There’s more than just politics at the recent GOP Spring Dinner in Alta Sierra (that’s State Sen. Ted Gaines addressing the group in a photo from Facebook under a bold “Taking Back America” sign. My mom and dad were lifelong Republicans, without the high-pitched rhetoric, though. My mom met Ronald Reagan numerous times when he was Governor and volunteered in many GOP campaigns.)
“At the Nevada County Republican Party Spring Social on Saturday, April 28, Vice Chairman, Greg Marks presented the Ruth & Drew Bedwell Memorial Scholarship to Richard Young,” Rich Ulery reports on the GOP website.
“Richard is a senior at Bear River High School and will attend Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington this coming fall.
“This year’s essay question was ‘What do you think our Constitution means when defining our freedom and limited government?’ Young pointed the finger at President Obama, ignoring Congress, reading in part: “Unfortunately, since President Obama took office, the U.S. government has drastically strayed from our constitutional ideals. As a result, government has greatly expanded in size and today there is increased federal control over the lives of U.S. citizens.”
So it goes nowadays. Personalizing and oversimplifying politics — in fact, a very complicated process — is a sign of the times, too, just like a “Taking Back America” sign. But it happens on both sides of the aisle. I largely blame the rise of television, going back to Nixon’s famous Checker’s speech. We debate in “sound bites.”
I admire the efforts of Rich Ulery as chairman of local GOP group, as I’ve written before. There are many shades of GOPers in our county — from moderates to the extreme right. Rich is a good public spokesperson for the local GOP. He keeps it issue-oriented.
(credit: Local GOP’s Facebook page)
Filed under: Uncategorized
Taking it back from whom?
“This year’s essay question was ‘What do you think our Constitution means when defining our freedom and limited government?’
Wow! That’s not a loaded question!! I’m sure this group can do whatever they want, however, I wonder if action could be taken if one could demonstrate they answered the question, wrote a better essay, and had an opposing view point of the winner? I smell discrimination, actually. This isn’t an ‘essay contest’.
How about rephrasing the question to “What do you think our Constitution means when defining freedom and government?’
This might CYA a little better.
Taking it back to the 1930′s.
More like the 1890′s and the 1920′s. Actually, I’m not sure there is a presidence.
How much money is the Bedwell Scholarship and is it an annual award?
$1,500 annually, I believe.
“Taking Back America”
It would be nice if Native Americans could do that.
I think our local Republicans have made it painfully obvious that they actually want to take us back to 1800, before Marbury v. Madison.
BTW, and off topic, Steve, as I’ve often said, I’m no computer whiz, but by posting simple truths about teaching yesterday on a blog I rarely visit because of the overbearing pomposity, evident even in the photo, I had no control how my name was posted. They jumped to false conclusions–nothing unusual about that–but I have found it a waste of energy arguing these points with those whom have never been in front of 35 teenagers, so many lacking skills, motivation, and the foundations of character that must be taught at home. A sock puppet-who spends their time thinking up theses names?
My vote is they want to take it back to the 1950′s, a time many remember fondly. And it goes unsaid who so many want to take the country back from.
This Saturday the Democratic Women’s Club is honoring it’s $1,000 scholarship winner for providing the best essay regarding the signifigance of Occupy Wall Street. A Bear River student is receiving that award. The luncheon is at Trolley Junction.
By the way, the Spring Into Action Dinner hosted by the Democratic Central Committe is Saturday, April 12 at Alta Sierra Country Club. Get your tickets at http://www.nevadacountydemocrats.com.
Democrats know who they want to take the country back from. Radical right wingers who insist that small government means token government for the 1% and anarchy is for the 99%. Americans traditionaly strive to provide an America that works for everyone and that requires constant vigilance against the ideas of the 1%.
Wanda, what a wonderful way to get our students, and our future, involved! My deepest congratulations to that fine student.
I would hate to see us go back to the 50′s where women seemed like third class citizens