Are you proud to be a Republican?

[ThorOdinson13]

Sorry guys, have to paste this into two posts because there are word count limitations.

It is one thing to be a genuine conservative or a libertarian-leaning conservative and identify as a Republican so you can get elected to office in the American two-party monopoly system. It is one thing to register to vote as a Republican so you can vote for what you think is the lesser of two evils in the Republican primary. It is one thing to hold your nose and vote Republican so you can keep those evil Democrats out of office. But it is another thing altogether to say that you are proud to be a Republican.

Here is former Texas governor and GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry in his book Fed Up!:
I am a proud Republican. As frustrated as I am at many in my own party for their waste and incompetence, and as many good friends as I have in the Democratic Party, I am firmly convinced that there is no comparison between the two political parties in modern, twenty-first-century America. As I have said before, “Republicans often aren’t on the right page—indeed, some aren’t even in the right chapter. But most are in the right book. Most Democrats today, on the other hand, can’t even find the library.”

When asked by CNN’s Candy Crowley if he would ever consider leaving the Republican Party for the Democrats or a third party, Kentucky senator Rand Paul replied:

No. I’ve always been a Republican, and I’m one of those people who actually is a real lover of the history of the Republican Party from the days of abolition through the days of civil rights. The Republican Party has a really rich history. In our state, I’m really proud of the fact that the ones who overturned Jim Crow in Kentucky were Republicans fighting against an entirely unified Democrat Party. So I am proud to be Republican. I can’t imagine being anything else.

And here is Representative Justin Amash of Michigan, the chair of the House Liberty Caucus: “I’ve always been a Republican, I’m proud to be a Republican and I plan to stay a Republican.” That was in 2013. Here is a statement from 2014: “I’m proud to be a Republican.”

But why would anyone say that they were proud to be a Republican?

The Republican Party is the party of Lincoln. Republicans who like to accuse Obama of being dictatorial have forgotten all about their beloved Lincoln. He issued a proclamation that freed no slaves. He destroyed the country to save the union. He presided over the first income tax. He supported an amendment to the Constitution that would have prohibited the federal government from ever interfering with Southern slavery. He shut down Northern opposition newspapers and imprisoned Northern political dissenters. He oversaw the deaths of 500,000 to 800,000 Americans. He destroyed the system of states’ rights and federalism created by the Founding Fathers. Why would anyone be proud to be a Republican?

The Republican Party is the party of the drug war. Although Republicans say they are the party of the Constitution, they show their contempt for the Constitution by their ardent support of the unconstitutional drug war that has ruined more lives than drugs themselves. Republicans are the greatest advocates of locking up people in cages for possessing substances the government doesn’t approve of. Why would anyone be proud to be a Republican?

The Republican Party is the party of the warfare state. Closing a domestic military base is implausible. Scrapping a weapons system is out of the question. Cutting the bloated defense budget is inconceivable. Invading and occupying other countries is viewed as defensive warfare. Bombing, maiming, and killing whomever the government labels as “the enemy” is viewed as defending our freedoms. Why would anyone be proud to be a Republican?

The Republican Party is the party of empire. Republicans support the stationing of troops and the maintaining of foreign military bases all over the globe—including in Germany, Italy, and Japan even though World War II ended 70 years ago. Closing an overseas military base is unthinkable. Bringing all of the troops home is unimaginable. Why would anyone be proud to be a Republican?

 

[ThorOdinson13]

Part 2 of 2

The Republican Party is the party of the welfare state. Republicans are welfare statists just like Democrats. They believe that it is the proper role of government to provide public assistance, have entitlement programs, maintain a safety net, and guarantee income security. They continually support food stamps, WIC, TANF, federal job training programs, rent subsidies, heating assistance, farm programs, SSI, and refundable tax credits that allow some Americans to receive tax refunds when they paid no taxes to begin with. They support the government providing unemployment benefits so that those who work can support those who don’t. They have no philosophical objection to the government fighting poverty by taking money from some Americans and redistributing it to others. When Bush the president and had a Republican majority in both Houses of Congress for over four years, the Republicans could have eliminated or substantially rolled back the welfare state. They did neither. Why would anyone be proud to be a Republican?

The Republican Party is the party of Social Security. Although Republicans may criticize FDR and many of his New Deal programs, they love his Social Security program and want to “save” it so future generations of young people can support the elderly via an intergenerational, income-transfer, wealth-redistribution welfare scheme. Why would anyone be proud to be a Republican?

The Republican Party is the party of socialized medicine. Although Republicans rail against Obamacare, they are silent about their passage of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003—the greatest expansion of Medicare since LBJ. Like Social Security, Republicans are some of the greatest champions of “saving” Medicare. And just because they criticize Obamacare doesn’t mean that they favor a real free market in health care, the total separation of medicine from the state, the complete deregulation of the health-insurance industry, or the establishment of medical freedom. Republicans believe that some Americans should pay for the health care of other Americans. Why would anyone be proud to be a Republican?

