A Republican No More
A Republican No More
I was eleven years old when I asked my Mother to take me to Richard Nixon’s headquarters in 1972. I didn’t understand all the issues, but I knew that he was “my President” and I proudly affixed his bumper sticker on her car.
I voted for Reagan. I voted for Bush. And I voted for W. In every election, I voted Republican unless there wasn’t a Republican in the race. I believed all the rhetoric that if we controlled all three branches we could fix government spending, stop gridlock and “Build a Better America.”
So how have we done?
Government spending went through the roof with Reagan. Worse with Bush. Better with Clinton. Have we fixed the deficit under W? No.
Gridlock? Yes, we fixed it! The Republican Party has forced many measures through. Is the country better off? Let’s see.
Taxes are lower. Good for my household, so one in the plus column. Of course, the deficit is growing and my son will have to carry that burden.
We declared War on the Taliban. I am not convinced we fixed the problem, but I agree it was the right decision.
We declared War on Saddam. Why? So we could create a greater problem fiscally? So we could lose countless American and Iraqi lives? There were no weapons of mass destruction. Perhaps one day the Iraqis will be better off, but right now they are killing themselves more than we are killing their terrorists. We didn’t fix the problem, we created a worse one. The worst result is that we have set back human rights at least a century and a half in America. How can anyone truly believe that incarcerating “terrorist suspects” without legal representation is a good thing? How can anyone believe that abusive interrogation techniques are okay for America, but unacceptable for other countries to engage in? Are we truly a better nation for holding prisoners in Guantanamo Bay without their day in court? They aren’t prisoners of war.
We have declared War on Drugs. Great! We spend billions and billions to beef up our borders and yet the drugs continue to come in. For a brief time in the 80’s usage decreased, but no one would argue that today. Instead of spending the money on “defense” we would be better off spending it on education and rehabilitation. Better yet, legalize it, control it and tax it. The taxes would certainly help since drugs are obviously not going away. Instead of spending billions we could make billions. Then spend the money on education and rehabilitation. Plus we would not have to spend money chasing criminals importing drugs and laundering money, thus saving more money. Crime would go down because drugs would be safer and cheaper. Prohibition taught us this lesson, it is time we learn it. Let the police focus on safety and the Justice Department focus on justice, not on someone smoking marijuana.
We are focused on another drug policy. That of limiting America’s access to cheaper drugs. Great! It is cheaper in Canada for the same drugs. I want to know why. Don’t give me the argument that we have to control the manufacturing process. I haven’t read about Canadians dying from taking drugs that weren’t manufactured according to American laws and regulations.
We haven’t focused on medical insurance reform. Great! I pay more for drugs I need every day than my Canadian friends to the north. And I pay more for my medical insurance every year. All the while, the insurance companies and their executives and actuaries keep making more money.
We are focused on illegal immigration. Great! Unless you consider our country was founded by immigrants seeking a better life. Have you ever met an immigrant who took an American job? I haven’t. Primarily because they work the jobs that no one else seems willing to do. The Hispanics work harder than any people I know. Do they suppress wages? Perhaps. But I am not willing or able to spend ridiculous sums of money to cut my lawn, clean my house, watch my kid, dig ditches in 100 degree weather and build our highways. We can’t staff all of these jobs in Texas without immigrants. And historically speaking, America never has.
To your credit you focused on education so that “no child is left behind.” As a father I wholeheartedly agree with this approach. Every child, including those of “illegal immigrants,” should receive a quality education focused on teaching them the skills and disciplines they need to succeed. And every teacher, administrator and school board should be held accountable for their respective results. No teacher should be allowed to hide behind their Union or Tenure. But in exchange for losing this protection they should be paid what they are worth. And I am not talking about a token $3000 increase. Take the excess money we save from the failed drug war and that we earn on drug taxes and give it to our children’s teachers. Better educated kids won’t waste their time getting wasted.
