Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

What does it mean to be a Republican
6-03-05 | Richard Persing

Posted on 06/04/2005 10:14:43 AM PDT by rpersing

My parents are Republican; I was raised on conservative values that defined the Republican Party. I have always been proud of belonging to the same political party that was home to Ronald Reagan, the greatest President of my time, and I believe history will dictate his all time greatness among U.S. presidents.

Recent events however, have created doubt in my belief that the Republican Party is the true party of conservative ideals. Don’t get me wrong; the Democrat Party is nothing more than an elitist, corrupt, immoral party that uses manipulation and self-serving ideologies for personal political gain. However, Moderates (spineless wimps who would sell out their constituency to maintain political positioning), are damaging the Republican Party with their “can’t we all get along”, “let’s share the power”, “we need bi-partisanship” ideas, led by our primary sell-out, Sen. John McCain.

It’s not popular to condemn a war hero, and McCain IS a war hero, no one will question his service to our country and his commitment to those who served with him. That was some 30 or 40 years ago, and his political career is far less noble, sacrificing our first amendment right to free speech, which he risked his life in Vietnam to protect, with McCain / Fiengold legislation, but this is not about John McCain.

Sen. Arlen Specter, who has served those of us who reside in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for years, lost my respect and vote when he sold out his counterparts in the House with his failure to convict President Clinton following impeachment proceedings. In this case, our Senator disregarded Clinton’s perjury and obstruction of justice, which denied Paula Jones’s her Constitutional right to have her case heard in court, but this is not about Arlen Specter.

The group of seven Senators initiated by Trent Lott and carried to fruition by John McCain, negotiated a compromise with Democrats to avoid the triggering of the so-called “nuclear option”, which would prevent Democrats from filibustering judicial nominations, continuing a practice that had not been done in the 214 years of our Constitution prior to Republican’s gaining control of the Senate.

Regardless of the controversy surrounding Bush v. Gore in the 2000 election, since then President Bush has won a convincing re-election, Republicans gained 6 seats in the Senate, and increased it’s majority in the House. This was accomplished not because voters wanted compromise, but because voters wanted a more conservative approach in policy, and the best way to accomplish this was to elect Republicans, even if it meant voting for the Lincoln Chaffee’s and Olympia Snow’s of the world. They were the least liberal of the candidates available at the time.

Increasingly, Republican politicians are mired in moderation, disregarding the desires of the voters, consistent in their desire to maintain political positioning, attempting to court voters who traditionally vote for those residing on the other side of the isle to increase their voter base. This is evident by our government’s unwillingness to seal our borders from the insurgency of illegal aliens, for fear they may offend Hispanics, the fastest growing voter base. Even President Bush, a man I greatly respect, sold out our citizens who volunteered to peacefully protect our borders from illegals, calling them vigilantes, to win respect of Mexicans.

The abandonment of conservative values by Republican politicians will prove to be devastating for the party if they fail to do what voters empowered them to do. The tables can be turned. Never forget, Ronald Reagan was once a democrat!


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: blogpimp; conservative; duplant; electionscongress; govwatch; homoactivist; libertarians; newbiecrackpot; ozone; phoneyconservative; pimpmuhblog; troll; zotmeplease
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 121-140141-160161-180181-184 next last
To: RightWhale

well, the sky here is clearing a bit.
time to feed my idiots, head over to my folks to feed the Big Idiots, and then, if satintel says it'll STAY clear, run like a [expletive] to Valdosta to get the dang planks...


161 posted on 06/04/2005 2:37:58 PM PDT by King Prout (RG'OIHGV 08 YAEGRKoirliha35u9p089 y5gep'iojq5g353hat5eohiahetb98 ye5po)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 159 | View Replies]

To: Lady Jag; rpersing
"Is there a place you'd prefer I buy it?"

The link in post 156 provides the most convenient access. They are the original publishers.

It is distinctly not a romance novel, dealing more with slavery than romance. But it is indeed a unique treatment.

My perception that the country is moving to greater conservatism is fueled only by my own observations, but it is the nature of pendulum swings that just before the reverse direction is clear to everyone, there are those who are convinced that the current situation can never change.

