GOP Should Rename itself the “Brand X” Party

On November 3, 2014November 12, 2014 By Robert W. PeckIn Articles, Blog, Political1 Comment

I just read something very insightful in an article published in the Yakima Herald. In yet another article about GOP internal strife, I read these words:

“the state GOP has a policy of not endorsing one Republican over another.”

I have been noticing for some time now that the Washington State GOP consistently fails to give it’s approval to any particular “R” candidate, but I had chalked it up to the party’s generally weak and gutless lack of leadership. Perhaps I’m still a bit naive, but I really didn’t realize that the state GOP had an actual policy of not endorsing one “R” candidate over another.

In a state with a top-two primary, where anyone can walk in off the street, plunk down their filing fee, have his name placed on the ballot and choose what party initial, if any, he wants placed after his name, the GOP has consciously chosen a policy of complete abdication of leadership, allowing anyone to run under their party banner without being either endorsed or opposed by the party on the basis of minor details like adherence to the party platform.

If this is going to be their policy, then the GOP should change its name to something generic, like “Brand X,” as there’s no way for voters to know what’s inside the package when purchasing an “R” candidate at the polls. This is tantamount to a company developing a brand name, then selling labels bearing its name for anyone, anywhere, to slap on anything and call it official, genuine, certified “Brand X.” Continue reading “GOP Should Rename itself the “Brand X” Party” →

It’s Us Versus Them and the Problem is Us

On October 20, 2014 By Robert W. PeckIn Articles, Blog, Christian, Political2 Comments

In a world with an “us versus them” mentality, it’s always “them” that are the problem… right? We’re never the cause of our own troubles, that would be unthinkable. It’s always the other guy who fouls everything up. We’re innocent. If only the whole world were left to us, it would be a utopian paradise.

The same phenomenon exists in the political arena where the “us versus them” mentality finds that it is always the other political party that is the problem. You name the trouble, the other party caused it. Whether we’re talking Democrat vs Republican, left vs right, liberal vs conservative, one thing is certain, the other side is the root of all evil. If only the country were turned over to our side, to our favored “ism” or political party, we would make it a utopian paradise.

While I can’t speak for those who identify with the liberal-left or Democrat side of this equation, I do spend a lot of time around people who identify as Christian, conservative or who faithfully and unquestioningly vote Republican and who know for certain that they’re not the problem. They couldn’t possibly be responsible for any of America’s ills as they’re on the right side, profess the right “ism” and vote for the candidate with the right initial after his name. If only the Christian side, the conservative side, the “right” side could prevail at the ballot box and fill the halls of power with people who have the right party initial after their name, America would become a utopian paradise… right? Continue reading “It’s Us Versus Them and the Problem is Us” →

Is the Constitution Dead?

On September 17, 2014September 17, 2014 By Robert W. PeckIn Articles, Blog, Political7 Comments

Today we celebrate the 227^th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution and ask the question, “is the Constitution dead?” Has it survived despite the many years of degradation it has suffered or did it succumb long ago?

The other day I was confronted with the idea that perhaps the Constitution is already null and void and has been for some time now based on the many unconstitutional acts of the federal government, some beginning as long as a hundred years ago. I’ll be the first to admit that much, perhaps even most of what the federal government does, is not allowed under the Constitution. But does that mean that the Constitution has failed, that it doesn’t work, that it is no longer valid, has become irrelevant and that we should quit contending for the founding principles of the American Constitutional republic? Or does it merely mean that we the people have ignorantly and foolishly elected persons who are now subjecting us to an unconstitutional, and therefore alien, form of government?

I believe some people confuse conservatism with Constitutionalism and the conservative movement with the current efforts of Constitutionists. The two tend to be treated as synonymous and lumped together under one title. I admit that some who are called conservatives are Constitutionists, though not all, and Constitutionalism is what conservatism once was, or sought to be. However, Constitutionalism and modern conservatism are quite different entities. I contend that it is conservatism that has expired and lapsed into irrelevance while the principles of Constitutionalism remain ever relevant and worthy of our most valiant efforts to contend for. Continue reading “Is the Constitution Dead?” →

What the Gospel Can Do

On September 11, 2014 By Robert W. PeckIn Blog4 Comments

In July I wrote an article addressing the causes of illegal immigration and who is really to blame. One of the things I found myself wanting to say, though it didn’t actually fit the context of the article, is that the thing most needed and which a Christian people should be most earnestly desiring, is the preaching of the Gospel and the bringing of “The Blessing” to those countries where poverty and violence are causing people to flee to the U.S.

About a week after publishing that article, I was informed that a minister who I support is planning to hold meetings in Guatemala in November. I shared my article and the above comments with him and yesterday he replied with the following message.

“I agree with your assessment of the immigration issue. We need to start at the source. There is a village in Guatemala where every soul is born again, and God has prospered them all supernaturally. That’s the power of the Gospel.”

There is a place for politics, but that place comes after the Kingdom of God. The proper use of Christian political activism is to declare the will of God to the civil society and to make known the counsels of His kingdom for the governance of the land. Politics alone cannot solve the problems of this or any nation. For peace, prosperity and blessing to reign, the whole counsel of God (His Word) must be taught, believed, received and obeyed. When that happens, whole villages can enjoy blessing in the midst of one of the most impoverished and violence ridden countries on the planet. Think what faith and obedience could do for our country, or your state, or city, or church, or home.

Analysis of KXLY Story on State Representative Matt Shea

On August 25, 2014August 27, 2014 By Robert W. PeckIn Blog, Political2 Comments

The following is an analysis of the KXLY television news story on State Representative, Matt Shea, aired July 17, 2014. This is not a “fault finding” document seeking merely to complain. Rather, this is intended as an honest assessment of the story from the perspective of responsible journalistic practices. It should also be pointed out that this is not about defending Representative Shea, but is about protecting all public officials, candidates for office and citizens alike from the harm that can be done when the media departs from journalistic integrity and becomes a political tool.

