Time to leave the GOP?

1stfreedom

[1stFreedom]

For over a decade I’ve tried to convince people in the pro-life movement that leaving the Republican Party wasn’t a good move. The past few days has changed my mind, and I started to write this article when the news broke that Terri died.

Florida has shown us that the best that the GOP has to offer is a losing strategy.

For decades abortion has remained “legal” due to the same problems which were present in Florida: an arrogant judiciary and an unwilling executive branch.

The call for Jeb to refuse to enforce the illicit orders of Judge Greer went unheeded. As a direct result, Jeb’s actions sanctioned the starvation of Terri Schiavo. His Pontius Pilate approach to saving her life hasn’t fooled the pro-life base.

His public denial that there wasn’t anything more he could do was a slap in the face to the pro-life movement and to Terri’s parents. It is well known that he indeed had these ORDINARY powers as the Governor of the State of Florida.

If this is the strategy the GOP has to reign in the Judiciary, then it’s time to find another party. It is simply not acceptable that someone could be starved to death in the United States of America with “legal” sanction.

But where does one go? Many of the alternative parties are too idealistic or too focused on history to reach a broad spectrum of people. And some of the names are quite silly….

In my mind, an ideal third party candidate would appeal to socially conservative Republicans, Regan democrats, and minorities. A coalition party can indeed win…

What are your thoughts?

[Hoboto]

WAAAAAAHHHHHH!!! WAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!

I didn't get my own way! I'm picking up my ball and going home!

Seriously, some of you need to get a grip.

Sure, I don't agree with everything the GOP beleives in or is practicing today. But it's the only viable party that somewhat adheres to limited government and personal freedom.

[rollo tomasi]

"I have already intimated to you the danger of Parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on Geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, & warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the Spirit of Party, generally.

This Spirit, unfortunately, is inseperable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human Mind. It exists under different shapes in all Governments, more or less stifled, controuled, or repressed; but in those of the popular form it is seen in its greatest rankness and is truly their worst enemy.

The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissention, which in different ages & countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders & miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security & repose in the absolute power of an Individual: and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty.

Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight) the common & continual mischiefs of the spirit of Party are sufficient to make it the interest and the duty of a wise People to discourage and restrain it.

It serves always to distract the Public Councils and enfeeble the Public Administration. It agitates the Community with ill founded Jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot & insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence & corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country, are subjected to the policy and will of another.

There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the Administration of the Government and serve to keep alive the spirit of Liberty. This within certain limits is probably true--and in Governments of a Monarchical cast Patriotism may look with endulgence, if not with favour, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in Governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of public opinion, to mitigate & assuage it. A fire not to be quenched; it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest instead of warming it should consume.

It is important, likewise, that the habits of thinking in a free Country should inspire caution in those entrusted with its Administration, to confine themselves within their respective Constitutional Spheres; avoiding in the exercise of the Powers of one department to encroach upon another. The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create whatever the form of government, a real despotism. A just estimate of that love of power, and proneness to abuse it, which predominates in the human heart, is sufficient to satisfy us of the truth of this position. The necessity of reciprocal checks in the exercise of political power; by dividing and distributing it into different depositories, & constituting each the Guardian of the Public Weal against invasions by the others, has been evinced by experiments ancient & modern; some of them in our country & under our own eyes. To preserve them must be as necessary as to institute them. If in the opinion of the People, the distribution or modification of the Constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed. The precedent must always greatly overbalance in permanent evil any partial or transient benefit which the use can at any time yield.

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labour to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men & citizens. The mere Politican, equally with the pious man ought to respect & to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private & public felicity. Let it simply be asked where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the Oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure--reason & experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

'Tis substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule indeed extends with more or less force to every species of Free Government. Who that is a sincere friend to it, can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric.

Promote then as an object of primary importance, Institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.

As a very important source of strength & security, cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible: avoiding occasions of expence by cultivating peace, but remembering also that timely disbursements to prepare for danger frequently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it--avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expence, but by vigorous exertions in time of Peace to discharge the Debts which unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burthen which we ourselves ought to bear. The execution of these maxims belongs to your Representatives, but it is necessary that public opinion should cooperate. To facilitate to them the performance of their duty, it is essential that you should practically bear in mind, that towards the payment of debts there must be Revenue--that [p. 22 image] to have Revenue there must be taxes--that no taxes can be devised which are not more or less inconvenient & unpleasant--that the intrinsic embarrassment inseperable from the Selection of the proper objects (which is always a choice of difficulties) ought to be a decisive motive for a candid construction of the Conduct of the Government in making it, and for a spirit of acquiescence in the measures for obtaining Revenue which the public exigencies may at any time dictate.

Observe good faith & justice towds all Nations. Cultivate peace & harmony with all--Religion & morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great Nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a People always guided by an exalted justice & benevolence. Who can doubt that in the course of time and things the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary advantages wch might be lost by a steady adherence to it? Can it be, that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its virtue? The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human Nature. Alas! is it rendered impossible by its vices?

In the execution of such a plan nothing is more essential than that permanent inveterate antipathies against particular Nations and passionate attachments for others should be excluded; and that in place of them just & amicable feelings towards all should be cultivated. The Nation, which indulges towards another an habitual hatred, or an habitual fondness, is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest. Antipathy in one Nation against another--disposes each more readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of slight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intractable, when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur. Hence frequent collisions, obstinate envenomed and bloody contests. The Nation, prompted by ill will & resentment sometimes impels to War the Government, contrary to the best calculations of policy. The Government sometimes participates in the national propensity, and adopts through passion what reason would reject; at other times, it makes the animosity of the Nation subservient to projects of hostility instigated by pride, ambition and other sinister & pernicious motives. The peace often, sometimes perhaps the Liberty, of Nations has been the victim." -- George Washington

A politician breaks a promise, fire him or her. A politician can't control the budget, fire them.

