"Okay here is a question for any Freepers who would like to answer. I am a Conservative and hold my nose and vote Republican only because I don't see that I have much of a choice. I agree with basically everything said in this piece, but I have already voted and voted straight Republican except for our worthless, but unopposed Rep. Senator."
The answer to your question is simple: There is more to politics than voting. Activism, media, lobbying, supporting pressure groups that support your causes, etc. Those are the things to do to advance conservative values.
It doesnt happen on its own, and it will NEVER happen if the Democrats, hostile to conservatives 100% take control.
For example, I've supported "Club for Growth" which has taken on RINOs in primary races, and in many cases, won.
We took out a RINO in Michigan this year, almost took down Chafee (who now will be replaced by equally liberal Democrat, no big loss there).
"Here locally we have a congressional candidate running who is a pretty good pick for a rather liberal district and would be replacing a total waste of vote Liberal, Socialist straight party incumbent, but since he defeated the party's pick in the primary they are doing nothing to support him. I have to believe that is the norm nationwide when you buck the party, which is definitely not conservative ideologically. So I am asking where do conservatives go and what do they do?"
Er, WHY DONT YOU HELP HIM!?!? Give money directly to *conservative* republicans. Walk the block, make phone calls, whatever it takes. ... what his name btw, is he the one going up against Julia Carson? Last i heard the race was close!
"I want to know what a person who is a small government, pro-life, pro-gun, fiscal conservative, who is strong on national security but can see the flaws in our Iraq policy supposed to do."
You've just described most freepers ... no, most Republicans. The voting booth is a blunt instrument... more surgical ways of getting your message to the Republican leadership are avaialable by picking up the pen, the phone, or sending other forms of communication.
Thank you for your response. I agree with everything you say for the most part, but take issue with the attitude that many have that those of us complaining just sit at home and whine all day.
I am also a memeber of Club For Growth and have given time and money to support conservative candidates here locally and in national elections including door to door get out the vote work.
I am not in Eric's(Dickerson like the football player) district but I have given to his campaign and talked him up to as many people as I know who are(by the way I was good friend of the party pick and I am glad he didn't get the nomination). And yes the race is close, but with the voter fraud that Miss Julia can bring to bear on election day she will be hard to beat. The precincts from her fiefdom are always the last to report and they always have just enough vote to carry the day.
I have written many emails and letter to the party leadership here in Indiana and at the national level, but haven't seen much for my efforts.
I agree that a glass half empty is better than a glass full of Democrats and that is why I already voted R. However, that doesn't change the fact that I don't like the direction the party is headed and feel I have the right to voice that option without, and I am not including your response in this, opening myself up to ridicule on a supposedly conservative website.
And I question your appraisal of the number of small government conservatives there are in the Republican party or on FR. At one time I might have agreed with the FR assessment, but it is hard to be a proud Bushbot and a small government conservative at the same time and I think the former out number the latter on this site by quite a bit anymore.