Is Free Republic too "Republican?"

Jim Robinson

[Jim Robinson]

Is Free Republic too "Republican?" I've been receiving a lot of complaints lately that FR is not really conservative, it's Republican. Is that a bad thing?

When I started FR (see the wayback machine) I don't think I even used the labels conservative or Republican. But, even though I was a registered Democrat at the time (I registered when I was very young), I was definitely anti-Democrat. And definitely anti-big government, anti-government corruption, anti-government abuse, anti-liberalism, etc. And I still am.

As FR became more and more popular, people started referring to it as a "conservative" web site and so eventually I posted the label to the front page. If it no longer applies, big deal. What's in a label? I'll change it to "Republican" if demand warrants.

I'm still anti-big government, anti-government corruption, anti-Democrat and anti-liberalism. I just happen to believe that in the current political environment we stand a better chance of defeating the left (liberalism/socialism/marxism, etc) by using the Republican Party to defeat the Democrats. The organization is there. The platform is there. The winning candidates are there. The dollars to run winning campaigns are there. The momentum is there. And the vast majority of the conservative voters are there.

Makes perfect sense to me. I want to defeat the left, and I want to do it as quickly as possible. I'll go with the organization that can get the job done.

My current goal is to defeat liberalism by defeating the Democrat Party. If that labels me a Republican, then so be it. If the vast majority of the FReepers want it so, then Free Republic will officially become the newest "Republican wing" of the Republican Party.

Long live Republicanism. Long live the Republic!'

What say you, FReepers?

[poet]

"So we become a little more liberal - so what? We can also become more conservative too as time goes bye"

Hmmm, In other words, you want to be "democrat lite" and engage in duplicity, lies and deceit? Is being unprincipled acceptable to you? What about integrity?

Obscene spending, entitlements, pay raises, but, only on a slightly smaller scale than dems?

Win at any costs? Be a little bit pregnant?
Are you saying that if someone has an R after their name
you will defend them even if their position is indefensible?
If you really mean what you wrote, how do you differ from the clintons, their apologists and the dems in general?

Would you really become more conservative if you achieved power? I think not Not if you start out with your premise.

Remember this truth: Organizations which are formed to protect individuals will forget their founding principles when push comes to shove, which is to say, the institution's survival becomes more important than the individuals.

I know this is not a perfect world, but, I do demand personal integrity in the people I support and I will hold them accountable for their policies.

Bottom line, either we are principled or we're not. The problem with your position is that your party would do piece meal what the dems would do in one fell swoop. I say the "piece meal" approach is much more dangerous.

Can anyonedefend this admin or either house as being conservative in view of their domestic policies since they've been in power?

You may commence your flames if you are so inclined.

[RightOnline]

I'm just to the right of Godzilla and have been a registered Republican for the majority of my life; even worked on a Republican Presidential campaign. I still vote 'no', Jim. There isn't a soul on this planet that wants liberalism destroyed more than I do..........but tying the site to a particular Party would be a bad idea, IMHO. Let's keep them ALL honest. As you said, right now the Republican Party is doing well, generally doing the right things, has some good leadership, etc. Will it be that way some years from now? Will they........whoever is in power within the Party.............stomp on our Constitution?

Like you, I chose the Republican Party because they more closely reflected my beliefs. I'm actually a Constitutionalist..........but 3rd parties who espouse constitutionalism lack adequate numbers or leadership to mount viable threats. It isn't that I'm particularly ecstatic with the Republicans right now, but they sure as hell beat the alternative.

Let's keep it conservative and independent. God bless.

[joesbucks]

I agree that I want to defeat rank liberalism and democrats in general. I also agree that with that being said, the republican party is the best vehicle for doing it. It doesn't mean that the Republican party is free from the sins that the liberals and democrats are guilty. And that's where I believe that FR is failing.....outing the wrongs that we seek to out on the liberals and democrats that seek to destroy our Republic but now seeming to protect republicans from the same scrutiny.

