Posted on 07/31/2005 1:19:25 PM PDT by KMB
For the past 20 years, there's been a discussion in political circles and the media about the "fault lines" in the Republican party over the hot-button social issues such as the death penalty, abortion, affirmative action and gay rights.
The presumption has always been that these issues would ultimately cause a rift between conservatives and moderates that would split the Republican coalition. The pundits and the MSM have been expecting and predicting this split for as long as I've been watching politics and they've been puzzled by the fact that it has never occurred.
I believe that the reason that it hasn't occurred is that the underlying assumptions are wrong. There are no "moderate" Republicans. I think Republicans are almost all conservative. Today, there are no Republicans left who are philosophically in line with Nelson Rockefeller, John Anderson, Lowell Weicker or Mark Hatfield. I know that this line of reasoning may be challenged by the Maine & Rhode Island Republican senators but the Republicans in those states (who vote Republican in presidential elections) are conservatives. The New England Republican Senators get elected by appealing to Democrats in overwhelmingly Democratic states.
There were approximately 62 million people who voted for GW Bush in 2004. I believe that probably 61.5 million of those people (1) support the death penalty (2) oppose affirmative action and (3) oppose gay marriage. I also believe that an equally high percentage of Bush voters (even those who are pro-choice) believe that the Roe v. Wade case was a hideous decision.
Pro-choice Republicans also are aware of the dirty little secret of the abortion debate -- which is that even if Roe v. Wade were overturned tomorrow, there would probably be no effect... There are probably no more than 7 - 9 states where abortion would actually be outlawed and there are currently few (or no) abortion doctors practicing in those states today anyway. Overall, the number of abortions occurring in the next ten years would only be affected by 1% or less if Roe v. Wade were reversed.
So this is, I believe, why the Republican coalition never cracked or splintered. It has confounded and infuriated the opposition but the Republican coalition really never had the fault lines that so many people thought it had.
However, I now think that one may be developing. The impending divisions in the Republican party won't be "moderate" vs. "conservative". It will be "evangelical conservative" vs. "non evangelical conservative". The issues that cause the breach won't be abortion, the death penalty, gay marriage or affirmative action. Instead the divisions will be caused over: (1) stem cell research, (2) evolution and (3) the Terri Schiavo case.
I think that 25 years from now, we'll all look back on the Terri Schiavo case as a cataclysmic event in American politics. There were tens of millions of people who looked at the pictures of Terri Schiavo and thought just one thing: "My god, if that ever happens to me, pull the plug, stop the feeding or do whatever it takes to finish me off."
At the time many Republican leaders spoke of the fact that this was a unique case but the tone of the debate both in and out of the media was that this was essentially a first step.
I remember that pro-Brady Bill and pro-Assault weapons ban politicians repeatedly assured the public that this wouldn't mean banning guns while activists and media pundits indicated that this was a first step towards doing so.
With the Terri Schiavo case, activists -- evangelicals --similarly didn't view this as a unique case but as a first step towards preventing feeding tube or life support removal in any case regardless of living wills or not.
This had an effect on non-evangelical Republicans or "secular Republicans" . . . By itself, I don't think that it would be enough to cause a breach but this isn't just one issue. The other issues that are occurring at the same time are an inexplicable renewed debate over evolution and the stem cell research debate.
With regard to the former, there's no polite or nice way to put it so I'll just be direct. People who believe in evolution think that people who don't believe in evolution are idiots -- pure and simple. The perception that an evolution believer has of a non-evolution believer is of a person saying, "Duh, my grandfather wasn't no ape."
Secular Republicans look at people who publicly discuss their doubts about evolution and who don't want it taught in public schools with utter disgust.
With regard to stem cell research, secular Republicans are excited at the prospects and supportive of practically any scientific research and they simmer at the thought of obstruction of research on religious grounds.
These three issues: evolution, Terri Schiavo and stem cell research are close to causing (or may have already caused) an irrepairable breach in the Republican coalition.
I'm a conservative. I believed in a 2nd war against in Iraq to remove the regime of Saddam Hussein as early as 1998. I also believe in making the '01 & '03 tax cuts permanent; drilling in anwar; that members of al Qaeda who are captured are illegal soldiers and not entitled to due process. I believe in progressive indexing of SS benefits, support the confirmation of John Roberts, think Antonin Scalia is the ideal justice and favor ballistic missile defense.
I also support the death penalty, oppose affirmative action, oppose gay marriage and think that the Roe v. Wade decision was a farce. I could go on but the point is made -- I'm a conservative....
But, I also accept the truth that the human species has a pre-history and I support stem cell research and I think that keeping Terri Schiavo's existance without life going was cruel and sadistic. That feeding tube should've never been inserted 14 years ago.
As a result of all of this, I now find myself in a position that I would have never dreamed of 5 or 10 years ago which is that I object to Hillary Clinton far, far less than I object to Tom Delay. Or Rick Santorum. Or Sam Brownback. Or Tom Tancredi.
Hopefully, Rudy Guiliani will be the nominee in '08 and make this all a moot point but if he isn't then I'm confronted with the possibility that I'll probably vote for Hillary Clinton despite the fact that she stands against so much that I believe in.
If there are others like me out there, and I think there are, then get ready for a 2nd Clinton Administration.
