Increasingly, we are bewildered by incumbent politicians who demonstrate daily they are out of sync with constituent concerns and positions on the issues. Of course, “bewildered” is putting it mildly. 

In “Caucus For Citizens” sessions everywhere, the level of individual citizen concern, as well as the frustration with incumbent politicians and party officials, tells us that both government and party operations is populated by self-centered insiders who have brazenly ignored the people, their views, policy preferences and even their voices. 

Realizing that for too long such insider politicians and party operatives have been about fooling as many of the people as they could at any point in time is not sufficient.

Realizing too, that those party practitioners are typically at odds with the people’s real interests is closer to the truth. While this applies to all voters, it also applies to those willing to affiliate. Yet both feel ignored.  

The truth is, both have been ignored. And in many states, they are still being ignored.

For example, in Connecticut, while Republicans were making significant gains across the nation last November, the state GOP was shutout across the board “0 for 12.” 

The box-score details:

The Connecticut GOP failed to elect a single Republican to any of six statewide constitutional offices; failed to elect a single Republican U.S. Representative in any of its five U.S. congressional districts; and, failed to elect a Republican to the Senate.

As a result of yet another dismal state party performance, Connecticut citizens now have as governor Democrat Dannel Malloy. A liberal often described as “Obama light,” Malloy artfully repeats the national Democrat political pitch of “shared sacrifice.” 

Of course, the phrase “shared sacrifice” is code for taking more from those productive citizens (through higher taxes and fees) in order to redistribute the takings to many of the new governors’ supporters. 

Over recent weeks, during a number of public appearances in Connecticut, I asked audiences to consider the numbers in the state legislature. I will refrain here from boring you with those numbers except to point out that, because Democrats in Connecticut overwhelmingly dominate both the state house and the state senate, they have “gifted” hard working citizens with the highest tax increases in the 223 year history of the state, along with the most progressive social agenda in the country.

I share this overview and snapshot of my remarks with readers everywhere because unless citizens in Alabama stand up, there likely will be no relief, no changing of the party insider guard where warranted.

And, by doing so, all of us can make every day like Memorial Day – honoring those whose past and present sacrifices enable our freedom to ask such questions, challenge political insiders, and assertively take an active role in our system of government.

Following Q&A, I challenged each individual in the audience to ask and answer each of the following questions:

Is it moral to tax a man his entire life and then when he dies confiscate still more of his estate and savings? Is it moral to tell a college senior that she or he must pay more in taxes because of those who came before? Is it moral to tell those who wish to start a business that part of the American dream does not apply to them?

The truth is, all the progressive taxing, taking and regulating must stop … in all of the states … and from Washington D.C.

In all states, it’s time incumbents and insiders within both major parties demonstrate they get the message, will heed it, or they should step aside.

As for Connecticut, Rush Limbaugh told a show caller last week that “Republicans … are depressed” in the nutmeg state.

Rush is likely right given the “0 for 12” scorecard. That means Connecticut republicans ought to have at least one additional goal among so many others that must be set and pursued vigorously. Achieving all those goals will be the responsibility of the “new” leadership who will be selected next month.

The 72 member committee will select either a current insider or the committee will reach out to select a fresh face from among the dwindling numbers of registered Connecticut republicans.

Richard Olivastro is president of Olivastro Communications and founder of Citizens for Change. A professional member of the National Speakers Association, he is available pro bono for charitable fundraisers and public forums and can be reached via e-mail at richolivastro@gmail.com or by phone at 1-877-RichSpeaks.