The sorry state of the Republican Party

[x-g.o.p.er]

I write this post with a heavy heart. Everything I thought was right wasn't. What seemed noble has become a tragedy, and questioning what is going on is now deemed un-American. My former party is a mess, run by a cabal of ideolgues who must be voted out of power before they can do irreversible damage. What has been done so far has been tragic, terribly tragic, but America's course can still be steered away from the rocks ahead. I am sorry I didn't see it before, but I guess late is better than never. I sometimes think I made a mistake switching parties, not because I regret doing so, but because I might have made more of a difference fighting to change the system from within, to try and restore sanity to what is quickly becoming far right-wing madness. But then I think that it is too far gone, and nothing can save what was once a great political party filled with mostly good, decent people. Unfortunately, those folks have been drowned out by extremists who will not tolerate open debate on much of anything.

But I have made my bed, and I gladly lay in it, because I will still fight to change what has happened, just from this side of the fence, because the Democratic Party is also filled with good, decent people who want what is best for their country. As much as Republicans and Democrats disagree, I think it can be agreed by all that a healthy two-party (or multi-party) system that is filled with spirited but respectful political debate is the best for this grand Republic.

I watched with grotesque fascination the GWB interview with Tim Russert. How woefully unprepared the president was to answer basic questions, and how inept he really seemed. What was inspiring four years ago is now painfully embarrassing to view. The emperor truly has no clothes, and no spin can put a positive face on this disaster of an interview, or this disaster of a presidency.

To my fellow, but life-long Democrats, I say fear not. The ranks of dissatisfied Republicans swell each time Pres Bush opens his mouth and offers either another lame excuse to explain away the lack of WMD or to propose some monstrous spending plan that will bankrupt our country. However, with the way the media spin machine moves, I would not yet say that it was time to put a fork in this presidency. It's not yet done, but close.

Keep up the pressure, fight the good fight, and get people to see the light one person at a time, one issue at a time, one vote at a time.

And thanks again for your warm welcome. You all make me feel that there is still hope.

[UrbScotty]

1. There is always Hope.

There are many Republicans who are not sure about voting for Bush. We have nine months to nudge them to our side.

Let's do it!

[WillyBrandt]

2. Thank you: No, I don't mind the two-party system

I think it's a fine thing that there be a conservative party, and a liberal party, and that now and then power shall switch between the two. My problem is that one party--the GOP--is dominated not by sane conservatives who are the political opponents of sane liberals, but is instead run by insane ideologues who are opposed to any sanity whatsoever.

You made the right choice. There is nothing you could do within the GOP. The few GOP senators and congresspersons of conscience are steamrolled. The moderates are scorned as worse than Democrats: they are traitors from within. (O'Neill, Whitman, Snowe, etc.)

Welcome. While we at DU are certainly on the Left side of the Party, it's a big tent. A basic sanity, a desire for freedom, and a sense that all should have a life with simple decency and material/personal dignity is the only entrance requirement.

You're among friends.

[fearnobush]

3. Me Too, Once a proud Republican.

Me too - a catholic, conservative on personal choice issues, but liberal on social issues. I grew extreamly distasteful of the parties Waco religious right. Everyone ought to wright the press on what Greg Palest found out about Pat Robertson. He's a total fraud. <http://www.gregpalast.com/columns.cfm?subject_id=13&subject_name=Pat%20Robertson>

[x-g.o.p.er]

7. Not surprising

Sad how people use the name of God so horribly

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. What I saw in that interview was a man

treated with partial kidd gloves, because anything else would be
too cruel to watch... sad but true

And yes we will retake this coutry and save this republic... as to waht the future of the GOP is... it may lay in the past, and the fate fo the WHIG party...

[bushwakker]

5. Your former party has no soul

welcome aboard. we've got our problems - but we also have heart and compassion something completely absent in today's gop.

[lastknowngood]

6. As long as people are waking up there is hope let's remember

the enemies of democracy move in shadows as they cannot withstand the light of truth. Hail and welcome!

[Mari333]

8. I agree. My dad was a WW2 hero

and Im glad he didnt live to see what happened to the party he usually voted for.
He would have not voted for Bush . He would have seen what is being done to the Vets, the soldiers, and his own grandstepson who is on his way to Iraq. My dad was a wise man. He would have rejected Bush in a heartbeat.
Nice to see you post, makes my heart smile.

[acmavm]

9. It would be untrue if I said that I'm not glad that you switched parties,

because I think that only a win by the democrats this year can turn this country around. But I do agree that there are a multitude of good, decent, honest republicans out there. And I'm sure that they are absolutely heartbroken about what their party has been turned into, a party led by lying, scheming, warmongering, sneaky thugs who have never had to see what combat is like, who have never felt the pain of losing a child in a war, who haven't had to worry about the roof over their head or where their next meal is coming from. These people are completely and totally detached from reality.

I admire you greatly for your courage in telling the story of your coversion to the 'other side'. I think, no, I know, that there are thousands more like you who will soon see that they have no choice but to vote for the democratic nominee for president.

It is people like you, who are honest and upfront about their dismay over the comandeering of the republican party by these thugs, who are a going to be a great asset to the dems in this election. And you should be extremely proud of yourself for facing the reality of the situation and chosing a better way instead than sticking to a party with a rancid and warped ideology rather than admitting that you just may be making a mistake in voting a republican ticket. That is just a weird, misplaced loyalty to a out-of-touch party, not loyalty to the citizens of this country and the laws and freedoms that we've always been able to be so damn proud of.

I am glad, very glad, to have you on our side.

[9215]

10. I think of Eisenhower when

I think of a Republican Party that had good leadership.

One thing you can see today from the newsreels is how he treated the Press. He invited questions and calmly explained the national security issues that could be compromised by answering certain questions. Ike understood what makes America strong: a sound democracy.

Also Ron Paul of Texas. I'd rather see him as President than Lieberman.

[woofless]

11. Thanks x-g.o.p.er and welcome again.

I have seen you post in this vein before and appreciate it. My Dad (God rest his soul) always voted Republican although he never had a pot to piss in and was in no way idealogical. I could never understand it and we had some pretty spirited discussions. Two things stand out in my memory.I finished my service in the A.F. in Jan. '72 when the shit was hitting the fan for Nixon. Dad said to me "You were right about Nixon and I was wrong." That was gratifying. He continued to vote for them though and voted for Rayguns twice and GHWB once. When it came to a second term he actually voted for Bill Clinton. Woohoo. The point of all this is that real thinking people CAN change. Thank you for your thoughts and keep on postin'.

Woof

[Wapsie B]

12. You're definitely not alone

in being a dissatisfied goper. I count myself among those ranks as well. Welcome to DU one and all.

A toast to a better America!

:toast::toast::toast::toast::toast::toast::toast::toast::toast:
:toast::toast::toast::toast::toast::toast::toast::toast::toast:

[opihimoimoi]

13. Sanity and Reason stirs..... is alive...... thank God.