Beautiful, scathing, heartwarming, sad...article by Republican leaving

[madfloridian]

his party. This is one of the most well-written pieces I have seen. His bitterness and anger at being betrayed shine through. There are many like this.

I feel one of our Republican sons is one of them, but he refuses to say it. He will not let me know until the day I die I suspect...something stubborn within him. Can't imagine where he got it.

How to turn a Republican into, well, something else

"In case you have been too afraid to start your SUV and venture down the road for fear of having to make the difficult decision between pumping up former Exxon Mobil CEO Lee Raymond’s $90 million pension plan and feeding the kids, I have good news for you. Believe it or not, gasoline prices are down nearly 33 percent. And, venturing a jaded guess, I’ll bet you that next loaf of bread gasoline prices continue to go down in time for the coming election. Why? Because the Republicans are desperate to retain control of all three branches of government at the federal, state and local levels so they can go on restructuring America to their status-quo liking. Karl Rove and his no-holds-barred, ultra-conservative electioneering sycophants are praying that the only thing you’re watching is the price at the gasoline pump before you walk into the voting booth. (Let’s not even get into the former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley thing — but watch your kids anyway.)"

"As in the waning days of the Roman Empire, the current gang of aristocrats running both houses of Congress has fundamentally restructured tax and civil law to ensure that anyone but themselves pays the bills of government or bears the burdens and losses in military service; their personal fortunes create enormous dynastic wealth that will be untaxed and control land and government in perpetuity; wages are kept low, and benefits and pensions are reduced or eliminated; privacy and freedom of the press and speech are curtailed and controlled; and they are insulated from harm caused by the terrorism of the new class of Islamic vandals and barbarians at the gates of this, the modern Roman Empire.

Do I sound like a knee-jerk, tax-and-spend liberal, the second cousin to Howard Dean? Not on your life! I am a card-carrying Republican and have been since I started voting many an election season ago. I cast my first presidential vote for Gerald Ford. I voted for President Reagan although I now realize it was President Carter who was right about nuclear proliferation, alternative energy and America’s dependence on Arab oil. I am a confirmed capitalist and while I attended Brite Divinity School my mostly liberal colleagues and professors referred to me as “the token conservative.”"

"I am ashamed to say I cast a vote for any of them. I have “crossed the floor” too and forsaken the Republican Party in its present form because it has abandoned the social, ethical, moral, civil and spiritual high ground it once held. I believe in a republic of opportunity for all, not an aristocracy of some. I will be deceived no more by present Republican leaders. Karl Rove and Rush Limbaugh can save their rhetoric for someone else. All that these powerful people have done is promote policies and laws to benefit those who are already blessed beyond their rightful due and have created the conditions of a fashionable new feudalism. This November, I hope to see this caricature of republicanism swept from power nationwide and new leadership reverse the damage done during the last six years. I’ll vote Republican again when Republicans again deserve my vote."

Enjoy, it is a passionate thing of beauty.

[BeHereNow]

1. Kick, even though it's a day late and a dollar short.

Still, good to hear of any one coming out of the collective coma condition.
BHN

[lpbk2713]

2. Exxon CEO Lee Raymond received considerably more than $90 Mill

Link: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061013/OPINION01/610130313/1008


Exxon also gave retiring Chief Executive Lee Raymond one of the most generous retirement packages in history -- nearly $400 million, including pension, stock options and other perks such as home security, personal security and use of a corporate jet.

[madfloridian]

3. And Katrina played a big role in his decision...the indifference.

"What thoroughly horrified and offended me (and still does) is the gross and immoral indifference towards and ruthless intransigence against helping, indeed, rescuing the residents of New Orleans and the surrounding Gulf Coast region from a natural disaster unparalleled in American history.

The Bush administration has spent nearly one-half trillion dollars occupying two countries on the other side of the planet (or do they consider it the periphery of the Imperial land holdings?) at the cost of nearly 3,000 dead and 25,000 wounded of our nation’s best and bravest. And there is no end in sight to this. But right here, next to Texas, more than 1,800 people were killed as a result of Hurricane Katrina, tens of thousands injured and upwards of 800,000 people left homeless, empty-handed and displaced. What have Bush and the Republicans done for Katrina and Rita victims? In short, as little as possible and far less than what they’ve spent on the war. And therein lies the crux of the issue."

