The Moderate Republican

Though I am not necessarily a moderate, particularly on issues of economics and foreign policy, I do consider myself an open-minded Republican. I also happen to be gay, pro-life and strongly supportive of self initiative. I think the GOP needs to be reminded that conservatives come in all shapes and sizes. We are not uniform. Being against the push to ban gay marriages does NOT make me less a Republican. The same is true for people who oppose the Iraq policy being less of an American. We should have a healthy debate within the party about where we go in the future. The easiest thing in the world would be to leave the GOP, but for me that's simply not an option.

"A contitutional ammendment to allow for a person born outside of the US to run is a very bad one. All we need is one sudden wave of globalism and we could have a changed country forever. A religious fervor where a global figure obtained a huge following in the US could also be a scenario for disaster."

A religious fervor with a native figure would also be a problem. But unless the country abandons the Constitution and the Senate and House are abolished, this concern about globalism is not justified.

A contitutional ammendment to allow for a person born outside of the US to run is a very bad one. All we need is one sudden wave of globalism and we could have a changed country forever. A religious fervor where a global figure obtained a huge following in the US could also be a scenario for disaster.

I happen to like Arnold, as I believe most people do. I also think he is a 100% patriotic American. We do have enemies in this world though that have the capability to plan for decades if it means bringing us down.

This doesnt imply that all people born in the US are patriotic americans but maybe it is another level of protection we need. Once the genie is out of the bottle its hard to stuff it back in and cork it.

I think Arnold would make an excellent cabinet member. Secretary of State is an amusing picture.

I've decided that I care too much about the direction of the GOP to give up on it just yet. Not to mention the fact that if I left the party, I wouldn't have anywhere to go. I'm not a Democrat, so that's not an option. I agree that change isn't going to happen with one election. I had hoped that a Kerry win would be the first shot, but now I know that involvement in moderate Republican organizations will be the best start for me and for all of us.

I"m amused to read this thread. When I said exactly what Dennis says above, I got a rather negative reaction. DEBETOTH WHOSU, folks. DEmocracy BElongs TO THose WHO Show Up. Jeez, what a revelation.

I'm shocked that supposedly intelligent urban types would take 25 years to figure this out. It's obvious the first time anyone bothers to work on a campaign.

Sorry I'm biting, but this level of understanding of how our democracy works is so juvenile that it enrages me. How can a person live to adulthood in this society and not understand its basic mechanisms?

Democracy is not a magic wand guaranteeing truth, social justice and free lunches for all. It's a mechanism, folks. It belongs to those who use it - NOT to the majority.

That's why we have a republic- but that's another topic.

As I have done since LCR endorsed W the first time, I will judge each election as it comes. As for 2008, LCR should lead the bandwagon to get the constitution amended so that Ahhh-nult can run for president. He is the only fiscal conservative/social moderate who can unite the nation, much less the party.

Dennis, that's exactly what I've been telling people and what my wife ultimately realized this morning.

Democracy is about getting involved and being informed. It's not about showing up when it's a Tuesday in November every other year. It's not about electing someone and hoping they do what you want them to do.

I may not really like the activist political groups out there (whether far left or far right) but they make Democracy an everyday way of life, not an occasional big event. They understand that influencing people and winning elections is a daily job and that patience pays off.

I would encourage every regular reader of this blog to get out and run for local offices when they come up for election. Or form political action groups in their states. I don't think it's enough to simply say "get involved." We have to think in terms of "get elected" or "get someone elected." That's how the far fringes think and act - we have to do the same if we're ever to take control of this country's politics and agenda again.

I totally agree with Jazz Shaw. I am just about ready to go Independent. I am sick of all this b/s. But I also will let the shock die out and go from there.

You are right on target. We MUST NOT hide our heads in the sand. It is very important for us to make our voices known, to be involved, to stand up for what we believe. It's going to be tough. It's how the religious right did it, and let me tell you, there WILL BE a backlash someday, when people see what is going to happen down the road. This is how the segregationist Democratic party of the 60's south changed, because people, some at great personal risk, took a stand. At the same time, I think us moderates can take some comfort in what happened in the Minnesota House race. That came out of nowhere and was a total surprise, and I think sends a clear message that the neo-cons had better watch their step and get things done in the state legislature this year.

I'm exercising restraint, and forcing myself to wait until January to make a decision. (I wrote about that this morning in my post morem.) But yes, I'm seriously considering packing it in after twenty five years and just going independent. The party has drifted so far away from my values that I hardly recognize it, and they will see this election as a huge validation of their extremist, theocratic values. But I'll hold my tounge for now and wait to make sure I've simmered down from this shocking defeat before deciding.