Fell for what? I thought we were having a discussion, but apparently you'd prefer to engage in childish games. Grow up.
My goal is to define conservatism.
And my goal is to get people to vote conservative. Making up your own definitions and then trying to force them down people's throats is not going to win you any friends come election day.
This is true independence; to actually make a statement rather than cut ties with your best asset - the political system - in a childish bid to prove (to nobody) that you are free.
You seem to think that because people are not directly affiliated with any particularly party, that they are "detached" from our political system. Absolutely untrue. Go ahead and look at the voter turnout records. Unless you are actually afraid of actual facts, you'll see that on most elections the turnout of registered independents is significantly higher than registered republicans or democrats. In the recent Oregon election, I believe the numbers were 80% of independents voted versus only about 60% for both democrats and republicans. And look at states with open primaries. You'll find that almost always a third to half of the voters that vote in open primaries are registered independents. So explain to me again how they are "detached" from the political system.
All they are doing is muscling for pet-projects, special interest, and personal agendas.
No. Absolutely wrong. You still don't get it.
Again, how many registered independents do you actually know? How many do you speak to? Have you ever volunteered on a cmapaign and actually tried to get people to vote conservative or republican? Ever?
Or do you just blather on about your own desire to have everyone on one team or another and your pathetic and useless goal of "defining conservatism"?
If such people wrote their own manifesto - something original and not copied from the Constitution or off the web - then I may entertain their thoughts. However, one can predict such works to be wholly unoriginal, hardly "independent", and above all not even interesting. (Or else someone would have written it already...)
You really have no clue what an independent voter is, do you?
(1) So?
So it directly disproves your assumption that independents are unregistered. If you had half the brains you think you have, you'd have known that from the starte, and wouldn't, even now, be coming back with the ever so witty "so".
(2) You restate the points made in (1). Repeating a meaningless (non-) argument doesn't make it true. Particularly one so lame.
No. Go back and re-read. There is in fact a difference between simply registering and registering independent. Most people who register, register for one of the major parties based on "gut feelings". And then don't bother to vote.
And "lame"? I didn't think kids today still used that word.
(3) Right vote, wrong voters. I have no use at all for those sheeple.
And I say God help us if you ever get anywhere near a decision making position in the republican party.
The next time you're on a campaign, call independents and tell them how useless they are.
You really have no clue, do you. If we were ever so stupid as to follow your advice, Kerry would be president (and worse).
Again: How many campaigns have you worked on? How many times have you called people trying to convince them to vote republican? How many independents do you know? Have you ever been to a campaign rally? Have you done any work with any pro-Second Ammendment organization? Ever? Just where do you base your absurd assertions?
They don't come to FreeRepublic very often.
Again you demonstrate the depths of your ignorance simply knows no bounds. Do you _really_ think that's true?
Winning elections is secondary to staying principled. That's how we win, in part.
You seem to think that because people are not directly affiliated with any particularly party, that they are "detached" from our political system. Absolutely untrue.
It is EXTREMELY true.
Go ahead and look at the voter turnout records. Unless you are actually afraid of actual facts, you'll see that on most elections the turnout of registered independents is significantly higher than registered republicans or democrats. In the recent Oregon election, I believe the numbers were 80% of independents voted versus only about 60% for both democrats and republicans. And look at states with open primaries. You'll find that almost always a third to half of the voters that vote in open primaries are registered independents. So explain to me again how they are "detached" from the political system.
They want stuff. I don't wish to sacrifice our republican agenda to satisfy their petty demands.
Again, how many registered independents do you actually know? How many do you speak to? Have you ever volunteered on a cmapaign and actually tried to get people to vote conservative or republican? Ever?
I don't even want them near me. Go be a democrat if you're not going to join us - we shouldn't have to bargain for votes because someone "likes gun control but hates abortion..." That's their conflict, and we mustn't give in to coercion if they threaten to vote liberal. Essentially, I see independents as liberals who want to make a deal. No way, no deal. You vote for us, or get lost...
Or do you just blather on about your own desire to have everyone on one team or another and your pathetic and useless goal of "defining conservatism"?
It ain't pathetic - it's noble - and it ain't useless since others absorb my ideas to eventually influence policy.
You really have no clue what an independent voter is, do you?
It's someone who thinks they are better and special, despite being neither.
So it directly disproves your assumption that independents are unregistered. If you had half the brains you think you have, you'd have known that from the starte, and wouldn't, even now, be coming back with the ever so witty "so".
"So" is an accusation of inconsequence, by which I still stand. If we lose elections for refusing to patronize the indecisive, non-commital, altogether selfish voters who use issues-of-the-moment for their personal gain, then we are better for it.
No. Go back and re-read. There is in fact a difference between simply registering and registering independent. Most people who register, register for one of the major parties based on "gut feelings". And then don't bother to vote.
The distinction is real, but has little to do with the subject.
And I say God help us if you ever get anywhere near a decision making position in the republican party.
Not likely.
You really have no clue, do you. If we were ever so stupid as to follow your advice, Kerry would be president (and worse).
No, I voted for Bush. I hate Kerry.
Again: How many campaigns have you worked on?
None! I have a REAL job.
How many times have you called people trying to convince them to vote republican?
That's like telemarketing. I'd be so annoyed, I'd vote the opposite out of spite if someone called my phone, no matter what party they were with.
How many independents do you know?
I know many haughty people who think they are above the system.
Have you ever been to a campaign rally?
I'd be bored out of my head... no.
Have you done any work with any pro-Second Ammendment organization?
Postcards, membership dues.
Just where do you base your absurd assertions?
"Enlightened." They are enlightened.
Again you demonstrate the depths of your ignorance simply knows no bounds. Do you _really_ think that's true?
Video games.