Let’s Look at the True RINO
by Shari Dovale
It was an amazement when I opened my email to see that Tom Luna had dubbed Ammon Bundy a RINO (Republican-in-name-only).
“We hear the term ‘RINO’ used freely to describe some members of our party. If you wonder what a RINO is, look no further than Ammon Bundy. He is the ultimate RINO,” Luna said. “However, our priority has always been and will continue to be driving registered republicans to the polls and ensuring their voice is heard on May 17.”
How far off base could this statement get? I will even call this out as to the real reason that True Conservatives are leaving the party in droves! Who wants to be associated with the liberal, progressive leanings that Luna has inspired within the Party?
I will not begin to list the numerous ways that Tom Luna represents the pinnacle of being a RINO. Tea Party Bob, at Gem State Patriot, has done a marvelous job explaining this:
Once again, Tom Luna, Chairman of the Republican Party, attacks Ammon Bundy, this time for being a RINO. Wow! We could think of a dozen clichés to fit this press release but The Pot Calling the Kettle Black suits this situation just fine.
Let us remind you that Tom Luna made his political bones in Idaho’s “Educational Industrial Complex”. He is the man who brought Federally inspired Common Core into Idaho and the man who stood behind and supported the failed propositions 1, 2 and 3 a controversial program which eventually lead to his demise as Idaho’s Supt. Of Ed. The three-part educational package, consisted of an eight-year $180 million program limiting teachers’ collective bargaining rights, requiring online classes and mandating laptops for ninth-graders, were eventually voted down on a ballot measure by mostly conservative Idahoans. He and Governor Otter even sucked the Boise Tea Party into thinking this was a good idea. The Tea Party eventually saw the program for what it was and came out against it.
Bob continues on, and it is worth the read if you haven’t yet.
Let’s look at the definition of “RINO.” From the Political Dictionary:
Republican In Name Only (RINO) is a disparaging term that refers to a Republican candidate whose political views are seen as insufficiently conforming to the party line.
Tom Luna’s history certainly stands out within this definition. Ammon Bundy on the other hand, seems to be the antithesis of being a Democrat. He is a “small L” libertarian, and seems to want nothing better than to do away with most of our laws and much of our bloated government. I would even venture to ponder his leanings towards anarchism.
Tom Luna has made the most disingenuous statements, and seems to be tipping the scales of Republicanism towards the Democrat Party. It is no wonder that Ammon Bundy has left the party.
“Because of the corrupt and wicked state of the Idaho Republican Party establishment, I have considered several times of unaffiliating myself with the party and running as an independent candidate,” Bundy said in his statement. “However, I find myself in a conundrum. The Republican Party platform is the platform I stand behind but the Republican establishment in Idaho is full of filth and corruption and they refuse to put forth the party platform.”
We have advocated repeatedly for true conservatives to unaffiliated and run as independents. It is good to see someone understanding that position. Regardless of whether or not one agrees with his platform, I give Bundy kudos for standing up to his principles.
Good on you, Ammon!
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