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Ralf Seiffe argues that Republicans needs to challenge the non-partisan orthodoxy prevelant in leafy suburban communities that, in GOP absence, have become hotbeds of liberal activism by local officials.

Monday, January17, 2005

By Ralf Seiffe

Opinion - Imagine going to a play in which the actors appear on stage, have a nice conversation, agree about everything and shake hands as the curtain falls.

Further, imagine traveling to Wrigley Field and, at 1:05 pm, the Mets or the Cardinals come on to the field but the Cubs do not leave their locker room. Over the next several hours, the visitors toss balls around, waiting. Eventually, their slugger walks up to the plate, tosses a ball up, swings and knocks it out of the park. He casually walks around the bases, the scoreboard notches one and the umpire calls the game.

A play with characters that do not test each other so that we learn nothing about their nature, temperament or worth is pointless. It would not sell many tickets. If the Cubs failed to show up more than a few times, even the bleacher bums would lose interest.

Content-free theatre and serial forfeitures are hard to imagine and we do not tolerate them. Yet, suburban conservatives do tolerate empty political platforms and serial failure to contest elections. As a result, the suburbs are becoming more Democratic and less able to countervail the fever-swamp of the Chicago Democrat machine. Illinois Republicans looking to restore their political relevance should notice and aggressively attack the problem.

There’s a good reason for this development. People move to the suburbs to escape from the hurly-burly, bad schools and crime that often define America’s major cities. Chicagoans are no exception and they have created some of the nation’s most engaging little towns. Above all, suburbanites prize tranquility, the absence of any form of contention.

One way suburbs have eliminated strife around election time is to abandon political parties. Apparently, they believe it is unbecoming for organized citizens to take sustained positions because they will eventually collide with the views of other parties. This would create a controversy and disturb the tranquility residents so prize.

In the place of parties, many suburbs have substituted a “caucus system” that takes on the job of filling elected municipal positions. Ostensibly, they interview office seekers and in a non-partisan way, place the “best candidates” on the ballot. In this way, local voters can avoid any controversy by relying on the caucus’ choice of a vetted candidate.

This system produces more liberal candidates because left-wingers believe in government above all; they are attracted to it. Conservatives, on the other hand look to government last. It is a cinch that liberals will dominate the caucuses because, like that imaginary Cubs game, conservative don’t show up. Over time, local governments first become liberal then radical.

At the state and national level, the stakes are high enough to compel the participation and the interest of voters. This keeps the nation on an even keel with content and contest on important issues. At the local level, however, we often ignore similarly important issues believing our neighbors are trustworthy representatives and will make good decisions.

That, however, ignores the fact that liberals are attracted to government and without challenge, they will work tirelessly to establish their vision of government.

Manifestations of the one-party caucus system are everywhere: municipal expenditures growing at three times the rate of inflation; textbooks that ignore the accomplishments of western civilization; tax dollars sent to support advocacy groups antithetical to suburban lifestyles and direct advocacy by municipally paid lawyers to make it easier for local governments to raise taxes.

Moreover, suburban left-wingers marginalize and ostracize anyone who resists their agenda. Whispering campaigns portray Second Amendment supporters as gun nuts; socialized housing opponents as racists and school tax skeptics as anti-child. It takes real bravery for an individual to defy the caucuses.

Republicans can and should offer an alternative to these left wing, suburban cabals.

Remembering the play with no tension, Republicans should inject themselves into those comfortable suburban living rooms and create tension where the caucuses anoint trustees and village presidents. The party is in the perfect position to re-purpose itself by challenging the caucuses. By offering real choices and the providing the protection of friends, the party will draw fiscally responsible and culturally conservative suburbanites back into local politics.

Republicans should also recognize the folks that would normally describe themselves as Republicans have serially forfeited local elections. Regardless of fault, the state party must come together and develop tactics to bring retired Republicans back into the party. The Democrats are already heavily involved in co-opting the suburbs through associations or mandates imposed on sympathetic local governments. Without serious opposition by Republicans, they will win.

The Republican Party should make it a priority to support their suburban organizations by creating a unified message that is relevant, exposes the other side’s agenda and proposes a principled alternative. They must help local organizations develop and field candidates as well as provide practical support for those with the courage to challenge the status quo.

The caucus system camouflages the left’s nearly complete control of many local governments. These governments do not resist the lunacy issuing from the statehouse and the Congress and provide the farm team for the Democrats.

Republicans need to show up, confront the caucuses and not worry about tranquility too much. The ‘burbs are ready and we’ll be surprised how quickly we can succeed.

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Ralf Seiffe advises business start-ups and product launches from Chicago, Illinois and is a political analyst and columnist for the Illinois Leader.