Skip to comments.
A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....08-08-03....Pippin's Thoughts ~ "Confessions of an Ex-Democrat"
Mama_Bear; Pippin | Pippin
Posted on 08/08/2003 5:38:47 AM PDT by Mama_Bear
A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day
Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997. Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.
A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.
On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY
If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.
We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine ~
|
|
|
|
|
Confessions of an Ex-Democrat
I recently read a thread on Free Republic about an ex-democrat who didnt leave the party so much as the Democratic Party left them!
Well, this is how I feel at times. Let me explain......
Back in the mid to late 70s when I was a teenager, Watergate was going full swing and dominating our television viewing. Oh, I can remember when, during the hearings, the soaps and other daytime programs would be pre-empted for coverage that seemed to go on for decades. Im afraid that did not put the GOP in a good light for me, or with many others of my age group. As far as I could tell, the Republican Party seemed to be made up of grumpy old men and crooks.
My dad was a staunch Republican, I certainly didnt think he was a crook, but I thought he was misguided at least! In a fit of rebelliousness I registered to vote as an Independent as I didnt want to be associated with either the Democrats, who I was suspicious of, or the Republicans as I had grown tired of them in power. So, in 1976, which was the first presidential election in which I was eligible to vote, I had already decided I was not going to vote for Ford (boy, what a mistake that was!). I was going for either the Independent or the Democrat running against him.
I was as surprised as the rest of the country when Jimmy Carter won the Primary Election to become the Democratic candidate for the 76 race. Realizing that I could not vote in a primary election unless I was a member of a major party, I registered as a Democrat to vote for Carter. I was just so glad to have someone I hadnt seen or heard of before get a chance to right some of the wrongs this country had been experiencing (remember, I was growing up in a very liberal state and had become thoroughly brainwashed).
I started to work on Carters campaign as well as the campaigns of others for lesser offices. I even went door to door campaigning with the wife of one of the candidates running for the state senate. He lost but I had fun campaigning. Those were the good old days, before the Internet, and when it still was okay to be outside walking around and not have to worry if the next house we came to had an axe-murderer or a pervert or a terrorist living there.
At the time I wasnt thinking about what my personal political views were, I just knew what I liked and what I didnt like. I was very naive and I thought these Democrats were really fun people to be around, I didnt know until much later about their views on issues such as abortion or gun control or anything else. I just knew I was against abortion and for the right to own guns. The exact opposite of the Democratic Party views. In fact, I had someone comment to me one day that I sounded too conservative to be a Democrat. I didnt think much about the comment, but I guess I kind of held to it in the back of my mind.
As for President Carter, I was really excited about the fact that the first time I voted in an election I voted for the winner! I purposely stayed home to watch his inauguration, as I wanted to see how my vote counted.
I ignored the fact that many people did not feel the same way about him as I did. I guess I wasnt thinking about the oil shortage or the gas crisis or embargoes or stuff like that, because in 1980 I worked on Carters re-election committee. I really thought he would win, but there were the hostages in Iran among a whole slew of other problems. And Reagan was very popular, he seemed to bring hope to a lot of people. But, all I could think of was myself at the time and I felt if Carter were to lose that would somehow mean I was a bad voter and I voted for a bad President.
Im afraid that is what I thought; do you know that I boycotted President Reagan the first year he was in office? But I was stunned and horrified when someone actually tried to assassinate him! Thats when I started to think, how dare anyone try to harm my President! I guess I was starting to see the Democrats for what they were. I started to see folks like Reagan and others as the good, decent, America-lovers that they truly were.
Still, I was enthralled with the Democrats and thought they had some redeeming qualities. In fact, when Carter had lost the election in 1980 to Ronald Reagan we all cried and kept saying in 1984 well be ready for Teddy, meaning Senator Ted Kennedy, who, by the way, I did not care for much. I though he was an arrogant fool. He still is!