We are focused on “right to live.” Great! Now we have decided that we should play God. Or at least act on her behalf. I wouldn’t choose an abortion if I was a woman, but I am not going to pretend to know what is best for her. If her choice proves wrong in God’s eyes, then there will be Hell to pay. I don’t believe I am God, and neither are any of you reading this. Besides, I don’t see anyone rushing off to adopt all our unwanted children. And our adoption laws are so complex that it is easier to adopt children from other countries. If the Moral Majority wants to stop abortions then each of them should be required to adopt at least one unwanted child until “no child is left behind.”
We are focused on the death penalty. Great! We don’t kill unwanted fetuses, but we do kill adults. Personally, I hate criminals. And, from an emotional perspective, I would wish dead the criminal who murdered someone close to me. But at what cost? It has been argued that it is cheaper to incarcerate criminals for life than to execute them. Certainly spending life in a hellhole with no chance to spend one day beyond bars is worse than an injection. Plus it avoids the mistake of executing the wrong criminal.
We are focused on euthanasia. Great! You have an incurable disease, feel horrible and are in constant pain, but you can’t do anything about it. Our pets get better options. In Moral Majority America, unless you are a criminal, no injection for you.
We are focused on stem cell research. Great! We have a chance to cure diseases of living Americans, but we don’t want to compromise the life of a future unwanted child.
We are focused on Gay Marriage. Wow! Homosexuality has been around forever and we are still trying to cure it. I am amazed that the Moral Majority cried out against Gay promiscuity in the 80’s and now they care about Gay monogamy in the 2000’s.
Twenty years ago the uneducated bigoted Confederate Flag carrying Americans voted Democratic. Now they vote Republican. We should be pleased with their addition to the Party.
I don’t like Unions which support the Democrats because they protect members who don’t deserve protection. And that has always been an issue for me with the Democratic Party. However, the Republican Party is not in tune with its Majority. Most of us make good money, have good educations and think for ourselves. And we didn’t hire you to legislate morality.
I had hoped you would focus on the deficit, gridlock and “Building a Better America.” This to me means, educating our children, feeding our homeless, making our streets safer, rehabilitating our drug addicts and creating a safe environment in harmony with the interests of the business community.
Instead, you have focused on the agenda of the Moral Majority who makes up a small percent of the Party and America.
Instead you have allowed a self-serving radio personality to serve as the “voice” of the Party. He never focuses on issues, only his own ratings, by attacking Hollywood celebrities who are willing to take a stand and put their money where their mouth is. These same celebrities who are adopting unwanted children. Do you think I want my son to grow up like that uneducated airhead?
Instead you have embraced a washed up actor to serve as the voice of people wanting more guns. As if I feel safer knowing my neighbor can own a submachine gun. And that his kids have access to his handgun.
Yes, I like Arnold. I love Rudy. And I greatly admire McCain. But until the Party separates itself from the Moral Majority, they will be hard pressed to get my vote.
And as for Congress? Forget it.
From now on, I will take my chances with Hollywood, the Unions and the Immigrants.
- Login or register to post comments
- Send to friend
Join us & contribute
Proud members of the Democratic Party
Copyright 2006 Democrats.com. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy
Welcome, Dave
Are you representative of a large enough crowd that we can get something done about the power grab going on in DC?
Conservative. A statesman who is enamored of existing evils, as distinguished from a Liberal, who wishes to replace them with others.
~Ambrose Bierce, 1842-1914, American Author, Editor, Journalist.
There's an old saying...
Thanks for writing a very insightful article about the failings of the Republican party overrun by a small group of ideologues, Dave. There's an old saying: "If you want to live like a Republican, vote Democratic." You explained that very well! Best, ~Chip :)
Bravo!
Dave....Bravo! This is a great piece of writing. First it made me think... "Hey maybe I am really a Republican... then I said, No... Maybe he really is a Democrat and then I just thought something I think most of us think, but that "other" people try to talk us out of.... We are not as far apart in our thoughts and dreams for this country as "some" people would have us think. Looking at all of your points I couldn't agree more with most if not all of them... so, does that make me a Republican or you a Democrat....No, I think it makes us both Americans who want our country to get back on track and return to the glory of what our Forefathers built. Americans, who want the Respect from the other nations that we no longer have and Americans who would like to be proud of our leaders like we once were. Americans, who together, will take our Country back on November 7th and Never, let it get this far away from us again.
