You don't have to bend...but you should, because the alternative is terrifying. National Security and Judicial Appointments trump all other issues, and on those issues, the Republicans are still light years better than the Democrats under ALL scenarios regardless of whatever flaws they have exhibited.
Yeah but conservatives are even better than Republicans so, in order to avoid those nightmarish scenarios, why not come back to basic conservative principles?
We have to see the forest for the trees. BOTH parties are bankrupt of ideas (and perhaps morals; Foley is just the latest example of moral rot affecting both sides). Actually, the term "both" is a misnomer. What we have is ONE party with a right and left wing. This party has such a lock on power that new parties with new "out of the box' ideas don't have a chance. I am hoping for the day when we have a PROPORTIONAL electoral college, rather than the winner-takes-whole-state" system we have now. This way, even if a third party candidate wins only 10EVs, he can have real power if neither "demopublican" candidate gets 270 EVs. Just think: "If you want my 10 EVs, here is what you must do ..." Gives a third party candidate real power; he can "mau-mau" a bland demopublican politician into taking a real stand. Great way of putting new parties and new ideas on the map.