The Republican Party is the part of foreign aid. Republicans have no philosophical objection whatsoever to taking money from American taxpayers and giving it to corrupt foreign regimes, including bribing them with cash and military equipment to get them to obey U.S. dictates. Spending on foreign aid practically doubled during the Bush years. Why would anyone be proud to be a Republican?

The Republican Party is the party of federal control of education. The Democrats may have given us Common Core, but the Republicans gave us No Child Left Behind. Republicans support the federal student loan program, Pell Grants, the National School Lunch Program, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and Head Start. And instead of eliminating the federal Department of Education when they had a majority in both Houses of Congress for over four years during the Bush presidency, they practically doubled the department’s budget. Republicans believe that some Americans should pay for the education of the children of other Americans. Why would anyone be proud to be a Republican?

The Republican Party is the party of an aggressive, belligerent, and meddling interventionist foreign policy. Republicans believe that the United States should be a busybody who polices the world and tells every other country what it should and shouldn’t do. They fully support CIA covert activities and torture—as long as the American people don’t find out about it. Why would anyone be proud to be a Republican?

The Republican Party is the party of taxes. Tax reform is unacceptable unless it is revenue neutral. Tax deductions, credits, and loopholes that allow some Americans to keep more of their money should be eliminated. “The rich” should pay their fair share via a progressive tax system. The government is entitled to a portion of every American’s income. Why would anyone be proud to be a Republican?

The Republican Party is the party of the national security state. Republicans gave us the Department of Homeland Security when we already had a defense department. They gave us the Patriot Act to violate our liberties. They gave us the TSA to grope us when we travel. The current vocal criticism by some Republicans of the NSA would be reduced to a whimper under a Republican administration. Republicans support a CIA that spies on the whole world and works mischief throughout. Why would anyone be proud to be a Republican?

The Republican Party is the party of massive government spending and debt. The national debt rose almost a trillion dollars between the Republican Revolution that wasn’t in 1995 and Bush’s first inauguration in 2001. During Bush’s presidency, government spending skyrocketed, the national debt almost doubled, and the federal deficit exceeded $1 trillion for the first time. Republicans in Congress regularly vote to raise the debt limit under Republican presidents. They have no philosophical objection to spending billions of taxpayer dollars on thousands of departments, agencies, grants, and programs that are not warranted by the Constitution. Why would anyone be proud to be a Republican?

Proud to be a Republican? Why would anyone who leaned even the slightest bit libertarian ever say such a thing? Ashamed is more like it.

Laurence M. Vance

 

[Marshal Jim Duncan]

No. Next question.

 

[JonnyVito]

I am proud to be an American.

 

[MegaPoke]

I'll have to read this later. But the Republican establishment is a disgusting joke. They should be ashamed of the candidates they produce, the agendas they advance and the naked hypocrisy they bathe in when they discuss terms like freedom and liberty.

It's all talk. government grows. Freedoms wane. War on drugs continues. Gay marriage is a major platform issue.

Insanity.

 

[07pilt]

But why would anyone say that they were proud to be a Republican?

Because real libertarians are vanishingly hard to find. Most Republican's are true conservatives/reactionaries in the Burke-ian tradition.

 

[MegaPoke]

Because real libertarians are vanishingly hard to find. Most Republican's are true conservatives/reactionaries in the Burke-ian tradition.

I disagree. Libertarians are in abundance. Unfortunately, more in abundance is the idea that since they are unelectable, you have to vote for the lesser of two evils - but it's an illusion that forces you to go establishment either way. Your belief that libertarian ideals are vanishing is false, but they are disorganized and ineffective against the statist coalition of R's and D's and their shell game to have you believe they are all that different.

This is why I loathe and detest cheerleaders for either "side." Useful idiots, one and all.

 

[imprimis]

I'd have to be a Republican first before I could be proud to be one.

 

[07pilt]

I disagree. Libertarians are in abundance. Unfortunately, more in abundance is the idea that since they are unelectable, you have to vote for the lesser of two evils - but it's an illusion that forces you to go establishment either way. Your belief that libertarian ideals are vanishing is false, but they are disorganized and ineffective against the statist coalition of R's and D's and their shell game to have you believe they are all that different.

This is why I loathe and detest cheerleaders for either "side." Useful idiots, one and all.

So the reason libertarians lose is because all the abundant libertarians vote for the establishment?

I don't believe that libertarian ideals are vanishing (vanishingly just means very small, and I was talking about the number of true libertarians not the ideals), in fact they seem to be in vogue, but it is mainly just conservative/reactionaries making a strategic retreat in the culture wars. I mean this board is a self selecting population of politically engaged people that for the most part skews right, yet you and Thor are the only regular posters who are actual libertarians (and I am not even that sure you are more libertarian than independent and anti establishment).

 

[NeekReevers]

I can't remember a single credible Libertarian campaign during my lifetime. That is the problem. That's not to say that their aren't good Libertarian candidates, but without money and an organized campaign they have no chance. Abraham Lincoln couldn't win an election with the backing and party structure provided to Libertarians. I also think that most people that I talk to on a regular basis that are leaning Libertarian and might even identify themselves that way are truly conservatives that are Libertarian on social issues. I think there would be widespread appeal among younger voters for such a candidate.....say a Rand Paul type.

