Replies

Well it seems as if you and others must have an itch in your jeans.

Did I suggest you leave the party? Nope. I think it is just peachy keen that you have made the choice to stay with the GOP and be one of the "NEW BASE" of pragmatists.

I don't have any suggestions for you nor the GOP. I am not a member, these days. Gave them 32 years of loyal support and when I decided I could no longer loyally support the pragmatic approach to governance that leaves principles in the gutter, I left. That was my solution, and of course the door didn't hit me on the butt on the way out. And my friend you are absolutely able to make those decisions for yourself without my thoughts. The party while being the only party in viable opposition to the liberal wing of the other party keeps fielding candidates that don't support the same conservative (fidelity to the Constitution) agenda I happen to believe in and support. I sure hope you are not saying anyone has to belong to a "party", regardless on how they feel about principle to take part in our system of governance. If so then the re-education of the American electorate has deteriorated further than even I had suspected.

I still vote, as I have in every election since 1968. I would say that GOP candidates would still get my vote in the future as I am not a supporter of the Third Party way, but I could be convinced to change my view on that if the GOP continues to field candidates that talk the talk, but once elected somehow forget how to walk the walk.

Let me ask you a question, if I may. Why is it that so many still loyal to the "party" get so exercised with those of us who left? Other than the volunteer work I have done in the past and the small financial contributions I gave to the "party" from time to time, the party isn't suffering at all by my departure, is it? And given that I still vote primarily for GOP candidates on election day, why is it that I and others are somehow painted to be disloyal to the conservative cause by stating we don't believe the GOP any longer cares or acts on the defining conservative issues?

The reason we get upset is because we need people like you in the party. Your thoughts and ideas are important to the rank and file members, belive it or not. I'm a young Republican and I know I'm pretty head strong so I need the elder republicans around who remember what the Party used to be and Stood for. I and others like me need you to be there when we fall by the wayside. It's like a family in that way and when the parents leave there are no substitutes for that lost knowledge. I hat sounding like that makes me feel like Mr. Ponytail guy who asked Clinton to treat as if we were his children and how could he help us poor slobs. The truth is though if people like you leave the Republican Party there is a great loss of leadership and that hurts. This is a grass roots party and you do make a difference.

Let me ask you a question, if I may. Why is it that so many still loyal to the "party" get so exercised with those of us who left? Other than the volunteer work I have done in the past and the small financial contributions I gave to the "party" from time to time, the party isn't suffering at all by my departure, is it?

Though the question wasn't directed to me, I appreciate you asking it. You are correct, the GOP has proved they don't need me, my vote, my time or my money, so why all the guff when I write on a public board that I'm through being made to feel the fool?