Voters, think critically

A critical thinker cannot be manipulated or enslaved. The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC) hopes you are not a critical thinker.

Civility and respect for the dignity of others go a long way in creating a healthy community, traits rarely expressed by the radical “self-righteous” far right in the KCRCC and its inner circle.

Having sat on the KCRCC for two years, I listened in disgust as they, mainly Chairman Regan, who claims to be clairvoyant and the smartest man in the room, regularly smeared good people who didn’t cater to their narrow-minded standards. It’s a manipulative, calculating strategy intent on removing those they’ve deemed as non-useful and uncooperative from the conversation and, if a candidate, from voter consideration.

Although most on the KCRCC profess they are Christians, Christian traits such as grace, mercy and compassion evade them, offered only to those who toe the line and pass their litmus test.

With this information in mind, I would like to publicly welcome my trusted friend, Bob Fish, as the newest member of the “KCRCC Hates Me” club. Bob can wear his club membership with pride; he is in excellent company.

In that club Bob has recently joined many civilized, civic-minded people, thoughtful and of sound moral character. No mean-spirited, “flying monkey” bullies are found in this club; such characters are reserved for the “I Love Brent Regan” club.

Unlike the Regan club members, we don't label fellow Republicans or others as “disgusting animals,” as undeserving of respect and evil simply because a person seeks accountability and transparency from Regan and his myrmidons. Interesting, how the KCRCC has rejected motions for their own transparency, while they demand it from others.

Discerning people, whom the KCRCC reject and insult, support candidates qualified for the elected positions they seek. They do not limit their candidate vetting to mere Party politics and limited Party mailers.

For example, the KCRCC asked the current candidates, “Please tell us about your activity as a Republican. Have you previously voted for those of other parties?” For comparison, see what are pertinent questions for a hospital trustee on the website for Kootenai Health.

Rather than adhering to the KCRCC concept of “let us decide for you” during elections, whether partisan or nonpartisan races, the concept of “let the people” decide is the healthy option for our community.

Experience has proven the KCRCC doesn't behave much like actual Republicans. They act more like a hybrid political group experiencing an identity crisis who hijacked the local Republican Central Committee back in 2010. To be suspect of their choice of candidates they are promoting is a wise decision.

At a recent Panhandle Pachyderm club meeting, Rob Barrans, the KCRCC vice chair, laid out their subcommittee's election plan. They seek to fill every single elected position in Kootenai County with candidates on the far right end of the political continuum that reside in their echo chamber.

If you need an example of the harm such an objective would create for our community, just look at the ongoing harm taking place at North Idaho College since three KCRCC members have taken control of the college's board of trustees.

Nonpartisan positions warrant being filled by individuals dedicated to meeting the role of the position; Party politics need to be left out of the equation. Having sent out flyers promoting them, the KCRCC has been emboldened by the train wreck they've created at NIC when they succeeded in getting candidates elected who are completely out of their depth when it comes to serving as college board trustees. Their motive is not about what is in our community's best interest. Rather they seek political power at the expense of our community's overall health and well being.

The KCRCC has established their plan, in part, using a candidate rating system that suits their political ideology. Part of their plan is seen in their recent candidate promotion card mailing.

It's obvious by their aggressive tactics, the KCRCC is seeking to deny voters the opportunity to develop and utilize critical thinking skills when they assert themselves arbiters of political reason and judgment by promoting their candidate rating system as supreme even in nonpartisan races. Based upon a conversation I had with Jeff Tyler of the KCRCC, the only quality required for a candidate to achieve a high rating from them, or be endorsed on their mailer, is that they are “one of us.” That's it. ONE. OF. US. Period.

Chairman Regan has stated voters are prone to vote by emotion rather than by reason. I heard him say so. Folks, the KCRCC seeks to play on this belief by appealing to you on an emotional level.

Our community deserves better than to be manipulated and enslaved by a small yet vocal radical political group. Consider rejecting their effort. An endorsement or a high score rating from the KCRCC does not necessarily make for a quality elected official.

Remember, a critical thinker cannot be manipulated or enslaved. Be a critical thinker.

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Deborah Rose is a Kootenai County resident.