Arthur Christopher Schaper The year 2014 has been for me, my family and friends, and my political peers The Year of Greater Glory. From the doubled victories of Psalm 114 (every Psalm corresponds to a specific year, starting from Psalm 1 for the year 1901 etc.), to the expanded opportunities for me and for the people I care about, there is indeed much for me to be thankful for. Radio spots in California I have been privileged to speak on talk radio in my native California (Southern California Political Round-Up) in June and throughout the year. I commented on the Torrance, CA city council race, one of the most heated and controversial elections in our South Bay city’s peaceful history. Talking about outcomes before and after the race, and national opportunities for conservatives, I engaged a number of interesting people on topics of the times. One radio host has considered offering my own radio program. . . Radio Spots in Rhode Island In January of this year, 990WBOB invited me on the show to talk about how “Roger Williams would be a Republican in RI” along with the state’s chances to throw out the trash. I also shared my high hopes about paycheck protect for California teachers forced into unions whose views they do not share, yet whose views they are compelled to subsidize nonetheless. Rhode Island Friends RIRA President Raymond McKay, RIGOP Chairman Mark Smiley, and all the other Rhode Island conservatives who were willing to listen to and share their hopes with a California conservative willing to renew the vision of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in New England and throughout the United States. Townhall.com Townhall.com, one of the premier conservative news sites in the country, picked me up three weeks ago, and I have been commenting on their blog twice so far. I had envisioned my face posted along with conservative greats like Pat Buchanan and John Stossel. Finally, this dream came true. Republican US Senate victories The National Republican Senatorial Committee exceeded my expectations on Election Day, 2014. I had predicted a net seven-seat victory. They swept nine seats, including Mary Landrieu, who doesn’t have a French toast’s chance in a blizzard of winning reelection on December 5th. They could have scored an upset in Virginia, oh so close. Not only did Republicans expand their majority in the House of Representatives to 244, but they broke new political records defeating four (soon to be five) Democratic US Senate incumbents. Previous political pundits could not wrap their heads around Republicans defeating more than one or two incumbents, based simply on prior electoral victories. Their heads are still spinning Republican Governor Victories Aside from Cranston Mayor Allan Fung’s unjust defeat to a Moose and Wall Street, the Republican Governor’s Association surprised everyone, and exceed all expectations, even of the winners themselves. From expected wins, to sighs of relief (Wisconsin’s Governor Scott Walker and Michigan’s Rick Snyder), to unbelievable upsets in Illinois, Massachusetts, and Maryland. The states are the true laboratories of democratic reforms and Republican ideas in action, and we the people will witness more Rhode Island GOP wins Rhode Island Republicans did expand their numbers in the state assembly this year. Not the best outcomes they had planned for, but at least they can say: “You can defeat Smith Hill, one election at a time.” Let’s not forget the deposition and removal of Speaker Gordon Fox and his cronyism. CA GOP wins (in my own district!) In California, there were a host of near misses in Congressional races across the country, but my local Republican candidate, David Hadley, defeated an incumbent Democrat, a union-bought, unapologetic liberal who had hoped to shine on for four more years under the faint electoral rays of Governor Moonbeam. For the first time in twenty-two years, I have a fiscal conservative and education reformer representing me in my state legislature. New York win (and new forum) While helping candidates in Rhode Island and California, I contacted a New York State conservative who was trying to oust a lock-step Obama supporter. I am grateful the opportunity (and forum) to share my views, strengthen fellow supporters, and help get rid of another incorrigible leftist from Congress, plus a new writing forum. Father’s recovery My father was very ill earlier this year, and many worried that he would not survive a sudden bout of cancer. Not only did he pull through, but he has steadily recovered. Even in the midst of these hard times, he has also been helping me transition from one career to another. Good times and good friends Through hard times and straitened circumstances, I have made many new friends, not only learning about their struggles, yet also appreciating how they have overcome. I am thankful that I am doing what I love to do, and I am meeting people who share my interests, and care about my thoughts on those matters, too. Happy Thanksgiving, 990WBOB! Arthur Christopher Schaper is a teacher-turned-writer on topics both timeless and timely; political, cultural, and eternal. A life-long Southern California resident, Arthur currently lives in Torrance.
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