What Next for the GOP?

[Lemur]

Smaller Government. Government at the most local possible level. Fiscal responsibility.

That reminds me of a convo with the wife. She asked me what Republicans believe in. I explained, using very similar language. "Wow, then why aren't we Republicans?" she asked.

"Because they don't do any of that," I replied.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

That reminds me of a convo with the wife. She asked me what Republicans believe in. I explained, using very similar language. "Wow, then why aren't we Republicans?" she asked.

"Because they don't do any of that," I replied.

[ICantSpellDawg]

That reminds me of a convo with the wife. She asked me what Republicans believe in. I explained, using very similar language. "Wow, then why aren't we Republicans?" she asked.

"Because they don't do any of that," I replied.

So if they did, you'd be on board?

[Lemur]

Actually, yeah, if the Repubs would get serious about small, responsible government, and if they would stop trying to legislate the bedroom, and maybe distance themselves a little bit from the religious nuts, I would seriously consider joining them.

And, to be fair, if the Dems would get serious about fiscal responsibility and distance themselves from the teachers' union (well, actually from all the unions) and stop being captive to a thousand little grievance groups, I'd consider joining them.

I am not worried that either event will happen.

-edit-

Oh yeah, and the Dems would have to admit that the 2nd amendment is rock-solid, and stop trying to mess with gun ownership. The assault ban, for instance, would have to be a dead issue. And they would need to get open to repealing Roe v. Wade and instead working toward some sort of political consensus about abortion, at least until technology makes the issue obsolete.

[ICantSpellDawg]

Actually, yeah, if the Repubs would get serious about small, responsible government, and if they would stop trying to legislate the bedroom, and maybe distance themselves a little bit from the religious nuts, I would seriously consider joining them.

And, to be fair, if the Dems would get serious about fiscal responsibility and distance themselves from the teachers' union (well, actually from all the unions) and stop being captive to a thousand little grievance groups, I'd consider joining them.

I am not worried that either event will happen.

You are a smart and reasonable guy. Get involved in the local GOP! If you believe that their underlying ideals are good but their leadership is poor HELP THEM CORRECT IT! Your ideas are not agaisnt what it means to be Republican. If you don't like the general stance on abortion or Gay marriage, urge moderation from within.

Let's all remember that these parties weren't placed here by God - they were created by the people. Independents have cracked quite a bit of ground in Vermont and other areas of the Northeast while people like you and me have helped make some areas of local politics inspiring for Republican and Democratic leadership. They crave new ideas, but we are sitting here on forums arguing as passive observers.

If you like some GOP ideals but dislike those in power now - the time is ripe to get involved. We have more of a chance to make a difference when the going gets tough. Nobody who spends countless hours on these forums can use "i'm busy" as an excuse. I know for a fact that we are most definitely not busy.

We would all be well served if the members of our forum got involved.

[Uesugi Kenshin]

You are a smart and reasonable guy. Get involved in the local GOP! If you believe that their underlying ideals are good but their leadership is poor HELP THEM CORRECT IT! Your ideas are not agaisnt what it means to be Republican. If you don't like the general stance on abortion or Gay marriage, urge moderation from within.

Let's all remember that these parties weren't placed here by God - they were created by the people. Independents have cracked quite a bit of ground in Vermont and other areas of the Northeast while people like you and me have helped make some areas of local politics inspiring for Republican and Democratic leadership. They crave new ideas, but we are sitting here on forums arguing as passive observers.

If you like some GOP ideals but dislike those in power now - the time is ripe to get involved. We have more of a chance to make a difference when the going gets tough. Nobody who spends countless hours on these forums can use "i'm busy" as an excuse. I know for a fact that we are most definitely not busy.

We would all be well served if the members of our forum got involved.

Hey Tuff any idea who our independents are?

Socialists baby!

Well most of them are. And I definitely dropped 4-5 votes for the Vermont Progressive Party and their man, Pollina, got as many votes for governor as the Democrat! I'm seriously considering getting more involved with them, but I'm in PA for college right now.

I have to say I doubt the GOP is going to move away from the far-right wing-nuts right now though. It doesn't seem like there are enough moderates in the Republican party or the party leadership doesn't think it's been spanked badly enough to drop that particularly unwilling to compromise section of the electorate.

[Lemur]

It doesn't seem like there are enough moderates in the Republican party or the party leadership doesn't think it's been spanked badly enough to drop that particularly unwilling to compromise section of the electorate.

That sentiment reminds me of a pithy but mean-spirited line I read elsewhere: The Repubs are like a stalker; rejection just makes them crazier.

That's fine, though. A little time in the wilderness will probably do some good to the Repubs, and they will emerge as a leaner, more focused party. After all, we don't want the Dems to have a one-party rule for long. It's impossible not to get corrupted in that scenario. We need the Repubs to pull their collective hineys together and craft an intelligent response to the Dems.

[CountArach]

Here's where the GOP can go. As said by Sen Martinez (R-FL):

The fact of the matter is that Hispanics are going to be a more and more vibrant part of the electorate, and the Republican Party had better figure out how to talk to them. We had a very dramatic shift between what President Bush was able to do with Hispanic voters, where he won 44 percent of them, and what happened to Senator McCain. Senator McCain did not deserve what he got. He was one of those that valiantly fought, fought for immigration reform, but there were voices within our party, frankly, which if they continue with that kind of rhetoric, anti-Hispanic rhetoric, that so much of it was heard, we're going to be relegated to minority status.