’s campaign. They think propping up the empty suit named Harold and just letting him be seen, is all they feel they need to do. It prevents him from making mistakes and gaffes, answering questions, or explaining his position on any issue.

I believe the people are being duped. I find it funny, amusing actually, that Harold “attends” an awful lot of events but rarely speaks at one and if he does, it’s for a couple minutes (that’s why he likes question and quick answer forum formats).  If he speaks longer than that, he relies on a teleprompter instead of what’s in his heart. As he has no substance or credentials, these events make him look as if he does.  Not to mention, depending on the venue, through his associations of the actual speakers and other important attendees, he gets volunteers and even more support. If so and so likes him, he must be ok so I will like him too.

Mr. Johnson has “attended” many events but let’s just use a few examples: Let’s see..Harold has “attended” the NRA convention, “attended” that Stanly County Lincoln Day Dinner where Abernathy and Fetzer were speakers, and even “attended” the NCGOP convention a week or so ago.  He even tells the story about “attending” a dinner where Ronald Reagan was and switching the name cards to sit next to him so he could get his picture taken with him.

Harold even “attended” a meet and greet last week.  An eyewitness account: When the voters of the 8th District were shaking hands with Harold, they dared to ask questions, natural ones you would ask a candidate running for office and wanting your vote.  As Harold was just there to be “seen” and for a photo op, and not there to actually tell people what he stood for or answer questions, his handlers immediately led him away from that line of people to another small group of teenagers…non-voters. The handlers stood guard to make sure there was no more contact with those pesky questioners. When one asked a question, something to the effect of “You’ve only been a Sportscaster, why are you running for office?”  Harold leaned in and his response was not audible.  When later asked what Harold’s response was, the teenager said Harold’s answer was “It’s my calling.”

Really? Talk about arrogance and a sense of entitlement.

How dare those people wanting to ask questions.  The audacity of them to want to be informed voters.  What do you think they were there for? Oh I forget, you’re a celebrity and they just wanted to meet old, wonderful you, right?  Sorry Harold, but you’re no Ronald Reagan.

But don’t you worry, Harold has a picture of every event he “attended” to prove he was there and by extension, shares the values of the other attendees, speakers and therefore, the public who sees the pictures or hears he was there.  For example, because he “attended” the NRA convention and he had a picture taken of him holding a gun (photo op), he must be a gun lover. Right?  He believes in the 2nd amendment right?  Maybe, I don’t know.  I’ve been to quite a few of his events and as far as I’ve known he’s never spoken in detail about the issue other than what his website also says, which is not very much.  This is how Harold is. He always gives as little information as possible, and the “safe” answers and responses.  How many guns does he have?  Is he a shooter?  Hunter?  How does he feel about conceal carry?  Reciprocity?  If he’s for gun rights, how will he work to have some of the restrictions lifted, if at all?  Will he not only protect our 2nd amendment rights, but also make sure he will do all he can to prevent infringement upon these rights?  I truly don’t know.  With Tim D’Annunzio though, I know the answer to every single question I just put forth, and in detail.  Why?  Mr. D’Annunzio told me.  He doesn’t give the “safe”, “down the middle” answers.  He tells us exactly where he stands on an issue, his intentions, proposals and solutions.  With Harold we are always left guessing.  That’s exactly how the GOP establishment wants it to be.  This is what they coached him to do.  This is just one instance I selected to talk about but this is how Harold is playing the political game on every single issue.  We have no idea who Harold is, what he really stands for, nor his ideas or solutions.

It seems to me Harold is just hanging on the coattails of others. Sure networking is important but not when it’s used to substitute for knowledge, how he stands on the issues, what his solutions to our many problems are and how he intends on helping to resolve them.  Networking should not be used when it’s time to go where it really counts and do what really matters: to the people, with honesty.  I know why politicians use this technique.  A good example is when Barack Obama went to Pennsylvania “attending” events and running around campaigning with Senator Bob Casey.  The ploy was that since Bob Casey was for gun rights, was pro-life and Catholic, therefore, by association, Barack Obama was pro 2nd Amendment, pro-life and was loved by Catholics.  Well, we know how that worked out for us.  I’ve been to a few circuses, even had my picture taken at a couple, but that doesn’t make me a clown.  Now, now, be nice. 

On the other hand, Mr. D’Annunzio has spoken at many of the events he attended and at great length (without a teleprompter). It’s because he speaks from the heart and truthfully.  He has spoken along with Senator Richard Burr at the Grass Roots North Carolina convention, a state-level gun rights organization.  He has spoken in front of  Teapartiers, the North Carolina Federation of Young Republicans, Republican men and women’s club, numerous rallies, and townhalls.  I can’t even find an event where Harold will actually be speaking at any length to go to.

These attending of events are also part of the GOP establishment plan of making Harold Johnson and running his campaign. Not only does it give him networking building and clout through his presence with them, it puts him out there for the public to see.  It also sets the situation as since he’s not the center of attention he doesn’t have to talk or answer questions. He just has to shake hands and smile.  Smile for the public and smile for the camera.

The Republican Party and the lamestream media fools have given us RINO after RINO.  When those RINOs win election, they require oversight and the leadership to tell them what to think and how to vote. If Harold is letting them run him now, what makes you think he’ll be an indpendent thinker later?  What makes you think he will buck the GOP establishment in Washington, when he can’t even do it here?  The GOP wants it this way. It’s because we’ve let them. Don’t allow this anymore.  This is the same good ole boy network and political games we despise.  The perfectly sensible people of District 8 should decide their Representative, not the GOP elite, nor the media. The NCGOP and other GOP elites hate real conservatives like Tim D’Annunzio and it shows.

I won’t vote for Harold Johnson. I won’t vote for him in the primary and if it comes to it, which I don’t believe it will, I won’t vote for him in the General. I won’t vote for a RINO and someone who has done what he has through this primary.  I won’t vote for someone who has no knowledge of the issues, has no solutions and  thinks he’s entitled to my vote anyway.  I just can’t.

Note:  Watch for Part 4.  I haven’t written it yet but I will soon.

Harold Johnson: The Engineering of a Facade (Part 2)

Do you recall in my last post (Part 1), I introduced how the GOP establishment wanted Tim D’Annunzio to run his campaign? You now know why Mr. D’Annunzio is not their star. He wouldn’t, and won’t, bow to their will and be someone he’s not. He refuses to be dishonest or hold back information from the people he wants to represent.

