Posted on 04/28/2009 7:57:14 PM PDT by Natural Law
I am as sick to death of RINO apologists as I am the RINOs themselves. Too many real conservatives took a lot of flack here on FR during the last mid term and presidential election cycles for expecting Republicans to actually legislate like Republicans rather voting for every Obama-lite candidate with an “R” after their names who just might be electable. To too many, elections are about partisan score keeping and not about the direction and future of the country.
Many conservatives received a lot of undeserved criticism because they refused to vote straight party line or choose the lesser of two evils, opting instead to withhold their vote when neither candidate represented me. All one need to do to see the folly of voting for RINOs is the passing of the Stimulus, the Prescription Drug program, and the confirmation of pro-abortion appointees and judges.
It isn't about party politics or which party is in power. No party owns me or my vote. It is about principle and voting for candidates who, based upon record and not campaign rhetoric, will work staunchly for the conservative principles I believe in. I would much rather be represented by a legitimately conservative minority party than by a RINO majority who moves us toward socialism only slightly more slowly than Obama.
The strategic problem that we face today is not due to RINOs but that the missteps and fecklessness of George W. Bush and John McCain weakened the GOP and led it to two consecutive political defeats in 2006 and 2008. The defections and sniping from RINOs today are the consequence of those defeats, not their cause.
A strong, winning Republican party with a conservative President would enact a conservative program and grow the GOP base so as to make RINOs a minimal influence over policy even as they contribute to general election victories and a larger and more effective governing margin. We need not a smaller, more cohesive losing party but a winning Reagan style conservative party with “Big Tent” appeal that draws Democrats and RINOs to add to our strength but does not let them hobble us politically.
(Resuming this AM.)
“You can’t handle the truth ...”
Here’s MY truth: An elected representative is SUPPOSED to represent those who elected him - whether they are conservative,liberal,or just waiting for a spaceship to rescue them.
SOME see themselves as instruments of their party,and take “the easy way out” by voting in strict adherence to party lines. Who do they represent ? (Themselves,usually.)
OTHERS vote mostly along party lines ; but-when something that will affect the people in their district comes up-become “heretics” by considering the needs of the majority of those they serve - regardless of what the party line is.
For this,they are criticized as RINOs (or DINOs)...when they are not being denounced as “traitors”.
I see some of that same sentiment voiced here on FR: “There’s the right way and the wrong way-and there’s OUR way.Do it our way-Newbie Troll -or else !”
I am not channeling them, but rather, I am standing on the shoulders of giants. Every time conservatism has been a legitimate choice the American people have overwhelmingly chosen it. You can join me in "duck walking, not to the right flank, but to the high ground. Or, if you have so much disdain for conservatives and conservatism you can, as Thomas Hobbes professed in Leviathan, The Matter, Forme and Power of a Common Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil reject the social contract and take that which is your and leave [SIC] the Republican party.
Had the founders wanted a form of government in which their representatives acted as a direct conduit for the thoughts and passions of the day they would have constructed a democracy rather than a constitutional republic.
It is not too much to ask that our elected "leaders" exhibit some measure of intellect, wisdom and leadership rather than act upon a wet finger thrust into the prevailing breezes and manipulated public opinions. Conservatives only want the original constitutional contract restored and respected.
Me ? I prefer to steer a middle course: between the fuehrer prinzip of one side, and the "dictatorship of the proletariat" of the other.
I agree that one of the problems of the American form of government is that we can only choose our leaders from among those who first choose themselves. That is why a constitutional republic, in which the ability of the elected to act mischievously or maliciously is minimized, is critical. Rights endowed by God are must remain off limits to the government even when 99.9% of the population and 100% of the elected officials conclude otherwise.
That makes two of us.
Did the CFR let its quislings out of class early?
Wow, I like that picture!
But you forget that if the politician cannot represent his constituents and hold the ideology of his party... then he must join the political party that best represents his constituents.
If he’s going to vote liberal because his constituents demand it, then he should be a Democrat and run in a Democratic primary. Not hide his colors for personal gain.
I AM NOT a Republican*.
I AM NOT a Democrat.
I AM a Conservative.
And I will always vote for the most conservative candidate no matter his/her party.
Thus, my mantra:
 |
NO more RINOS |
Conservatives actually believe in God, the Constitution and with a free market. Our values are just so many talking points and political punchlines to Rinos!!
Ooooh, what a true conservative you are!!!
*Swoon*
;^)
Hmm, never heard of him, honestly...You're saying he's an example of a non-RINO?
They are true Republicans, just neither conservative nor strong. Purge the pols, but everyone has a right to defend whomever they will.
You ought to read up on him. His writings on the natural law were fundamental in Thomas Jefferson's work.
Define RINO.
An ACU rating of 40-50-60-70.....%
At what point does a politician become a RINO?
The perfect is the enemy of the good.
Contribute to conservatives now.
It’s primary time—RINO hunting season 2010!
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