The future of the Republican Party.

[Yevetha]

Those who think that the Republican party will quickly recover, as in 2010, are gravely mistaken. The GOP of today is a shattered party, listing badly to one side if you think of it as a ship. It is an increasingly white party in a country going in the opposite direction. Several of its more moderate congressional members have been lost, leaving a party top-heavy with voices who come from safe (or safer) districts. A drunken binge of spending and incompetence over the last eight plus years mark its legacy, outweighing any and all good it has accomplished during that time and distorting the future it surely still has. If the party is to emerge as a competitive force to the Democrats in the way it needs to, it will take longer than two years, or maybe even four. It needs to determine what direction it wants to go in as a party, and who has power in it. If it continues to allow social conservatives (who voted for John McCain in greater numbers than for George W. Bush in several states) the power they've had, they will continue to lose overall influence in this country. If it finds its roots while also refocusing for the future and understanding how to deal with the problems Americans face today, they'll eventually get back into power. It cannot and will not be just because Democrats may (or may not) overreach. Counting on another party or person's failure is not a pathway to success, especially when that other party has so recently been through its own trials and is now led by a president-elect who took down two powerful machines on his way to being elected to the presidency (the Clinton machine and the right wing).

What shall its future be?

Libertarianism or Rick Santorum?

 

[SPOCKED]

What shall its future be?

Libertarianism or Rick Santorum?

I think we're gonna get 4 more years of the TOTUS

 

[Yevetha]

He is practicly a republican so whats the difference?

 

[C.E. Evans]

Shouldn't this be in the Neutral Zone forum where they fight over--I mean discuss political opinions?

 

[Danoz]

Shouldn't this be in the Neutral Zone forum where they fight over--I mean discuss political opinions?

I don't think politics are necessarily banned from Misc, but the forum demands a higher and more regulated level of dialogue. However, given this particular post by the OP, I think the content here is better suited to TNZ.

 

[Yevetha]

How can i go there?

 

[C.E. Evans]

Shouldn't this be in the Neutral Zone forum where they fight over--I mean discuss political opinions?

I don't think politics are necessarily banned from Misc, but the forum demands a higher and more regulated level of dialogue. However, given this particular post by the OP, I think the content here is better suited to TNZ.

That's actually what I'm talking about.

How can i go there?

Go to your User CP and click on "Group Memberships." You'll see an invitation to join The Neutral Zone forum.

 

[137th Gebirg]

If it remains civil, there's no reason it should be spirited away into the TNZ nether-regions.

I used to be a Republican - a Reagan republican. No longer. The biggest problem I've seen with present-day Republican politicians is this ridiculous need to legislate a specific brand of morality. These anti-abortion things popping up all over the country are a needless distraction to the greater issues we all face. Stay out of our flipping personal lives already and fix what you broke!

Long gone are the days of the party of personal freedom and small government.

And don't get me wrong. The Dems are just as bad and have done very little to help dig us out of the muck. Two years of bickering and incompetent non-movement after total control of the executive and legislative branches have proven that. Both parties are nothing more than two sides of the same bloody coin, promising the world and accomplishing nothing but ensuring their collective bank accounts are well-filled. I'm still waiting for the day that people wake up and embrace the "purple", more libertarian (with a small "l") mindset.

Unfortunately, I fear the "establishment" simply won't allow it.

 

[Alpha Romeo]

If it remains civil, there's no reason it should be spirited away into the TNZ nether-regions.

I used to be a Republican - a Reagan republican. No longer. The biggest problem I've seen with present-day Republican politicians is this ridiculous need to legislate a specific brand of morality. These anti-abortion things popping up all over the country are a needless distraction to the greater issues we all face. Stay out of our flipping personal lives already and fix what you broke!

Long gone are the days of the party of personal freedom and small government.

And don't get me wrong. The Dems are just as bad and have done very little to help dig us out of the muck. Two years of bickering and incompetent non-movement after total control of the executive and legislative branches have proven that. Both parties are nothing more than two sides of the same bloody coin, promising the world and accomplishing nothing but ensuring their collective bank accounts are well-filled. I'm still waiting for the day that people wake up and embrace the "purple", more libertarian (with a small "l") mindset.

Unfortunately, I fear the "establishment" simply won't allow it.

My view exactly...

I disagree with the OP in that it isn't just a white mans party. It's the wacky religious wing's party now.

I can stomach Romney, but not Santorum or Gingrich.

