Now, we the Trustees don’t want to sound like a broken record, but if you want the power you have to donate. And there’s a critical reason (beyond the obvious that money is the milk of all politics). All you have to do is look at the Obama campaign to understand why. Barak Obama is piling up support from super-delegates, particularly long-time Clinton allies, because he does not have his left hand out begging for money while extending his right hand soliciting support.

At the same time, by relying on grassroots Democrats to fund his campaign, Obama has truckloads of money to use for the fall campaign. McCain has conceded he must rely on public financing, at the risk he will be outspent by up 3 to 1 or more. Obama remains the media’s darling purporting to be free from pay-to-play politics, all the while Democrats are stockpiling campaign contributions.

Remember, 2008 is not merely about John McCain. There are 6,348 Republicans running for office. Republicans regaining control of governorships and state legislatures lost in 2006 is upmost concern in light of the fact that 2010 elections control redistricting for the next decade. Conceding a veto-proof Congress to the Democrats makes no sense in the long run, as incumbent reelection rates for Democrats are notably higher than for Republicans.

If you, the grassroots Republican want to regain control of your Republican Party, you have do it with votes, and with volunteering and cash. You can’t gripe and think that’s will cure all. If you want the Republican leaders to be responsive to you, then you have to control not only the vote, but the pocketbook.

James’ biblical reminder to be doers of the word, and not hearers only, is as valid in politics as in life generally. In other words, you can’t just talk the talk, you have to walk the walk. Otherwise, you’re merely deceiving yourself.