Since we got no takers, or even anyone to argue with my assertion in the beginning, I assume republicanism must be as I described:
Republican (big-R) = a group of politicians committed to maintaining the status quo and their own gravy train by huge deficits; unlimited earmark spending; massive growth in government; payoffs to campaign contributors by manipulating the tax code, trade policies, and government contracts; and an interventionist foreign policy to divert attention from the fact that the nation is going bankrupt because of their fiscal largess.
republicans (Small-r) = the legions of myrmidons who follow the Big-Rs simply because of the R after their name, and who lack the willingness or intelligence to question the policies of the Big-Rs, even though they are being played for suckers.
I think I'll chose to remain a Small-l, and trying to effect changes within the party. I note that some of the vitriol from the R-bots seemed to die down near the end--perhaps our message is making someone think.
republicans (Small-r) = the legions of myrmidons who follow the Big-Rs simply because of the R after their name, and who lack the willingness or intelligence to question the policies of the Big-Rs, even though they are being played for suckers.
I don't think so.