Thoughts on the Republican Party (US)

Shane · **Posted:** November 27th, 2011, 5:55 pm

I'm not American but I still take an interest in what goes on down there in terms of politics. It should be no secret to people that I'm not a fan of Obama. I'm also not a fan of what the Republican party has become. I'm also not a fan of the whole political system used there but that's a different story.

There was a good article in Foreign Policy magazine discussing what the issues with the party are. I agree with most of what's said there and it's something that's really inhibiting the US political system's ability to fix the problems that exist with the economy for example.

Oh and no Ron Paul speeches please.

Adbot · **Posted:** November 27th, 2011, 5:55 pm

Killjoy · **Posted:** November 27th, 2011, 6:35 pm

Quick thoughts on Obama and the Republican party.
"If Obama was a Republican he would have a library named after him already."

drndog · **Posted:** November 27th, 2011, 6:38 pm

Killjoy4eva wrote:

"If Obama was a Republican he would have a library named after him already."

You should see all of the things that are named after Reagan in Washington DC; it's atrocious.

Earth · **Posted:** November 27th, 2011, 6:49 pm

Shane wrote:

I'm not American but I still take an interest in what goes on down there in terms of politics. It should be no secret to people that I'm not a fan of Obama. I'm also not a fan of what the Republican party has become. I'm also not a fan of the whole political system used there but that's a different story.

There was a good article in Foreign Policy magazine discussing what the issues with the party are. I agree with most of what's said there and it's something that's really inhibiting the US political system's ability to fix the problems that exist with the economy for example.

Oh and no Ron Paul speeches please.

Heh, the American political system is a joke.

I am a liberal. I am also not a big fan of Obama either, along with not only the Republican party, but also the Democratic party.
This being said, the only candidate that I would vote for in the 2012 election is Mitt Romney. Mitt Romney is moderate enough that I am happy with his stance on all but one social issue, but not so much that the Republican party hates him.

EDIT:

drndog wrote:

Killjoy4eva wrote:

"If Obama was a Republican he would have a library named after him already."

You should see all of the things that are named after Reagan in Washington DC; it's atrocious.

Reagan is the best president we've had post-WWII, save maybe Kennedy.

trekkie · **Posted:** November 27th, 2011, 7:46 pm

with all the jokers on the republican side, i still say obama has a chance.

Duke Juker · RSBandB Donor since 07/01/2010

First Earth, I don't think you can call any president "the best since whenever." In looking at president's, you must evaluate them in their context and what they dealt with and how they dealt with it. While I would agree, Reagan was a great president, I wouldn't say he was the best we've had since WWII. Each president has their positives and negatives. Kennedy was honestly not that great at all. I could go on further on that, but I think you get my point.

I think the problem has been around ever since the beginning of this country. The fact that the US has become split in it's views is what the founding fathers hoped to avoid. The knew the negative aspect of factions and parties would greatly harm the government in the long run. For that, I would say you can't criticize the Republican party alone, Shane, but indeed both parties and the entire system. It is because of the system of government and how it has changed that these parties have become what they have. You can't criticize just the part, but the whole.

As for the article, I can agree with Dan for his RINO stance. To say you are a Republican carries a heavy load along with it. I don't agree with everything the Republican party believes in or what it stands for. This is why I'd rather call myself Conservative rather than Republican. Both parties have become further polarized in their views and completely forgotten that they must do what's best for the people and the country, not what's best to get them elected or re-elected.

As for Obama having a chance trekkie, I'd say no. I think most people at this point would be happier to have him out and have a joker in office. Re-electing Obama will only bring four more years of the same thing, won't it? Who wants that? You expect four more years under Obama to get better?

Adbot · **Posted:** November 27th, 2011, 7:50 pm

trekkie · **Posted:** November 27th, 2011, 7:55 pm

o yes a joker, that's nice duke.

lets have ron paul turn us all into farmers by removing the government since the goverment is here to protect us.
and while he's at it tell us that we were at fault for 9/11 by not stopping the hijackers early on.

and honestly, people voted for bush for 4 more years. it didn't get better now did it?

Duke Juker · RSBandB Donor since 07/01/2010

It's debatable. I thought Bush did a decent enough job. It's not like most presidents leave office with a high popular rating. Give it some time before saying he was a failure.

I fail to see how reducing government involvement is a bad thing. That's why we have such high taxes is because we expect the government to do a lot that it doesn't need to do or has no place doing. Define protection, also, because protection to me is much more simpler than protection is to you.

drndog · **Posted:** November 27th, 2011, 8:15 pm

Bush did a terrible job...
He got us into a war that has absolutely no purpose, and has cost us billions of dollars (if not trillions). This war (it being us fighting in the middle east) has absolutely no end in sight because we have no clear objective.
Also, his tax cuts have made it so the top 1% hasn't had to pay at least 50 billion dollars in taxes since they were implemented.

