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I've voted Republican in the past, because I persisted in thinking that the party was still true to its roots. They stood for limited government, responsible fiscal policy, and minimal intervention in foreign affairs. But today, those roots are scorned as "paleoconservative." The Republican Party has become petty, small-minded, irresponsible with the economy, far too cozy with crackpot religious zealots, and dominated by corporate greed.
None of those current positions is in our national interest.
Republicans have held the White House for 28 out of the past 40 years. They've held congress for 14 of the past 16 years. They now have firm control of the Supreme Court. Despite holding the reigns of power, they whine continuously about America's ills as being the result of some "liberal agenda." I ask myself why these guys don't stop crying and get to work fixing some of the things they gripe about so long and loud.
The ball is entirely in their court, yet they refuse to serve it.
Like many former Republicans, I just shake my head in wonder at the party that allowed the extremists and ideologues to drive it into the ditch. And I view the current "party leaders" with scorn as I think about how they stood by idly and allowed slimeballs like Karl Rove to inflict heavy damage.
In the future, I will concentrate on voting against Republicans for all levels of public office.
I don't understand the appeal. The base of the party is social conservativism. In other words, gays bad, church is good and atheists are bad, evolution is bad, etc. You know, very anti-modern attitudes. And usually there is a highly religious undertone, a certain smug self-righteousness that implies that the true believers are morally superior to the point that the "other" is not worthy of any moral consideration- in other words, pure hatred for people not like them.
Yet, survey after survey has shown that more and more Americans are accepting of homosexuality and don't attend church or embrace religion. So that seems to put the social conservatives at odds with more and more Americans. More and more people are comfortable with moral ambiguity and cynicism, and sensitive to self-righteousness.
What's the real appeal to Republicans, then? Is it a macho image thing? I think that's the real appeal. Vote Republican or your male genetalia will shrivel up or you will turn into a lesbian? Maybe you'll become gay? It's purely emotional, not rational at all. If more people were rational, they'd see social conservativism for what it is... a sham that isn't in their self-interest.
One think that I've discovered from your posting is that your gay. Its not meant as a slander just fact.
Poll after poll shows that americans would like a check yearly from the government for $100,000 instead of paying taxes.. So obviously that makes it the right thing to do.
Perhapse that the appeal with the Republican party is that the alternative, socialism, borderline communism is so much worse..
I've been a life long Republican and feel that the party has deserted me. Republicans have traditionally stood for fiscal conservatism, traditional American values, strong national defense, individual rights and low taxes. That was then. . . .
I'd add tough on crime, generally supportive of the death penalty and generally supportive of the right of a human child to live life in the face of other adults desire to kill him or her. They wish to stay out of private bedrooms - do whatever consenting adults wish to do in the privacy of your own home, just keep it away from others and sexual proclivities out of our schools. Generally supportive of choice that doesn't involve killing another - religion, school (vouchers/home), where you wish to buy health care, where you want to invest your retirement money, whether you wish to safely maintain a gun in your home, etc. They recognize the value of businesses in a counties economy and see the US as a good country filled with good people; not evil and filled with the voiceless. . . .
I don't understand the appeal. The base of the party is social conservativism. In other words, gays bad, church is good and atheists are bad, evolution is bad, etc. You know, very anti-modern attitudes. And usually there is a highly religious undertone, a certain smug self-righteousness that implies that the true believers are morally superior to the point that the "other" is not worthy of any moral consideration- in other words, pure hatred for people not like them.
Yet, survey after survey has shown that more and more Americans are accepting of homosexuality and don't attend church or embrace religion. So that seems to put the social conservatives at odds with more and more Americans. More and more people are comfortable with moral ambiguity and cynicism, and sensitive to self-righteousness.
What's the real appeal to Republicans, then? Is it a macho image thing? I think that's the real appeal. Vote Republican or your male genetalia will shrivel up or you will turn into a lesbian? Maybe you'll become gay? It's purely emotional, not rational at all. If more people were rational, they'd see social conservativism for what it is... a sham that isn't in their self-interest.