 

[blbronco]

Libertarian party needs to play the game better. I agree that they are disorganized, and do not have the appearance of taking themselves seriously. The last series of elections is the first time that i have seen them start a bit of a grass roots campaign. They are now working the local municipalities rather than just shooting for presidency. Their ideals are leeching into the republican party, but still drowned out by the vocal and controversial topics (and the GOP is full of vocal morons that take the bait). Next time I am invited to a libertarian meeting, i plan on attending, for a change.

Signed, registered Libertarian. (In part due to an extreme disgust with both major parties, but agree with most of the platform of the LP)

 

[AC_Exotic]

No.

I am proud to be a conservative American, however.

Ask me in the 80's and I had a different answer.

 

[ThorOdinson13]

The point of this article was how can self proclaimed libertarian-leaning (philisophically) polticians say I'm proud to be a Republican. The Libertarian party was not the focus.

I think Mega was pointing out that the majority of Americans lean libertarian but that there is a larger abundance of those that believe that not voting for one of the two major parties is a "wasted vote." I've been arguing for quite some time that the real purpose of voting has been lost on this country. Instead, what we see is a public that votes for someone else's vision for this country. Those visions aren't really all that different in reality but they do accomplish the same end result which is keeping the system that has been put in place where it is and growing the power and wealth of those at the top. We as a group are too focused on trivial matters that could be solved on a local level while those pulling the strings reap all the rewards. Divide and conquer on a national level to prevent unity and a joint effort to establish a government of the people. Oldest trick in the book.

Lastly, I do tend to have a very strong lean toward libertarian philopshy but I wouldn't consider myself a Libertarian.

 

[blbronco]

I get your point and the point of the article. I also agree that the majority of voters lean more to libertarian philosophies, yet every election is the same thing. Republicans vote (in primaries) the most right-wing candidate, and the Democrats vote the most left-wing candidate. Happens every single election. I remember many here saying that if the GOP repeated the same mistake (which they did) that they would vote third party. I will not be holding my breathe.

So, more central to your point, why does the GOP keeping doing this to themselves? What is there to be proud of within the party? R or D, the same goobers get recycled.

 

[ThorOdinson13]

You're right, candidates have to lean more extreme right/left in primaries then come back to "center" in the general election. And the result is nothing really changes.

 

[blbronco]

I still ask, and as simple a question it is....why? The republicans try to promote themselves as leaders and free thinking, yet, they fall into the same group-think. I make fun of CUP because he is an unabashed follower. No independent thought, but i do see the same from the GOP majority here more frequently than I am comfortable with. All claim, as you, to be more centrist, but none actually live by it in the voter booth, nor is it consistent in discussions here. It makes no sense to change gears from primary (where republicans are your only target) and general election (which is when we are all the target audience). Everybody here made fun of Kerry for flip-flopping, when as you said, all candidates do that (different context, but point remains).

So, I see nothing for republicans (or democrats) to be proud of within their parties. If/when, they decide to get back to their basic principles, that can change (democrats are not all bad either). For now, they pander to the baited hot-topics and lose, because they are to busy being contrarian to their democrat counterparts. They can *gasp* agree on a few points...it is allowed.

 

[blbronco]

Btw, you and Mega are my only hope for actual libertarian leaning republicans. Don't take that away from me! You both fall into the socially liberal, fiscally conservative broad categories.

 

[AC_Exotic]

Successful politics includes the ability the maneuver through acceptable deals that at times includes acceptable compromise.

Ideological purists -- whether they be left wing kooks, staunch conservatives, or even by the letter libertarians -- never get this point and never get anything accomplished.

In an ideal world I would get every line, every political point, every change in government I want done. Unfortunately, we don't live in an ideal world especially in America, where there is such divergence in thought.

As a pragmatist, I prefer to get a little done than nothing at all. For that to happen, uncomfortable alliances and coalitions must sometimes be formed.

That's the way things work outside of politics. Why do we think it works any different inside of politics?

 

[blbronco]

I love compromise. Absolutely love it. But, it does not happen in the current climate. Compromise brings things more to the middle ground. As it stands, things move more to the polar ends of the spectrum as one-upsmanship. Democrats have figured out how to maneuver through that in public forums by choosing talking points that they know there will be a gaggle of republicans ready to put their feet in their mouths (gay marriage, marijuana, etc).

Not one single political party has all the right answers. Collectively, there is a lot of good. The basics of the GOP are probably the most likely for sustained success. Problem is, the GOP seemingly does not give a damn about the basics (so called smaller federal government, fiscal responsibility, etc).

 

[AC_Exotic]

I can't disagree with a word you're saying blbronco.

I think one of the big quandaries we're in is the collective schizophrenic voting patterns of the American people. Most people vote not on the basis of core philosophical reasons, but for God knows what?

Regulars on both sides of the debate on this board are excepted of course. I don't know a person that comments here that isn't ideologically driven.