I'll post the scoring in a minute...Take the test...it's pretty fun and accurate. NO CHEATING!!! ;o]
(I scored 50)
Dr Phil's Test: Here you go. Try this!
Below is Dr Phil's test. (Dr. Phil scored 55; he did this test
on Oprah - she got a 38.) Some folks pay a lot of money to find this
stuff out!
Read on, this is very interesting!
Don't be overly sensitive! The following is pretty accurate and
it only takes 2 minutes. Take this test for yourself and send it to your
friends.
The person who sent it placed their score in the e-mail subject
box. Please do the same before forwarding to your friends (send it back
to the person who Sent it to you.) Don't peek, but begin the test as you
scroll down and answer.
Answers are for who you are now...... not who you were in the
past. Have pen or pencil and paper ready. This is a real test given by
the Human Relations Dept. at many of the major corporations today. It
helps them get better insight concerning their employees and prospective
employees. It's only 10 Simple questions, so...grab a pencil and paper,
keeping track of your letter answers to each question.
Make sure to change the subject of the e-mail to read YOUR
total. When you are finished, forward this to friends/family, and also
send it to the person who sent this to you. Make sure to put YOUR score
in the subject box.
Ready??
Begin...
1. When do you feel your best?
a) in the morning
b) during the afternoon &and early evening
c) late at night
2. You usually walk...
a) fairly fast, with long steps
b) fairly fast, with little steps
c) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
d) less fast, head down
e) very slowly
3. When talking to people you..
a) stand with your arms folded
b) have your hands clasped
c) have one or both your hands on your hips
d) touch or push the person to whom you are talking
e) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your
hair
4. When relaxing, you sit with..
a) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
b) your legs crossed
c) your legs stretched out or straight
d) one leg curled under you
5. When something really amuses you, you react with...
a) big appreciated laugh
b) a laugh, but not a loud one
c) a quiet chuckle
d) a sheepish smile
6. When you go to a party or social gathering you...
a) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
b) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you
know
c) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed
7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're
interrupted......
a) welcome the break
b) feel extremely irritated
c) vary between these two extremes
8. Which of the following colors do you like most?
a) Red or orange
b) black
c) yellow or light blue
d) green
e) dark blue or purple
f) white
g) brown or gray
9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments
before going to sleep
you are..
a) stretched out on your back
b) stretched out face down on your stomach
c) on your side, slightly curled
d) with your head on one arm
e) with your head under the covers
10. You often dream that you are...
a) falling
b) fighting or struggling
c) searching for something or somebody
d) flying or floating
e) you usually have dreamless sleep
f) your dreams are always pleasant
ERK!!! I just re-checked...I'm a 51!
POINTS:
1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6
2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1
3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6
4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1
5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2
6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2
7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4
8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1
9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e) 1
10. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1
Now add up the total number of points.
OVER 60 POINTS: Others see you as someone they should "handle
with care." You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely
dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you,
but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved
with you.
51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile,
rather impulsive personality; a natural leader, who's quick to make
decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and
adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes
chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company
because of the excitement you radiate.
41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming,
amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in
the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it
go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and
understanding; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.
31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful &
practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not
a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's
extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty
in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to
shake your trust
In your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to
get over if that trust is ever broken.
21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy.
They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady
plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something
impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine
everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against
it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.
UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and
indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone
else to make the decisions & who doesn't want to get involved with
anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems
that don't exist. Some people think you're boring. Only those who know
you well know that you aren't.
Now forward this to others, and put your score in the subject
box of your e-mail, like this:
"Dr.Phil's Test, I'm a 42"
54
46
Ha! 39.
I hope y'all copied this so you can send it out!
I will....my daughters will probably like doing this; thanks for the ping, Face.
Hope you're having a nice day.
: )
Thanks, Nic! I hope you are, too!
:o]
:0)
Nothing...I just don't want to go on record as a tale-teller...;o]
*snort*
48, whatever that means.
I'm a 41.
COOL!!!
It's kinda fun, huh?
1. When do you feel your best?
c) late at night
2. You usually walk...
c) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
3. When talking to people you..
a) stand with your arms folded
4. When relaxing, you sit with..
d) one leg curled under you
5. When something really amuses you, you react with...
a) big appreciated laugh
6. When you go to a party or social gathering you...
b) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you
know
7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're
interrupted......
b) feel extremely irritated
8. Which of the following colors do you like most?
d) green
9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments
before going to sleep
you are..
d) with your head on one arm
10. You often dream that you are...
NONE OF THE ABOVE
1. (c) 6
2. (c) 7
3. (a) 4
4. (d) 1
5. (a) 6
6. (b) 4
7. (b) 2
8. (d) 4
9. (d) 2
10. N/A, so call it 3
total of 39
so:
31 TO 40 POINTS:
Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical.
They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest.
Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return.
Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.
hrmn...
OK...so how accurate is it..according to you?
I saw myself immediately when I read the scoring.
except for the "modest" part, I'd say it is reasonably accurate to the way I see myself.
whether it accurately reflects how others see me is a matter I cannot address.
It IS interesting but I think people are so much more complicated than that.
I'm trying to kill them because they are trying to kill my pines
When I took it, I realized it was geared to the fundamentals of what makes a person a good risk in the work place. The finer points are like facets on a diamond. The more facets, the more you shine. We all have a lot of facets that make us who we are.
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