Evidence: How many states now have "Concealed Carry" or "Shall Issue" ordinances?
How successful and widespread has the home-schooling movement been?
How many state governments and representatives to national government have turned to the Republican party in the last several decades?

The shrillness and stridency of the voices on the left should not be taken as indicating that they are growing in numbers. They are only growing in volume, and soon they will slink away and disappear as the Whig party did when it realised it had no ground on which to stand.

162 posted on 06/04/2005 2:55:31 PM PDT by NicknamedBob (He was conducting a mental exercise. Some of us use them to keep our minds flexible.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 160 | View Replies]

To: Lady Jag
The modern conservative movement is only about 40 years old, founded by William F Buckley. Democrats of the 30's and 40's would today would feel more at home in the republican party. Abe Lincoln, the first republican president, would probably have seemed very liberal by today's standards.
163 posted on 06/04/2005 3:13:42 PM PDT by rpersing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 158 | View Replies]

To: hflynn
You can't read, watch or listen to the MSM.

Certainly good advice for the weak. Do you think Free Republic should prohibit posting from the MSM?

164 posted on 06/04/2005 3:18:47 PM PDT by Doe Eyes
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: NicknamedBob
Okay, bought it from the place on post 156 of the information highway.

Gotta go eat for a little while but I agree with your conservative bent thoughts. I suspect the two parties are attempting to position themselves according to the almight poles but I can't see far enough ahead to think it'd do the Dems any good yet.

Later. Alfredo waits.

165 posted on 06/04/2005 3:29:12 PM PDT by Lady Jag (Honor and Dignity)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 162 | View Replies]

To: trisham

The Isle of Lucy.


166 posted on 06/04/2005 4:16:26 PM PDT by Tony in Hawaii (Lookin' for the joke with a microscope)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: rpersing
That jives with the fragments I heard, though it didn't mention Buckley. How so, though? I can't see it.

When JFK was in office, I was in high school and not at all political. I thought JFK was okay, but I was in Mass. and had a cousin who worked for him. When I got old enough to vote, I cast it for the guy whose platform I liked. About 20 years went by and I realized I'd always voted Republican, so I registered.

167 posted on 06/04/2005 4:30:20 PM PDT by Lady Jag (Honor and Dignity)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 163 | View Replies]

To: rpersing
Reagan was to the left of me.

There were a number of subjects now coming up that Reagan would not have touched as they would have been considered far-right wing. The SS debate is one of them.

If this is true, why is Gingrich stumping with Hillary?

Actually that proves my point. Gingrich was a "far-right winger" in his day. Now he is slightly to the left of his party. As Gingrich has not changed then that means that the party must have moved to the right. And so has Hillary.

Ponder that for a bit.

168 posted on 06/04/2005 4:44:03 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (I am not a romantic, I don't hero worship and no, as a matter of fact, I don't have a heart.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 150 | View Replies]

To: Lady Jag
"I can't see far enough ahead to think it'd do the Dems any good yet."

Unfortunately for the Dems, they have no real agenda other than obstructionism and fear-mongering. It will not serve them well.

Unfortunately for us, our representatives need to take some lessons in marketing. They are clueless about how to deal with a hostile media. And the media can be expected to remain hostile for longer than there is any hope of the Democrats coming back into real power. Look how devoted they are to the ash-heap-ensconced Soviet Union.

Our reps need to focus on a positive, upbeat message, and stop allowing themselves to be sidetracked by irrelevant and untrue accusations. Stay on target!

The impending rescue of Social Security, the new and successful game of dominoes in the Middle East, and a growing economy should keep them in power.

Next, they will have to implement a revolutionary Energy program, rescue the schools from the union thugs who would scuttle our children's future for their cushy jobs-outside-of-judgement, and I would like to see some effort given to promoting the Profitable uses of space.

169 posted on 06/04/2005 4:58:00 PM PDT by NicknamedBob (He was conducting a mental exercise. Some of us use them to keep our minds flexible.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 165 | View Replies]

To: Enterprise

Richard Persing writes...
"What does it mean to be a Republican?
...The abandonment of conservative values by Republican politicians will prove to be devastating for the party if they fail to do what voters empowered them to do. The tables can be turned. Never forget, Ronald Reagan was once a democrat.."