What really steered me in the right direction (pun intended) was the 1992 election and the aftermath. Yes, being the dutiful little dim I voted for Clinton, and oh how I rue the day! I was going to vote for Bush Sr. but I remembered the 1984 election when I had voted a split ticket and got balled out by other Democrats. They told me I should always vote the party line. So like a zombie, I followed the leader and drank their Kool-Aid!
Not long after 1992 election, I regretted my vote. I no longer felt like a failed voter if the guy I voted for lost re-election, but I still felt like a bad American and a bad voter for voting the way I did this time. I think that was about the time I started seriously considering re-registering as a Republican.
I remember when I went to vote in 1996, I think that was the first time I voted for a Republican presidential candidate. It was then that I asked the election judge working at the polls if I could register as a Republican. She told me I could, however it would be too late for me to vote as a Republican in the 1996 election. But, by the time I got to vote in the state election, I was voting as a Republican. I remember everyone I knew thinking I had lost my mind. But I think I had finally come to my senses!
I dont need to tell you who I voted for in 2000! And Im glad I did! I am proud of my President for the first time since 1974!
God Bless George W. Bush with four more years as our President!
____________________
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks, Mixer!
1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar. 2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up. 3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit. 4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it. 5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer
|
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: democrat; freepers; friends; fun; military; presidentbush; profiles; surpises; veterans; vote
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 161-180, 181-200, 201-220 ... 301-314 next last
To: ST.LOUIE1
Gulp! lots of 'leg' showing there, fuzzy. I like it! LOL Well, thank you, sir wolf. But I'm thinkin' I could use a bit of sun, quite white I am. LOL
181
posted on
08/08/2003 10:52:39 AM PDT
by
Mama_Bear
(aka: Lori)
To: FreeTheHostages; Billie; ST.LOUIE1
I confess: I once voted for Jimmy Carter!
I don't want to go there... ;)
Hi Billie, yes our FReep was great and I pinged you to the after report/photo thread. (Didn't I?) ** Thanks Louie, blush **
To: FreeTheHostages; The Thin Man; Mama_Bear; Pippin; Billie
"Never hate him: remember, we become what we despite. Always love him anyway. As Maggie would have us do." Oh, goody!!
See, Thinny - told ya I could swing them around to seeing into your wonderful heart..:))
Freezie has seen the light! Yippee-ki-yi-ayyy!!
(cringing, though, at the error in your statement, Freezie, he is certain to spot!!)
183
posted on
08/08/2003 10:54:19 AM PDT
by
LadyX
(( To God be the Glory ))
To: Mama_Bear
184
posted on
08/08/2003 10:55:33 AM PDT
by
MeekOneGOP
(Bu-bye Dixie Chimps! / Coming Soon !: Freeper site on Comcast. Found the URL. Gotta fix it now.)
To: Mama_Bear
So glad you used that picture, Lori..:))
You know how I love finding things for your and jkphoto's Photo Album!
It was so you, svelte and alluring..:))
185
posted on
08/08/2003 10:58:50 AM PDT
by
LadyX
(( To God be the Glory ))
To: LadyX; The Thin Man
I've always seen the light!
TTM is just swell! IMO! :O)
186
posted on
08/08/2003 11:04:37 AM PDT
by
Pippin
(Bush/Cheney in '04)
To: dixie sass
Thank you, kindly, Miss Dixie (tipping my Stetson, bowing...)
187
posted on
08/08/2003 11:09:00 AM PDT
by
jwfiv
To: dixie sass; jwfiv
"Why, Mr. jwfiv, you are just (fluttering fan) just the nicest gentleman to say that!" Why, kuzzin dixie - ah do declah - jw would be great escortin' us Southern Ladies to lunch in Charleston..:))
188
posted on
08/08/2003 11:11:16 AM PDT
by
LadyX
(( To God be the Glory ))
To: LadyX
Charmed indeed, I am by thee and the beautiful photo...looks like what I saw in Colorado a couple of weeks ago.
Thank you...)
I hope you're feeling well and good this fine day...