Now, since Harold agreed to the GOP elite’s terms, let’s talk about how they are running Harold’s campaign. As Harold is already a moderate, he’s sacrificed little and it makes it a whole lot easier for the NCGOP. For those Harold Johnson supporters, think about what I am saying here. If he is a conservative as he leads you to believe, then he’s sold his soul to the GOP establishment. Either way is a loss for District 8. Don’t be fooled into thinking you know who Harold is and where he stands. You can’t, as he hasn’t told you. He did let some things slip in the beginning, but then realized those positions and solutions were not what the people of the 8th District wanted. He then changed his answers and his website to reflect the people’s opinions and stances and became even more controlled and less forthright. He also stopped putting himself into situations requiring substance by not showing at several forums and events or just showing up to shake hands only.

In a past article I also mentioned I will talk about some of the Key Players of the GOP establishment and how they’re controlling Harold and his message. they are also breaking their own party rules by showing favor to one candidate over the other in a primary.

Even a local talk show host has weighed in on Harold’s cozy relationship with the GOP establishment. I found this on a comment posted on an article and looked it up. Sure enough, it’s true. Here’s what was said, “D’Annunzio should be a lock to win the Republican runoff. He’s got that Teaparty rage against the incumbency thing going. Christian Conservative billing. He’s known for the Machine Gun Social fundraiser. A lot of people know and like Harold Johnson but he comes off in the campaign like a carpet bagging glad-hander. He has quickly become part of the same pork greased Republican establishment that Robin Hayes was a member of and which pork greased Republican establishment, agitated Republicans everywhere are turning against..”

I’m starting to really see how the political games and spin works and I hate it no matter who it favors and who it hurts. You can take pretty much anything and spin it to your advantage or twist it, lie about it, etc to damage your opponent. You see, as part of lifting Harold up and running his campaign, they also have to cut down Tim, his biography, successes in life and therefore, his chances in winning the nomination.

Let’s first look at the bias of Mr. David Black, the 8th District GOP Chairman, even when he presents the candidates on the 8th Congressional District Republican Party website at http://www.8thncgop.com/

Here’s what it says and then we’ll look at the spin:

“Our Chairman, David Black, welcomes you to our site!

Meet Our Runoff Candidates
The 8th District had six outstanding candidates ready to defeat Larry Kissell in 2010. Now we are down to two in a runoff election on 26 June 2010. At stake is the seat in the US Congress for the 8th District of North Carolina. The 8th District stretches from Charlotte to Fayetteville, and our candidates cover the entire area.

In alphabetical order, the two candidates are:

Tim D’Annunzio – Tim, a former US Army Sergeant, is originally from Philadelphia, PA, but now lives in Raeford, NC, in Hoke County. A small business owner, Tim is pro-life and pro-gun, calls himself a true conservative, and believes in small government and a strong military. Learn more about Tim at his online campaign site, http://www.timvote.com/.

Harold Johnson – Anyone who has lived in the Charlotte region since before 2006 knows “The Big Guy”. Harold was a fixture with WSOC-TV for 26 years until his retirement, a highly animated sportscaster. A New Jersey native, the energetic 68 year old has lived in the area since he was 10. Visit Harold’s campaign site at http://www.voteharoldjohnson.com/ for more information.”

Look how Tim was described as opposed to Harold. Tim’s description reads as “originally from Philadelphia, PA, but now lives in Raeford, NC, in Hoke County.” yet Harold is described as “A New Jersey native, the energetic 68 year old has lived in the area since he was 10.” They are neglecting to tell you that “lived in the area” means Lake Norman, not District 8. He only, in the last few months, rented (bought?) a condo here to run for office. (They also don’t tell you that the NC GOP brought Harold here to run)

Where’s the “Tim has lived in the 8th district for 32 years and has contributed to its economy as a successful small business owner who has created about 350 jobs in Hoke County.”?

Also, it states Tim “calls himself a true conservative.” Calls himself?

Look how Harold Johnson is described: “highly animated” and “energetic”. Those are code words for “not elderly”. “The Big Guy” reference, although was his persona as a sportscaster, is also being used for this effect. I heard a saying the other day, and boy does it apply here: “They pulled a fossil out of the closet.”  Due to the constant touting of these “youthful” references he’s been generously given by the GOP establishment and the media, we’ll be assured he’s not too old. It’s a words game, a political ploy commonly used. Maybe he’s not, but why spend so much time trying to convince us? Why are so many others around his age considered as such? Additionally, allow us to decide that for ourselves by Harold putting himself out there for us to see in action.

More importantly, and is as most always, have you noticed Harold’s description contains no values, no principles, no stances of any kind?

Sure, let’s vote him in because he was a local TV sportscaster and he just might not be too old. That’s good enough for me. NOT.

Look what else is there at that site: Finance Officer Don Abernathy: dabernathy@vnet.net

Perhaps a minor, acceptable detail but didn’t Mr. Abernathy introduce Harold when announcing his run for office? Why, yes he did.

“Harold Johnson has been a household name in District 8 for three decades,” said Republican County Chairman Don Abernathy in introducing the longtime sports director of WSOC in Charlotte.

I’m only mentioning it as I’ve never heard that Mr. D’Annunzio received that kind of generosity, yet. Another reason I mentioned this is again,there is no mention of conservatism, values, or issues. This is intentional, part of the GOP game and also why Harold Johnson is the GOP’s star instead of Tim D’Annunzio.

Additionally, doesn’t it present an ethical dilemma problem when someone is endorsing a candidate and is presented for that endorsement by a Party official, again, Mr. David Black? Such was the case when Robin Hayes endorsed Harold Johnson.

“Congressman Hayes always had one thing at heart and that was the people he represented.” “This was the statement David Black made as a means to emphasize the need to restore conservative leadership and to restore the American’s people faith and confidence in Congress.”

Harold, Robin Hayes, really? I thought you wanted us to believe you were a conservative? Robin Hayes decimated District 8′s and North Carolina’s economy and job market with three major votes during his tenure in office, one of which was his CAFTA vote. The textile and agriculture industries were our life’s blood, our livelihood. After serving eight terms, amongst other wrongheaded votes, this vote was a major factor in the loss of Mr. Hayes’ re-election, giving control over to Democrat Larry Kissell.

Another factor was Republican Party had even pulled funding from Hayes’ campaign. Don’t you like how this ethical, respectful Party plays the polical game? The GOP pulled funding, and Robin Hayes destroyed many of our subsistence, yet later claim they want you to vote for Harold Johnson because he has Hayes’ endorsement.

That’s what endorsements are about. So and so likes me, therefore, so should you. Yet the GOP sure didn’t like Mr. Hayes very much if they pulled funding from him, that is until now, when they need him to help pull Harold over the line.

Tim D’Annunzio has never received any of the praise-filled introductions from the GOP as granted to Harold Johnson. In contrast, Cabarrus GOP Chairman Justin Thibault has been to a Tim D’Annunzio’s appearance and he sure didn’t announce him. Mr. D’Annunzio didn’t even get that consideration. As a matter of fact, Mr. Thibault even went as far as to get himself interviewed defending NCGOP chairman Tom Fetzer’s character assassination of Tim, all the while making sure he let them know he’s neutral and impartial. NOT.

If you haven’t seen my article with many screen captures indicating Mr. Thibault’s true position and actions, see them here (Click the title):

The NC GOP is at it again: Featuring Justin Thibault

I was going to try to go in chronological order but since Mr. Fetzer is intertwined in this deception thoroughout and I just mentioned him in regards to Justin Thibault, let’s look at him. We are all too familiar with the NC Republican Party Chairman Tom Fetzer publicly interfering in a primary, pulling a full page in local Liberal media to assassinate the character of one of his own and then throwing his weight behind Johnson.

Is there not a problem when the GOP establishment breaks their own Party rules to castigate one of their own using lies and innuendo while still in a primary race, while raising the other up? These such actions were employed and dispersed everywhere with the Liberal media’s help through the NCGOP Chairman, Tom Fetzer.

What needs to be said by this action is that Tom Fetzer had known the truth, not the lies and innuendo he spread, but the truth, from the very beginning. Tim D’Annunzio went to him before running for office and told him. He didn’t even need to tell him as there was no record.

He did it because that’s who he is. Mr. Fetzer and other top NCGOP members had no reservations nor saw any problem with this at the time. However, because Mr. Fetzer didn’t like Mr. D’Annunzio’s rejection of letting the NC GOP control him and run his campaign, he decided to call an outright war seeking revenge. Mr. Fetzer was and is determined to punish Tim and do everything in his power to get him out of the race. He called upon his minions, his county GOP chairs and the media to do as much damage as he could.

Mr. Fetzer later went further. He took bits of the truth, spun them, embellished them, and then blew them out of proportion. He then took that result and added more falsehoods and lies. Mr Fetzer certainly knows how to use information to its full advantage. He knows what to do with it to get the full desired effect. He also knows what the media wants…dirt. He knows how to advance this in the media. Remember in politics that a negative or scandal typically has a 72 hour life. This is why there are Friday night dumps. Put it out late Friday night, the media runs with it for the weekend when most people aren’t paying attention and by Monday, it’s old news and something else has come along to take its place. Or, to cover an opponent’s good news, put something juicy out there to squelch their advantage. Obama has done this continually. He also uses Holiday weekends for this purpose. Mr. Fetzer used it by taking a full page in a couple city’s major newspapers on a Sunday. That gave that story the most viewership and then the most bang as it was all the rage through the entire week as other media outlets picked it up and kept it going,

Then Mr. Fetzer has the audacity to say he feels Mr. D’Annunzio has no right to defend himself or sue. Really, Mr. Fetzer? I seem to recall you didn’t feel that way when it was claimed you were gay.

Here’s what he had to say about that on May 22, 2009 about that allegation and what he intended to do about it:

“I am not gay – never have been – never will be. There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever to support any of the scurrilous allegations made in the anonymous attack on me.

I will spare no cost or hardship in defending my good name. I intend to vigorously pursue legal action against any and all who spread these lies.”

“I will marry one day, and soon I hope, when I find a woman I can’t live without who feels the same way about me. Not before. And not for any other reason. My parents divorced and perhaps that has made me more cautious than most. But I will get married for the right reason. Of the many wrong reasons to get married, to do so in order to fill-out one’s political resume tops the list.”

I guess he found that woman he can’t live without (he never mentioned he was even in a relationship) as about 6-1/2 months later, he married. I have to wonder to why he would add this part to his statement: “Of the many wrong reasons to get married, to do so in order to fill-out one’s political resume tops the list.”

Higher political aspirations, Mr. Fetzer?

It comes down to this: Mr. Fetzer violated his own party’s rules and I think ethics ought to be in question here. Did he do all this because he truly believes Harold Johnson is the right candidate for the 8th District and that he’s the one that could beat Larry Kissell? I KNOW he’s not. Harold Johnson is an empty suit that the GOP elite can fill with what they want and then can prop it up.

Coincidentally, did you know the same person that ran that full page character assassination of Tim D’Annunzio for NCGOP Chairman Fetzer was also the same person who wrote the article when Harold announced his run for office? Now, certainly this could be either a mere lucky throw of the dice or the Liberal Observer has only one political journalist (and I use the term lightly in Mr. Morrill’s case, as a journalist investigates, checking the facts for truthfulness and accuracy before putting it out there), or only one available at the time, working the political scene in our area.

It’s rather strange to me that any time Harold is endorsed or introduced or presented at an event the only thing they mention is that he was a sportscaster for decades on Liberal media (they don’t tell us it’s Liberal media), therefore acquired allies to help support him and by extension, the Republican Party establishment, in his endeavor. Additionally, any ads, statements, interviews, etc. featuring Mr. Johnson are extremely negative against Tim D’Annunzio but contain no positives about Harold. The only things Harold is running on is his familiarity on the boob tube, his built up decades old relationships with the Liberal media and he’s not Tim D’Annunzio.

Hey, GOP establishment? Harold? What does Harold Johnson stand for? What will he do in Washington to represent the 8th District? America?

Note: Part 3 will be up soon. It looks as if this will be a four part article but who knows. I haven’t finished writing it yet.

Harold Johnson: The Engineering of a Facade (Part 1)

Subtitled: How the GOP is killing Conservatism in America

Before I start, I want to let you know that what the NCGOP establishment is doing in District 8 is not out of the ordinary. Just recently, they’ve interfered and tried to control candidates and outcome of races in Districts 7, 11, and 13 as well, and the GOP elite are doing this across the country. It is keeping those true blue, from the heart, Conservatives we need, out of Congress and other political offices.

