I know how he feels. As a small-government, fiscally responsible Republican the direction the party has gone lately is disturbing. I figure I had two choices, quit and cede the party to the whacky wing, or fight to bring responsibility back. The minute any of us throw up our hands and declare that we are helpless, we are right.
chickaree wrote: Has your party fulfilled it's promises to the gay community?
Not at all sure what promises you are referring to......but I would say, with pride, that my party is actively working towards the goal of equality for the LGBT community.....and yours is not. It really is that simple.
So Archer, do you think it would be better if I quit the party, or worked to reform it from within? My nephews SO discouraged me from quitting last year saying that without voices for the opposition there would be no chance of change. I do feel I have changed a few people's minds, people who wouldn't have listened if I had left the party.
Only you can make that decision, for some it makes sense to try and make a difference from within, for others it is just wrong to stay affiliated with party they no longer believe represents their views. My hubby is dealing with that now. He's a registered republican, pretty conservative in his views, but hasn't voted republican after Bush's first term. He thinks the GOP left him, he keeps his registration in case he wants too vote in a primary and thinks he can make a difference. But if you all think I am tough on the current GOP, he makes me sound pretty tame.
archer wrote: Only you can make that decision, for some it makes sense to try and make a difference from within, for others it is just wrong to stay affiliated with party they no longer believe represents their views.
chickaree wrote: ...the direction the party has gone lately is disturbing. I figure I had two choices, quit and cede the party to the whacky wing, or fight to bring responsibility back. The minute any of us throw up our hands and declare that we are helpless, we are right.
I reached that point at the end of Reagan's first term. It was obvious that the party was going more and more whacky, and it was also obvious that it was futile to try to change it from the inside. I'm glad I saw the writing on the wall, because if I thought it was whacky then, it's gone totally off the rails and into the abyss now. It stopped representing my views 30 years ago, and it's a waste of time now. The hatred, racism, sexism, homophobic, Randroid behavior I see now is not worth saving.
Blazer Bob wrote: How does he feel about the tea party?
I wouldn't even try to speak for him.....But he surely hasn't approved of the candidates they have supported, both locally and nationally, nor their aligning themselves with the religious right. I think you would call him an old time Republican....he and I actually agree on more than we differ.....we are both fiscal conservatives, for pay as you go government, and keeping government out of our personal lives.....we both agree on tax reform, election reform, keeping corporate money out of the election process, and term limits. But he is a staunch supporter of a women's right to choose, equal rights for the LGBT community, and freedom from religion as well as freedom of religion. So You tell me.....would he fit into the Tea Party as it exists today?
Really? are you talking about the same Tea Party that supports candidates like Michelle Bachman? or Todd Aken? or Christine O'Donnell? Sorry, as long as those are kind of candidates the Tea Party supports I think we can safely say he won't be a part of the Tea Party......that coupled with the whole abortion, LGBT, and religion issues, .....I think we all know that the Tea Party's foray into social issues will be their downfall.
......pssst, he is reading over my shoulder, and he approves this message.
The Tea Party isn't my (ahem) cup of tea either. The ones have have run into have struck me as being very fringe. Libertarians come closer to my philosophy. I am a Christian, but I feel it belongs in my home, my church and my heart. Not in my government. I'm also not a fan of witch hunts, whichever side of the aisle they come from. Treating a third of your countrymen and women like enemies is counterproductive.
Really? are you talking about the same Tea Party that supports candidates like Michelle Bachman? or Todd Aken? or Christine O'Donnell? Sorry, as long as those are kind of candidates the Tea Party supports I think we can safely say he won't be a part of the Tea Party......that coupled with the whole abortion, LGBT, and religion issues, .....I think we all know that the Tea Party's foray into social issues will be their downfall.
......pssst, he is reading over my shoulder, and he approves this message.
Hey, you guys - to be fair - you all should know that Blazer Bob is a VERY dear friend of mine. Probably one of the best that I have ever had. I think sometimes, he just sees the fiscal side of the tea party VS the social issues. In his heart of hearts he is an open minded and very very kind man.
I agree on your statement of the tea party. Were it not for that - I might considor them - and libertarian was more my cup of tea as well
Really? are you talking about the same Tea Party that supports candidates like Michelle Bachman? or Todd Aken? or Christine O'Donnell? Sorry, as long as those are kind of candidates the Tea Party supports I think we can safely say he won't be a part of the Tea Party......that coupled with the whole abortion, LGBT, and religion issues, .....I think we all know that the Tea Party's foray into social issues will be their downfall.
......pssst, he is reading over my shoulder, and he approves this message.
Hey, you guys - to be fair - you all should know that Blazer Bob is a VERY dear friend of mine. Probably one of the best that I have ever had. I think sometimes, he just sees the fiscal side of the tea party VS the social issues. In his heart of hearts he is an open minded and very very kind man.
I agree on your statement of the tea party. Were it not for that - I might considor them - and libertarian was more my cup of tea as well
No insult intended to Bob.......only his assumption that the Tea Party would appeal to someone who sees social issues as important to the future of this country as economic issues are. Once the Tea Party embraced the far right wing social agenda, I think a lot of moderate Republicans had to make a choice.....cater to the Tea Party and abandon their moderate views....or become independents or even Democrats (horrors). I think the GOP lost a lot of good people, candidates, and voters by allowing the Tea Party tail to wag the Republican dog.