 

[Admiral2]

Those who think that the Republican party will quickly recover, as in 2010, are gravely mistaken. The GOP of today is a shattered party, listing badly to one side if you think of it as a ship. It is an increasingly white party in a country going in the opposite direction. Several of its more moderate congressional members have been lost, leaving a party top-heavy with voices who come from safe (or safer) districts. A drunken binge of spending and incompetence over the last eight plus years mark its legacy, outweighing any and all good it has accomplished during that time and distorting the future it surely still has. If the party is to emerge as a competitive force to the Democrats in the way it needs to, it will take longer than two years, or maybe even four. It needs to determine what direction it wants to go in as a party, and who has power in it. If it continues to allow social conservatives (who voted for John McCain in greater numbers than for George W. Bush in several states) the power they've had, they will continue to lose overall influence in this country. If it finds its roots while also refocusing for the future and understanding how to deal with the problems Americans face today, they'll eventually get back into power. It cannot and will not be just because Democrats may (or may not) overreach. Counting on another party or person's failure is not a pathway to success, especially when that other party has so recently been through its own trials and is now led by a president-elect who took down two powerful machines on his way to being elected to the presidency (the Clinton machine and the right wing).

What shall its future be?

Libertarianism or Rick Santorum?

Rick Santorum. Newt Gingrich. Rush Limbaugh. Sean Hannity. Ann Coulter. As far right as the party can swing without giving its members whiplash.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I seriously don't know what planet some people are living on when they claim Republicans and Democrats are virtually identical.

 

[FPAlpha]

If it remains civil, there's no reason it should be spirited away into the TNZ nether-regions.

I used to be a Republican - a Reagan republican. No longer. The biggest problem I've seen with present-day Republican politicians is this ridiculous need to legislate a specific brand of morality. These anti-abortion things popping up all over the country are a needless distraction to the greater issues we all face. Stay out of our flipping personal lives already and fix what you broke!

Long gone are the days of the party of personal freedom and small government.

And don't get me wrong. The Dems are just as bad and have done very little to help dig us out of the muck. Two years of bickering and incompetent non-movement after total control of the executive and legislative branches have proven that. Both parties are nothing more than two sides of the same bloody coin, promising the world and accomplishing nothing but ensuring their collective bank accounts are well-filled. I'm still waiting for the day that people wake up and embrace the "purple", more libertarian (with a small "l") mindset.

Unfortunately, I fear the "establishment" simply won't allow it.

I think Obama is to blame for the second part.. he started off as the great uniter and wanted to compromise with the GOP on behalf of the US when he didn't need to politically because he could've pushed through everything he wanted and there was little if anything the GOP could do to prevent it (delay it at best).

However after the GOP almost literally spit in his face a couple of times he still extended his hand and that's where it stopped with me.. he should have said Fuck it and do what he could while he had the time and after the last election he naturally lost that freedom of movement and now can't do anything without Republican approval which will not come out of spite.

The GOP itself is dismantling itself.. just look at the shitstorm the candidates have unleashed. That was so low and unreal it is unbelievable and no matter who wins their contender elections the Dems have already won easily if they would exploit the Republican primary.. Obama should just have a tablet present with a Youtube permanent link and some videos pre-loaded when he goes into the debates with the rep candidate.. would save him the time to speak for himself. For as long as the GOP is being held hostage by the Tea Party and other fringe, far right groups it will not recover to become electable for the mainstream US. They are just too far out there and that scares off the moderates and about the only chance they have currently is if the Dems would present a candidate so bland and/or stupid (basically a democrat Sarah Palin for example).

So it'll take maybe 10-15 years before they recover and manage to move back into a more moderate and middle stance.. or they luck out and find someone before that who manages it on their own and doesn't become a puppet of the fringe groups.

 

[Yevetha]

I seriously don't know what planet some people are living on when they claim Republicans and Democrats are virtually identical.

Only difference between Bush and Obaam is that he repealed Dont ask Dont tell.

 

[Sheep]

I actually agree more with REAL Republican views than I do Democratic views, but the Tea Party-led GOP is a complete joke pandering to a lunatic fringe. It'll be a cold day in hell before I support any of their candidates.

I'm all for diversity of opinion but I have to wonder how any female, racial minority, or LGBT individuals could possibly rationalize their support for the Tea Party.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I seriously don't know what planet some people are living on when they claim Republicans and Democrats are virtually identical.

Only difference between Bush and Obaam is that he repealed Dont ask Dont tell.

Aside from the fact that this is wrong, you basically rewrote what I said and then attacked my imaginary statement.

Try again.

 

[137th Gebirg]

I seriously don't know what planet some people are living on when they claim Republicans and Democrats are virtually identical.

