With elections for Mayor and City Council right around the corner here in the `Illadel, it's time to start to get to know a few of the new, bright-eyed political faces that the mainstream media in this town may not feel like covering. As mentioned here before, there are finally some actual Republicans and Conservatives who want to really win elections and aren't involved in wanton corruption and collusion with the Democrats. Hopefully that is going to change with this new, Conservative breed about to be unleashed. It's an uphill - but winnable - battle.
In this ongoing series entitled "The Real GOP of Philadelphia", we'll be sitting down and talking with different Conservative faces from not-so Conservative places.
While the WikiLeaks story is rocking the world on an international scale, another troubling story rocks the Republican Party. We've covered the subject of the Philadelphia Republican Party's acts of downright corruption in the past few weeks. The person who spear-headed the dishonesty and formed his own group of loyal but dissident Conservatives is a man named Kevin Kelly. Kelly says he's just a "regular Philly guy who is lucky enough" to be the Chairman and founder of Loyal Opposition.
After Kelly had an arranged meeting with the leadership of Republican City Committee in 2003, it became obvious the mainstream had given up even the pretense of trying to win elections and build a viable Republican party in Philadelphia.
"Michael Meehan, current Legal Counsel of RCC and son of machine boss Billy Meehan and the grandson of party boss Austin Meehan now runs the city GOP as his own private patronage and personal enrichment program.", says Kelly. "...And here I thought we did away with monarchies a few hundred years ago. While this situation is great for Meehan personally, the citizens of Philadelphia suffer from myriad governmental dysfunctions without a practical two party system."
"We have a city that is on the precipice of destruction. The Detroit of the East coast. The responsibility for this not only rests with the Democrats, but with the very people who’ve enabled them for so long; Meehan and his cohorts.", Kelly continues. The responsibility for this not only rests with the Democrats, but "...with the very people who’ve enabled them for so long: Meehan and his cohorts.", Kelly quips.
Kevin Kelly, like many other Republicans who actually give a damn in this town, took the time out of his busy schedule to answer some pressing questions from the Philadelphia Libertarian Examiner:
What needs to be done about the GOP City Committee?
The Republican State Committee, knowing full well the laundry list of corruption perpetrated by the RCC in the past year alone, should revoke the charter of the existing RCC and recognize a new Republican Party in Philadelphia, led by elected Chairman Al Schmidt. While this would require tremendous political courage by RSC Chairman Rob Gleason, it is the morally correct thing to do. There is currently a functioning alternative infrastructure in place. Anything less will condemn Philadelphia, and the statewide Republican party, to decades of continued failure. Losing Philadelphia by as many as 450,000 votes each election is a MAJOR problem for the GOP at the local, state, and Federal level. 2010 was an anomaly. Failure to deal with the “Philadelphia Problem” will ensure GOP failure for the foreseeable future. It must be dealt with by serious men and women in the State and National GOP.
How can people help out even though their Ward Leader might not let them participate?
Join the Loyal Opposition. We are a growing and effective force in the Philadelphia political scene. We have an operational infrastructure that continues to grow day after day. The broad array of talented people who’ve joined our effort is truly amazing. The energy is real and the commitment is solid. If you want to make a difference, join us and have a positive effect on your city. The time for complaining without action is over. You have an obligation to your family, your neighbors, and this city to get involved. You won’t regret joining our team…..and you’ll have a heck of a lot of fun as well.
Does the Loyal Opposition span across the entire "Right" side of the political spectrum?
The LO is conservative in its outlook but willing to work with anyone who wants to see a vibrant and growing Philadelphia. We subscribe to the notion that “someone we agree with 70% of the time is not our enemy”.
How'd you come up with the idea and the name of the group?
