Warning: this post is about politics. Feel free to ignore it, dismiss it, or be mildly offended. Don’t, however, be totally offended because I still want us to be friends.
Although I hate declaring a political affiliation I do trend to the conservative side of the spectrum. I frequently vote a split ticket and firmly believe that both parties are essential in order for our system to properly work. However, when push comes to shove I usually end up voting Republican. GW was my state Governor and overall I thought he did a pretty good job. I voted for him to be president. After the first four years I was pleased and so I voted for him again. I was incredibly disappointed in the second four years of his presidential service. When this most recent presidential election rolled around I almost didn’t vote. I did vote. I didn’t vote for McCain and I didn’t vote for Obama. For the first time in my life I wrote in a candidate.
As a conservative I have felt abandon by my party. I’m embarrassed by most of its representatives and have found it difficult to find any thinking, reflective, and objective voices. The comments and information I hear coming from the right seem to be more reflective of panic-inducing fear-mongering designed to sensationalize any relevant discussion. The language and dialogue heard on TV and in the papers is one of hyperbole and narrow-mindedness. As a citizen I feel betrayed and as a conservative I feel embarrassed. I know there are intelligent, thoughtful conservative voices out there but finding them seems to be more difficult than winning the lottery.
Recently, I found this op-ed piece in the Dallas Morning News and all I can say is that Rod Dreher perfectly captures my disgust with regards to the conservative party. I hope Republicans figure out how much of their constituency they are losing by sticking to this all-fear all-the-time mode of operation before the next election. Otherwise I might find myself voting Democrat.
I doubt Lincoln would be horrified. Politics in his day were just as nasty and even more so in some quarters. As well, he would probably be considered a Liberal by today’s standards. The Republican party is that in name only compared with the Republicans of his day, they were considered ‘radical’ by some. It was the conservative South that seceded. As he so famously stated:
“What is conservatism? Is it not adherence to the old and tried, against the new and untried?” Lincoln’s Cooper Institute Address, February 27, 1860.
I don’t really know how hyperbole and narrow-mindedness and fear-mongering would be enough to sway your vote except to say that people who would stoop so low are people who are maybe not intelligent enough or have enough integrity to carry through on policies you DO believe in.
For me, politics is about policies. Either you largely agree with the Republican approach to health care, education, welfare, immigration, national defense, etc. or you largely agree with Democratic policies of the same.
The voting for the person thing is done in the primaries. You get to choose which person you think would best be able to represent your philosophies.
I suppose it could get confusing when you have a really liberal Republican or a really conservative Democrat (is there such a thing?).
Notice how I didn’t mention that you broke my heart here?
Oops. ;-p
You know, I think that is the hardest part for me. I don’t completely agree with either side. I ten to be socially a Democrat and financially a Republican. As a result I have to be selective regarding which issues I vote on. Depending on the election, and the candidates I might choose certain issues over others. Perhaps this will make you feel better, I did vote for Clinton when he ran for his second term.