I was a liberal Democrat for 20+ years, but the "High Tech Lynching" of Clarence Thomas was my last straw.
I knew then that I would never vote for a Democrat again, but the lingering image of the Republicans as "Holy Roller Theocrats" had me voting for Perot in '92 and Harry W. Browne in '96.
It was not until 2000 that I cast my first ever Presidential vote for the Republican candidate.
Three things helped me make the full 180 degree move from Democrat to Republican.
First, I had to make sure I wasn't just replacing a Totalitarian Socialist Regime with a Totalitarian Theocratic Regime.
I saw that it was "safe" to vote Republican when I noticed that when Pat Robertson type Theocrats would run for office (and in their strongest states, no less), they would win an eight man primary with 37% of the vote and go on to lose the runoff with 37% of the vote. IOW, they gained not a single vote more... meaning they were NOT the voice of the party and so there was really no threat of electing a suppressive regime.
Second was finally growing up and realizing that no third party will rise and save the country.
Knowing that capitalism is the means to the freest, most moral system on earth, it is necessary for it to be protected from the socialist left.
Since it is hopeless to believe that that party will ever be the Democrats, then it is imperative to keep them at bay while the Republican Party is changed from within with rational people arguing on the field of ideas.
Third was meeting people such as you see posting on this thread. They have reaffirmed my above opinions.
Lurk for a while.
Read David Horowitz and Thomas Sowell.
...and look for the people signing on to this thread.
Use your mind as well as your heart....
And welcome!
Some Republicans seem to forget this part of our history ... it lurks just below the surface.
My gracious, I do believe that's the longest post I've ever seen you put up in six years!
Well said.