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Confessions of a former Conservative Republican...
13-Sep-2007
Until recently, I was a conservative Republican.
[I'm waiting for your laughter to die down]
Done? (kooft!)
Many Iranians when learning I was a Republican would say crazy shit like, "How could you vote for George Bush?" They thought that if you join a party you necessarily have to blindly vote for the party's candidate.
After I explained to my bisavad brethren the way voting actually works, I would continue to say that actually since I joined, I have never voted for a single Republican candidate. Including Reagan. Why?
Quite simply because like most Independents, Democrats, Greens, and Libertarians, I never thought that the Republican candidate was either qualified, nor possessed the personality for the job.
You see I am- I mean was, a Lincoln Republican. You remember Lincoln don't you. He was the one who freed the slaves.
I always thought that less government and taxes, was better than more, that a conservative approach, meaning, let's think about things and their consequences before we act rashly, was better and cheaper than, let's try a bunch of government programs, then raise taxes and see what happens.
I have always been pro-choice, because I thought that to simply make abortion illegal is actually a radical liberal idea whose impact was unproven. Changing something before you know what will happen is not conservative. It's liberal. doing it out of passion or faith, radical.
I don't buy that welfare as it now exists, works, but I don't support privatizing every single thing either. I like to think about it and discuss it good and hard first. That's conservative. Safe. Cheap or fiscally responosible.
So was my opinion of the beginning of the war. I supported the US removing Saddam. Only because the US put and kept Saddam in power unreasonably, and it made sense for those responsible to clean up their mess. That's conservative. You screw up? You fix it. Like everyone else, I never thought we'd be here.
Funny that those who claim to be conservatives, even neo-conservatives, are far from my definition. They exhibit and push their radical ideas, and implement them liberally without forethought.
Then they took over the Republican party. I attended the usual meetings as a party member, and each time as I voiced opposition to the radically liberal and unproven theories and ideas and policies the party seemed to be supporting, I noted that my voice was being less and less heard. Eventually I was shunned, and encouraged to leave these meetings, if I refused to accept their answers.
So now, like most Iranians, I find myself at a real quandary. The Republicans are dominated by religious fundamentalist, idealogue, hypocrites. So that won't work. The Democrats are run by naive, idea and spine less sellouts, whose only goal is to settle political grudges started by Newt Gingrich, and unseat any Republican they can at every turn. The Green party is hilariously principled. And the Libertarians are so hands off, you sort of get the feeling that they just don't care about anything, really.
So, I end up in the undecided majority, or the Independent ranks. We don't get to caucus, we don't get primaries, and we certainly don't get any attention from the candidates.
I will miss the bitching about the stupidity of US foreign policy in the Middle East and how the heads of my fellow Republicans looked as if they would explode, as I proved it to them with facts and history.
But at least I can still vote. Wait, Independents can vote right?
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Ron Paul.....no thanks!
by Jayna (not verified) on Fri Sep 14, 2007 07:56 AM PDTAs a woman, I will NEVER vote for this guy. (Taken from Mr. Paul's website):
*The right of an innocent, unborn child to life is at the heart of the American ideals of liberty. My professional and legislative record demonstrates my strong commitment to this pro-life principle.
*In Congress, I have authored legislation that seeks to define life as beginning at conception, HR 1094.
*I am also the prime sponsor of HR 300, which would negate the effect of Roe v Wade by removing the ability of federal courts to interfere with state legislation to protect life. This is a practical, direct approach to ending federal court tyranny which threatens our constitutional republic and has caused the deaths of 45 million of the unborn.
*I have also authored HR 1095, which prevents federal funds to be used for so-called “population control.”
*Many talk about being pro-life. I have taken direct action to restore protection for the unborn.
*As an OB/GYN doctor, I’ve delivered over 4,000 babies. That experience has made me an unshakable foe of abortion. Many of you may have read my book, Challenge To Liberty, which champions the idea that there cannot be liberty in a society unless the rights of all innocents are protected. Much can be understood about the civility of a society in observing its regard for the dignity of human life.
Viva La Republicans
by Soheil Samouhi on Fri Sep 14, 2007 07:24 AM PDTat least they have the gutts to confesse if there is a mistake or.....
thanks for sharing.
I am shocked!
by H (not verified) on Fri Sep 14, 2007 01:48 AM PDTSo YOU brought this on us! :)
But seriously, I am shocked. When was the last time a true 'Republican' - according to your definition of the word - was in the White House? Frankly, I don't care how you lable yourself as long as these people don't get another term in the office. I am holding my breath and counting on you!
AND welcome to the club of enlightened Non-republicans, brother!
H
I think L.B. nailed it!!!
by Majid on Fri Sep 14, 2007 12:42 AM PDTAs Lewis Black said:
Let's capture a monkey! put it in a helicopter and take it to an un known part of the country,in the woods!
The first person who catches the monkey will be the president!
does it make any different?you think? At least that person got ONE mission accomplished! on the spot ! NO MUSS NO FUSS!!!!!
There is something I find
by yazdiji (not verified) on Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:53 PM PDTThere is something I find uniquely empowering about Ron Paul's message. I think he represents the best in American political ideas. The only question is, are Americans ready for Ron Paul, for a return to those constitutional values that made that gave America everything she has. And quite frankly, his is the only safe foreign policy when it comes to Iran.
Lincoln Republican?
by manesh on Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:15 PM PDTWith all due respect:
You are mistaking your brand of republican with Lincoln's.
Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican President of the United States was a secular, progressive. The republican party at the time was a young party that replaced the Whigs, and competed with the "conservative" democratic party. Republican party at the time was not conservative and Lincoln had nothing to do with small government, less taxes, etc.
I believe you are- I mean, were, a conservative before.
Wait for an unheard
by Tehran (not verified) on Thu Sep 13, 2007 09:15 PM PDTAll candidates are not real leaders for this century. Wait for an unheard.
If there will be no show up, we are doomed for another four years.
Obama is better
by bahmani on Thu Sep 13, 2007 05:02 PM PDTI like Obama a lot more than RP. RP is great, and very much the true ideal Republican. But he's too old, and is a Republican with no party support, and no money. So he has no chance. Obama is either no.1 or no.2 depending on which poll you believe, and his money is good. I like his candid pragmatism and he has come clean with all his sins. Plus who would you rather have as first lady, Obama's wife or Bill?
If you support basic
by RP fanatic (not verified) on Thu Sep 13, 2007 04:52 PM PDTIf you support basic liberalism and no war on Iran, Ron Paul is your 2008 election choice.
Ron Paul! He's made for you!
by Qumars (not verified) on Thu Sep 13, 2007 02:44 PM PDTThat's the only candidate who is a real Republican. You're not the only one, by the way, a lot of Iranians are conservatives and not just about foreign policy.