VOTE FOR AMERICA - VOTE AGAINST BUSH IF YOU ARE A TRUE REPUBLICA
If you are a true Republican and if you are a true Conservative, you MUST vote against your party.
Back in 2004, you missed the opportunity to kick George W. Bush out of the White House and restore the values that built America. If you don't realize by now how far you have been betrayed by this President, here are a few wake up calls :
- the Bush Administration doesn't fight terror but feeds it. You've heard about it, you may even understand some of it, but that's not the worst piece of news : all this is done on purpose
- this president turned America into a outlaw and a pariah, insulting the very values he pretends to represent : how can you be proud of your country and how can it remain a model democracy overseas when its leader refuses any kind of accountability before the international community as well as before its own Congress, when it legalizes torture and abductions, when it denies its own citizens basic human and legal rights ? Do you believe this man to be a "compassionate republican" ? Do you think this president does what is best for his country or what is best for his own hidden agenda ?
- it is time for you to understand Bush's agenda is neither conservative nor even neo-conservative : the aim of the game is to make fundamentalism mainstream across the world and in the US. And fundamentalism cannot survive in a peaceful environment - fundamentalism feeds from fear, anger, war, frustration, injustice, unfairness, the absence of debate... the very way this Administration is running and ruining the country. Don't expect these guys to lead Amerika nor the World to peace.
- this has nothing to do about genuine religion : this is about changing politics, science, society, about raping the very idea of democracy to please a bunch of madhatters
- if you don't consider US fundamentalists as mad as islamist fundamentalists, consider this : from the very start, your leaders wanted Iraq to collapse and be parted, Iran to become the superevil it is now and Israel to infuriate its neighbors. All this because they believe the final battle between Israel and Evil must happen as soon as possible in order to provoque the return of the Messiah while they're alive... How is that for an intelligent design ?
You may like your Republican representative or your senator but do you really think America can afford two more years of impunity for the Bush Administration ? Do you really want to see what these people (from the White House, not from Capitol Hill) will do to make sure they remain in power after Dubya's second term ?
What will you tell your children and grandchildren ?
Vote for America, vote against Bush.
a repulbican no more
I pulled the following commentary off of Democraticunderground.org some time ago... before the 2004 election. I do not take credit for authoring such a fine piece. I wish I had kept the author's name to give him deserved credit. I do, however, feel 100% apathy and support this point of view.
Like Dave, I began as a Republican and well remember the pride I felt in the "Nixon Now" bumper sticker on our station wagon. When I came over is hard to say, it was gradual in the late 1980s and a lot probably stemmed from moving from a rural area to New York City, where I lived happily for 15 years. I've been a proud Democrat for close to 20 years. Looking back, I can not beleive my own naitivity but remain grateful for the growth and broader scope of politics.
AUTHOR UNKNOWN--->
I have always loved my nation. Since I was a small boy I was inspired by the noble goals laid out in this country’s founding documents. I proudly learned the Star Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance. So it is with some shock that I have come to learn recently that I am a foe of my country guilty of “treason,” “defeatism,” “anti-Americanism” and of not supporting the troops.
What happened to me? My views have not changed, though my awareness has expanded. I still believe that we can be a better nation. Pointing that out is not blaming America first. Noting that they don’t hate us for our freedoms, but rather for our actions is not blaming America first. Saying that the troops should get armor and come home from danger is supporting them more than slapping a magnet on my car and sitting comfortably by while they die. Being willing to give up more of my hard earned money to make sure that those who can’t find work can get through a pinch or that the poor get the healthcare they need is the charitable and Christian thing to do. Protecting our national currency, economic reputation, and environment so that my children and my children’s children have a safe and happy world in which to live is a patriotic thing to do. Being willing to listen to other nation’s concerns and problems and work with them is in the American character more than going it alone and making enemies.