I smell a Kos Klown or a DU plant!

Ronald Reagan was NEVER the type of Democrat
that we are seeing today.

Don't you remember how they said that they were gonna JOIN the Republican Party and Destroy it from within with Doubt and Confusion?
Don't you remember that the Kos Klowns want to infiltrate, infect, infuriate, and intimidate us, while trying to look calm rational and reasonable?

I don't buy it. No Sir! Not at all.


170 posted on 06/04/2005 7:51:45 PM PDT by Joe_Blowtowskii
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: rpersing

You're welcome.


171 posted on 06/04/2005 9:51:18 PM PDT by Liberty Valance (If you must filibuster, it's because you don't have the votes to win honestly)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 148 | View Replies]

To: Joe_Blowtowskii
"Ronald Reagan was NEVER the type of Democrat that we are seeing today."

I know Joe. The post had the appearance of reasonableness, but there is a strange smell nonetheless. One has to let them lead out enough rope first.

172 posted on 06/04/2005 9:56:44 PM PDT by Enterprise (Coming soon from Newsweek: "Fallujah - we had to destroy it in order to save it.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 170 | View Replies]

To: Lady Jag

Glad to be of help.


173 posted on 06/05/2005 12:35:51 AM PDT by weegee (Re: immigration "Those Syrians are coming to Iraq to do the bombings that Iraqis won't do.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 135 | View Replies]

To: Harmless Teddy Bear

McCain will get more Democrat crossovers in the Republican Primary again in 2008.

Not that they want to see him as President, but they'd rather find McCain in the White House than someone more conservative.


174 posted on 06/05/2005 12:38:37 AM PDT by weegee (Re: immigration "Those Syrians are coming to Iraq to do the bombings that Iraqis won't do.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 132 | View Replies]

To: weegee
Then the time has come for us to change our primary rules so they can not do that.

I never understood the reasoning behind open primaries anyway.

175 posted on 06/05/2005 6:32:23 AM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (I am not a romantic, I don't hero worship and no, as a matter of fact, I don't have a heart.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 174 | View Replies]

To: weegee

You are ducking the issue. We now have open illegal immigration, mandatory federal ID's on the way, and a federalized education bill. We could've gotten these from Kerry just as easily.

How about this for an alternative which you die-hards seem unable to accept. How about the conservative politicians we vote to send to Washington actually vote for conservative issues?

If the choice is between strychnine or arsenic I choose neither.


176 posted on 06/05/2005 7:08:35 AM PDT by samm1148
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]

To: Dont_Tread_On_Me_888
There are third parties but as you can see from reading these posts most die hard Republicans would sooner vote in big time socialists like McCain or Specter. They say "look at the alternatives".

No, look at the results: You keep voting these same butt-monkeys in and we now have more government spending than at any other time in history. Our freedoms are being voted away left and right.

No, I'll "waste" my vote for a third party candidate. At least that will ease my conscience.
177 posted on 06/05/2005 7:33:05 AM PDT by samm1148
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 91 | View Replies]

To: trussell

Here we go again. Either vote for some Republican socialist or we end up with a democrat socialist. What is the difference? Hey how about the Republicans we send to Washington actually voting like Republicans?


178 posted on 06/05/2005 7:39:06 AM PDT by samm1148
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 127 | View Replies]

To: samm1148

That would be the best thing, but I will not help put a democrat in office by withholding my vote for the Republican candidate.

I may not agree with EVERYTHING President Bush has done, but at least he's doing the job...if you think you can do better...Run for President.


179 posted on 06/05/2005 8:18:48 AM PDT by trussell (Prayers for the children!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 178 | View Replies]

To: Harmless Teddy Bear
Ronald Reagan was handicapped by an entrenched Democrat Party controlling both Houses of Congress. Some issues were untouchable.

What makes you think Gingrich hasn't changed? He is obviously positioning himself for a run in '08. Even with his recent actions, I can see myself supporting him in a run for the White House.
180 posted on 06/05/2005 12:31:28 PM PDT by rpersing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 168 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 121-140141-160161-180181-184 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson