I’m No Republican…
I wrote a blog a while ago talking about “Republicanism.” To basically sum it up very shortly I asked what republicans stand for in their beliefs. I still have no idea. However, the fight seems to continue. I’m voting for John McCain, but I’m also being intellectually honest about how I feel regarding his candidacy for President of the United States in the party that I most identify with in my beliefs. However, some “republicans” take issue with the fact that I still don’t line up with their thinking in completely getting behind McCain rather than just being terrified of an Obama Presidency. I mean that basically is why I am voting for McCain in the first place is because the other option is just something I don’t even want to think about in the short term.
So I’ve been questioned about my loyalty to the Republican Party. I’ve been asked “aren’t you a Republican?” and “Aren’t you loyal to the party?” I went on to think about it for a while and I came to the conclusion that no I’m not. I’m not just blindly loyal to the Republican Party. I have my set of beliefs and principles and as I said earlier right now the Republicans are the ones I most identify with, but if we are moving towards the center I decided I have two options. I can either sit back and just leave the party(and I have thought about that believe me) or I can get involved and give conservatism another voice. After careful deliberation I decided the latter of the two was the best option because I refuse to sit by and watch moderates decide my choices for me or at least decide my choices without me getting a word in the conversation.
So I went and joined the republican party here in Florida. I don’t mean I registered to vote I mean I actually joined the party and am attending committee meetings. I have to say it was at that point I came to the realization that these people don’t understand how to fight socialism, but I won’t stray into the details of that until later blogs because I don’t want to get off point. I am only a Republican as long as they keep to conservative values. However I have to say that if the democrat platform drastically changes to:
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Limited Federal Government
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States Rights
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Individual Liberty
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Less Government Programs
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Lower Taxes or Tax Reform in general
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Pro Growth Economics
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Free Market Solutions
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Defense of the sanctity of Marriage and Life
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Originalists Justices
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Strong National Defense
Along with some other things then guess what? I’m re-registering as a Democrat so how can I rightfully call myself a Republican or be beholden to the party in general? I mean John McCain is one thing, but imagine if the candidate were Olympia Snowe or Arlen Specter? Would these Republicans be saying the same thing? Just support the Republican Party? It’s thoughts like these that make me believe that these Republican followers simply have no values at all. So my values have led me to believe that no I’m no Republican, but I fight for conservative values within the party that gives us the best chance.
I know this may seem such a bland conclusion to come to, but just to get a little personal here let me just say that I used to have a very liberal mindset before I was at all educated. I’m 24 years old and only about 4-5 years ago I had no idea about politics or political philosophy. I used to really be behind everything republicans did as I started on my venture into right-leaning politics and now as I know more and more republican people I feel like I’m passing a lot of them as they still just sit back and do whatever the republicans say and will defend their actions to the end. They now scold people like me for having values that I believe in with all of my heart and mind. I love to talk with many of the people I’ve met here on myspace that I feel are true conservatives because we care about real issues not walking party lines. I guess that’s why more and more I realize I try to be a conservative voice within the party rather than a Republican myself.
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The Republican Party is what it’s members want it to be. They work to get people that are like minded elected to office. Conservatism is a philosophy. There are many people who would fit your definition of conservative that are in the Republican Party. There are others that may be more like McCain. But we all work together to get people actually elected who are generally more conservative.
There is no “Conservative” Party. There is no “Liberal” Party. There are Republicans and Democrats that put in the work and raise the money and actually get people in office.
You, are of course entitled to your definition of “true conservatism”. And I’m glad you are attending meetings and working for the things you believe in. But the party has gone through the process and has decided that McCain is the nominee this year. I would encourage you to work hard and get people in leadership positions that agree with you. That is how you change the direction of the party.
I suggest that this is the most effective way to actually make change in government. Simply saying you are a conservative and talking about things is nice…and fun…and challenging. But it is not a very effective way to actually change the way our government looks.
J4, with all due respect you just acknowledged that I’m working in the party and then at the same time you’re implying I just sit around and write. Which is it?
I would love to discuss conservatism with you sometime, though.
We can discuss conservatism, but it really has little to do with Republicanism. The Republican party is in place to do the work to get people elected.
And I wasn’t implying that all you do is write. If I gave that impression, I apologize. I was referring to the talking heads that really do nothing but talk. They are currently whining and moaning about McCain…people like Ann Coulter, who I have lost all respect for. I’m sure you see her as a “pure conservative”. I see her as a bomb thrower. She is one of the reasons people have left the Republican Party and why young people are begging for “change’ and rushing to Obama.
My point is, it’s one thing to run for office. It’s another to sit on the radio and talk. It’s on thing to govern and another to talk about governing.
Actually it’s the difference between Obama and McCain. One has done it for years..the other has no experience at all, but can talk in vague generalities that sound “pretty”.
Well I apologize for misunderstanding what you were saying.
I actually used to like Ann Coulter, but she is becoming more and more irrelevent as time goes on. It’s a shame because she actually is very intelligent.
See that’s the difference between you and I. I think Mitt Romney was EASILY the most qualified and he was only a governor for 4 years, but had 30 years of REAL private sector experience and good exerpience at that. McCain has been a Senator for 20 years. To me that doesn’t make you automatically qualified to be President. More qualified than Obama? Yes, I agree on that one. These guys that do radio KNOW the people who govern and talk with them frequently. Rush Limbaugh gets invited personally to the White House just to have dinner and cigars with the President. So tell me again these guys have no idea what they are talking about.
Not only that, but people who GOVERN are criticizing the way McCain governs. It’s an irrelvent argument as far as I’m concerned. It’s not just coming from talk radio or pundits. It’s coming from people whom have led in government as well.
Oh…I think the radio and tv and internet pundents know a lot and know exactly what they are doing. But that is precisely the point. They can say anything about anyone and not worry about getting legislation passed or getting re-elected. People like Rush are the attack dogs that rally the party faithful and say things no politician could ever say.
That is the difference. They could never hold office.
Well they would have to put it in nicer context for sure, but they definitely could get elected and say certain things that they are saying now. Bobby Jindell, Tom Feeney, Newt Gingrich, Ronald Reagan are examples.
Why don’t you two get a room, then you can practice Repulicanism.
Sorry for the late comment on this post, but I felt it was important to say how much I appreciated your perspectives.
I hope your efforts prove to be fruitful.