This is an introduction to articles that will be following in the next day or two. Before getting deeper into how the GOP establishment is driving the election in North Carolina’s District 8 U.S. Congress race, I wanted to start out giving you the details and background about why the GOP’s star is now Harold Johnson instead of Tim D’Annunzio.

Tim met with the GOP. The GOP elite wanted to control him, what he said, how he said it, how it was disseminated, every detail. They told him to only speak in short clipped answers and only speak in sound bites. They told him this way, nothing could be taken out of context. If you don’t tell them anything, there’s nothing to report nor twist. You can then alter what you need to as there’s no solid stance or statement on the record for them to use against you. You can’t be seen as a flip-flopper if you never had an original position to start with. This way, you can move in whichever direction is needed to get the votes necessary and to therefore, win.

They wanted Tim to stay away from how he truly felt on the issues. They told him to “moderate his position”. You see, the GOP wanted him to “become” more moderate to get those Independents and others. As part of being moderate, the GOP didn’t want him talking about the issues, his stance on them and his solutions. They wanted him to stop quoting the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers and yes, even the Bible. They wanted him to stop saying he was a Christian (just to briefly mention it now and again), to stop talking about Jesus and the Bible and to stop talking and writing about the Word of God.

This is how they tried to “coach” Tim and he refused. He felt it was deception and wouldn’t allow them to change or decide who he really is. He wanted to be honest and speak from his heart. The establishment argued with him and then threatened. Still, Tim did not relent.

This is admirable and reminds me of a quote:

“Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.” -Thomas Paine

From that point on, the GOP elite decided Mr. D’Annunzio was incorrigible, impossible to control, wouldn’t toe the party line or follow their agenda. The GOP establisment couldn’t have this. They retaliated. They turned to Lou Huddleston. Mr. Huddleston was also a favorite of the media. However, mainly due to Mr. D’Annunzio’s conservatism appeal, Huddleston imploded. I have to wonder why they even chose Huddleston. I know why the media did, but the Republican Party? I went to a couple forums where I heard him speak and I thought “Is this a Democrat?”

Think about this too, regarding getting information out there and how the party and the media works together. Do you recall the past PPP polls continually had Lou Huddleston ahead in the race? Yet he ended up with only about 8% of the vote. How can that be? We all know.

I’m mentioning this as PPP stated they are doing a poll in District 8 and they are already spinning it BEFORE they even started polling. They are already claiming that Mr. D’Annunzio has the widest range of unelectability against Larry Kissell. How do they know this when the polling hadn’t even begun? Because they’ve already determined the outcome. Also push polling is a very common trick of pollsters. Wasn’t PPP the one that asked voters this question once? It was to the effect of something like this: (I won’t fill in the name because of the disgust of it) “Would you be less likely to vote for ________ if you were to learn that he has a homosexual Father?”

Mr. D’Annunzio had been ahead in the race since the beginning and with Mr. Huddleston’s collapse, it looked as if he’d win. The GOP couldn’t have this. They brought Harold Johnson in from his house in Lake Norman in Iredell County to run in the district. In Harold, they found someone who would subject to their will, then took over and supported his campaign.

Are we going to allow a political party or the media to select our candidate? Are we going to allow the Republican Party to put forth a moderate to further erode our liberties and freedom?

They’ve already helped take God and Patriotism out of our schools. Heck, they’ve taken over our schools and what our children are taught, what to allow and what to omit. They know the secret to passing their agenda is in our youth.

They are blinding our citizens to the history of this country and to the exceptionalism and opportunities it offers. The desire for freedom is the cornerstone and the connection we all have if we would only seek this freedom, protect it and live it. They’ve taken us further and further away from our Founding Father’s principles laid out in our Constitution and other historical documents.

Are we going to stand by and let the Republican Party, media, and others insult and cast aside our Conservatism? Are we going to let them strangle our growth, lower our moral standards and diminish our value? We have learned that greed, apathy and political correctness have helped lead our great country to where we are today. We can turn this around if we choose to fight and to never let ourselves fall prey to these things again. But we must stand up and fight.

Did you know, for example, that just this year, Cabarrus County has been rated the 16th most conservative-friendly county in the country, THE COUNTRY? Are we going to let them take our way of life away from us?

The rankings were determined using the following criteria:

How counties have voted in the past two presidential elections
Median household income, factoring in cost of living
Home ownership percentage
Married family percentage
Civilian veteran percentage
State unionization laws, whether a right-to-work state or mandatory union state
State tax burden–state income taxes, factoring in available deductions
State concealed weapons laws, ease of carrying weapon legally
State weekly religious attendance, as measured by Pew
State abortion laws, as measured by Americans United for Life
Intangibles, such things as a long conservative history, an ingrained military culture, prominent right-wing politicians

There were two qualifications:

A “county” must be a county-level unit, which includes parishes in Louisiana, independent cities in Virginia and boroughs/municipalities in Alaska

The population must be over 50,000 as of 2008.

Let’s stand up and stand together to tell our politicians and parties that we’ve had enough, we won’t take it anymore. We won’t stand idly by while they decide what they think is best for us. Obviously from the looks of our nation, they’re wrong. Let’s stand up for what’s right and get us back to where we need to be, to the country we want our children to live free and prosper in.

Mr. D’Annunzio knows the critical stage we are at in this country, knows the urgency, and knows what is required, both in immediate and long term solutions. Tim also knows he is a conservative through and through and won’t sacrifice himself, who he is, for votes or position or for anything or anyone. He refuses to sell his soul to the Party. He knows that our Republic’s underpinnings are rooted in Judeo-Christian principles and that straying from those is helping to lead to our moral decline and the demise of America as we know it.

District 8 North Carolinians, you can start by getting to the polls for early voting or on June 22nd to cast your vote for the true Conservative, Tim D’Annunzio.

Note: Look for Part II soon.

The NC GOP is at it again: Featuring Justin Thibault

I was going to write about something else today but Mr. Justin “I’m impartial” Thibault just keeps handing me the material. Besides, he’s one of “The Players” I promised to bring you in a past article. He’s just a peon though and I was going to start with the first string, but we play the cards as they are dealt and this joker came up. Further down you will see some screen captures and realize why I just couldn’t resist to inform. It seems rather long but don’t worry, there’s lots of pictures to look at.