There are times when you run a deficit but if it is for those who can help themselves (Welfare, SS, Medicare/Medicaid etc...) then there is no excuses. Fire them whether they are Democrat, Republican or any other party.

[longtermmemmory]

Hitlary probably STARTED threads like this. (/s)

[Sola Veritas]

"In my mind, an ideal third party candidate would appeal to socially conservative Republicans, Regan democrats, and minorities. A coalition party can indeed win…"

I agree with your assesment, especially after Jesse Jackson's actions. It will take time of course. Plus, it will be very hard to get folks to change from Republican. Especially after it was so hard to get them to orginally change to Republican.

As a moral/social conservative, I have always been ill at ease with many in the Republican party of the Goldwater variety. Recently, I began to believe that Republicans take moral/social conservatives too much for granted like the Democratic party does Blacks. Yes, I know there are true moral/social Republican conservatives serving in the Congress - Tom Coburn from my state is one. However, there are also too many "Specters" and others of his ilk, that I just don't want to be associated with.

So, I conclude that for me, either the moral/social conservatives must totally rule the party, or it is time to peaceable move on to form another coalition party as you say.

[unkus]

Hitlery loves this kind of talk. We had better stay
united and rational. Hitlery is surely working on a "Third Party" candidate to help her win.

[Defiant]

The Hugh Hewitts and the Judge Pryors of our movement are the real enemy, not the lefty loonies.

That's an absurd statement. I disagree with Hewitt on whether Bush could have acted to save Terri in spite of the court's order. But to call him an enemy is over the top. He is one of the best commentators out there. As for Judge Pryor, I don't know what he was thinking. He may have voted correctly, but not wanted to put it in writing since he lost the vote and it would not help anyone. I would ask him about it if there are hearings on his appointment.

[Protagoras]

Only a fool would think Perot didn't cost the republicans the election in 92'.

Only a fool would think Perot did cost the republicans the election in 92'.

That worked great, I only had to change two letters to get the truth out of that post.

[sinkspur]

Don't run morons and you have nothing to fear from other morons.

That's pretty much your pickins' in third parties.

[Mark was here]

The Rats are the Party of Death, With their Partial Birth abortion and their Abortion on a whim policies. What went on with the Terri case I personally consider an "Intrafamily" dispute, that involved a difference of opinion on what was actually best and not motivated by hate. I apologize if I offended any one and thats all I can do. There were no winners in this sad case. We should reunite to oppose the Rats.

[Stentor]

I haven't heard a single person in the "real world" try to pin any blame on the Republicans

Come on. You don't think a party that encourages "strongmen" leaders and that fields flying squads of goons to pull people out of nursing homes is a necessity? (;>) The 3rd party types are working on their natty uniforms and cute insignias as we post. (Hey simpletons that want to accuse me of condoning "murder". I am against what happened in Florida.)

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Your right, the left/liberals in their sneaky way have infiltrated the Republican party for days just like this.

[somerville]

Thanks ! Yours is the first welcome I"ve had. I live on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, so I"m really an anomaly.

[longtermmemmory]

NOTHING can succeed as long as a democrat party exists. FIRST eliminate the democrat party THEN other parties can become viable. Until then all such "manuvers" are complete BS which only put democrats in office and more Judge Greers and Whitmores on the benches.

[Warlord]

"Name one thing he accomplished other than offering sympathy to the Schindlers."

It was Jackson's sincere effort that was impressive.

[ran15]

The lack of consistency drives me crazy as well. I'd almost rather have a bunch of parties, where I knew hteir exact policies. So we knew if we got 51% of the vote exactly what we would get.

I'm not blaming the Republicans either, as the Dems are the same as likely any third party which grew large enough to come to power would be a collection of a bunch of special interests.

[1stFreedom]

>>Speaking of Pontius Pilate, where were you in this debate?

Uh, organizing, calling, gettting people off their rears.. I helped to get some of the leadership to call for Jeb to use his police powers. I was doing a lot of behind the scenes stuff that has a public face on it.

(FYI, I've worked in and out of the pro-life movement for over a decade and have many friendships and contacts at the leadership level...)

>>Why were you not down there in St Pete using your ordinary powers as a citizen to make a citizen's arrest of the people killing Terri?

Jeb has the National Guard which he can use to enforce the laws of FL. I don't. There were soo many police there I wouldn't make it past the first one.

Jeb has the authority, but choose not to use it and hid behind legal rulings and flimsly excuses like "I don't have the power."

[rollo tomasi]

Whose fault is this, a spineless Republican Party or a vast left wing, tin foil conspiracy?

[COEXERJ145]

My thoughts include visions of the weirdos over at DU rubbing their hands together in glee.

The DUmmies have been trolling here in force the last two weeks because they smell blood in the water. The continual "Bush is a Nazi" "Bush is a murderer" "The GOP are a bunch of killers" makes them think this is their chance to seize power once again.

[Protagoras]

That's pretty much your pickins' in third parties.

That's pretty much your pickins' in ALL parties.

It's getting easier to edit these posts lately.

[thoughtomator]

Given the progress of the Democrats, it might not be correct to call it a third party, but rather a replacement second party.