This is what the new Arkansas state representative - elect, Republican Loy Mauch believes.
He is part of and former head of a neo-confederate group, Sons of the Confederate Veterans. He is also a current member of The League of the South.
The League of the South advocates for Southern secession and an independent southern nation.
While the LoS doesn't come right out and say they're racist,
The Southern Poverty Law Center calls the group a "neo-Confederate" organization, adding that League rhetoric often bears racist overtones. "The League believes the 'godly' nation it wants to form should be run by an 'Anglo-Centric' (read: white) elite that would establish a Christian theocratic state and politically dominate blacks and other minorities," an SPL report said.
-- Arkansas Times
There are interesting gems from their website (not to mention the advertisement on their website screaming for civil war: SOON!) about how they intend to accomplish secession. But until that manifests itself they are planning to:
. . . We intend to form active chapters in every county in every Southern State, and as many chapters as possible in non-Southern States. We also encourage individuals and families to personally secede from the corrupt and corrupting influence of post-Christian culture in America. We call this "abjuring the realm," and it's a real and dramatic first step all of us can take by simply withdrawing our support of and allegiance to a regime that has imperiled our future.
While we seek to use shame and contempt to de-legitimate the institutions controlled by the Empire, we must not stop there. We must create our own parallel institutions to which our people can attach their loyalties. A good example of this is the move out of the "public" schools and into home schooling or the establishment of our own private academies. Also, the League sponsors weekend Hedge Schools and week-long summer institutes to educate our people.
-- LoS website
The United States of America is the [evil] Empire. (cue Star Wars music).
Republican Mauch replaces Democrat Mike Burris, who was at the end of his term limit. Mauch's opponent was Democratic candidate Terry Bracy. Bracy says that he didn't have this information at the time. There is some question as to whether or not he'd have used it if he had.
"Everybody is entitled to their opinion, I guess," Bracy said. "I was hoping maybe that the electorate would be more in tune with that. I really didn't want to be negative in the campaign to be honest with you."
How is pointing out that someone belongs to certain organizations, especially it those organization advocate for the secession of the country, "going negative?"
You are not saying "Have you ever been or are you now a COMMUNIST?"
He belongs to the group, there is no question. He's listed on their website as a chair.
When confronted with this by the Arkansas Times, Mauch went all "Todd Palin."
. . . While Mauch said he isn't as active in the Tea Party as he once was, he's very sympathetic to their goals, saying they've "got it right" about limited government.
Asked about his involvement in the League of the South, which listed him as the chairman of their western Arkansas chapter as late as 2005, Mauch said that he's a dues paying member, but is too busy to be active in the organization and doesn't attend meetings. He said the chair position was "just a title." Contrary to the League website, Mauch said the group doesn't want the former Confederacy to stray from the Union again. "We don't think we should secede from the Union," Mauch said. "We just want constitutional government.
Then he add this sentence which should erase all doubts about the man.
Secession has never been unconstitutional.
Among all this concern is a lesson for Democrats who have forgotten how races are won. To win this seat Mauch went door to door and listened to people. Candidates for national office cannot go door to door but they cannot skip over localities, states, etc.
Olde tymie electioneering works. The 50 state strategy works because it says every state is important. You can't say "I feel your pain," and then say "only these states are important to campaign in because they are all that's needed to win."
People in the states ignored don't feel that they are important enough to a candidate for their vote. Just like people in a town don't feel important enough to a candidate who doesn't take the time, and footwear to meet them and listen. So neither votes.
But also it allows the opposition to paint and set the narrative for the absent candidate. The Democratic party is still dealing with the effects of the narrative set by the Republicans during the Clinton administration. Though Gov. Dean did a lot to take that on and out. After the 2008 win the DNC seemed ready to throw that all away.
The battle for 2012 has already begun. The election results of 2008 shook racists and those who are not aware that they are racists to their core. Their world was not only rattled but shaken as if a 8.4 earthquake struck. And they will fight to put it all back "right."
With Republicans tacit approval in not calling out the racism, but joining in it, and the money Citizen's United funneled to them, 2012 will very much be the battle defining how our nation will move forward, or backward.
How did Mauch celebrate Obama's presidential win? He argued in a letter to the editor that the Confederate [Battle] Flag should be made larger in one of the town squares.
Oh and don't worry about that "Biblcal government" stuff he believes. Mauch said it doesn't mean theocracy.
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edited to add: Thank you for the rec list. I hadn't expected it and was about to get up and fold laundry.