"better border security, less taxes, stronger military, less government control of schools...less abortion?"
Better border security? Are you kidding me? President Bush and the Republican Senate were the ones pushing Shamnesty. Bush appointed prosecuters are going after Border Patrol Agents. Tony Snow goes on TV and knowingly distorts the truth about ongoing court cases. If that is what the Republicans call border security, then we're doomed.
Less taxes. Okay, here's the thing about less taxes that Ronald Reagan was a genius about. He knew that in addition to cutting taxes, you had to cut spending. That has clearly not been the case. More pork than ever. I'm with you, I want taxes cut as well. But, I'm a lot younger than the typical freeper, and I'm going to be the one who gets hurt the most by the deficits and pork in the future. If I balanced my checkbook the way the government has for the last 6 years, I'd be in debtor's prison.
Stronger military? Okay, I'll go with you on that one. :-)
Less government control of schools? Let's see, the NEA is still in place. And that shining example of liberal legislation co written with Ted Kennedy entitled "no child left behind". Who wrote that with the "liberal lion"? Oh yeah, President George W. Bush.
Less abortion? Abortion has been trotted out to energize the base during election years, and that is all. Over the last 2 years, Republicans have had control of the executive branch, both halls of Congress, and an edge on the Supreme Court. If EVER there was a time to reverse the abortion trend, let alone overturn Roe v Wade, it was then. However, bridges to nowhere were obviously more important. And now, the Republican Party is pushing forward Rudy, who is about as liberal on abortion as is possible.
I don't know about the value of sitting it out, but I do know this. The people have not left the Republican Party, the Republican Party is leaving the people.
I guess you missed the point of my list.
I am asking ---after--- handing the congress over to the Democrats, did that gain us better "border security, less taxes, stronger military, less government control of schools...less abortion?"
Obviously, of course not.
The further question is, what will this teach the GOP for 2008? I suspect it will teach the GOP to run farther left.