No Longer a Republican
Both my parents are Democrats and have been all their
lives.
Growing up in Detroit with many
family members employed by Ford Motor Company, or other union-affiliated
companies (Pipefitters, Steel, Truckers, etc…) makes me very aware of how
important unions are.
If companies gain
too much power, the workers get shafted… big time.
(Look below the fold for the rest)
I remember a ceramic bust of John F. Kennedy in our living
room throughout most of my childhood.
A
nearly revered figure, even after learning about the scandals in his administration,
I still admire him as a President for not only many of his policies, but the
hope and pride he instilled in our country.
I still get a chuckle when I hear his old speeches about how cutting
taxes would stimulate the economy.
I
remember when being a Liberal meant being open to new ideas, helping others as
fellow human beings and not based on their race, and wanting the best for
America.
Being Liberal was synonymous
with being Good.
That’s how I was
raised.
Later, I joined the military as an enlisted. I still wasn’t very political and most of the
world was at peace with the United States.
The Army was a pretty good place to be.
Most of the draftees from the Vietnam Era were gone, drug testing was
just coming in (and was sorely needed), physical fitness standards were made
much more difficult (another thing that was sorely needed), and professional
military education (PLDC, BNCOC, etc…) were becoming mandatory for
promotion. As the services became more
professional, I began to notice politics.
Much of our increased readiness and pride could be directly traced to
the Reagan administration and I liked what I saw. I decided to become a Republican because
their platforms emphasized pride in America and self-reliance. Much of what the Republican Party stood for
resonated with me precisely because it echoed John F. Kennedy’s, “And so, my
fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can
do for your country.â€
Now, I was never afflicted with CDS (Clinton Derangement
Syndrome) and honestly believe that he did the best job he could in accord with
his beliefs.
Yes, he gutted the military
to pay for his social agenda and it hurt, a lot!
His personal behavior was weak and lying about
it under oath inexcusable.
However, I
never said anything about him because he was the Commander in Chief.
I followed his orders, and the orders of
those he appointed over me (to paraphrase our Oath), and that was that.
It’s easy to look back now and play the “Woulda-Shoulda-Couldaâ€
game, but at the time he did what he thought was right.
I believe President Bush is the same in that
way.
I don’t agree with all his policies
(immigration amnesty for example) but I believe he acts from his
convictions.
I like how he doesn’t back
down and respect the man immensely.
To
me, BDS (Bush Derangement Syndrome) is even dumber than CDS.
I told you all that so I could tell you this: I am no longer a Republican. I am a Conservative Independent. By going back to “Old Boy Politics†and
supporting a candidate like John McCain, the Republican Party no longer represents
my values. What you’re seeing now is party
politics at the lowest common denominator and I will pass, thank you very much. I say to the GOP leadership, it’s not “his
turnâ€, it’s still America’s turn and you should have remembered that. Whether you win or lose in November, you’ve
lost, mostly because you have abandoned the principles that were worthy of
respect. I may not have a candidate that
represents my values in November, but you have one that represents your liberal
opponents. Good luck with that, I wish
you well. I’ll be fine.
Posted by: Stashiu3 at
02:32:00
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