Interesting take weslinder, but I think it ignores a critical issue - the evangelical wing of the republican party. I don't see that part of the GOP going away quietly, and it's a real drag on their appeal to people like me. Worse, the evangelical wing is apparent in all three of the groups quoted in your post. I've told you this before, but I'd be a republican if they could get back to their roots (fiscal conservatism) without the god-awful baggage of the evangelical loony-bin. I don't want the government legislating morality, period. Thoughts?
That's Sy Hersh quoted in The Guardian. If you thought the last three months of the Clinton administration was awkward, you ain't seen nothing yet.
I reject these fast-food menu type combo conservatives who pick and choose their ideas based on what is going to benefit their campaigns. Be genuine or don't try to become an impostor like W and the likes who have ruined the cause. Their values are ever-shifting with their poll numbers and approval ratings. This kind of diseased neocon needs to die out and never rise again.
The evangelicals "became conservatives" because of distinctly conservative issues: Tax deductibility of donations to Christian schools, Fairness Doctrine, Home School rights, even fringe issues like forced immunization. These are all very real issues to many families. Issues that we consider the two biggies, abortion and gay rights didn't come around until later. (interesting history) The interesting thing is that when I went to Ron Paul campaign rallies, right out with the economic geeks, the peaceniks, and the 9/11 truthers were radical evangelicals. They saw Ron Paul as a champion of home schoolers. Conservatives need to accept their legitmate conservative issues that are important to evangelicals and fight for them, even those that are minor issues to most people. And they need to tell them to go somewhere else with ideas that limit freedom of their neighbors. Dick Armey, who's an evangelical himself, talks about this, even in religious terms. Now and in the near future, evangelicals are necessary for Republicans to win. But I don't think that it means that gay-bashing, demonizing of Muslims, and Israel-first foreign policy is necessary. In fact, I think it hurts.
I tend to agree with the above. However, the bolded part is exactly the problem I have with Republicans in general: more rights and liberties so long as they agree with what we say is okay, i.e. re: the legalization and regulation of drugs, prostitution, and gay marriage. My views are less about those three specific things and more big-picture: my body, my rules. The gay rights thing has long been a standard of the left (if not the Democrats as a whole), and I trust the Dems also to take a more realistic view of the drug war that we're all so obviously losing. I view both issues as a personal rights issue. Even though Obama came out against gay marriage, I sure as hell think he'd be more inclined to support it than any Republican. My basic stance is this: 1 - Low taxes 2 - Less government 3 - Less spending 4 - Increased personal responsibilities / decreased government handouts 5 - Leave me (and everyone else) the hell alone Neither party supports all five of those stances. The Repub's get 4/5 and the Dems get 1/5, but that 1/5 is the biggest one to me, personally. Funny how 1/5 is bigger than 4/5, but I'm not arguing fractions.
I agree. Republicans have shifted their focus from their fundamental beliefs. Where did the core libertarian views go? It was originally the Democrats that increased government spendings not the Republicans. While they kept their intent of lowering taxes, they increased government spending and increased our federal debt by couple more trillions. Republicans have four years to rebuild their party platform and I hope they make the right choices.
the western republican: the nuts running around on ranches Montana getting ready for battle with US Govt I keed, I keed Seriously, we need to find the article someone posted earlier this campaign about how people really won't gov't when its needed. there will never be serious attempt to limit government for the long haul. it works till we have disasters like katrina, or screwups like what's going on now on Wall Street.
They played the rubes to get in power and then didn't care about governing as much as power itself and the riches it brings. Time for Republicans to take their party back.
Very interesting discussion here. I also see the Evangelicals influence/control of the Republican party a very big turn off. I think it will hurt the party in the long run and will eventually be watered down. The message of less government except when it comes to 'morals' is very ironic, to say the least.
