I grew up a staunch Republican. Someone who thought he'd grow up and vote Republican forever without a second thought. But I'm disenchanted. I'm disenchanted with a party that preaches cutting spending, but brings in so much less revenue that the budget still isn't balanced. I'm disenchanted with a party that gives subsidies to oil companies while firing teachers. I'm embarrassed that Barack Obama's birth certificate was allowed to dominate the news for weeks without any evidence given to support otherwise (and I've been thinking this since 2008, when I specifically campaigned for John McCain at Walla Walla Republican headquarters). See this article for more. I'm embarrassed that a man without any political experience can suddenly be a contender, especially since that was the main complaint against Obama. I see hypocrisy. I see a party willing to give corporations huge subsidies, forcing them to pay no taxes, while making the middle class pay more.
I'm not saying I'm a Democrat either. I see a party that's focused on much good: primarily helping the common man. However, they have no financial aptitude, spending our country into the ground. Side note, the only president to balance the budget in the last 50 years was Bill Clinton, a Democrat.
Extremists have hijacked both parties. Where is a fiscally-minded moderate to go? It's time for a new political party. It's time for the two-party system to die. As for the 2012 election, I have no idea who I'll vote for. I want a balanced budget first and foremost. However, I'm sure that if it was Obama vs. Trump/Palin, I'd vote Obama and if the other side won, I might have to move...
It's not about parties anymore, being a republican is just what you got to do these days to get elected. Same with Democrat, you can't be a declared socialist and get elected. In the same way you can't be a declared Libertarian and get elected. So I'm a declared Republican and vote Libertarian.
ReplyDeleteVote for the right person, not based on what group they ascribe themselves to. On that note, look up Herman Cain or Allen West. Those are TRUE Republicans and true Americans. I'd vote for them any day, and I don't think you'd be disappointed with them either.
Ian, I'm definitely going to vote based on the best person. I'll take a look at Herman Cain and Allen West. I want to make an educated decision...
ReplyDeleteI hope when you say TRUE American you aren't wanting to bring up the birth certificate issue again. If so, I'm not interested in that debate. But I'm really thinking you're just referring to your definition of an American (something we've discussed before)...
Oh and I should've written about the media in this post. Maybe I'll do another one in a few more days...
Dustin, I'm so glad to see another person thinking of moving if the Obama contender wins the vote in 2012. I'm seriously contemplating that move to Great Britain I've been dreaming of for many years...
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with your political views, too. I'm not really into politics most of the time, but everything you said jives with me...I'm finding myself more and more involved in American politics the older I get.