Farewell to the GOP, for now at least! (Vanity Rant)

6-21-2006 | Mr. Hammer

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

We have a two-party system for the very sound reason that there is no principled way to pick among more than two candidates. If there are two candidates, why then let the majority win. But if there are three, there won't be a majority very often - and what is to say that "A" with 40% of the vote is preferred to both "B" and "C" with their total of 60%?

The reality is, of course, that probably half of our hundreds of millions of people are over 35 and "not a felon." So there are in principle many millions of possible candidates for president. It is the parties which cull that down to a managable binary choice which they present to us on election day. It is absurd to suppose that "the best person for the job" is even on the ballot most of the time. For example, how long was Ronald Reagan the best person (that we now know of) for the job of president before he was nominated in 1980?

We don't choose the best person for the job, we mostly reject the worse of the two. Democracy limits how bad the president will be. Withdrawal from the party system makes you irrelevant. IMHO.

[kitkat]

DRAMA QUEEN! I love it. I admire it. I am stealing it. LOL

[mr_hammer]

Thank you!

[moog]

It comes down to me who will fight terrorism better. I disagree with some things with President Bush, but I still supported him twice--better than the alternative.

[E Rocc]

I'd agree with a lot of your points, except for the idea that Tancredo is anything other than a smarmy demagogue.

Nevertheless, it's still better to work within the GOP than outside it right now. Things are too finely balanced between the GOP and the Dims, and most of the GOP at least respects limited government in principle. The Dims are all about centralized power as a tool for self-perpetuation.

-Eric

[moog]

Is there an FR opus not far behind ?

Isn't he in Bloom County?

[Tijeras_Slim]

A.E. Houseman's "Epitath for an Army of Mercenaries".

[FerdieMurphy]

If enough conservatives would write letters like this to the RNC they might see the light and make a sudden lurch to the right.

Cows might fly too.

Republicans are, in short, exasperating. They snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and can screw up a steel ball with a soft rubber mallet.

[SampleMan]

In a parliamentary 38 party system, you would get to back your specific party, which would match your ideas 98% and represent 2% of the electorate. You would elect 2% of the PMs, who would then be firmly ignored by the majority party. Or at best, they would get an odd table scrap if their 2% were required to form a majority party. But, you could back them in clear conscience.

In a representative republic with two major parties, like ours, you pick a party closest to your own views and then attempt to influence the actions of that party.

In war, the parties which do the fighting get to help dictate terms. The more fight, the more clout. Staying home doesn't get you much clout.

I vote and support Republicans because they are closer to my positions than Democrats (what an understatement). When I get really upset at the GOP or segments of it, I give my money to individuals that I do support, and let the GOP know why my general support is waining (and I name names).

If you can get 25% of the electorate excited about your issues then I'm sure you will influence the GOP.

[andy58-in-nh]

LOL! (perhaps that should be LAL - lache aus laut)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

"Through denial and apathy we have allowed the corruption and deceit of the few to obscure the dedication and integrity of the many, and we must now act accordingly to restore the faith of the American people."

Loved it. Thanks! :)

[WhiteGuy]

Nice rant.

It is really quite liberating to embrace true independence.

Many believe political parties exist to further the interests of the politicians, not to define the representation of the citizen.

From the standpoint of an independent voter, you may now vote for the candidate that best reflects your beliefs, without regard for that letter follows his or her name, or no one at all. This can be done with absolutely no remorse or regret because NO ONE OWNES YOU or YOUR VOTE.

[NutCrackerBoy]

I completely agree that bloated and hyper-active government is the source of many problems. You could throw in the lobbying scandal - it wouldn't exist if feds weren't picking winners and losers in areas of life where it's properly none of their business.

I disagree insofar as the lack of limited government didn't cause radical Islam, and the Patriot Act is a commonsense response. Leaving that aside, the tragedy is that change would require a concerted effort by the electorate with an appetite for limited government that it just doesn't have.

[skinkinthegrass]

An opus! Not from FR, but an opus, nonetheless. On Monday, too...Should be an interesting week.

..as RB3 said, Drama Queen, you don't fight the enemy by facturing you base.
..that said, It should be an interesting week...Alito/SOTUS/Iran Nuclear Site Bombing, Opss!...negotiations and all... :D

[mr_hammer]

My motive is simple. I was sold a bill of goods in 00 and 04. I just want it know!

[CAluvdubya]

Dan Lungren, CA, has an article today worth reading.

Lungren is a McCain kind of republican.

[tkathy]

Spoken like a true RINO. Whine, snivel, help elect Hillary.

[Fierce Allegiance]

Sound like DNC talking points.

BS! Sounds like a conservative dissillusioned with the RNC.