"My Broken Republican Party"

My Broken Republican Party
by Ezra BA Drissman on Friday, February 8, 2013 at 12:26pm ·

I write this note with sadness and optimism. My local Republican Party is broken. My comments may be harsh at times but are only meant to shine a light on some of our issues in order to make positive changes. I have been involved in Oakland Country Republican's for nearly 10 years. I have run in the past three elections. Two years ago, I made sure that no county commission seat went without someone running. I currently and proudly sit on the Executive Board of the County Party. I am a socially liberal, fiscally conservative Republican.

Unfortunately our party has decided by their actions that they do not care about getting all branches of our local communities to vote and be proud to be Republican.

This past Thursday February 7th we had our County Convention. I have seen the conventions become smaller and smaller. I often wonder why I bother myself. Lack of inclusion is the issue at the heart of why we continue to get crushed in elections locally. Oakland Country is made up of voters from all different belief systems and religions. The Republican Party should be about fiscal responsibility, not about the moral views of some.

Inclusiveness is no small issue. We have painted ourselves into a small box. We don't garner the Jewish, Black, Hispanic, Muslim, Gay... and the list goes on. One has to wonder-- is there some truth when we are called a bigoted party?

We used be a big tent. There was lots of different views represented and discussed. We have become single minded, and bent on squashing dissension. People who used to be called Conservative Republican's are now called moderates or “Rhinos”. The Libertarian wing has been marginalized. We have successfully kicked out the log-cabin Republican's. I can't image why Jews and Blacks don't want to associate with our Party.

Change must happen and quickly. If we hope to survive and be a majority party, we must be inclusive.

I would be happy to address any specifics and some thoughts on how to achieve a welcoming party that can compete and win elections.


Ezra Drissman
Executive Board Member
Oakland County Republican Party

https://www.facebook.com/notes/ezra-ba-drissman/my-broken-republican-party/10152574997785601
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/02/10/1186044/-A-Crack-in-the-Wall-is-Heating-Up