Posted on 02/21/2010 12:51:59 AM PST by americanophile
It took only the single tap of a computer key, and just like that I'd exited the Republican Party after 30 years of active membership. The context might sound impulsive, but I'd been thinking of becoming an independent for a long time. I just hadn't expected that a trip to renew my driver's license would mark the end. Just before my photo was snapped, I was asked if I wanted to register to vote. For me, the question was borderline offensive. I first registered after turning 18 in the spring of 1980 and haven't missed an election since. And I'm not just talking presidential races. I mean all elections. Congress, town council, school board, whatever.
"I'm already registered," I offered. Next came the unexpected question of whether I wished to change my political affiliation. I'm not sure why that is asked of someone renewing a driver's license, and I question whether it is even appropriate for most. But in my case, it was the only impetus I needed.
Years ago, I grew tired of having my television or radio introduction accompanied by a label, with some implied expectation that what would then come from my mouth were the party talking points. That was me 26 years ago, when I was the youngest elected member of the state delegation to the Republican National Convention, but not today. I'm not sure if I left the Republican Party or the party left me. All I know is that I no longer feel comfortable.
The national GOP is a party of exclusion and litmus tests, dominated on social issues by the religious right, with zero discernible outreach by the national party to anyone who doesn't fit neatly within its parameters.
(Excerpt) Read more at philly.com ...
Here’s the point: The GOP has been coopted by the demrat party. Thus, there is no longer a second opposition party in America. It is inevitable that something will happen to fill that vacuum. Indeed something already has—The Tea Party movement. Whether that movement evolves and becomes a new opposition party, the movement is a catalyst for a new second opposition party or forces conservative leadership on the GOP is not clear now. However, IMHO wresting the GOP from the RINOs and their demrat handlers is a long shot.
One thing is very clear to me. Continuing to support the RINO-led GOP and the RINO candidates it runs does nothing to advance conservatism. In fact, it is self defeating.
Thus, I will not no longer vote for RINO candidates. And to make sure the GOP gets it, I have reregistered as an Indie.
That isn’t quitting anything. It is called using my vote to drive toward a result. My vote is not intended to keep the GOP in power. I vote to elect conservatives to political office. If the GOP won’t support conservatives then I won’t support the GOP.
Last I checked, Libertarians are in favor of abolishing as much government as possible, including the income tax, the Federal Reserve, and the entire fractional reserve banking apparatus that keeps otherwise free citizens in perpetual and unpayable debt.
As for these other issues, individuals and families and churches need to deal with that kind of stuff, not government. The government can do very little right, and what they can do isn’t done with much efficiency or effectiveness.
Blaming the voter is a loser's excuse.
And the principle that honorable American soldiers have fought for is individual freedom, not the right to vote. Iraqis under Saddam Hussein had the right to vote. Some elections in the US are shams, where regardless of Frick or Frack getting the office, the office keeps its thumb on the people.
Exactly- thus the ‘revolution’ in 94 that went nowhere.
You’re obviously a misinformed slut chasing crackhead. What are you doing on FR? ;)
crack is for losers.........I prefer heroin..:)
LLS
Huh? You mean the party of gay caballeros, multiculturalism and open borders?
oh sorry. Didn’t mean to lump you in with the ‘loser’ class of drug addicts!
buh bye!
good luck finding that squishy center that is impressed by candidates who talk like conservatives and vote like liberals!
Leaving?!!! The Republican party thanks you!
Leaving?!!! The Republican party thanks you!
I heard this infiltrator once and he sounded like a reincarnation of Lord Haw-Haw.
He may be a talk show host,but, if he backs or backed obama, he is not a Conservative.
I have never been asked for part aff. when I registered to vote. I suspect that it was asked the civil rights crowd would have raised hell a long time ago, maybe made un-constitional.
Worth repeating.
B.S.
A voter who throws a tantrum and refuses to vote can kiss my patriotic rear. Move to a country where you don't have to bother.
Making choices sometimes sucks, but that's what real citizens do. They make choices, even hard ones. Even sucky ones.
A true, patriotic citizen does NOT sit in the corner and pout because he doesn't LIKE the choices presented to him!
I have a friend that is registered D and her husband is registered R that way they get to participate in both primary elections. We kid her all the time that she is a registered Democrat. But she knows what is coming down the pike before any of us R's do.
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