Go up to the US Capitol and watch how they treat each other after the CSPAN cameras turn off. When the nation's watching, they're putting on their us-vs-them political theater for the benefit of the masses. When the cameras are off, they're all smiling, joking, patting themselves on the back and acting like they're all the best of friends and have pulled another one over on the American public. I've seen it, as have several of my closest friends, some of whom used to work on the Hill. It's appalling. It's all a lie.

And that is why the old terms of Republican and Democrat are irrelavent in this day and age. They are all only in it for themselves. They do NOT represent their constituency, no matter what minimal token pandering and placation they foist upon us to keep them re-elected. Pull back the veil and see what's really there. They're all doing it...

 

[Marc]

I'm all for diversity of opinion but I have to wonder how any female, racial minority, or LGBT individuals could possibly rationalize their support for the Tea Party.

They stick their head in the sand and pretends the bigotry, racism and homophobia don't exist.

There is one poster on the board who's pissed because Obama didn't deliver on somethings so has pretty much go pro-Repbulican depsite them being so opposed to the poster's lifestyle choices.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I seriously don't know what planet some people are living on when they claim Republicans and Democrats are virtually identical.

Go up to the US Capitol and watch how they treat each other after the CSPAN cameras turn off. When the nation's watching, they're putting on their us-vs-them political theater for the benefit of the masses. When the cameras are off, they're all smiling, joking, patting themselves on the back and acting like they're all the best of friends and have pulled another one over on the American public. I've seen it, as have several of my closest friends, some of whom used to work on the Hill. It's appalling. It's all a lie.

And that is why the old terms of Republican and Democrat are irrelavent in this day and age. They are all only in it for themselves. They do NOT represent their constituency, no matter what minimal token pandering and placation they foist upon us to keep them re-elected. Pull back the veil and see what's really there...

But then that's not a problem of party, is it? It's a problem with having an actual "political class." If both parties vanished into thin air tomorrow and a whole new set of politicians arose, you'd have the exact same problem.

 

[137th Gebirg]

I seriously don't know what planet some people are living on when they claim Republicans and Democrats are virtually identical.

Go up to the US Capitol and watch how they treat each other after the CSPAN cameras turn off. When the nation's watching, they're putting on their us-vs-them political theater for the benefit of the masses. When the cameras are off, they're all smiling, joking, patting themselves on the back and acting like they're all the best of friends and have pulled another one over on the American public. I've seen it, as have several of my closest friends, some of whom used to work on the Hill. It's appalling. It's all a lie.

And that is why the old terms of Republican and Democrat are irrelavent in this day and age. They are all only in it for themselves. They do NOT represent their constituency, no matter what minimal token pandering and placation they foist upon us to keep them re-elected. Pull back the veil and see what's really there...

But then that's not a problem of party, is it? It's a problem with having an actual "political class." If both parties vanished into thin air tomorrow and a whole new set of politicians arose, you'd have the exact same problem.

^^^ Very true. That's why a minimalist government is the only thing that could possibly work. That, and term limits for all elected officials. However, if the representatives of the two respected parties truly believed in the power of their own convictions, good old-fashioned idealistic rhetoric would eventually fight through the muck. In reality, they don't REALLY want anything to work. If it did, there would be nothing more to complain about and they and their back-pocket lobbyist cronies would be out of a job - on both sides.

Some people say that term limits are built-in by the ability of the voting process. The only problem with that is, while Congress as a whole is what gets the lowest approval ratings, the individual Senators and Reps go back to their districts, many of them are constantly re-elected by their constituency, citing the "other politicians" as the problem. "Our guy/gal is doing his/her job". Shit, that's the only reason Strom Thurmond lasted so bloody long. So, while everyone gets re-elected all over again because the sheeple in their districts think they're doing a good job, and nothing ever changes. It's just another subset of the political shenanigans that goes on in your aptly-named "political class". When they think the elections may go sour on them, well, there's always that tried and true legislative tradition of gerrymandering. That one covers a multitude of sins.

And since it takes an act of congress to limit their own power, I have a better chance of an asteroid landing on my head than having any of them bring up legislation to limit their own collective destinies.

Rather depressing to think about, sometimes.

 

[Yevetha]

I seriously don't know what planet some people are living on when they claim Republicans and Democrats are virtually identical.

Only difference between Bush and Obaam is that he repealed Dont ask Dont tell.

Aside from the fact that this is wrong, you basically rewrote what I said and then attacked my imaginary statement.

Try again.

So what other diferences are between the two?