A must read for republicans

[Eiru]

If you have a moment, please take the time to click through the add you have to see to access articles at Salon.com and take the time to read the article below. I feel it has something to say to those republicans out there who are tired of saying, "Yes, I'm a republican, but I'm not like those socially intollerant spendthrifts Bush, Rove, and Cheney."

http://salon.com/news/feature/2004/03/26/moderates/index.html

EDIT: I know I post a lot of urls, but I really think those more conservative among us might enjoy reading this. Here's a quote from the article as a teaser for all you folks:

"Moderate Republicans are often fiscal conservatives but social liberals -- in many ways, the exact opposite of this administration. They believe in balanced budgets, environmental conservation and a foreign policy that's strong without being needlessly belligerent. They see themselves as the heirs of former President Teddy Roosevelt, the avid conservationist and trustbuster, and former Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, the philanthropist, statesman and governor of New York. The party they joined was staid and dignified. It was the <i>other</i> party that seemed shrill and radical. "

[Macs]

I am pro-boobies, is there a party for that?

[Eiru]

There's ALWAYS a party for boobies!

[Sparky]

that describes me almost exactly: Socially liberal, economically conservative. Honestly I can't remember the last time that 'my' party has done something I approved of...

[Hammer]

I'd say i'm social moderate and fiscally conservative. I don't think you can be for the death penalty and be considered socially liberal. My problem with Bush, who I voted for, are the huge expansions of the goverment under his watch. The federalization of the baggage screeners, the largest expansion of medicare ever, I think? What I do like is his style. I like the fact that he is plain spoken. That he's not afraid to act and act decisively. That he understands that talk is only effective if back by force. That people make better spending decisions than the goverment. You're either with us, or you're against us. That pretty much sums up my feelings and we've been able to clearly determine who our true allies are better in the last year than we have in the last twenty. I like the increased standardized testing in the education bill. I'm actually against a federal education department, but this at least gives them something to do besides employ administrators. The tax cuts were awesome:) Just did my taxes and got a few grand back for a change. Woot.

The question remains is there a better option than Bush in 2004 for me? I really don't think so. Kerry's a dove. He can claim he's not but he has to much of history for that wash. Would he spend less? I doubt it. The medicare bill that just passed was mostly opposed by the dems because it didn't spend enough. The baggage screener thing would have been done regardless i'm afraid due to the political climate at the time. The patriot act would probably be gutted given the hysteria surrounding it on the left. It wasn't that long ago that CIA field ops couldn't deal with anyone that had a crimal record. How in the hell were they suppose to infiltrate terrorist organizations under those rules? Kerry says that now we're in Iraq we need to stay and do it right. However, he voted against the funds to accomplish that? The truth is Kerry is not much of a candidate. He won by default when the others imploded. His campaign was completely dead at one point and now he has the nomination. Doesn't say much for the field does it? It would be nice to see a democratic candidate that could actually make you think about your vote. Kerry's strong point seems to be that he's not Bush. Seems like there will be two votes cast in this election. A vote for Bush, a vote against Bush.

[Tammarion]

Yes, its quite sad how this year, the Dems are trying to field the guy who's the most "Negative Bush" - opposite on every point, without being a complete nutjob.

I think Liberman would have been a better candidate, despite being anti-videogame. He'd bring peace and order throughout the galaxy.... er did i mention he also looks like Senator /Grand Chancelor/Emperor Palapitine? :)

[Oakwing]

"Moderate Republicans are often fiscal conservatives but social liberals" - I would say that this describes me, but I am thinking that this open definition will include many people. Democrats & Republicans alike. Although Democrats will deny it since the word Republican is included. It is my opinion that the days of a clear Democrat or Republican candidate are past with no hope of a return. The issues of today's world are too complex to realistically believe that a clear line can be drawn to reflect the opinions of those for versus those against.

The last few elections have been a matter of deciding between the lesser of two evils and it does not appear that this year will be any different. I am thinking back to the period when Ross Perot ran for president. To me it made sense that a businessman ran the government. Our current system is too inefficient with more money wasted than is put into education. The one concern would be that of the impact to the economy if a large batch of government employees were put out to look for a new job. Who hasn't heard the phrase "good enough for government work"? I know that this can't be generalized for all government offices, but I have had several friends working for the government and their stories of the stupidity and waste within the system were astounding. Any business following the same practices would be bankrupt quickly. Not the US government. They'll just print more money (like the last year - note the steep decline in overseas exchange rates) or raise taxes.

Gads! I hadn't intended to type/say so much. I'll definitely take the time to read this. Thank you for posting the link.

[Boom]

I'm pro death penalty but consider myself a social liberal. I think there should be more death penalty and it shouldn't take 20 years in appeals and millions of dollars to kill obvious cases like Ted Bundy and that guy who ate people.

[Jammer]

People who eat people are the suk, so Boom and I are on the same page. :)

I agree with, Hammer, pretty extensively. I'm not 100% happy with everything Bush has done. The spending pisses me off a bit and my eye will start twitching uncontrollably if he actually personally pushes for any constitutional amendment banning SSM.

But will I vote for Kerry? Oh. HELL. No.

He makes the baby jeebus cry. And he scares my kids when he's on TV, too. (Not like Howard Dean, but still scary)

I have a lot of serious issues with Kerry, as well, but they're not nearly as funny.

Jammer

[]LoL[Harm]

I'm not really a part of any party, but I find myself for a Slim Efficient Government for THE People Not for THE Corporations I call it the SEGFTP-N-FTC to make it easier ;). I do not like war that does not have a clearly defined objective with a clearly defined extraction date and process. When it comes to war I'm an efficiency planning freakjob, just watch me play an RTS or War Sim sometime :), and because of this the current war for me is seen as a boobjob, something ill conceived with very little planning after primary objectives were completed. I am anti-death penalty, in its current state it must be halted. The racial and economic bias it currently has is sickening. However I find that the actual concept of killing someone abhorrant and believe even with reform, killing a person for their past denies them the chance of redemption no matter how remote the chance may be, also you can never assure than an innocent will not be killed.

$180 billion on a second war while the first one was still in progress...idiotic. None of my representatives in the government received my vote and will continue to be denied it if they continue to approve billions of dollars for inefficient bills.

[Swifty_Johnson]

I tend to be a strict constitutionalist, and promote greater states rights. I am too dismayed at the medicare reform, but seniors vote and if you want to get re-elected, you make them happy. The air-port baggage screeners deal was the brain child of the democrats and the media. I mean do you really want airport security with the effeciancy of the post office? The Republicans also had a hard time getting the right to fire parts of the bills past the democrats. Can you imagine if that failed, we'd have guys who miss weapons still in airport security becasue they can't be fired.

No canidate is perfect, you just have to pick the one that has the closest match to you. I would have had a hard time choosing between Liberman and Bush, but with Kerry it's a no-brainer.

Swifty