Tim D’Annunzio, the Conservative Republican running in the 8th Congressional District race, has been telling us about the GOP establishment and how they are trying to derail his candidacy. There are many ways to help accomplish this and the attacks can come from various people and venues and in all forms. As a matter of fact, this is essential to successfully acheiving your goal as if you leave one door open, they can squeeze through. Is the GOP playing this game as Mr. D’Annunzio says? Well, let’s take a look and see which is telling the truth. You already know one of the parts the NCGOP Chairman, Tom Fetzer played in this fiasco (more to come about him in a later post as he’s a Player, a first stringer) so I won’t delve into it here but let’s look at just another of those in the NC GOP power hierarchy, Justin Thibault. If you don’t know who Mr. Thibault is, which I didn’t until this election so he couldn’t have been too all fired important (he just thinks he is), he is the GOP Chairman of Cabarrus County here in North Carolina. He continually insists he’s impartial and unbiased, makng sure he spouts this every chance he gets. He is one of the social media (facebook, twitter, etc.) attack pawns of the GOP elite.

So you don’t have to visit a link, here is what I had to say in a previous post about Mr. Thibault: “…even for those “crazies” (as Mr. Justin “I’m impartial” Thibault, the Cabarrus County GOP Chairman likes to call us on twitter and facebook. He even added a little link of a video of “voters” that include druggies, satanists, racists, a hog farmer holding up a picture of and saying there’s a lot of same sex hog coupling going on, etc.) Sir, don’t say you meant the crazies in the video either as you’ve sent that link out many times before telling people to “Go vote and here’s why.” Only recently have you started referring to them as “crazies – esp. in #NC8″ and we’re not stupid. We know you’re referring to District 8 Tim D’Annunzio supporters as that is what we are affectionately known as. Others even passed the link along laughing and knowing exactly what you were saying. Some even added other NC districts to it. Regardless of who he was speaking of, is that how a GOP Chairman should be speaking of citizens, any citizen? Mr. Thibault may find this comical, I find it insulting. I won’t pass along the disgusting video, you can go there yourself later if you want. However, here’s a couple little screen captures Mr. Thibault may not like you to see:

The top one is how he usually sends this remark out. The bottom one is how he sends it out periodically (the #nc8 & #nc08 are representative of NC District 8, the #ConsNC is Conservatives in NC and just to spread the love around, the #fb means to post it to his facebook page):”

Here’s Mr. Thibault’s mature response and comment trail regarding my article, although not brave enough to leave the comment on my site, he always goes the underhanded way. (I have also blocked one of the responser’s info):

Now, everyone, and I mean everyone, is entitled to their opinion. As you will also see, Mr. Thibault doesn’t agree with that either. This is evident in his remarks regarding me. Mr. Thibault, there’s two problems with this. One is I am a citizen and entitled to my right to free speech granted under the Constitution. Secondly, although I expected nothing less from someone who describes themselves as “30-something” but acts 12, you in a position of power with the Republican Party, shouldn’t be insulting perfectly ordinary citizens.

I started this blog as I and others called the Charlotte and Fay Observers to get our full page in their paper to bash our candidate of choice, just like the NCGOP Chairman Tom Fetzer did. We were denied. Therefore, this is my venue. If you would look at my article titled “Why I’m here” you would see this is not a “site cooked up only for the 8th District runoff.” I also adore your description of me. Wrong, but so cute coming from someone with such a lack of maturity.

I especially like this part where he calls me a pussy. How utterly professional, not to mention, christianlike of you.:

Also as the above pictures depict, you’ve brought in others to join in the fun, even let a member from another party mock your own. Thomas Hill is the Libertarian candidate running in the 8th District. Your comment to “@Thomas” is in response to “Thomas Hill”, the 8th District’s Libertarian candidate’s remark. Although you can’t control what he said , you can control whether to answer and what that answer is. (You have to “allow” someone access to view your wall and make comments (or not allow..it’s called security) and I certainly know you can delete them if they are in response to your own posting).

Justin, Justin, Justin. If you want to not just be good at this game but to be great, one note of advice, if you can’t refrain from being a moron, you must get rid of the trackbacks and evidence.

Inasmuch as you like definitions Mr. Thibault, here’s one for you. Since obviously you are either lying, misrepresenting yourself, dense, confused or are not learned enough to know what impartial and unbiased really means, let me show you:

Is this you, Mr. Thibault? I would have to say, definitely not.

Here’s another website where additional information and comments Mr. Thibault made are there for you to see (Click the title): 

                                     Cabarrus County GOP Chairman, Thibault, breaks Party’s rules just like State leader

When someone claims they are unbiased or impartial, they should either refrain from giving opinion on all involved or treat them the same. The refraining part is the preferred method. In your position (I almost called you Sir but you don’t deserve such respect) you shouldn’t be relaying, commenting, or giving an opinion on any candidate, whether it’s good or bad or if it relates to situation that arise during the course of an election. Not only is it unethical and unchristianlike in a personal sense, especially against one in your own party, it is against the Republican Party Plan of Organization, the very same rules that Tom Fetzer can’t seem to abide by either.

When someone questioned you on Twitter about your bias, your answer was, “Nice try” or “Yeah, everyone’s out to get you.” (Do you need me to put up those screen captures too?) Why does a simple question or statement about your bias merit such a response and rudeness? It’s because you knew what was in your heart and what you intended when you stated or posted what you did. Sounds like you will make a great lawyer or Democrat some day. However, the kind who implement these same means and methods are what we’ve come to despise. You come out pretending (making sure you keep repeating) you’re impartial but you are under-handed and know exactly what you are doing and how to manipulate it in a way to get it out there and to get the response you expect and want others to see. You try to be very careful in what you’re doing but we’re not stupid. That would explain the “Nice try” comment. You felt you were careful enough that you wouldn’t get caught. Here are three screen captures of people confronting you on your bias and regarding your comments on citizens. Read all six comments of the third picture as they are all from the same person and confront Mr. Thibault on his obvious bias (To protect them, I have omitted their name). Mr. Thibault is “tbojustin” :

You, Mr. Thibault, have been downright insulting and antagonistic towards both citizens and Mr. D’Annunzio through your words, the passing around links whose contents depict your thoughts, etc. In contrast, you’ve favored Harold Johnson. You’ve made sure to make friends with those that support Harold Johnson and foster those relationships. You’ve made sure to inform of only his positives and omit, make excuses for, spin, and downplay when missteps, gaffes and negatives arise. Are you sure you’re not a media plant?

