Monkeyleg
Member.
Dear fellow gun owner:
The people of Wisconsin have voted, and they have voted to re-elect Jim Doyle to a second term as governor, and to return control of the state Senate to the Democrats.
This was not a referendum on gun ownership, concealed carry, or even Jim Doyle. It was a coast-to-coast rejection of the Republican party on a variety of issues. Unfortunately, we got dragged down with it.
So, where do we go from here to help Wisconsin get concealed carry?
We need to do things differently. The methods that I have been using the last few years will not work, or at least not be sufficient on their own, in this new political environment.
About five years ago, I opened two bank accounts with a hundred dollars each of my own money: one for the WCCA, and one for what became a respected political action committee called the WCCM.
I printed flyers, asking for volunteers.
Within weeks, I (the WCCA) was receiving calls and emails from people who, like me, were willing to help change our state law that completely prohibits law-abiding people like you and me from carrying weapons for self defense.
Within months, the number of WCCA volunteers grew even further. And, within a year or two, the number grew to the point where we were an effective and powerful voice that allowed us to be a part of the bills that were proposed. We were invited to become part of the process.
None of that has changed.
However, the political dynamics in Madison now make our fight all the more difficult.
What now needs to change is the way that our side works the issue.
And, to be honest, I think there are WCCA volunteers who have better and fresher ideas on how to confront this challenge.
There have been many WCCA volunteers who have wanted to try more unconventional tactics, such as open-carry marches, or court challenges. If ever there was a time to try the unconventional, it is now.
It would be a crying shame if the WCCA, after all of the thousands of hours of work volunteers have given, were just to go away.
That's why I'm asking every one of you to consider taking a more active role in the WCCA, as well as our political action committee, the WCCM.
If we have many people all over the state helping to implement bold new strategies, rather than one person (me) trying the same old things, we can be in a better position come the 2008 elections when, hopefully, the Republicans will take back the Senate. Or maybe our new strategies will be so effective that the Democrats will be forced to pass a concealed carry law.
If the WCCA is to remain a voice in this issue, then the WCCM must also be a relevant force. So, this requires that at least a few people organize fund-raising events, record and report contributions to the state elections board, and work with legislative leaders to identify which candidates need the contributions the most.
It's been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results.
And I wouldn't ask you to do the same thing we've been doing.
Instead, I'm asking for a few brave souls to step forward with new ideas, and the enthusiasm with which to implement them.
If you're interested in becoming one of the leaders of the new WCCA/WCCM, please email me.
There's a group of long-time, core volunteers who would like to talk with you.
Thanks,
Dick Baker
The people of Wisconsin have voted, and they have voted to re-elect Jim Doyle to a second term as governor, and to return control of the state Senate to the Democrats.
This was not a referendum on gun ownership, concealed carry, or even Jim Doyle. It was a coast-to-coast rejection of the Republican party on a variety of issues. Unfortunately, we got dragged down with it.
So, where do we go from here to help Wisconsin get concealed carry?
We need to do things differently. The methods that I have been using the last few years will not work, or at least not be sufficient on their own, in this new political environment.
About five years ago, I opened two bank accounts with a hundred dollars each of my own money: one for the WCCA, and one for what became a respected political action committee called the WCCM.
I printed flyers, asking for volunteers.
Within weeks, I (the WCCA) was receiving calls and emails from people who, like me, were willing to help change our state law that completely prohibits law-abiding people like you and me from carrying weapons for self defense.
Within months, the number of WCCA volunteers grew even further. And, within a year or two, the number grew to the point where we were an effective and powerful voice that allowed us to be a part of the bills that were proposed. We were invited to become part of the process.
None of that has changed.
However, the political dynamics in Madison now make our fight all the more difficult.
What now needs to change is the way that our side works the issue.
And, to be honest, I think there are WCCA volunteers who have better and fresher ideas on how to confront this challenge.
There have been many WCCA volunteers who have wanted to try more unconventional tactics, such as open-carry marches, or court challenges. If ever there was a time to try the unconventional, it is now.
It would be a crying shame if the WCCA, after all of the thousands of hours of work volunteers have given, were just to go away.
That's why I'm asking every one of you to consider taking a more active role in the WCCA, as well as our political action committee, the WCCM.
If we have many people all over the state helping to implement bold new strategies, rather than one person (me) trying the same old things, we can be in a better position come the 2008 elections when, hopefully, the Republicans will take back the Senate. Or maybe our new strategies will be so effective that the Democrats will be forced to pass a concealed carry law.
If the WCCA is to remain a voice in this issue, then the WCCM must also be a relevant force. So, this requires that at least a few people organize fund-raising events, record and report contributions to the state elections board, and work with legislative leaders to identify which candidates need the contributions the most.
It's been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results.
And I wouldn't ask you to do the same thing we've been doing.
Instead, I'm asking for a few brave souls to step forward with new ideas, and the enthusiasm with which to implement them.
If you're interested in becoming one of the leaders of the new WCCA/WCCM, please email me.
There's a group of long-time, core volunteers who would like to talk with you.
Thanks,
Dick Baker
