Posted on 06/03/2011 8:21:34 AM PDT by kevkrom
I'm a Republican In Name Only (RINO). And happy to be one.
Of course, I'm not referring to the same definition of RINO that is prevalent on this forum. And frankly, I'm not even sure what the current definition is, except perhaps for each person using the term meaning "someone who disagrees with me on any issue I deem even moderately important".
Seems like a corruption of language to me. The original usage of RINO was to identify and label elected Republicans who behaved like and voted with the Democrats. It was never a measure of conservatism, per se, but one of party platform, loyalty, and discipline.
What's lost in the recent usage of the word is that the Republican Party is not a conservative party. It simply isn't. Conservatives make up a large part of the party, but not the whole of it, especially in the party structure and leadership (an oxymoronic term at times, to be sure). However, the GOP is the natural home for conservatives because there is some overlap on key issues, and the political deck is stacked against creating an effective alternative party.
So, conservatives are stuck with being Republicans if they want to have any voice -- there simply aren't enough of us, nor do we have the infrastructure, to go it alone without the GOP. Conversely, the Republicans ignore conservatives at their own peril -- they are not a strong enough party to win elections if the conservatives stay home (or make protest votes).
And that is why I'm a RINO. I'm a registered Republican, and intend to remain so. But I'm a conservative first and foremost, and my loyalty to the Republican Party extends only as far as the that party remains a vehicle to accomplish conservative goals.
Ironically, many, if not most, of the so-called RINOs out there are better Republicans than many of the posters at this site. They're not conservatives (or not strong enough conservatives for some), but they're most certainly not RINOs -- they simply represent the "establishment" and "elitist" wings of the party instead of the conservative one. Don't confuse "Republican" and "conservative" to mean the same thing.
In the same context I’m gay.
>>...The GOP may someday soon suffer the same fate as the Whigs...<<
Well, we can hope!
The GOP arose during a time of high dissatisfaction. Looking around these days, it’s comparable, eh? I would say that if there ever was a time for a third party, it is now, but the window of opportunity will not stay open for ever. It is probably more realistic to gut the GOP and replace it from within - no name-change required. Either way is fine with me.
But, I’m probably in the minority on that.
That sounds like CWAP (Conservative Without A Party).
I'm a LINO!
I’m pro-choice, isn’t everyone?!
Interesting take. But it will cause too much confusion!
The original usage of RINO was to identify and label elected Republicans who behaved like and voted with the Democrats.And that's all it means now, although there are RINOs by this definition who claim to speak authoritatively about who is and isn't a RINO. They tend to be RINOs, CINOs, and/or LINOs themselves, but basically they're just trolls.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.