Without giving Mr. D’Annunzio’s reasoning behind his decision, without knowing any of the details of the debate or giving Mr. D’Annunzio any benefit he might be making the right decision, and of course being the epitome of impartiality, here’s what Mr. Thibault posted about it:

Here’s a third remark by him where he first claims he’s neutral and then pulls a “Buttmonkey” as Laura Ingraham would say. Although he seems so concerned about “voters in the area”, he neglects to mention the station decided to only play the debate in Fayetteville. This and the fact that the media decided not to play it live, in it’s entirety, and other factors were reasons why Mr. D’Annunzio pulled out: They changed the terms.

Here’s the worst. Mr. Thibault actually lies in this one. It is a well-known fact that Harold Johnson has pulled out of several forums and debates he has agreed to, yet once again, when someone mentions this fact in a tweet, Mr. Thibault decides to not only keep that information from us, but to cover up and lie about it too:

Oh, oh, here’s some more Twitter screen captures (and certainly not the last of them, but I’ll save those for a later day). In regards to Harold Johnson being served a lawsuit during a meet and greet, where by the way, Harold was moved by his handlers from voters who came to ask him questions towards a group of non-voting teenagers nearby. It seems Harold was only there to shake hands. (Justin, you failed to mention this or show the video of it, and were well aware of it as it was just sent as a tweet during your impartial rant. However, you were more than happy to give commentary on Tim D’Annunzio. You also, along with others, looked up the attorney and the sheriff in opensecrets.org to see their political stance and banter back and forth about it):

And to top it all off, you have to criticize Tim’s religious beliefs and sharing of Bible verses:

Although you too are entitled to an opinion, as a person in an authoritative, supposedly respected position, you should know and follow the rules of business and politics: You keep it to yourself. As by your constant displays, you have shown that you are too immature for this position. This position requires diplomacy and tact, qualities you obviously haven’t learned yet. If you worked in the business world, then on the sly, posted all kinds of things about the company or individuals within the company, you would be fired. If you played one person against another, gossiped and lied and then brought others into your circle of deceit, you would be fired.

Perhaps I have your job description wrong, if so please forgive me. Aren’t you supposed to be putting forth a positive, inclusive image of the Republican Party? Aren’t you supposed to be getting others involved in the political process, registered to vote, and to vote Republican? (Pssst…not Libertarian, either. I know what you and other GOP elite are doing regarding this, Justin)

Or is your job description as a representative of the Republican party, acting like a moron? If so, then you are perfect for it. Did you have to work hard at it, as I have to agree this does takes time, determination and talent to perfect this particular skill. Unless, of course, it comes naturally and you were already a moron. If this is what the Republican Party truly is, then you are right where you belong. You, in your arrogance, just should probably not convey and illustrate this to others. That’s my job.

Through this District 8 primary, the GOP Elite has truly shown me how politics really work. I had only been looking at the Democrat’s deceit and dishonesty in the past. I’m not naive, I knew it had to have been happening but I’m getting the full, unobstructed view now. The Republican Party does it too, just in a different way. They claim to be different and supposedly hold themselves to a higher standard. All they are accomplishing is showing those Independents and disenchanted Democrats, that we Republicans, are just like the Democrats, except we aren’t so blatant about it. We sneak around behind the scenes. Which is worse, when you just find out your wife cheated on you or when you find out she’s been sneaking around doing it for years along with all the lies you had been told all that time? What’s the lesser of two evils? One may hurt more and for longer but neither is acceptable. We the People are tired of picking the lesser of two evils. We want honesty, transparency, forthrightness and accountability in our officials, including our Party officials.

I don’t have to, nor will not justify my position to you or my opinions about you, I will let the pictures speak for themselves. As for who I am, you and the GOP establishment ony need to know one thing: My name is VOTER.

NC District 8: An Idol or the Real Deal

These are a few things I’ve been told by voters with regards to their consideration, criteria and decision on who to vote for. Of course, you could just follow them or you can be an informed voter and SEEK THE TRUTH. (My comments follow each remark.)

Why you should vote for Harold Johnson:

1.) He was a well known local sportcaster. He’s the “big guy”. (Yes, he was on a Liberal media outlet, and for decades was on your boob tube. So has Larry Sprinkle the weather forecaster, but I don’t want him representing me in Washington either. Probably knows just as much about the issues as Harold does though. As far as the “big guy”: Really? Have you seen him lately? He looks nothing like that youthful, burly guy in the picture he’s been showing. Yeah yeah I know, it’s a nickname he’s famous for, but as a reason to vote for him? Again I say, Really? ) When speaking to the public Harold, I don’t see passion for America. Not only do I see an actor, I see a scripted actor.

2.) He’s got nice hair. (Ok, I will give you that. He also has a nice smile. However, I have to question the reasoning here on why this merits a vote.)

3.) The media and the GOP establishment like him (Yes, they like him a great deal, too much. That’s a big problem for me. As far as the media goes, do we really need to revisit this after what transpired with the media during the 2008 election and is still happening today with the promotion of a candidate and the hiding of flaws, missteps and outright inadequacy for the position? Additionally, through his decades on Liberal media, Harold has acquired allies to help support him in his endeavor, and by extension, the Republican Party establishment. The GOP establishment, after seeing that a conservative would win, picked Harold to come from where he’s lived in Iredell County to run in a district that is not his own. He is an outsider that doesn’t know District 8, its problems, nor its people. Not to mention, how many RINOs has the GOP put forth to us? They do this as they think by sacrificing or bargaining away their values and principles, they will get those voters in the middle and Independents. Why haven’t they figured out what we all have? Conservatism, freedom and liberty knows no boundaries, and are commonalities most of us all share. How many have made it to Washington only to help bring the economic decline, moral declivity and loss of freedoms we are experiencing today? Are we going to continue letting these people choose OUR representative?)

4.) He’s likeable. (Funny how that seems to be the adjective most people use when discussing Harold. Somehow that quality is not even close to the top on my list of what I’m looking for in a representative. I can think of a whole lot more adjectives that I want in my Congressman than “likeable”. I actually want someone who is not likeable. I want someone who will say what they mean and mean what they say. I want someone who will go to Washington and FIGHT for me regardless of the opinions of others. I also don’t want Harold’s “I can get along with anyone.” and his “I can work across the aisle.” John McCain, is that you? Also, doesn’t “likeable” kind of remind you of anyone else?)

