Earlier today on my Facebook page, I made an announcement that most everyone who already knows me already knew: I am a Republican. And I am not a horrible person. I believe in being fiscally conservative, but am also quite socially liberal. I am a Christian. I don't hate any minority populations as a general rule. I don't believe everyone who happens to be poor is just lazy and living off the system. I think homosexual couples should be able to marry just like heterosexual couples. I'm not rich - far from it, in fact.
I wish the entertainment industry would stop using television shows and movies to play the "Good Democrat, Bad Republican" game over and over and over again. I wish awards shows were simply shows in which entertainment awards were bestowed and grateful winners did not take the opportunity to spout off about politics - no matter which party they support - but simply said, "thank you" and maybe shed a few tears of gratitude. I wish the sentiments of anti-bullying and being non-judgemental were applied to me just as I apply it to others. No one - of any race, color, creed, gender, persuasion or political party - likes to be judged on only one facet of their personality or belief system.
I grew up in a heavily Democratic family. In fact, I'm one of the only Republican members of that family and I have had my share of debates and even battles. Through trial and error, I learned which family members and friends were "safe" to talk to about politics; meaning they wouldn't cut me off or spout pithy remarks meant to belittle me and my opinions and they would actually hear me out and listen to my point of view. I'm quite certain that I have never swayed anyone to my point of view in any of those conversations, just as my opinions, while perhaps modified or more well-rounded, haven't changed, either. I always appreciated having conversations with those who listen, share their thoughts and don't make it personal or argumentative.
Rather than feeling truly free to think and express my opinions and leanings, I've more often than not covered them up. Not really hiding them, per se, but just not being forthcoming about them. I don't have bumper stickers or key chains. I don't make financial contributions to any political party or group. And I hold an equal disdain for telemarketers from both campaigns. Democratic and Republican ads alike receive the same treatment when the remote control is in my hand: the mute button is firmly pressed.
But I've grown tired. From my observations, bullying a Republican is okay (we're heartless, selfish and unfeeling anyway, right?). In my experiences, admitting to supporting or agreeing with a Republican political official is an invitation to name-calling, pulled faces and snide remarks. Even though I, personally, go out of my way to not begin or respond in kind. Several years ago, someone said to me, "When you grow up, you'll realize how stupid it is for you to be Republican." I once was tempted to put a pro-Republican bumper sticker on my car and someone else told me I shouldn't because my car would likely be keyed for the sentiment. Those, and many other examples, have led me to believe that, as long as you aren't a Republican, you are entitled to your opinion, and your voice should be heard by anyone and everyone. There's free speech, after all. That is, as long as you're not a Republican.
Now, I don't believe this is true of everyone. But, this has been true in much of my personal experience with a great many of my personal friends, family members and acquaintances. Many, but not all. And it strikes me as sad. I should be able to make my voice and opinion heard - in appropriate venues and at appropriate times - without fear of being shushed because it isn't the opinion or belief of the majority in the room. Without fear of reprisal in the form of snide remarks and character judgements. Without the reaction I honestly received from one person when she found out that I am a Republican: "But you can't be! I like you!"
Sure, to a large extent, this is human nature. The baser inclination to mock someone or something different than ourselves. And I certainly can't expect the whole of humanity to rise above that instinct (though I wish it would!). My point being is that I'm done biting my tongue and covering my tracks so that people don't feel differently about me or don't look at me differently or judge me because of my opinions and political leanings. I am me. I am a Republican. I am a good person. And those who are going to judge, demean, mock, ridicule or not like me anymore because of it can go right on ahead and do so.
Please reread what you wrote and think about your comment about 'listening to this bile'. You are misrepresenting what the republican party actually believes. Are you expecting the republicans to stand calmly while you continue to spread propaganda?
We all know you channel the Barack Hussein Obama propoganda machine, but show me one reference where Mitt Romney, or Paul Ryan for that matter, want to do away with Social Security or Medicare. Right now both Medicare and Social Security are on unsustainable paths. Both Ryan and Romney want to open up other options to keep both Medicare and Social Security (or some form of of retirement & health benefit) for future generations, including my kids AND YOURS. For several years Paul Ryan has told the Left, "we need to sit down and talk. Here are some ideas, lets get this resolved". Instead, you Libs attempt to laugh and ridicule the idea ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIrltAkTf38 ). Bottom line, Romney/Ryan want to save Social Security & Medicare responsibly. Obama/Biden just want to keep going down the same path until we need to start cutting benefits, raising the age of benefit, or increasing payroll taxes.
That is actually the difference between Conservatives and Liberals. Conservatives see an opportunity to increase performance and efficiency by opening up education to competition. Liberals seem to think that only big government should educate our kids. In the mid 80's, Tommy Thompson created the voucher system where parents who could not "afford to write fat tuition checks" could send their kids to high quality private schools. Granted, it is not perfect, but your side continually tries to shut it down rather than working with Republican's to fix it. Apparently a 67% graduation rate at MPS is acceptable to your side!
No, Conservatives don't believe in screwing over the rich simply to redistribute wealth. Rather than making everyone poor (like Socialists), we believe in creating an economy that will ELEVATE everyone's status.
Honestly, it's hard reading the "bile" that "burbles" from your keyboard, which is why so many constantly feel compelled to challenge and debunk your bs! And this is one of the biggest loads of crap yet! This is exactly the kind of thing that Jenna Czaplewski is talking about in her blog - people on the left attributing lies and misconceptions about the GOP and holding those who support the party personally accountable for such erroneous and misleading characterizations. If you were a true independent, as you claim to be, then you wouldn't be constantly perpetrating the propagandist lies that the left spews about the Republican and Tea Parties. You also claim to be well informed and well researched, and yet most of the time the conclusions you reach are absolutely ludicrous and unsupported by the facts and reality. This proves that you're nothing but a propaganda peddler for the DNC. While you may not realize this, you're one of the haters that Ms. Czaplewski is referencing!
I would call myself a centrist Democrat, liberal on social issues and conservative on fiscal issues. We just disagree, as reasonable people do, about what fiscal conservatism really means.
Please refer to the @Nobama 2012 comment from 8:30. That is the kind of boorish, partisan blather that bothers many people and I have heard this type of tripe spewing from people of his ilk far too often. What you have experienced is the mirror image of this type of sentiment. The idea that Democrats hate America, the Constitution, and God is pure rubbish just like the idea that all Republicans are heartless, selfish, and unfeeling. Now, Nobama 2012 may have demonstrated that he/she fits that description but it certainly wouldn't be right to paint all Republicans with that same brush.
Won't stoop to your level of "Duh"
I think that the Good Book has its conservative. liberal, and even libertarian perspectives. I like the limited government, minimal coercion and intrusion of the libertarian philosophy. Am a TLC (traditional Lutheran Christian, Missouri Synod), so I do seek in my self governing personal perspectives a Scripturally based lifestyle and values. I just don't want the coercive power of civil authority to force those values onto people. The GOP tends toward that on "social" issues, and that is not consistent with personal liberty and responsibility for one's own actions. They also tend to be too timid in reversing the growth of the welfare and warfare states, and the latter is a big part of their agenda, which is not healthy either fiscally or from a foreign policy standpoint. Ron Paul is the best example of a Christian who holds to lower-l libertarian beliefs.