U.P. treatise: GOP activist calls for ouster of party’s devious 'band of bullies'

Paul Neumeier of Escanaba, former chair of the Delta County Republican Party, has shared a treatise with some of his fellow Republicans that outlines a path to GOP victories in November – and a path to defeat if the “malcontents” in the party, such as Dave Agema and Todd Courser, use the August primary to divide the Republicans.

Neumeier’s lengthy commentary (his second such writing made public in less than a month) comes just seven weeks before Michigan’s April 22 filing deadline for all state and local candidates.

Here’s an unedited version of what he had to say:

There are many Republicans who have forgotten, or are unaware, that it has taken the progressives almost 100 years to grow the federal government to its current extent. The progressives did it with an unrelenting agenda, usually with small, seldom noticed incrementalism, not with giant leaps.

The exceptions were under the presidencies of Roosevelt and Johnson, and now President Obama, a former constitutional law professor who has used his knowledge of the Constitution to undermine its core values.

During his recent State of the Union speech, Obama haughtily waved his finger and stated that he would rule by executive decree for the next three years if Congress did not bow and kiss his ring. The only opportunity that we Republicans have to counter this vast expansion of presidential power is to retain the majority in the U.S. House and to elect enough Republicans to take over the majority and leadership role in the Senate.

Until then, we are like David, fighting Goliath, but without his sling and stone. Two years ago we Republicans did have an opportunity to take over the Senate. Unfortunately, in the Republican Party we have a very small, very vocal, and very well-financed and determined group of legislators such as former Sen. Jim DeMint, who squandered this opportunity.

Sen. DeMint, along with newly elected Sen. Ted Cruz, who does not have to run for re-election until 2018, have mounted their pedestals, seeking self-serving media coverage by attacking fellow Republicans. These self-proclaimed disciples of small government will potentially once again destroy our opportunity to take over the Senate.

They could also, along with their statewide followers, prevent us from retaining power in Michigan and many other Republican held states.

The venom that these malcontents are fermenting is contagious and it is affecting the Michigan elections, as well as those in other states. In Michigan, a small, but very vocal minority have aligned themselves behind such self-proclaimed conservatives as Dave Agema and Todd Courser.

Agema, the current National Committeeman from Michigan, was elected to that position not so much because of who he was, but rather because of who he wasn’t.

As for Courser, the topic of discussion in this current article, he has flailed about for a number of years, running for different Republican positions and statewide offices, never being successful. To his credit, he is a consummate campaigner.

Unfortunately, he has become a disruptive, devious force in the party who only seems interested in promoting himself, not attempting to help build a winning, more conservative coalition to run Michigan. We, as Republican Michiganders, know what and who he is against, but not what he and his minions have for their current platform other than "NO", nor what their 5-year plans are to help transform Michigan into the envy of the nation.

Courser has also embarrassed himself and our party with his recent treatises on homosexuals -- good Libertarian homosexuals verses "establishment" homosexuals -- and the “Stalking Horse” narrative. Reading these almost leads one to believe that he is seeing imaginary ghosts.

Those of us who have worked hard for years, if not decades, to build a winning, respected coalition for Michigan are willing to listen to a reasonable plan, if Courser can produce one. In the meantime, Courser, who is fond of quoting the Bible and preaching to his flock through his newsletters, should be reminded of 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Bad company corrupts good character.”

In Courser's case, two of his most vocal supporters are none other than two-time accused felon Randy “The Oaf” Bishop and Doug Sedenquist, who is currently facing four felony charges. Until then, we Republicans need to ignore Courser and his band of bullies and concentrate our attention and efforts on winning the fall elections, building upon the success that our current courageous elected officials have had changing the direction of the Michigan economy.

I would personally advise Mr. Courser to remember Ronald Reagan, who was called the Great Communicator, and how he brought forth a platform that returned the Republican Party to its conservative roots. He could also emulate Newt Gingrich with “A Contract with Michigan.”

We Republicans can respect, admire, and support a man who approaches politics like Reagan or Newt.

Unlike the Democrats, who get re-elected selling social issues, we Republicans need to sell economic and fiscal policies that the general public can understand and endorse. We, and the general public, will never endorse Todd Courser “The Preacher’” who appears to be using religion to establish a resume due to his lack of political experience and savvy.

Respectfully,

Paul Neumeier

Escanaba

*****

FYI: RNC Committeeman Agema continues to face sharp criticism from within the GOP. He is accused of funding Republican primary challengers, specifically those who are taking on establishment incumbents who want Agema to resign from the RNC due to his bigotry.

The Herald Palladium is reporting that Agema is contributing money to two GOP primary challengers in Berrien County by tapping his Top Gun Conservatives PAC.

"He's been going around talking about party unity, and here he is the Republican national committeeman, and he's endorsing opponents to incumbent Republicans," said state Rep. Dave Pagel, R-Oronoko Township, who is running for his second term this fall.

According to the Herald Palladium,Pagel said Agema is giving money to the opponents of incumbents who spoke out against his inappropriate words instead of apologizing for them.

"When you say something stupid and you're called on it, you probably ought to apologize and back down, but he (Agema) didn't," Pagel said. "He basically doubled down."