I registered to vote at age 18, with the GOP as my party affiliation. That was in 1975. From then until 2002, I voted pretty much a straight Republican ticket. I did keep an open mind and cast an occasional vote for a Democrat. For the most part, I liked the Republican party. I liked their philosophy. I liked their ideals. Fiscal responsibility, small government, individual responsibility, and personal rights all sounded good to me.
I was raised by parents, and surrounded by friends, who were mostly Democrats. But I remained a proud member of the GOP. As I aged, though, I began to feel myself drift from my party. Take personal rights, for example. As I matured and learned more about life, I began to understand the Republican list of individual rights they supported was a very limited one, with the right to bear arms chief among them. No problem with gun ownership from me. I've owned and shot many guns - for sport, and for national security (I was a member of my ship's defense team in the Navy).
But other individual rights that the GOP supports are few. They seem to want to define what you have a right to do or not. I think they often confuse the word "right" (the freedom to do a thing) with the word "right" (a morally correct thing). The problem is, our government is only allowed to define what is legal, not what is moral. Individual rights have nothing to do with what you think is right or wrong. You, and I, should be able to make our own choices within the law, without the worry of being labeled righteous or evil. You do your thing, I'll do mine.
Beyond that, the GOP has been hijacked by the most conservative "wing" of their party. That led to my conversion to the Democratic party. I found I was no longer able to identify with my party.
The old GOP ideals are long gone. There are no more moderates; the big tent has collapsed. There is an exodus from the Republican party, and if it goes on unabated, it will become the party of Gingrich, Cheney, and Limbaugh, with few others allowed or welcome.
I like to speak and think in simple terms. So for me, it comes down to this: The GOP wants us all to think and do as they think and do. Anything else is either immoral or unpatriotic. The Democrats want us all to be free to do what we wish within the law, and yes, where necessary to change the laws which keep some of us from being as free as others.
There are good and respectable Republicans that I like, such as Colin Powell and Joe Scarborough. They have good old fashioned GOP ideals. But they don't have what is becoming more and more commonplace among their peers: a "holier than thou" attitude.
I'm a Democrat now. And I just don't see what's so Grand about the Grand Old Party anymore.
May 11, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
2 comments:
In 1975 I regestered to vote as a Democrat same as my parants. In fact in the Democratic primary of 1976 I proudly walked across the street to polls which were located 200 feet from my house. I then stepped into the empty garage and voted for George Wallace. Yes it was a wasted vote as he had pulled out of the race by then, but he was still on the ballot. I did it I think just so I could tell everyone I voted for him. So there... I voted for George Wallace in my first primary election. Since that time I have voted mainly for Republican Presidents and Democratic Senators and Congressmen. I still have nightmares as to what Jimmy Carter did to us in the military.
I too love the right to bare arms and have several. I have fired everything from a 45 cal pistol to an M60 machine gun, hand grenade and a LAW. Nothing outside of ravishing a cheerleader or a Nun comes as close to the power of pulling the trigger. However in my old age I have become a very Blue or Yellow Dog Democrate and swore in 1994 that I would never vote for another Republican again for anything. And to this day I have kept that word.
The only thing they have to offer me is gun rights, everything else is for other folks who are rich, not folks like me. There some republicans who were not too bad, Arlon Spector, Ted Stevens (despite his troubles) and even John McCain. However I will go to my grave never having voted for another one again. The GOP is done with, this last election was their Waterloo. Maybe the Whig party will revive itself. I am just too old to be told what to do and believe anymore. So I which Obama all the luck in the world.
Lanny
Noticed that both of you prominently mentioned the 'right' to bear arms. I still believe the Founding Fathers meant it to be a 'collective' not an 'individual' right ... & so did the US Supreme Court - until a year or so ago.
Which goes to show what the Republicans really stand for: they're for 'limited' government & judges showing restraint & deference (sp?) until it suits them.
What's the word for that ... oh, yeah - hypocrites.
I am what I've always been - a 'New Deal Democrat'.
Kevin
Post a Comment
You are welcome to leave comments. But please be polite. All comments are immediately published, but I do review them, and reserve the right to remove rude or vulgar comments.