The Republican Loser Caucus (RLC)

Now that the Northwest Indiana Patriots has finally folded, I think it's worth going after the root of the problem: the Indiana chapter of the Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC). Let's face it, anyone who was initially a part of the local Tea Party group and then left will cite either the RLC or the activity of RLC members.

In theory, I sympathize with the RLC. They want to see limited government and the Republican Party before 2010 wasn't exactly doing a great job promoting those values. In practice though, I despise the RLC. Their tactics are disgusting and their overall aims are questionable at best.

For those of you who don't know, Joel Ferguson is the current state chair of the RLC. He replaced a vile little bug that encouraged the tin-foil hat society culture that persists within the RLC today. Now, in the interest of honesty, I've heard nothing but positive things about Ferguson. He's open to reason, has a good head on his shoulders, and is genuinely supportive of the Republican Party.

That's great. If the RLC was filled with Joel Fergusons today, I wouldn't bother writing this post. The problem are the members, which appear to be acting on their own destructive desires rather than on the commands from their leadership.

Mario Martini, Joe Hero (who probably was responsible for leaking GOP information to the Democrats), and former-Congressional candidate and all around creep, Rob Pastore were among several RLC supporters in Lake County who filed frivolous and outrageously false complaints against leaders in the Lake County Republican Party. The idea behind their complaint was to oust the county's Republican leadership and fill the void with their own people... probably Martini, Hero, and Pastore. Of course, the Rules Committee flat out rejected the complaint and told the RLC where they could shove it.

They also tried to get the law involved in their political battles. Rob "Creep" Pastore is now running for mayor in Hammond, but nobody likes him. Instead, George Janiec (the Secretary of the Lake County GOP) is the front runner for the GOP nomination. Janiec also relies on a wheel chair to get around.

Normally, an underdog candidate would have to out-work the favorite to win. Well, the RLC decided it would be easier to file a false police report against Janiec for going around a restaurant parking lot and displaying a gun, threatening to kill Pastore. In addition to the police report, Pastore got a restraining order. Even though a judge issued a gag order on this whole mess, the RLC decided that the whole point of this was to publicly discredit Janiec - therefore, they ignored it.

The protective order was eventually lifted and the RLC has given the law enforcement one more reason to never trust their members.

Another RLC member and a "Republican" candidate for the Indiana House District 12, Peter Karagan, reportedly threatened to sue the Lake County GOP Chair for not supporting his candidacy. In reality, Karagan hadn't voted Republican a day in his life until the 2010 primary - he was a life long Democrat and refused to participate in common "point sharing" practice with the Lake County GOP, which would have provided campaign funds and supported the entire Republican Party.

I know Joel Ferguson reads Dalton's blog and I'm confident he'll read this:

Joel,
Everyone I've spoken to says you're a reasonable person with a reasonable message but unreasonable supporters. The RLC will never be taken seriously, let alone recognized by the Indiana Republican Party, unless you get these nut jobs under control or have them flat-out kicked out of your group.

Over the past few years, the RLC has given the Republican Parties of Lake and Porter County no reason to trust them and every reason to distrust them. I know you're taking over for that pathetic worm, but you're in charge now and being held responsible for these idiots disgusting actions.

Personally, I want there to be a voice for limited government in the GOP. I think it's a good thing if done correctly. What's happening under your watch now is not right, and I believe you know that. If you are serious about putting a stop to this madness, I think there are a lot of people who would be eager to help you.

Let me be absolutely clear, the RLC will never be successful in Indiana if these are the members you have and tactics you use.

Be a leader and take action.
-Oscar Zoroaster