Necessity is the mother of invention. The need for an organization such as the LO was plain for all to see. We held a few months of mission planning sessions to develop the operations of the group. Many people were involved in the planning process to include Al Schmidt, Joe DeFelice, Adam Lang, Marc Collazzo, Mike Cibik, Matt Wolfe, Hillel Levinson, Pam Warren, Malik Neal, and many, many others. I know I’m leaving many folks off the list but their contribution in time, energy, money, and sweat equity has been inspiring. The idea that “if you build it, they will come” has held true. We get several e-mails or phone calls a week from people wanting to find out more about the group and how they can get involved. It is very exciting. The demand for a viable alternative political voice in this city is overwhelming. The Loyal Opposition name was the idea of former Managing Director Hillel Levinson. At first, several people didn’t quite warm up to the name. I thought it was genius. Over time, I think most agree Hillel’s idea was outstanding.
What's the next step for Loyal Opposition?
Continue to advocate for the forgotten Philadelphia citizen by providing an alternative vision for the Philadelphia GOP and the city as a whole. We intend to endorse and support candidates as an organization. We also plan to coordinate with a broad coalition of Southeast PA grassroots and Tea Party organizations in the development of a Political Action Committee. We have a very interesting revenue model and I believe we will be a real force in the recruitment, training, endorsement, and funding of quality candidates over the next few years. Our city and Republic are in crisis of leadership. We intend to do something about it.
Would you ever consider running for elected office?
Yes but no time soon.
Why would Democrats pretend to be Republicans?
People pretend to be something they are not for all kinds of reasons; most of them bad. If you asked many in RCC leadership why they are Republicans, several of them would really be stuck to give you an answer. “For kick-backs, patronage, and no-bid contracts” is not a valid answer.
Is the Tea Party movement alive and well within the City limits?
It is and we were right in the thick of it. There are grassroots and Tea Party organizations popping up all across our city. We intend to work with them on every level. These people are the salt of the earth and the patriots of our time. They make me proud to be an American!
Name three challenges LO faces.
1. – The resolution of our current filing with the Republican State Committee regarding the corruption, forgeries, and election fraud perpetrated by Republican City Committee during the past election cycle. The laundry list of sheer deception and violations of party bylaws as well as outright criminal behavior would make Fidel Castro blush. A three (3) judge panel from the State GOP came to Philadelphia to hear firsthand about these abuses. They were so appalled by what they heard, they voted unanimously to strip Vito Canuso of his RCC Chairmanship. This issue remains unresolved. I am confident State Chairman Rob Gleason will do the right thing and resolve this situation as justice demands. I would also like to think that our Governor-Elect, Tom Corbett, would weigh in on this situation. He has always maintained he is a law & order man; we shall see if that is just talk or if he is the real deal.
2. Apathy of the Philadelphia voter – Many are convinced they have no alternative and can’t make a difference. We need to show them there is a way to fight back and reclaim the Cradle of Liberty. There is a serious case of Stockholm Syndrome going on in Philly. The citizens have been abused for so long but still vote for the very people who’ve put us in this disastrous situation. We need to let them know they’re in an abusive, unhealthy relationship. They don’t have to stay; it’s OK to leave the people who are doing this to you. They are not your friend. Now wake up and do the right thing. You have the ability to make a change.
3. Global Warming (just kidding)
How can people find out more about the group?
Well, our website is up and running but currently under renovation (as you know). I have always just given out my personal e-mail grace522@comcast.net and cell phone # 610-659-4968. I am happy to talk to anyone who wants to help out or get involved. We have many battles ahead but I’m confident in our team and our mission. We also invite anyone who wants to join us at our monthly Center Right Coalition meeting, 7:00-9:00AM (EARLY) at the Union League in Philadelphia. It is an offshoot of Grover Norquist’s monthly meeting in DC and really a very lively debate atmosphere. All are welcome and there is no charge. Hope to see you there.
Suffice to say it - Kevin Kelly and his rag-tag band of true Republicans and absolute Patriots aren't going anywhere for a long time. That's the best news you can get out of the City of Philadelphia, these days.
- AP
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AP's appearance on "Gulag Media" from Thursday, November 4th, 2010.
Comments
What I meant by the spear-heading comment is that Kevin is spear-heading the effort AGAINST dishonesty. KK is a great and honest man.
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