When I say that the GOP should be more libertarian on the social issues, I do not mean they should become LIBERAL on them. I, in fact, do share many of the same beliefs as the GOP when it comes to social issues, however, I do not believe in pushing them on people. I believe that as long as someone's personal decisions do not affect what I or others do, they should be left alone. Would I want my girlfriend or wife to have an abortion? No. But when I think about all the people in society who, let's be frank, really should not be having kids, and are too irresponsible to be parents in the first place, I don't think it's so bad that many of them are having abortions. Now, I think late-term abortion is just horrible, but if laws are passed that restrict people to getting them done early (very early), and a better job is done on educating people on their options if they DO NOT have an abortion, I think you'll see less and less of them. I don't see that as liberal, I see it as merely putting a human face on a typical right-wing social belief. Again, with gay marriage, I don't think a couple of men or women getting married to each other directly affects my future marriage. Let's be honest; straight couples have destroyed the sanctity of marriage so badly, it's hard to imagine anyone else could do worse. If the divorce rate weren't so exceptionally high, wouldn't that give us a better case against gay marriage? So why not do something about divorce, and stay out of people's bedrooms? Again, this does not completely abandon the principle of upholding the sanctity of marriage, but simply puts a human face on the endeavour. My guess is that most other Republicans will tell me, "No! You are abandoning all principle." But the American people do not like people who are too hawkish and too righteous when it comes to how they conduct their personal lives. And I would seriously argue the fact that "for every liberal vote McCain receives, he loses one from the right." Instead, I'd wager to say that for every vote he loses from the right, he gains 3 from the center. Again, if you consider yourself far to the right, you may not care about the swing-voter, that 35% of all Americans (and 41% of young voters) who consider themselves independents, but it's their vote that will put more Republicans or more Democrats into the House and Senate. And although you may not care much for a compassionate/libertarian Republican's lax social views, you will surely want that person's vote on the REAL issues that count in this country. You will want that person to vote on a future bill to propose the end of the IRS (we can dream, can't we?), that future bill to take on countries who pose a threat to us, etc. To heck with Roe v. Wade, that doesn't affect me. Taxes, defense, education, social programs that are doomed to fail but carry a heavy financial burden, THESE affect me. I respect and embrace most of the GOP's views on the social issues, but while their righteousness may win the former Dixiecrats over, it does nothing for plethora of voters who are on their side when it comes to just about EVERY OTHER ISSUE. Anyway, I get kinda long-winded when I write, LOL. Always a pleasure talking to other enlightened voters.
Oh and one other thing! LOL. If anything, wouldn't it be better to push the Democrats off the map and have two versions of the GOP, than one very large GOP and one very large party of Michael Moore liberals? lol.
I have aged parents. Would I want to euthanize (kill) them, or let them die from lack of care next time they get the flu ? No. But when I think of all the people in society who:
1. provide poor or negligent care for their parents who live with them, or
2. allow their aged parents to burden our government social services, nursing homes, health care system, and charities,
I don't think it would be so bad to euthanize many of the old folks.
If you want to euthanize or let your parents die, that personal decision doesn't affect me or anyone else (except your parents...but if they're senile, are they really human anyway?). You should be left alone to do what you want to do, right ?
After all, who am I to tell YOU what to do with YOUR parents ?! They're YOURS, not MINE. Mine are wanted...and our family has the financial ability to support them in their old age. Tough luck for the others !!