[calimary]

4. If Katrina moved this man to have a change of heart, it proves one

very important thing to me - at least a few Republicans (note - I didn't say republi-CONS here - this man is not one of those) actually DO have a heart. Something I've seriously doubted for a LONG time.

Some souls CAN INDEED be saved. It's happened with this guy, for certain.

[seabeyond]

12. my repug hubby voted kerry, but still saw himself repug

after katrina he was so disgusted he walked from the party and wont go back. really gets bothered if i call him a republican now. katrina disgusted him....

he started up his own collection of items, at his cost, in a building next to his business. i was surprised by the profound effect on him, but could see as he watched the reports as it was happening. he was truly appalled at the so little help and just festered inside him

[glitch]

16. Good man. nt

[Patiod]

13. Mmmeh - most of my Republican friends blame the victims

and insinuate that New Orleans is better off now.

Haven't seen a change of heart, except they seem to be embarrassed by Bush, and now call themselves "Libertarians".

[CrispyQ]

21. That's been my experience too.

My right wing mother forwards freeper type emails to me. So many of them are about Katrina & how the poor people there are getting rich. :eyes: Their stupidity & meanness is simply mind boggling. They are so in fear that someone might get something they don't deserve or someone might get something that they didn't get. It is beyond childish.

[Patiod]

24. My friends are like that too, even tho they get all the perks

at work -- they expense pricey lunches, expense their cell phones & home computers, attend sports events for free, and play the tax code for all it's worth so that they pay for as little as possible.

Then they complain about poor people getting $200 ATM cards, and wonder: "Why didn't they just pack up their Lexus and get OUT?"

[KharmaTrain]

5. "Ensures Everyone Else Pays The Bills..."

This sums up the Repugnicans better than I could have. The essence of irresponsibilty and execting others to pick up their messes.

This gas ruse hasn't been lost on many. Gas prices in this area are now back down to where they were a year ago, but still is a lot higher than it was 2 or 3 years ago. Many people saw the price spike like a tax hike...as what money didn't end up in Raymond's pockets, ended up in the government coffers. The fact people aren't hurting AS bad, still doesn't mean they aren't hurting and see the manipulation going on. Most important...there's no reason people have to blame on the high prices other than the Iraq war and when you start looking at what's going on with that war, you start getting very, very angry...especially if you're a Repugnican who didn't realize how much money has been fleeced there.

The other ruse is the "tax cuts" are helping the economy. Sure, if you were fortunate to have an income where such cuts really made a difference...and it was a feel good incentive for some who thought they'd get a break, too...but instead they got screwed the other end with higher state and local taxes that tried to make up for the shortfall of federal money.

My hopes are if there's a Democratic majority...they force...FORCE...booshie boy to do what his father had to...raise taxes. It's gonna have to happen...too bad it just can't be a special one-time only tax on those who have donated to the Repugnican party to pay the rest of us back. It'd only be fitting...

[Liberty Belle]

6. I met a physicist tonight who left the GOP, about a year ago.

He said "My party left me."

Turning point for him was the criminality - realizing the crooks and cronies who are more interested in greed and helping corporate cronies than doing anything to help ordinary Americans.

We've been going door to door inviting Republicans to neighborhood meet and greets with our Democratic candidate here - and a surprising number are very receptive to his message. They are mostly fed up with their own party's leadership and appreciate a candidate who actually takes an interest in them.

Try it - you'll be surprised.

[madfloridian]

7. We have done door to door twice....it was hard for me.

It is not a natural thing in our area. People were at least receptive, but not sure if they can give up their loyalty.

[Nite Owl]

8. I think it was Tip O'Neil who told the story

of a constituent who he had talked to during a campaign and afterwards he said to the man, you voted for me didn't you? The man said no and Tip asked him why not and he said 'Well you never really asked me for my vote.' (very parapharsed!)
People want to be asked, it's that simple and going door to door is how we can ask, how we can show people that this is about them. People are dissatisfied with the government and they have expressed that over and over and I tell them that they only change we can make is our congressman, we can't do anything about anyone else's we don't like, the change has to start right here in our district, it's the only power we have to make the change.

[WinkyDink]

9. Don't adult Americans understand the basic, core Party values?

I am amazed at anyone who EVER voted for a Republican.