... ((( Maggie )))
189
posted on
08/08/2003 11:16:48 AM PDT
by
jwfiv
To: The Thin Man; Billie; LadyX; ST.LOUIE1; dixie sass; SassyMom; kneezles; Libertina; Mama_Bear; ...
WELL......
I'm off from work in about 20 minutes! YAY!
I'll be on vacation for two weeks from the 11th till the 25th of August. The two weeks of not having to be concerned about work is OKAY but......two week without freeping! YIKES!
I hope to be getting that new modem BEFORE I get back to work,but, my Brother-in-law and sister don't seem to see the need to hurry (they're on vacation for a week) they said they'll get the modem after they get back from thier vacation, that could mean anywhere from the week after next or another month!
BOY DO I HATE NOT BEING ABLE TO COME TO FR FOR THAT LENGTH OF TIME!!!! GRRRRR!
OH! WELL! I'll write up another of my "thoughts" in the mean time, I guess this'll be my September contribution. maybe it'll be my thoughts at the second anniversary if 9/11. I have more to say about that. So, I hope everyone has a nice rest of the summer, I'll "SEEYA" on the 25th of August! :O)
Love YA all!
190
posted on
08/08/2003 11:18:24 AM PDT
by
Pippin
(Bush/Cheney in '04)
To: LadyX
LOL, the error was on purpose, silly! It was a despecable thing to do. Seriesly.
To: jwfiv
JW, I meant to ping you to my post at 190. :O)
192
posted on
08/08/2003 11:19:24 AM PDT
by
Pippin
(Bush/Cheney in '04)
To: ST.LOUIE1
L-O-O-O-O-EEEEEEEE !
However could I have failed to acknowledge your
awesome presence in The Finest Room?!!
193
posted on
08/08/2003 11:19:53 AM PDT
by
LadyX
(( To God be the Glory ))
To: Pippin; Billie
I'm off from work in about 20 minutes! YAY!
Enjoy your time off! And I'll give you a special Freeper's Finest Hall pass which shall excuse your absence. :) The passes are cute. They have a picture of a half-wolf/half-puppy on them, curiously.
To: FreeTheHostages
Thanks Free! :O)
195
posted on
08/08/2003 11:21:01 AM PDT
by
Pippin
(Bush/Cheney in '04)
To: Pippin
I'm off from work in about 20 minutes! YAY! I'll be on vacation for two weeks from the 11th till the 25th of August. Have a wonderful and restful vacation, Pip. See ya' when you get back, if not before. :-)
196
posted on
08/08/2003 11:21:36 AM PDT
by
Mama_Bear
(aka: Lori)
To: dixie sass
LOL, well, culturally I've always been conservative. I think there's too much sex and violence on TV, etc. And I'm religious and don't discriminate against religious people of course. And I believe in judging people based on merit, not their gender or the color of their skin.
BUT I loved President Carter's emphasis on values. I really did. Psst: I'll tell you a little secret. Even now, realizing he is was a not very good at all President, bordering on rotten, I still admire his focus on the moral aspect of being an American. I still liked the First Lady. I really admire him more than I should, even now!
To: MeeknMing
I have to play with it a little more. Did you make the tombstone? How did you get those fonts?
198
posted on
08/08/2003 11:23:37 AM PDT
by
Calpernia
(Innocence seldom utters outraged shrieks. Guilt does.)
To: FreeTheHostages; The Thin Man; jwfiv
It is HUGH of yew to let me in on the secrit, Freezie..:))
I mean, we wimmin have to stick together sometimes and do those liddle intrestin' things that baffle the mail minds..:))
(Yeah - blow 'em to smithereens!!
Hey - yew are bringin' out the wurst in me..(:>( )
199
posted on
08/08/2003 11:25:37 AM PDT
by
LadyX
(( To God be the Glory ))
To: JulieRNR21
These are for you, since you're always giving us the nicest graphics!
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 161-180, 181-200, 201-220 ... 301-314 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson