Over the past few months there has been an increased amount of "noise" made by a group calling itself "The Republican Liberty Caucus." It seems that this group has grown tired of being members of the Libertarian Party so they are trying to take over the Republican Party. Using the Ron Paul candidacy this group is trying to leverage Paul’s measly three percent of the vote into a national voice. This well organized and well funded group of reactionary individuals has made it their goal to bring their fringe belief to the forefront and try to become the mainstream of the Republican Party.

Their strategy is simple; to take over from within. By starting at the precinct level, the RLC is trying to elect their people to precinct chairmanships. This leads to a takeover of the county chairmanships. Next, the RLC wants to change the state representatives and chairmanships and then take over the national party leadership. This ruthless tactic is occurring throughout the nation. Everyone should be aware that it is happening and should take note.

Since the debate should be about ideas here are the facts behind the differences between the RLC and real Republicans.

The first argument that the RLC will use is that the only difference between their beliefs and the GOP is that they feel that the war should end and we should withdraw our troops. Their foreign policy platform is more like the liberals in this nation and is nothing like the GOP stance on the issue. However, the idea that the foreign policy debate is the only part of this groups' beliefs that is not in line with the GOP is false. The Republican Liberty Caucus, per their website, has several issues that are not in line with the GOP platform.

First and foremost is the RLC’s  isolationist position with regards to our national security. It is naive to believe that a pull back in the War on Terror will appease the Islamic Fascists. Our enemy in this war has been fighting the United States and western beliefs longer than the RLC is willing to acknowledge. From the bombings of US Embassies, the Khobar Towers, the Beirut barracks, the USS Cole, and many other offensive movements against our nation, not to mention 9/11, Islamic Fascists have made it clear they detest western ideals and they will continue to pursue offensive activities that will be a detriment to our nation. By burying our heads in the sand our nation will invite further attacks domestically. Such attacks will lead to a further constricting of liberty in this nation due to the fear of suicide bombings in this county. The more there is a terrorist threat in this nation the tighter the security will become at our airports, buildings, and schools. To pull out right now would embolden our enemies and show weakness.

Second, the RLC takes the Libertarian position on the legalization of drugs. This will bring about further social problems in this country by expanding addiction, easing access to illicit drugs, and allowing for the further deteriorization of the social fabric of this nation by endorsing use and abuse of drugs.

Finally, the lack of a litmus test for judicial nominees is a thinly veiled illusion to the current conflict over abortion and Roe v. Wade. Without vetting nominees to the bench we allow for the continued promotion of judicial activism which has brought about poor judicial decisions such as Roe v. Wade and the legalization of abortion, gay marriage in California and Massachusetts, and is a direct threat to second amendment rights.

These fundamental differences are in direct conflict with the current Republican platform. As I have discussed before, there are three legs to "The Republican Stool." Security, Social, and Economic Republican stances are necessary to be considered a member of our party. The RLC, and by extension, its members, are only Economic conservatives and are missing many of the core principles that our party requires. To have representatives of our party that are not in line with our platform would be detrimental to our future as a party. The beliefs that the RLC espouses are more in line with the Libertarian Party and those that are in line with these beliefs should consider membership in that organization as opposed to trying to bastardize the Republican Party.

The only course of action is to bring out these issues to the entire GOP at large and then to the media and those who will bring attention to it. These facts are crucial to the decision making process for the voters and should be the cornerstone of any campaign against the RLC movement. Letters to Editors, public meetings and debates, and an e-mail campaign are essential to the defeat of the RLC.

Don’t let this be the last time that the issue of the RLC is brought up. The critical time for action is now. The GOP must work to remove imposters from their ranks and remember that the GOP stands for true conservative values and not this half-hearted attempt at change. The RLC should not be allowed to run roughshod over the GOP. The time for being nice is over.

Let’s take out the trash.