Posted on 07/31/2004 3:12:58 AM PDT by conservator
Hello everyone. First of all I would lke to thank you for welcoming to your home and secondly I would like you to excuse for posting a topic so early, but I thought I had some things on my mind!
I think we need to reform. Not our ideas or who we are but other people's perception of us. I think people should know that the republican party is a party for ALL Americans not just the rich white,and the powerful, and I think the more people know this, the better.
I am tired of the stereotypes and accusations. I am tired of the fighting and the name-calling. Most of all though I am tired of being called un-american and I tire of calling others un-american.
As Condoleeza Rica and Colin Powell show, if you work hard within this party you will be accepted. We need to highlight those cases...
I am not pretending to have all the answers. However I am hoping we can invigorate discussion on this. I am also not pandering to others. I am hoping to highlight our best sides, and I know it is something we can do!
Maybe holding community relations meetings, fundraising for people in trouble where we don't normally stick out, talking to schools, SOMETHING. I had to learn about this party from the internet. Can you believe that? Everyone around me is a Democrat. The internet was the only outlet I had for positive Republican commentary. I learned here that republicans care, are compassionate, laugh, hurt , cry, get scared, love, etc. just like regular people. Perhaps if I had someone to talk to about it before things might have been different. My ethnicity was another obstacle because I am a minority, and sadly it is hardwired into us from an early age that minorities just don't do Republican. Why? I don't know. It's how the "system" works. The system needs to change though. We are the people to change it.
Conservator over and out.
I'll read it when I wake up. I am not actually awake right now.
I know that many minorities don't go Republican because of the teachers! The kids don't care about politics too much so they pretty much do as they are told....
Bump
Welcome conservator!... I am aware we have an image problem and the record of Republicans is much better than the bad spin put out by the dems. We are all Americans.
Put on your flak jacket as people can argue the fine points of policy with heat!...;)
Thanks for the bump GeronL ;) and I look forward to your reply.
We are the people to change it....
everything always starts with one person...
Hmm thats interesting James. Now how do we as the republican party influence the teachers? If we can reach them we can get to the kids correct?
It is true. Kids today are the most apathetic politically now than at any time in history partly because they are kids and paertly because they are in mortal fear only of missing the next episode of Road Rules (I am speaking about the 15 to 18 year old age group.)
MTV and other media outlets, which frankly don't give a hoot about the well being about the well-being of their young audience, (sorry I had to inject some criticism in there) is suddenly left-wing democratic. It is a politics of laziness that has enslaved young people. However there is a way around it, to get them to think. Highlight the fact that the musical culture is destructive maybe? show tyhat there is a high correllation between youths who live popular music fantasies and AIDS, death rape, etc. Once you show them they are hurting themselves, they see that "the man" that is oppressing them is actually staring at them in the mirror and forces them to reform. Just a few ideas.
Um, While a lot of members of FreeRepublic identify themselves as "Republican" you are a bit presumptuous to think that this is a "Republican" web site.
Thanks for the welcome MEG33 and pageonetoo!!!
I am excited about being here, and that some people have begun to respond...I am looking forward to building something here, not only theoretically but also practically with all of you.
And yes I will be sure to don my special issue kevlar-encoated flak jacket!
Don't worry, with this baby on the only heat I will be feeling will be that whoch runs through my blood every second of the day!
Hmm. Well excuse my presumptuocity as I will henceforth refer to this website as Republican no more.
Sounds good?
There is no solution to the problems that you describe, nor even any set of measures that can be cobbled together as a strategy or remedy against them. What we can do is to try to inform and persuade others, win minds, and win elections.
Those who control and manipulate the unfavorable and hostile images fastened onto conservatives know that it is a large part of their power. The best approach -- the only sustainable approach -- is to not let yourself be ground down or defeated, but to have a sense of optimism and hope.
Reagan had a marvelous ability to keep great difficulties and vicious criticism from getting him down or drawing him into a defensive attitude. Reagan's cheerfulness under fire drove his enemies and the media nuts, gave heart to his supporters, and swayed the impressionable. In other words, Reagan had courage -- and we need to as well.
Conservatives, Republicans, Libertarians, Constitutionalists, Buchananites, moderates....converted dems, pro Iraq war, anti Iraq war,...FR them all!
Right now I want us all singing from the same book..in harmony.....BUSH/CHENEY 04!
FR has them all!
There are actually many conservative teachers groups, and they are gaining steam. They are getting tired of their union giving money hand over fist to the Democrat party.
Welcome to FR.
I remember Geroge Will debating a liberal when they were trying to put word in his mouth. George Wills appononet (some liberal driveling on about a topic I din't remember) kept saying "I'm sure you'de agree . . . what you really think is . . . aren't you just saying" that kinda thing.
George Will: "I can assure you *I* am the worlds foremost athority on what I think"
It was amazing. I've used that line a lot.
The point is NEVER LET THEM DEFINE YOU.
You really are the worlds great athority on what you think and no matter how much jesse and wierd al sharpton drone on and on, they still can't define your core values.
Applause!
And conservatism doesn't have a chance in the university environment.
BUMP
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