It’s funny, but as student of history I’ve noticed a few things about patterns in this country. It has never been the conservatives that have made this country great, always the progressives and liberal. America is forward looking nation. The founding principles of this country: Democracy, Equality, Freedom are liberal ideas. It was not the conservatives who freed the slaves. It was liberal Christians who stood up and fought the “peculiar institution” and righted the corrupt bargain that left this a nation half-slave half-free. It was not the conservatives who went after the corporations, which abused millions in the Industrial Revolution. It was the muckraking media and unions. It was not the conservatives who worked to get women in the right to vote. It was women and liberal men who fought to overturn gender discrimination that stretched back to the founding of the western world. It was not trickle-down Conservatives that got the nation out of the Great Depression. It was a quasi-Socialist who increased government spending and provided a safety net for millions that allowed for a great boom in the American economy. It was not Conservatives who fought for civil rights for African Americans. It was African-Americans along with other traditionally disenfranchised groups (Catholics and Jews) that stood up and said this injustice cannot stand. It was not Conservatives who lead the war effort against the forces of fascism. It was liberals who believed in Democracy and protecting it from the right-wing reactionaries. Please note that through this I don’t use the labels Republican and Democrats. The party of Lincoln and Roosevelt long ago abandoned those noble roots in favor of being the party of the rich and discriminatory. The Party of Jefferson and Jackson spent a long time in the wilderness as the party of segregation and slavery. And while Liberal politicians have not always adhered to the most noble of goals (Jefferson’s racism, Jackson’s treatment of the Indians, TRs bullish nationalism, Kennedy’s womanizing) by in large they recognized that this country is only great when all are included and when we take of not just the poor but the minorities. We are an inclusive nation, the world’s great melting pot. America’s greatest strength has always been her willingness to accept the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free” and her recognition that “all men are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights.”
Americans have always had a strong sense of individualism, but in the era of rampant corporatism and materialism that strong character which spanned continents has turned into self-centeredness and greed. Americans have always been of noble heart and willing to help those in need, but in the year 2003 we spent as much on pornography as we did on foreign aid ($10 Billion). Americans have traditionally believed in being respected abroad and not meddling in the affairs of other nations, but unbeknownst to most we have been bombing, attacking and encouraging coups against Democracy around the world for decades. We don’t know about the abuses the government has perpetrated in our name, but the world does. For the most part they have refused to lay the blame on Americans as people, but have blamed our government. But that separation is becoming increasingly blurred as we support the irrational and anti-democratic actions the current administration has undertaken.
Everyone here wants the United States to succeed. I won’t stoop to calling those with a different ideology anti-patriots as they have done to me. But too often we have let our own comfort get in the way of what is best for our nation and what is in the traditional character of what it is to be American. I look across the spectrum of what it means to be an American and I see that liberal values are American values. Conservatism is a valuable and necessary counter-weight to extremes, but when it rolls back the rights of our fellow Americans, instills fear and hatred, and spends our national treasure on the enrichment of the few over the many it has gone too far and become Anti-American. Traditional families are valuable, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t recognize those who choose to live differently or have no choice in the matter of their difference. Protecting and educating our children is a valuable action, but not when we lie to them about their bodies and about the plain scientific facts of the world. Low government involvement in people’s personal lives is a standard of this nation, but giving up the right to read what we want to protect us from terrorists means that they have already won. Protecting the right to bear arms is not a bad thing, but doing so at the expense of millions of lives that could have been saved through simple non-intrusive measures is irrational.
Perhaps my view of this country was a silly childhood myth that I cling to despite all the evidence. But I refuse to believe that this country is about limiting the right to free speech, and the right to criticize actions you believe to be wrong. I refuse to recognize that we would seek to limit the rights of those who are different. I refuse to believe that we as a nation support attacking poor people around the world. I refuse to believe we are about the things that the last four years have brought about. Perhaps my vision of America is a foolish idealistic fantasy that I should give up. But I don’t think so. I think the people who seek to exclude me are the people who aren’t American. Patriotism really is the first refuge of the scoundrels, but it can be so much more when we live up to the values that this nation is all about. I am a patriot because I love my country and I spend my time and effort to educate myself on the issues and look to do what is best for my nation, because that invariably means that I will do better. I am a patriot and I am going to fight for my country against those who would kick me out. Will you, Republican and Democrat alike, join me in taking back OUR nation from those who are destroying the very things that have made us the greatest nation on earth?