[Happy2BMe]

In Washington D. C. today, bringing home the bacon is the main goal, not advancing individual freedom or a conservative agenda. This is not what I signed up for as a Reagan Republican. If politics today is all about power, not ideology or principled differences, count me out.

So, if the Republicans are not going to govern any differently than the Democrats, what’s the use?

[Hank Rearden]

So, if the Republicans are not going to govern any differently than the Democrats, what’s the use?

Haven't supported those worthless Big Stupid Government Republican bastards since '91 and the 'Rats since, well, never.

Screw both Big Stupid Government parties.

[Now_is_The_Time]

If you can't beat 'em, outspend 'em

[Happy2BMe]

How long has it been since you were able to recognize the Republican Party?

===========================================

Republicans are not pursuing a real conservative agenda, only more big government. For example, a true conservative agenda on the pressing issues of immigration reform, the real threats to the English language, or the multi-faceted culture war does not have the support of the GOP leadership in Congress or the White House and is in no danger of being passed.

Republicans seem more interested in providing voters the security of big government than in effective border security.

[Recon Dad]

When everything comes down to getting reelected then you get what you deserve.
I am an advocate of term limits which I believe would solve most of these problems.
The President had the momentum and lost it. At this juncture the only thing good that can happen from now until 2008 is we get two more Supreme Court appointments, because the issues I wanted addressed won't be.

[stopem]

The rallying cry was “If only we had the power, we could revolutionize this country and end the era of big government.”

That was my point when someone recently suggested the govt should act as a nanny in the Holloway case and have committee's etc etc getting the govt involved yet once again. I am so tired of so-called conservatives wanting to spend, spend, spend and get involved in every area of our lives. Hello we are Republicans and conservatives, remember what that meant at one time??

[coconutt2000]

Think of it this way... The Democrats put a lot of holes in the roof. In order to fix up the house, we have to spend a lot of money to patch the holes, maintain enough popularity to stay in power long enough to fix all the leaks, and defend the house from terrorists.

Not a set of tasks that lends itself to home repair.

[KeyWest]

Most of the spending is defense. Most have forgotten the reason, but 9/11 did happen. Deficits were the result but tax cuts have cut into them.

Plus, most forget that the balance of power was tenuous during Bush's first term so the dems had to be countered. Spending did go up, but what if there were dems in charge? Just check their spending bills. All in all, you can bitch and moan as much as you wish, but the real world of politics always trumps idealism, even with RR in charge. You will be happy with some outcomes and unhappy with others.

[tkathy]

Whine, whine.

Why not just vote Hillary and Howard Dean in and destroy the republican party.

[B4Ranch]

We'll see lots who refuse to admit", the admission of a problem" on this thread.

[Wolfie]

Hillary!!!....Hillary!!Hillary!!Hillary!!

[WilliamofCarmichael]

What happened?

IMO one illustration is immigration "reform."

It consists of changing the designation of ILLEGAL / undocumented workers to "guest workers." Question: do we get that bridge in Brooklyn with immigration "reform"?

Problem solved. Now shut up, America!

Message to businesses: crime pays (don't they know it!).

I make a distinction between traditional immigration and migrant ILLEGAL / "guest" workers, the latter, millions and millions of them here and millions and millions more on the way, generally have no intention of assimilating.

Just finished reading the thread. There are several political neophytes here who do not understand debate. Having a belief contrary to the "Party's position" is common. Free people have the responsibility to let the Party know. The Goldwater v. Rockefeller "debate" gave us Ronald Reagan. There's another Reagan out there somewhere. (Yes, I know President Reagan signed the 1986 amnesty / reforms, did he wink at the enforcement provisions of the reforms? I don't think so.)

[WhiteGuy]

Sadly, the author is 100% correct.

[staytrue]

what’s the use?

Big Tax Cuts. Strong Military. Decent men and women in govt. instead of debauchery. School Vouchers. Greater emphasis on personal responsibility. Character matters. Conservative judicial appointments.

[ZULU]

This is a great article.

I think part of the problem is entrenched interests which translates into career politicians of both parties. The only solution is term limits. Another solution is to forbid any member of the Bar, who is, in effect, an officer of the Court and hence a representative of the Judicial Branch of the Government from holding elected office in the legislature or the executive branches of the governments.

In COngress, it would appear the worst Republican offenders (RINOs) if you will, are entrenched long-time Senators like McCain, Hatch, and other boobs who call themselves Republicans while acting like Democrats or lack the testicular fortitude to stand up to the Rats whenever they are challenged, even though the Rats are in the minority.

If the Repubs blow it in Bush's Second term - and so far they have in the first two years of that term, its time for Conservatives to seriously reconsider their allegiance to this Party and form a third political party - one willing to shake up the system, and confront the Bolsheviks in the Democrat Party.

If this were to happen, the Republican Party would collapse like an empty eggshell with people like McCain, Chafee, and Snowe going over to the Democrats and losing their elected office as a result. And the Rats would find themselves facing a far more effective, leaner and meaner adversary.

[Non-Sequitur]

That's because we don't elect conservatives to Congress. We elect Republicans. The two are not necessarily synonymous.

[Stu Cohen]

So, if the Republicans are not going to govern any differently than the Democrats, what’s the use?

None.

I'm not a Republican. I am not nearly that liberal. The Republics are the new Democrats, and the Democrats are the new Green Party.

There is no such thing as a viable conservative party in this country. It is a myth. I have zero idea why a self-proclaimed "conservative" would call themselves a "republican", unless, like most people .. they have no idea what they are. "Conservative" just sounds like what they are supposed to be if they don't like Democrats. They know not what the real meaning of the word means.

[international american]

"For example, in the $286.4 billion transportation bill, there is $230 million allocated for a bridge in Alaska to connect an island of 50 people to the mainland. It has been aptly called the “Bridge to Nowhere.” "

Half of this bill is pork. What right do we have to bitch about Byrd??

[mosquitobite]

In Washington D. C. today, bringing home the bacon is the main goal, not advancing individual freedom or a conservative agenda. This is not what I signed up for as a Reagan Republican. If politics today is all about power, not ideology or principled differences, count me out. So, if the Republicans are not going to govern any differently than the Democrats, what’s the use?

AMEN!

[PISANO]

I too have been dissappointed in the GOP. Their TOTAL control has proven to be less than we all had envisioned.

However........that "LITTLE" thing called 911 happened and changed this country's direction. It is hard to BALANCE a BUDGET during WAR, and the major re-org of our government with the addition of the HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT has indefinitely dashed the GOP dreams of "small" government

[Dat Mon]

Good article and post.

This kind of article is dangerous...it gets mainstream Republicans in the base thinking. I've been making the point that Republicans need to get back the vision and fire in the belly that they had back in 94 with the Contract With America.

Thinking is a bad thing for some Republicans you see...so out come the 'seminar posters' in their usual attempts to steer the discussion over to a personal slugfest...while ignoring the points raised in the article entirely.

Wouldn't it be remarkable if those people who disagree with the premise of the article actually took the time to logically go through the article point by point ...and refute it.

Nope...ain't gonna happen...thats above their pay grade.