I am to the left of you politically, but not on the left. But I often dance very gingerly to avoid having a post pulled, a response zotted and an account suspended or terminated. There are times my voice isn't heard for fear of the aforementioned. I am not a troll, I am not a disruptor. But I can often divorce my opinion from the partisan view. I see the same groupthink here that I saw us accuse the Clinton supportors of doing. Some of that groupthink is perpetrated by the moderators. I see many articles that would be mind and value strengthing zotted because as written they support the left. But the article could have taught us the thought process of the left and how to best counter it. But we zot it for fear it may be seen as support rather than discussion. And often under the label of "well the article, post or poster is a democrat or liberal". Sad.

My posts never contain profanity, and often are not designed to provoke but rather invoke thought. Many conservatives and republicans are just as closed minded (and sometimes wrongly) as liberals and democrats.

I do believe there is a role for government, but not to the extent that it has become. As Paul Harvey says, self government without self restraint doesn't work. When self restraint doesn't come into play, then government must make rules to keep society secure from the predators working under the guise of capitalism. Attempts to regulate the buying of votes in our government has mandated us toward CFR. I don't think CFR is the answer in its present form, but when a person or group can buy a vote then we are in trouble. I've set in corporate executive offices when something that is not good for the public is being debated and the excutive gives the marching order of "you let him/her know how much we gave so if he/she wants MY continued $$ support they better vote my way'. That's wrong. The vote has attempted to have been bought. When it comes to access and sway of our elected critters, I and you should have the ability to discuss with our elected representatives our position. We should have the same access and sway as any person or group. Our reasoning should be able to convince that elected official to see our point of view, not our checkbook.

There's my soapbox. This is the best forum for political discussion. And there are times when the process has to be reined in or it will go out of control. I understand that. But the sensorship has made it seem that if it ain't pro Bush or pro republican, then it isn't worthy and could result in the ultimate zot. I sort of always thought that FR was created to route out government corruption and wrong doing at all levels, not just on the liberal side of the aisle.

[from occupied ga]

Since Republicans are only a little bit less liberal than Democrats and without the constant pressure from the real conservatives would become Democrat clones I'd say stay independent if you want to really promote conservatism. Look at Bush. There hasn't been a spending bill or a pork bill that he hasn't signed. He endorsed the extention of the henious Feinslime semi-auto ban. These are not the marks of a true conservative. Free Republic is a definite pressure on elected officials to move back to the Constitutional ideals envisioned by the founders. If you become officially Republican this pressure goes away. Just my opinion for what it's worth.

[.30Carbine]

If the vast majority of the FReepers want it so, then Free Republic will officially become the newest "Republican wing" of the Republican Party.

There ought to be some sort of FR Electoral College to protect against mob rule. ( ;

Jim, I'm a Vehmontah, I do what I wantah. When I first arrived here it seemed to me that FR was a Kingdom, not a Democracy. You are big-hearted man, and fair to fault, IMO. Remember what Honest Abe said about pleasing people. I understand and agree with your position that the way to restore our Free Republic politically is currently through the Republican Party. That doesn't mean we are "Republicans" however. You've written quite strongly in support of George Washington's position that party politics have sadly supplanted individual merit in elections for office in America. You have pointed out very matter of factly that winning through the two party system would not be your first choice, that it is left to you as a final choice.

I'm a mailman; that doesn't make me a "man." It's my job; it's what I do. Promoting and voting for Republicans does not make you a Republican - for your time in the voting booth it is your "job" and therefore your title, and in that sense alone does it fit. Perhaps Restorationist would fit as a better title than Republican for who you are - and for what Free Republic does. I see you as a Christian, Conservative, Constitutionalist; a contender and champion in what I call the Good Fight.

In FReeperdom you are King. Rule.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

You won't do it.

You're barely a Republican, yourself. You're just like so many conservatives, frustrated with the snail's pace of change, and thereby naturally gravitating towards the agents of whatever change there may be. But if thirty years of liberalism is to be rolled back, the pace of change must accelerate, and it certainly won't help if those egging change on -even if they do it in a 'whining" manner- are driven from FR. This place should be a refuge, for those who are outraged, by what the Left have done to America. Outrage drives change.

[rintense]

Nice post, Cindy.

If this board were mostly Republican, then most people would agree on almost every subject. But if anyone has been around FR in the past few days, they'd know that assumption simply isn't true. While many of us consider ourselves Republicans, many also vary wildly from various traditionally held Republican ideals and beliefs. And yes, some may be more liberal and more conservative. Since Republicanism has a conservative foundation, it's only natural that some would make the much-maligned connection between conservatism and being a Republican.

