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"There's a world of difference between a Conservative and a Republican. At least, in my book there is."

I agree. I haven't considered myself a Republican for going on a couple of decades. I do, however, consider myself a conservative.

Do I usually vote Republican? Sure -- as the lesser of two evils. I have not wanted to vote FOR anyone, except one candidate, since I wanted to vote FOR Nixon in my first ever election. (I don't recall where my political head was during the Reagan years -- no, it wasn't drugs.)

I usually vote AGAINST the more liberal to the point of socialist candidates that Michigan seems to be overrun with.

Once (and it will probably never happen again), I actually did vote for a local Democratic candidate, on purpose, because I wanted him elected. He was more conservative than the Republican running. As it turned out, he was a Republican who ran as a Democrat because there were no Democrats running for that office. He won. He probably won, and kept winning, because too many people here in the blue Detroit metro area vote D for no other reason than that's what they've always done & that's what their parents always did. Well, we conservatives had a good time of conservative politics in this blue zone.

Really made me wonder if people even cared about the beliefs of this Dem candidate, or just voted D as usual. But, isn't that exactly what we're doing? Vote R. Vote R. Vote R.

So, what's in a name? Republican, Rhino, Republicrat, Democrat. What really is the difference anymore? Sure there's a lot of socialists masquerading as democrats. But there's an awful lot of liberals masquerading as republicans.

Personally, I'm tired of voting for 'the lesser of two evils' when the difference between the evils is getting harder and harder to distinguish.

If ALL we *conservatives* stood behind candidates that held our beliefs, instead of running them off as 'unelectable' 3rd party candidates, maybe we could get a good *conservative* candidate or two to run, then elected, no matter what party name they run under. After all, MOST of the USA was red, not blue in the 2000 presidential election. Is the red zone Republican, or is the red zone conservative that votes Republican as the lesser of two evils?

IMHO, as long as we keep running scared of Democrats getting elected, and vote for any Republican, no matter how conservative or liberal, America doesn't stand a chance.

Think about this. During the 2000 election debacle, who worked tirelessly supporting Bush & protesting of Gore? Republicans? I don't think so. That was the most awesome CONSERVATIVE grass roots effort ever.

How many then Dems, so disgusted with the antics of their party, dumped the party and became bona fide Republicans? Did their political philosophy change when the D became an R? Are these new Republicans *conservatives*?

Honestly, how many of us stood behind Bush, not as our first choice for Prez, but only to defeat Gore? Am I glad Bush is President? Yes, even though he wasn't my first choice. However, his being Republican does not give him the right to run roughshod over the Constitution, even if he does do it more gently than Gore would have.

Bush Republican? Yes. Bush conservative? I'm not sure.

How do we stop giving inches that become miles just so Democrats aren't elected? I'm looking for serious answers. Watching America going to Hell in a hand basket with a Republican president, just more slowly than it would with a Democrat president, is really tearing me up.

Flame away if you feel the need, but don't tell me my 3rd party vote guarantees a Democratic win. I just can't vote for a Republican that sounds just like a Democrat any more.

If you read this, thank you.

So, what do we *conservatives* do to get *conservatives* elected? How do we get to vote FOR someone again, instead of AGAINST someone else?

Flame away if you feel the need...

There is no need. I don't disagree with a single thing you wrote.

Why is it that the prospect of a third major national party is always something that both Ds and Rs get crazy over? Because it would upset their applecarts and disrupt the status quo.

There is no difference, these days, between the Republicans in Congress and the Dems. It's a game of mirrors that both sides play to keep the sheeple satisfied and thinking that there really is a difference. Both sides are concerned only with making sure that the gravy train never stops. They've gotten their ticket and they're going to ride as long as they can.

The situation you wrote about in Michigan only proves the point. That politician did whatever he could to get elected into the club. It doesn't matter what they call themselves...they are in it for them.

Why else would they spend millions to get elected? To make sure that you and I get a fair shake in life? To make sure that we get to share in some of the Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness? I think not.

It's kind of like some of the points Ayn Rand made in "The Fountainhead". There is no such thing as altruism. Everyone is in it for themselves. That may seem cynical, but that's the way I feel. I calls 'em like I sees 'em.

I've been flamed by others before for stating the sentiments above and today probably won't be any different. Tough.

Really made me wonder if people even cared about the beliefs of this Dem candidate, or just voted D as usual. But, isn't that exactly what we're doing? Vote R. Vote R. Vote R.

Around here, if you're black or a senior citizen, you automatically vote Democrat. Why? For blacks it is because of the same stupid reasons they vote democrat all over the country. In regard to senior citizens, it is because too many of them haven't paid attention to politics in years, and they actually think that the Democrat party is the conservative party. They're operating on a paradigm of the 50s and 60s, a time when southern democrats were conservative.

Now that the reason for party voting has been established, I'll attempt to discuss who gets elected. In many cases, it is who has been in office. It doesn't matter if the guy is a terrible socialist, even if a Republican. Too many people do not pay attention to politics and the issues. In my opinion, their voting without paying attention to the issues is a severe disservice to our country, as the wrong men are being elected. What also helps elect a candidate is the number of signs. A candidate that doesn't place any signs doesn't have much of a chance to win if he isn't the incumbent.