The Republican Party today is not how it used to be. These days, they focus more on social issues than the economy or the role of government. Earlier Republicans were like Libertarians. Small government that doesn't invade your privacy and a free market economy. They decided one day to start catering to the religious and trying to dictate what is moral and what isn't. That's why many Republicans don't like Ron Paul. He represents the old Republicanism. People don't want that these days. They want the government to tell them what is wrong and make laws based on religious beliefs. The modern Republican Party does just that. They've lost their way.
Too often Responsibility is the selfish man's way of pleading Not my problem...
Wrong.. Too often Responsibility is a socialists excuse to take my money to support someone elses family who did not get up and go to work this morning...
The reason many of us are registered Republicans is b/c we don't want to be registered Democrats.
Sadly, the GOP has an image these days that has basically been hi-jacked by right wingers who froth at the mouth about social issues that are not even any of their business!
I don't feel like I belong in either party and not totally comfortable w/ the Libertarians, either.
The Republicans I know, w/ one exception, are not haters, but the one I know who is - wow. What confuses me is - if you are so big on moral issues, then how can you be so venomous about people who disagree with you?
To me, my personal "inner compass" (or moral values) are just that - mine. I choose how to live my life and it is not my responsibility to police your life. How you choose to live your life is your business.
What am I trying to say? I may choose not to have an abortion but it is your business if you do. If you are gay, do I care? NO. I am straight and doing my thing my way; if you are gay and doing your thing your way - your business.
When the right wingers started mixing up religion w/ politics - things have occurred that have alienated many more than Democrats! A lot of people decided to register Independent, wh/ I have considered.
Why do I stay in the Republican party? Well, someone needs to voice some opposition and offer some balance when the right wingers start their diatribes. Don't get me wrong! They are entitled to their own beliefs! I will stand up for anyone's right to believe as they choose! But my problem is w/ imposing your beliefs on everyone else. Even when I believe the same thing you do - that doesn't mean we have the right to exclude (or try to legislate against) people who hold different ideas.
I consider myself a Moderate - in fact - I have my own category for myself - Moderate Libertarian Republican, LOL!!! To me, the GOP stands for fiscal responsibility - but these days - that concept seems to have gone out the window. This war in Iraq - plus our trade policies - have thrown us into a horrible trade deficit and national debt. What is fiscally sound about THAT?
People seem to think if you are a registered Republican, you agree w/ things this administration has done. NOT!!!
I am frankly embarrassed about so much that has gone on in the Republican party and there may come a time I change my registration, especially if all the right wing voices continue to overpower reason and moderate stances on issues. I wish people would realize that the people on the far right are not the majority of Republicans, but rather a faction w/ a loud voice.
I believe all people have dignity and rights and that it is up to us, as a people, to uphold the constitution and Bill of Rights . . . and to use our resources wisely and for the common good. Social activism should be separate from government and the Rule of Law. No one should be discriminated against for ANY REASON. I respect your personal beliefs; now, you respect mine - and don't try to legislate based on anything except the constitution, Bill of Rights and the common good. Live your life according to your moral compass and quit trying to impose your beliefs on the rest of us. I think those statements probably mean I am a proud American, regardless of what party I am registered with.
The reason many of us are registered Republicans is b/c we don't want to be registered Democrats.
Sadly, the GOP has an image these days that has basically been hi-jacked by right wingers who froth at the mouth about social issues that are not even any of their business!
I couldnt agree more with you on the first paragraph, the second one I have issue with. The GOP has not been hi-jacked by any right wingers in todays day and age.. its been hi-jacked by left wingers who spend spend spend.. Look at Bush, McCain.. Neither one of them could be considered fiscally conservative.. Just better then the alternative on everything else...
The Republican Party today is not how it used to be. These days, they focus more on social issues than the economy or the role of government. Earlier Republicans were like Libertarians. Small government that doesn't invade your privacy and a free market economy. They decided one day to start catering to the religious and trying to dictate what is moral and what isn't. That's why many Republicans don't like Ron Paul. He represents the old Republicanism. People don't want that these days. They want the government to tell them what is wrong and make laws based on religious beliefs. The modern Republican Party does just that. They've lost their way.
By the way, I'm a Libertarian, not a Republican.
Haaziq: I like what you posted and think it is right on target. Thank you for explaining how I feel in a very succinct way.
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what is the appeal of the Republican party?