5.) He can read a teleprompter well because of his sportscaster job (Since when is the ability to read a teleprompter an achievement that we want displayed in our politics? Is there one on the House floor that they all use? No. Yes, he can give a speech using a teleprompter, after all, he’s had decades of experience using one. But impromptu, not so much. He actually avoids any situation where he has to talk for more than a couple minutes. Even worse, he walks away from voters who ask questions that require immediate, direct answers. He seems to just want to shake their hands and move on. Harold, what do you think they are there for? To meet a local celebrity or because they want to be informed voters? When you speak from the heart and live your principles, you don’t need a teleprompter nor Republican code words from their political playbook such as the one Harold loves to give on just about every answer: accountability) Harold, although we certainly want accountability in our politics, usually it comes only after the screw up, and when it’s too late. Accountability also comes, in the case of a Congressman, months and years later…at election time, while consequences from wrongheaded decisions affect us in the meantime. (The teleprompter thing also reminds me of that same someone. Just sayin’)

Truthfully, the above items are all I, and many others, know about Harold. We only know what he and his Republican establishment handlers want us to see. I don’t know where his heart is. I don’t know what he values or what he believes in. I don’t know how he intends on serving us as our Representative. I don’t know how he stands on the issues other than some information written on his website, but that I’ve never been given the chance to ask him about. I’ve never heard him talking about any of it either. Why? If you can’t talk to me now, Harold, how can you speak for me later?

Now just to make it easier for you to vote for Harold, let’s double down.

Why you shouldn’t vote for Tim D’Annunzio:

1.) You’ve heard he’s nuts. (Well, you are correct. He’s nuts about his family, his God and his country and isn’t ashamed of it. He’s outspoken about his beliefs, his faith and in his profound love for America and it’s founding Constitutional principles. He’s also a fiscal and social Conservative through and through and proud of it. He believes the federal government has overstepped its bounds and is exercising powers which belong to the States and to the people. He’s also a dedicated Christian who follows the principles that it is his mission to bring others to Jesus Christ, just as it is for all Christians.) Have you ever gone to see him? Hear him speak? Ask your questions? Gone to his website? Called or stopped in at his office? Emailed him? Do you believe rumors, innuendo, falsehoods without finding out the facts and circumstances for yourself in anything in life? I sure hope not. What if it was directed towards you? I don’t believe that others should judge and choose my candidate for me. SEEK THE TRUTH.

2.) He won’t go along with the Republican party establishment. (Good. Republicans have lost their way. Being more concerned about getting votes and re-election seems to be the party platform as of late. Bowing to implementing regulation, entitlement programs and laws that erode our freedoms and opportunities, is the new mode of operation. Most no longer hold the principles Conservatives want to see brought back into their government. Just as Democrats do, the Republican party has been straying further and further from the Constitution and the founding Father’s principles, they’re just doing it at a slower pace.)

3.) He’s got money. (and that’s a problem, how? How is struggling, picking yourself up, working hard and acheiving the American Dream, a hindrance? It’s what I want. Isn’t it what we all want? Why should starting a business in your livingroom and growing it to create about 350 jobs in the district, be unfair or an obstacle? It’s an acheivement to praise. Additionally by creating those jobs, he’s also helped others on their way to that same work ethic and dream. He wants to fight in Washington so that you, your children and your children’s children have those same opportunities and freedoms.)

4.) He’s not polished. (To me, this is his best quality. He will not be manipulated or threatened into sacrificing his principles. He’s not afraid to tell it like it is, to stand firm in what he believes in. He’s the first to admit he not a politician. I’d much rather have someone with passion, courage, determination and steadfastness then someone who says what you want to hear. I want the truth, not a politician’s spin. I don’t want someone who’s a practiced, scripted speaker. I want genuine heartfelt honesty in what you stand for and the dependability and confidence in knowing you will be relentless in acheiving those things.)

5.) You can’t pronounce his name. (Believe it or not but I’ve actually heard that one a few times. I won’t comment on it. I will just shake my head in disbelief.)

With what we’re seeing going on in Washington today, please understand America is at a critical precipice. There’s no mistaking the enormity of the task ahead. Are we going to elect someone who knows and understands the issues, the dire situation we’re in, has solutions and will stand up and pull us back from the edge and walk us back, or one that will kowtow to the GOP elite and the Democrats and push us over it? Choose wisely. Our decisions have consequences.

This responsibility we have been given makes me think of Tim’s experience as a parachute rigger, member of the Golden Knights parachute team, and his continued love of skydiving as it brings about a personal recollection:

I remember as a child watching a film in class called “You Pack Your Own Chute.” It uses the analogy of parachuting to illustrate the importance of personal responsibility, as well as the consequences we all have to live with in the choices and decisions we make. In this all important political environment, you are not making the decisions yourself, you are “represented” in Washington. Your personal responsibility is to to make the correct choice of who to send there. Make the choice on what’s best for you, your family and more importantly, your country.

Who would you rather have rigging your parachute?

Let’s join the NC GOP game: It’s Pin the Tail on the RINO time!

I am not usually one to play games, especially when it comes to politics, but I was feeling a bit left out, just a bit. Alright, a whole lot. So I’ve decided to crash the “party” and join in the NC GOP’s fun. I invite all of you to play along. Such fun!

This game however, is not the standard Pin the Tail game we all know, I decided as the Republican Party wants to change the rules as they go along, I can too. I’ve incorporated a bunch of familiar games and sports along with some other ideas into it. Hopefully this will make it more understandable, challenging and entertaining. Plus, my mind moves fast and I get bored easily so I need to have variety too. (Stupid side note: see how many games and sports you can spot.)

I fully realize this is silly, even dumb (so no petty reviews on the game, please) but what the heck, let’s have a little fun. Besides, it’s not the “game” analogy you should concentrate on, it’s what I am relaying to you. Remember the saying “It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game”? Except here, the roles are reversed. It’s how the GOP establishment plays the game that matters to them, not whether YOU win or lose. But in this game they are playing. the stakes are much higher, and the losers are North Carolina and America.