I Suspicion of source

When a news release is received from a candidate for public office that is critical of his opponent, a good journalist must suspect that it may be an attempt by that candidate to use the media as a tool for political mudslinging. When that news release is distributed the same day that the mail-in ballots begin to arrive with voters, then a real journalist’s suspicions should go through the roof. Continue reading “Analysis of KXLY Story on State Representative Matt Shea” →

KXLY Responsibility in Journalism Petition

On July 25, 2014 By Robert W. PeckIn Blog3 Comments

An open letter from Robert Peck to the greater Spokane community. Originally distributed via email list.

On Thursday, July 17, Spokane’s KXLY television news aired a blatantly defamatory story about Washington State Representative, Matt Shea (click here to view the story). You may have already read the article that I published exposing KXLY’s slanderous attack on a sitting representative of the people of the State of Washington.

This is not just about Representative Shea. Though Matt Shea is one of the few overtly God honoring, Constitution upholding champions of liberty currently serving in public office, the practice of character assassination by media insinuation without the benefit of trial, is a despicable act that must be opposed whatever the victim’s political views. Those who wear the title of “media” hold a certain public trust. The story aired by KXLY violated that trust. Continue reading “KXLY Responsibility in Journalism Petition” →

Illegal Immigration – Who’s Responsible?

On July 23, 2014July 31, 2014 By Robert W. PeckIn Articles, Blog, Political4 Comments

Illegal immigration into the U.S. has been on the rise for the past year, but in the last month or so an unprecedented wave of immigrants has hit the border and started to make headlines. In California, citizens took to the streets to physically block buses from bringing more illegals into their community. Texas Governor, Rick Perry, is said to be preparing to deploy National Guard forces. Rumors are flying about various citizen militia groups heading south to secure the border. Meanwhile, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency has begun a million-dollar ad campaign across Central America warning potential illegal immigrants of the dangers of the journey and that there will be “no permiso” – no permission to stay – once they get to the border. General John Kelly, Chief of the U.S. Southern Command, calls the region a “Crime-terror convergence” that is an existential threat to the nation.

Though the subject of illegal immigration has gained new attention through the recent and somewhat exceptional events, the issue itself and the general factors surrounding it are nothing new. The number of illegal aliens in the U.S. has been on the rise for a half century, including throughout the Bush administration, arriving at a record high in 2007 of nearly 11.8 million. The number had since declined slightly, but now appears to be on the rise again. Continue reading “Illegal Immigration – Who’s Responsible?” →

News Media and GOP Team-up to Attack Outspoken Christian Candidate

On July 18, 2014July 25, 2014 By Robert W. PeckIn Blog, Political7 Comments

Well, it’s begun. The day after primary election ballots began to be mailed out to Spokane County voters, a local television news channel, KXLY, decided to whole-heartedly throw itself behind the efforts of the Republican Party establishment leadership’s attempt to unseat pro-God, pro-Constitution, pro-liberty incumbent State Representative, Matt Shea. In what was the most blatantly un-professional and un-newsworthy hit piece I believe I have ever seen from an entity claiming the title of “media,” Spokane’s KXLY 4 News expended one of their prime spots on last night’s Six O’clock News hurling baseless, insinuations and allegations at the incumbent Republican representative who has been a thorn in the side of the big government, status quo Republican leadership since the day voters first sent him to Olympia six years ago. Continue reading “News Media and GOP Team-up to Attack Outspoken Christian Candidate” →

This Independence Day, Remember the Declaration

On July 3, 2014 By Robert W. PeckIn Blog, PoliticalLeave a comment

This Independence Day, I want to encourage my fellow countrymen to celebrate the most American of all holidays by listening to a reading of the Declaration of Independence on this week’s episode of Home Front, hosted by former Missouri State Representative and Constitution Party leader, Cynthia Davis. Even those of us who frequently refer to this great document, or profess to love the liberty that it stands for, are guilty of rarely reading the actual words with which our nation was founded. When I listened to this reading of the Declaration, several things jumped out at me as though I were hearing them for the first time. The reading of the Declaration of Independence and the rehearsing of the principles contained therein, should be at the center of every festivity and gathering across the land on this and every 4th of July.

As you listen to the reading of the Declaration of Independence, or read it for yourself, listen closely and consider how many of the charges laid against King George by the signers of that document could be made against our President today; or his predecessors; or the swarms of bureaucrats that enforce upon us rules, regulations, fines and fees; or the Congress that approves of it all, including the House of Representatives that furnishes the funding that allows it to continue; or the governors and state legislatures that fail to interpose to protect their citizens from federal usurpation, but instead actually engage in most of the same activities within their own states.

This Independence Day, remember the Declaration of Independence and rehearse its principles. Then, forward this to your friends to remind them what the 4th of July is really about, why we celebrate it and what it really means to be an American.

Home Front Independence Day Special
http://www.cynthiadavis.net/colonel-quincy-collins-and-the-declaration-of-independence/

Stop Fighting the Fruit – Start Chopping the Root

On March 7, 2014August 26, 2014 By Robert W. PeckIn Articles, Blog, Political4 Comments

I’m always looking for the principle behind a thing, the key thing, the root thing, the thing that makes it all work. I can’t walk into a building without starting to analyze the structure to figure out which is a load-bearing wall, which is a facade, what holds this up and what supports that.

I’m that way with politics and government too. I want to find the foundational principles that make for good government, the eternal truths that can tell me which policies are right or wrong. I want to make sure I’m getting to the root of the matter and am not being distracted by something superficial. Continue reading “Stop Fighting the Fruit – Start Chopping the Root” →