Shane · **Posted:** November 27th, 2011, 8:18 pm

Folks, let's try to keep this on the current crop of Republican nominees and their standing based on the aforementioned article. We can discuss Republican vs. Democrat some other time.

Also in relation to the article, what does Republican mean? What it is now with the current nominees? Or should it be a more pragmatic form of conservatism.

Warren · **Posted:** November 27th, 2011, 9:20 pm

Republican values seem to have a higher chance of encompassing values that I'd consider bad people to have (e.g. homophobia)

Killjoy · **Posted:** November 28th, 2011, 10:57 am

Warren wrote:

Republican values seem to have a higher chance of encompassing values that I'd consider bad people to have (e.g. homophobia)

I wouldn't necessarily say 'bad'. They are a conservative group and homophobia is a conservative view, for the most part. I would say that the views are not what progressive people like to think of a good things. Holding liberals back to what they are trying to accomplish. Equality, shared wealth, ect.

I would the thing that turns me off most about the republican party is the way they cater to the rich in this country. (I think this statement speaks for it's self)

Both parties however are trying to defend themselves and not working together to find a solution to an issue. It has become a game to see who can gather the most votes, make the most money, defend the lobbyists to the death. It has become a disgusting system, and to be honest, until it is fixed I find it hard to see how this country can get much of anything done, never-mind trying to make the world a better place.

Ranging God · **Posted:** November 28th, 2011, 2:43 pm

I am a registered republican and very active in the college republicans on campus. The runners for the republican stop does seem to hinder the chances of getting Obama out of office. I was a Cain fan, but not so much anymore.

Like with the last election, and the one before that, I always wait until the debates against Obama start. Thats whenthe true colors fly.

As to blaming Bush for the state of America. Take an economics class. Bush kept the country safe. We would not have had 9/11 if Clinton did his job. Also, Obama wants to cut military def... At a time like now. What does that say?

I've been doing a lot of work on the Missouri republican party, and I feel there are some awesome upcoming republicans, like Sara Steelman who is running for US Senate
http://sarahsteelman.com/

Oh and a note. I am also on the Allies group, which is a *** bi lesibian straight alliance AND I am a republican ;p

Warren · **Posted:** November 28th, 2011, 2:48 pm

Homophobia is a trait of a bad person no matter how you want to see it. Well I guess it depends the degree, is not liking *insert some nationality of different colour than you here* racist if you don't act on it? Mildly I guess but that wouldn't necessarily make you a bad person, just highly irrational.

Regardless, I'd never respect any politician who makes it known/obvious that they are homophobic. And even if I didn't care about anyone but myself, if they're willing to seclude or strip opportunities away from or even be against one group, I don't imagine they'd have a hard time doing to another that I may belong to.
(What was funny about the stuff I just wrote? I suggested that it would be possible to respect a politician in the first place hahah)

Just because there are a lot of conservatives and it is traditionally found in many conservatives doesn't make it okay. Just means there is a lot of people who have some rotten traits, and they're in full control of that decay.

It isn't, "Oh, I'm not very conservative therefore I believe holding conservative views makes you a bad person". I've never picked any part of the spectrum or party I'd support or any part of the spectrum or party I'd go against. But I do get disgusted by some views, I don't really care whether they're left or right or up or down or whatever. But there seem to be more views from the right (or at least views that are popular) that I'm really adverse to and Republicans are far right therefore my thoughts on that party.

Ranging God · **Posted:** November 28th, 2011, 3:11 pm

Warren wrote:

Homophobia is a trait of a bad person no matter how you want to see it. Well I guess it depends the degree, is not liking *insert some nationality of different colour than you here* racist if you don't act on it? Mildly I guess but that wouldn't necessarily make you a bad person, just highly irrational.

Regardless, I'd never respect any politician who makes it known/obvious that they are homophobic. And even if I didn't care about anyone but myself, if they're willing to seclude or strip opportunities away from or even be against one group, I don't imagine they'd have a hard time doing to another that I may belong to.
(What was funny about the stuff I just wrote? I suggested that it would be possible to respect a politician in the first place hahah)

Just because there are a lot of conservatives and it is traditionally found in many conservatives doesn't make it okay. Just means there is a lot of people who have some rotten traits, and they're in full control of that decay.

It isn't, "Oh, I'm not very conservative therefore I believe holding conservative views makes you a bad person". I've never picked any part of the spectrum or party I'd support or any part of the spectrum or party I'd go against. But I do get disgusted by some views, I don't really care whether they're left or right or up or down or whatever. But there seem to be more views from the right (or at least views that are popular) that I'm really adverse to and Republicans are far right therefore my thoughts on that party.

I don't see being homophobic as a "bad" trait. It is something that a lot of religions deems immoral, hence a lot of people think it is bad. There is nothing wrong with that...

(sorry, off topic but I had to respond)