Republican Club

Second vice president Brian Harmon discussed the history of the Constitution and how its principles still apply today at the Republican Club’s last Zoom meeting.

Harmon said that modern economic analysis helps demonstrate how the ideas of the founders are still valid today. Public Choice Theory is a relatively new area of economics in which analysts use the tools of economics to study and understand government and politics.

Although in practice the theory is highly mathematical, Harmon said it can be explained in simple terms.

“The most basic finding of Public Choice theorists is this: ‘Government is not the people,’” he said. “Government is people.”

He continued, “People almost always do what is in their best interest. Therefore, people in government do what is in the best interest of people in government. This is not always the same thing as doing what is best for the other people in the country.

“Public Choice Theory also supports the view of the founders that government should be limited in what it can do, and that the more local the government is, the better. Local government is usually more responsive to the will of the people.”

Harmon explained that in the area of civil rights, citizens in a particular region or area might have ideas that are contrary to ideal of equal rights for all.

“In these cases, the federal government often must step in,” he said.

During the meeting, the club also discussed ways Republicans can be more effective in conveying the message of constitutional Republican principles to others:

• Always try to be kind and respectful and see the other person’s point of view.

• If someone does not want to talk about politics, respect his or her boundaries.

• Askquestionsandreallylisten to what they say.

• Don’t be afraid to admit you are wrong or you don’t know something.

• Never be afraid to talk about and practice Judeo-Christian values if you believe in them.

Club President David Harlow said that he makes sure to never raise his voice, no matter what the other person does or says.

••• It appears that enough signatures have been gathered to for the recall of Gov. Gavin Newsom. The election will be called 60 to 80 days after the signatures have been certified. When the date of the recall election is declared, the GOP club will erect its booth and get back to work.

John Cox, a former gubernatorial candidate, has started his election campaign by running radio ads.

Harlow hopes that Republicans do not run multiple candidates and split the vote. If a recall election is called, there will be no runoff. Whoever gets the most votes will win.

Harmon said it is important to realize that you do not have to think that Newsom is a terrible person in order to vote for the recall. “Even if you think he has been a fairly good governor, it is still hard not to see the ill effects of having a state run by just one party,” he said.

Harmon said that having a Republican governor would likely not have a major impact on the direction the state government is going, but it would simply provide a voice to speak out when something is wrong.

“Any veto by the governor could easily be overridden by the supermajorities the Democratic Party has in both houses of the legislature,” he said.

The Republican Club meets via Zoom on the third Wednesday of the month. To attend, email Harlow at dharlow50@aol.com to be placed on the email list. A link will be sent out before each meeting. Anyone who is unable to attend can email Harlow to receive the agenda and minutes.