[Patiod]

14. I can tell you why they STILL vote Republican

Here's the core party values, from the point of view of my wealthy Republican friends:

The rich Republicans I know are:
- against taxes on them
- for lowering taxes on them
- for eliminating taxes on them

That's it. That's all of it. They don't care about gun control or abortion or gay marriage - they aren't hunters or fundamentalists. The fact that the Republican running for Senate opposes most of the things that they support (two-earner families, birth control, the right to choose) doesn't matter one iota. Scandals? Abramoff? Foley? K Street? 650,000 dead Iraqis? 100,000 damaged US servicemen & women? Who the hell cares?

It's all about "who will let me keep more of my money".

They can't be persuaded that Republicans are not good for the economy in the long term, they don't care that their kids might get drafted because Bush squandered our volunteer Army on a pointless war, they don't care that the public schools need help (they can always send their kids to private school). They don't care about a disappearing middle class - they don't consider themselves "middle class".

There is absolutely nothing that can persuade them to vote for people who are NOT going to lower their taxes.

That's the dilemma: there are two camps of Republicans that will NEVER see the light: fundamentalists (so long as we stay on the side of choice, which is a given) and the rich.

Those that don't fall into these two categories, like the guy cited in the OP, maybe. I guess that's where our best hope is.

[Jade Fox]

18. That's been my experience of the wealthy too....

Most don't give a rat's ass about either party's social agenda. They only care about which party will protect their wealth, and that is the Republicans.

The Republican voters that amaze me are the one's who maybe saved a few hundred dollars on their taxes by voting for Bush. How much difference did that money really make in their lives, and was it worth selling out our country?

[malaise]

10. Yet again Katrina was

his moment. Powerful letter.

[dbt]

11. K&R

:bounce:

[LSK]

15. there are a lot of new Libertarians this year

[seabeyond]

17. yes. my fox nes watching limbaugh listening brother told me

a couple months ago he is not republican, but libertarian. wtf..... go figure. 45 yrs and never knew that about him, wink

[blm]

23. Yes - when I heard Scarborough call himself a Libertarian, I almost

bit my tongue. Heh - the trend - and they're trying to lure Democrats to join, too. Hopefully there aren't enough selfish Ayn Rand type Democrats who will go that route.

[Sydnie]

19. We need more pictures like this to go with that

[madfloridian]

29. Wonderful picture.

Thanks for sharing.

[blm]

20. Great find, mf.

Thanks for bringing it here. It is very touching and tough at the same time.

[ShortnFiery]

22. K & R! With extreme admiration for this "wake-up" call ...

:applause: :yourock:

[madfloridian]

25. "wealthy white real estate developer buddies even now encircle New Orleans

"It is that black, brown, average and poor people simply don’t matter. We are irrelevancies in the Republican mindset. Bush’s wealthy white real estate developer buddies even now encircle New Orleans like sharks in the post-Katrina flotsam waiting to begin a carpet-bagging land grab against bankrupt, poverty-level homeowners abandoned by Bush’s insurance company buddies who claim water, not hurricane winds, destroyed everything. Rebuilding the Superdome as a showcase so that New Orleanians can have their gladiators and circuses is grossly insulting to them and the average American."

Katrina made a difference, it exposed them for what they are.

[Straight Shooter]

26. Do I sound like a knee-jerk, tax-and-spend liberal, second cousin to Dean?

I would appreciate the newfound awareness of these Repubs a lot more if they would refrain from repeating trite insults as they wallow in their anguish over the loss of the so-called moral high ground of their corrupt party.

[madfloridian]

28. Well, he is their go to attack guy...they don't know any better.

:hi:

[Straight Shooter]

30. Ja, and I attack back.

:hi:

[hopeisaplace]

27. Wow, an excellent piece, beautifully stated, n/t.

[tblue]

31. True Conservatives & Liberals UNITE!

:pals:
United We Stand!

I keep hearing these stories. Reminds me of what happened after the '92 Republican Convention, when Pat Buchanan made his 'culture war' speech. He turned off a lot of centrists and Goldwater conservatives from the GOP, and then Bill Clinton won the election.:)

[bobbieinok]

34. notice the repubs have NOT let Buchanan speak at a convention since

[understandinglife]

32. Recommended.

Thank you.


Be The Bu$h Opposition - 24/7b

[Skittles]

33. uh, excuse me

repukes have NEVER held "social, ethical, moral, civil and spiritual high ground". NEVER.