But, again, if everyone on this board believed the same things, what a boring place FR.com would be. And it certainly isn't boring, no matter how many people kick and scream their way out of here. For myself, I learn more when I read other freepers ideas, theories, etc- no matter which way they lean politically. And for those who seemingly want to label this site Republican, I highly encourage you to read more varied posts- because there are some brilliant thinkers on FR whose politically leanings are all over the map.

[NetValue]

Stay independent of political parties.
Retain the Conservative label.
Give better definition to "Conservative" as:

(Government) Small government is better government;
(Life) Abortion is a crime against humanity;
(Taxes) You earned it, you spend it;
(Constitution) The Constitution is correct AS WRITTEN;
(War)Some things ARE worth fighting for;
(Politics) America first.
(State governments) See 10th Amendment.

Thanks for asking.

[KneelBeforeZod]

I was mostly liberal until I went to college and saw people scamming the gubment. Using financial aid to buy cars,etc...

[Psalm 73]

Republican Vs Democrat is too general:
Although I'm registered Republican, I would vote for Democrat Zell Miller over Republican Lincoln Chaffee any day.
Sure, Republicans are more likely to be conservative, but I hate to be pigeon-holed.

[KneelBeforeZod]

what surprises me is the endless attacks on liberal orginzaions but no one has ever talked about the unitarians. Talk about liberal!!

they are in under the radar, and extremely well organized.

[Miss Marple]

I don't think that FR is "too Republican", and I have the singed clothing to prove it. :-)

Although I am a Republican and appreciate all the help we can get, I would caution against an official affiliation with the party. The site would become a large target for the DNC and its minions, the Republicans would be tarred with every nutball that manages to register and post something inflammatory, and the site would sometimes find itself aligned with a policy that perhaps not all would support.

It is your site, however, so this is only my two cents and not worth much more than that.

Thanks again for all you do. You are a hero in my book!

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

I vote nay.

[Night Hides Not]

Although I'm registered Republican, I would vote for Democrat Zell Miller over Republican Lincoln Chaffee any day.

Good thing I haven't eaten breakfast yet! What a terrible choice to have to consider. Don't forget...Zell, although a conservative Democrat, is still a Democrat.

Deciding which of these is better, conservative Democrat, or liberal Republican is like asking, 'If you were swimming in a river of urine, and somebody through a bucket of pus at you, would you duck?'

Now I'm really glad I haven't eaten breakfast! And I do apologize for lowering the level of discourse on the subject.

[Jonah Hex]

What say you, FReepers?

I say, I like FR just the way it is.

[TigersEye]

There's only one game in town. We have to play it.

Well, I want to defeat liberalism, and not only defeat it, but drive a stake through it's cold, dead heart.

That's it! When that beast is dead then we can talk new parties. I wouldn't label this site Republican though. Ignore the whiners. Nothing pisses off a whiner more.

[KeyWest]

We are fortunate today that we have a pub President who is a winner and close to the values of FR. But that might not be after he leaves office.

Parties change. There are dems I would vote for and who have the courage to buck their party. There are RINO's in my state who vote for all that I am against.

Plus, by affiliation, we are in danger of becoming a tool of the pubs. As a "conservative web site" were are independent and true to that designation.

Finally, what good does it do? Does it make anything better? Now, we fight over conservative issues. If we are a Pub web site, does that help or hinder discussion? I say hinder. Does it help or hinder the pubs. I say hinder (think du).

So leave your creation as is. It is a creature of its own spirit and has evolved by itself since I came on board in 98. It will grow in its own way.

[Timeout]

"Ditto" to what Miss Marple said.

We know who we are. The Republican Party knows who we are. The Dims are on the ropes in many ways and the media is changing...slowly, but it's changing.

Rush isn't "officially" affiliated and look at all he's accomplished. Let's stay unattached.

[IronKros]

nay

[Centaur]

You can't have the chickens guarding the hen house. You need a good ole farm dog to keep the fox honest, dontcha' know?

The republic and its founding principles are safer with FR, independently, "on guard".