This game starts out open to all Republicans, even for those “crazies” (as Mr. Justin “I’m impartial” Thibault, the Cabarrus County GOP Chairman likes to call us on twitter and facebook. He even added a little link of a video of “voters” that include druggies, satanists, racists, a hog farmer holding up a picture of and saying there’s a lot of same sex hog coupling going on, etc.) Sir, don’t say you meant the crazies in the video either as you’ve sent that link out many times before telling people to “Go vote and here’s why.” Only recently have you started referring to them as “crazies – esp. in #NC8″ and we’re not stupid. We know you’re referring to District 8 Tim D’Annunzio supporters as that is what we are affectionately known as. Others even passed the link along laughing and knowing exactly what you were saying. Some even added other NC districts to it. Regardless of who he was speaking of, is that how a GOP Chairman should be speaking of citizens, any citizen? Mr. Thibault may find this comical, I find it insulting. I won’t pass along the disgusting video, you can go there yourself later if you want. However, here’s a couple little screen captures Mr. Thibault may not like you to see:

The top one is how he usually sends this remark out. The bottom one is how he sends it out periodically (the #nc8 & #nc08 are representative of NC District 8, the #ConsNC is Conservatives in NC and just to spread the love around, the #fb means to post it to his facebook page):

After that short commercial break, it’s back to the big game…

As with any game though, there’s always those spoilers. Those that don’t just want to go along and follow YOUR rules. Those that insist they have better ideas, or that you’re doing it wrong. Those that point out when you’re not being inclusive, breaking the rules or that you’re cheating. There’s even those that want to take over because they feel you are inept or arrogant. So, since the GOP is the “Mommy May I” of this game, what they say goes. Therefore no spoilers allowed and all will be rooted out. You’re either a team player or you’re out.

Who has the Republican Party decided to let play? Ah, the decision is made right out of the gate. They decided to be selfish and play all by themselves. So, Mr. GOP Establishment, how to get those party crashers to go away and let you play the game as you demand?

1. Offer them one more chance to play the game but only under YOUR conditions. If they agree, great, you’ve now got some sheeple to sit in the stands and cheer you on along with your team cheerleaders: the media. If not 100% agreeable to your conditions, move to rule #2.

2. Ignore the opponent, their team members and their “fans”, as these are the people who after all really didn’t want to play your game but are in the arena, nonetheless. (The players: the true conservative, those pesky Christians, and those “right-wing extremist” Teaparty members and Patriots, the American people)

3. If rule #2 doesn’t work: Ridicule and tease them like little school girls. (This popular game move is called demonization. It’s used to shake the confidence of your opponents.)

4. If the party crashers still won’t see it your way and continue to reject your RINO, then assassinate their characters. Kick ‘em in the shins for good measure. The desired outcome here is to get them to pout or get angry and stomp off, thereby forfeiting the game. (This is a standard strategy in any sport: When demonization fails, use physical attacks. What’s the worse that can happen? You’ll just get a foul called on you or get put into the penalty box.)

5. Bench those party crashers, after all, you don’t need them. Bring in the RINO substitutes to play instead or those that will follow you mindlessly because, after all, you are the masters of this game.

6. If the party crashers continue to be persistent, buck up and won’t pick up their marbles and go home, duct tape their mouths shut (duct tape fixes everything here in the South, don’t ya know), let them sit on the sidelines and watch.

Next, before we play the game, while we’re taking the pieces out of the box, we usually read the actual game rules and regulation. No need. The GOP elite has decided those for you too:

1. Each fan in the stands must put on a blindfold. We don’t want these fans to see how the game is really played. You, or better yet, the “highly animated”, “energetic” sportscaster of the Liberal media will feed them the play by play you want them to know. (Those you pushed to the sidelines are hopeless, so don’t worry about them for now. Later, you’ll try to bribe them with free tickets, refreshments, or one of those big fingers (trust me, some of them already have one of these, for you), to get them to the final game in the match as you will need them on your side then.)

2, Get the team coaches together to strategerize (gotta love George Bush).

3. As the league teams require promotion, the team must gather sponsors and endorsements. They must be made up mostly of the same ilk. (Did you know a group of RINOs collectively are called a CRASH? Reminds me of a different type of crash, those obnoxious, country loving party crashers, huh? Ah, the irony.) Once again your cheering section, the lamestream media, comes in handy.

4. Now get your players on to the field and in your huddle. Use your playbook to the fullest. (The coaches and player’s mentions will come in a later post with the positions they play, stats and batting averages. I will include the link here.)

Let the games begin! It’s the team from North Carolina’s District 8 up first….

But, wait…where’s the tail? I can’t find the tail? Who hid the tail? Harold? Where are you, Harold? Harold Johnson? HAROLD?! Take that tail off, Harold. You’re getting a jump on it, the game hasn’t even started yet. Oh never mind, there’s no sense in continuing as you have earned and been given the trophy. Keep the tail where it is Harold, you’ve merited it. You have been chosen by the team owners and elite as the star RINO.

The Republican party has called Game over.

Congratulations, Harold Johnson, you are the MVP, a Mere Vassal Pachyderm (Why did I use “Vassal”? It is a person who is under the rule of another and who owes servitude and loyalty to them, subjecting to their will. Did you know the Pachyderm family doesn’t just include the elephant (symbol of the GOP) but also the RINO? Pretty clever of me, wouldn’t you say?

Game revision (or better known as the GOP Game changer): When it comes time to play in the district finals, start at the beginning, as now you need those Independents (monkeys in the middle) and disenchanted jackasses.

My suggestion to the GOP establishment and team RINOs: Perhaps you should change your team name to Pachydermata. According to its definition, Pachydermata is an obsolete order of mammals (includes elephants and RINOs..oh and wait, man ), at one time widely recognized but is no longer in use. The Pachydermata, just like the current political parties is obsolete, no longer in use (or of use), finished. We only need it to remind us of its history.

Republicans like to tout that the Democrats are no longer the Democrat party of old and no longer represent the party of the working man. Well, the Republican party no longer is the party that stands for our values and principles. The GOP establishment has decided who they will choose for us. Time and time again they choose wrong instead of what’s “right” leading us further and further away from our Founding Father’s intentions, those principles granted to us through our constitution.

We the People now know much of our history, so as to not repeat it. What we don’t know, we are learning. We know the progressivism perpetrated upon our country by both the Democats and the Republican party establishment. We will never let ourselves be drawn down that path again.

We have been awaken and will no longer be scorned, rejected, or ostracized. We will not be banished to the stinky locker room (voting booth) to hold our noses. We will not be sent like little misbehaving children into time out, or to the dugout, nor will we tolerate being benched. We will not sit on the sidelines. We will stay at the party to change the game from inside the huddle. It will not be done through negotiation or bargaining either. We’ve seen what that has brought us. Why? WE are the real game changers. We the People are in it to win it because the ultimate prize is the soul of America.

NOW, it’s Game Over. Not only Game Over but Game, Set, Match.