[Lazamataz]

While I agree with a lot of your sentiments, aren't you being a little premature. That the Democrats even want to compromise means we must have the votes.

Okay. I'm willing to wait. But the GOP better consider this my final warning.

Not that we conservatives seem to matter too much to them, anyways.

[Hank Rearden]

Okay. I'm willing to wait. But the GOP better consider this my final warning.

"Thank you, Sir! May I have another?"

You're close, I suppose. If your butt survives the Republican kicks, you'll get there.

[Taliesan]

People on the right and left seem not to understand what a political party is. A party is never intended to represent your, my, or anyone else's beliefs.

A political party is a coalition of various clusters of beliefs and the sole purpose of a political party is to get and hold power.

Within the boundaries of the party internal politics defines the platform of the party at any given moment, and that platform (the beliefs) can and will change. Your allegiance to a party is a PRAGMATIC ARRANGEMENT.

I am a conservative becasue of what I believe. I am a Republican in order to get the power to effect what I believe.

So your decision to support or not support the Republican Party should not be an emotional one, nor even a decision which originates from the same part of your personality where your beliefs reside. It should be a PROBABILITY ASSESSMENT: which party is most likely to most enact my beliefs into policy?

The answer to this probability assessment for a conservative at this time, and for the foreseeable future, is the GOP. But it is purely a tactical allegiance.

So relax. Don't think of a party as you think of your family, or your church, or even your hobby group, and you won't need to "leave" what you never really married.

[Triple]

Don't feel like the lone ranger.

IMO both major parties are on the path to socialism. (Dems being on a superhighway)

Corruption, nepotism, and cronyism are rampant in both parties. (Look at BCCI if you want a sterling example.)

It makes deciding how to vote very difficult for me. Dems are out - except for Zell Miller;
Republicans are better than dems (almost always), but on very few issues change the course set by the dems (firearms being the best positive example)
Finally, the alternatives (Libertarian/constitution) are not yet mature enough parties to win elections (with New York State being the best exception due to NY's funky way of assigning liberal or conservative party status - with R no longer having a monopoly on the conservative voters)

For short term results it is tempting to vote republican. But R does not provide a strong long term solution.

Bottom line I recommend for people in this quandary to vote Libertarian in all races with a clear leader in the polls. However, if the race is in jeopardy, vote republican. So, any ideological conservative in Massachusetts in the last presidential election should have voted for the most conservative candidate, without worry about any negative effects. Thus building a conservative base for the future, and sending a message to the Repubs that their performance is not adequate.

Regards,

[citizen]

Doesn't matter if you're premature [you're not, IMO], needed to be said anyway.

I'm not falling for the "It's about the JUDGES!" line again.

Conservative Repubs are outnumbered by Liberals, MSM, Moderates & RINOS -- they need to be tough and principled.

[angelr1076]

Same here. I will not donate any $$$ to the RNC until the Republicans grow some b@lls and realize that THEY ARE THE MAJORITY PARTY! Is there anyone representing the conservative people anymore?

[Goodgirlinred]

Well, Laz, maybe we Freepers need to get the word out to our Republican leadership that we are not happy with the way things are going.

[TAdams8591]

"Not that we conservatives seem to matter too much to them, anyways."

Oh really? I always thought conservatives meant the world to the Republican party. Until I got on FR and people like you "learned" me better. /sarcasm