I wrote the above before reading the whole thread as a quick retort to a funny post... Then I read the rest.
FQ13 we gotta talk. I haven't been super active here in the last few months, but I've noticed some new names, yours among them. So welcome and I have a couple of questions.
In the interest of full disclosure, I, too, didn't vote for McCain.
What is it about the Rep. party that you have distasteful? I have a R on my voters registration card, but I will not be voting that way until a true conservative shows the intestinal fortitude to stand up for principles and not for Democrat/Socialist/Fascist light that passes for ideas presently. You mentioned Crist, the present governor of my fine state. Does he represent the Rep. ideal? If so, what are the principles that make up his belief system. Now I don't wanna get too wordy and make this seem like a homework assignment. I would just like to hear/read what you are thinking, here, in the great arena of ideas.
Thanks. I look forward to typing back.
Thanks for the post.
The short version is that philosophically, I'm a libertarian. Socially liberal, fiscally conservative (though not in a doctrinaire way), and strong on defense (again though I prefer a realist approach to FP rather than the idealism of either Carter or W). I voted twice for Bush senior, even though I disagreed with him on abortion and would do so again. My problem with the current GOP is threefold.
First, they have caved to the religious right on social issues. These folks don't believe in small government, they WANT the state to push their moral/religious agenda. I'm a Christian, but my priest should persuade me on Sunday, not pass laws telling other folks how to live.
Secondly on the economic front, they have gotten too doctrinaire about taxes and the market and failed to regulate. I'm not talking about socialism here just things like full disclosure for investors and requiring that banks and insurance companies have enough reserves to meet obligations (which would have averted the mortgage crisis).
Thirdly, W took a U turn from his dads foriegn policy. Frankly I think Reagan gets too much credit for the end of the Cold War. He may have helped break the back of the USSR for which he deserves great praise, but it was Bush the elder who made sure it went peacefully, which was by no means a given. The only serious bloodshed was in Yugoslavia which is a minor miracle. W is an idealist who wants to make the world a better, more Democratic place by using US power. Justas with Wilson and Carter before him, we realized thats not such a good idea. We need a more truely conservative FP such as that put forward by Ike and Bush 1.0.
That is my beef with the current GOP. None of it is an endorsment of the dems, and frankly I'm tired of arguing about my vote, its over with.
As far as Crist, I like the fact he seems to be a smart, practical guy, who has done a pretty good job as governor, partly by avoiding ideolgy and building pretty broad coaltions. He seems like a GOP Bob Graham, just a steady hand on the tiller.
FQ13