44 years a Republican, 1 year an Independent, today I'm joining the Democratic Party

[applegrove]

by Bob Schneider at Chicago Now

http://www.chicagonow.com/politics-now/2017/07/44-years-a-republican-1-year-an-independent-today-im-joining-the-democratic-party/

"SNIP...........


Why I left the GOP:

Hate and paranoia have become an ideological principle in the GOP. The common view is the poor are thieves and stealing taxpayer's money. They point to social programs as having failed to end poverty. Social programs are not designed to end poverty. They are designed to keep you alive while an individual tries to find another pathway in life.

They hate education. Their steadfast crusade to end public education, to deny it money is an attack on our future. I went to public schools, including a public university. I received a good education, from dedicated teachers and professors. That should be preserved and not torn to shreds.

They are trade protectionists and isolationists. This is the final betrayal of Ronald Reagan.

They blame the victims. In fact, they have a false victimhood that they are actually the victims of the poor. They point to a mother on food stamps with an iPhone in her hand as "evidence" of theft. Did they ever stop to think that maybe a family member in better circumstances gave her that iPhone?



..............SNIP"

[Proud liberal 80]

1. I like your take

About their distorted view about the mom on food stamps with an iPhone. As if people on food stamps aren't allowed to have smart phones, tvs, go to the movies, eat steak, etc.....

[applegrove]

2. It is not me. It is written by Bob Schneider, the author of this piece, not Applegrove.

[SergeStorms]

8. Many disadvantaged people...

get free cell phones with a certain amount of minutes each month. At least in New York State they do. They have children, and their children need to get in touch, just like rich people. These people have emergencies, just like rich people. Most can't afford land lines, and these phones are the only link they have with family and friends.

I could never understand right-wingers getting upset about cell phones. Sometimes I think they just LOOK for things to be pissed off about.

[old guy]

3. While I applaud the move,

it would actually mean something if he were a US Senator.

[lastlib]

4. Don't discount it completely--

Others in the GOPee fold may be persuaded and follow suit. One small pebble shifting can be the start of an avalanche. Yes, that may be overly optimistic, but it's a start.

[applegrove]

5. And he nails the difference between the two parties in very simple

ways. Ways that might make sense to Trump's base.

[diva77]

9. yes - I'd like to see him offer a sanctuary of sorts - maybe a website where the newly enlightened

(and converted) can congregate without embarrassment -- maybe that would help bring down the party that has been leading us over a cliff

[BlueTexasMan]

6. It means something.

When I watched my father in law change parties years ago. It was a very big deal. He was a CPA and said he could see what the rethugs were doing with the money and it was just not right! He died recently (he was 84 from Abilene) and when his wife took the picture of Barack Obama down off the wall in his office, she made the comment, "He was a closet Democrat". Her daughter came back with, " No mom, he was a Democrat! " When I tried to talk to her mom about the treasonous happenings of the day, she replied, " Oh, are they still talking about that Russia thing?!" OMG

[lutherj]

7. 44 years? A little slow on the uptake. Reagan was the beginning that led to this sad end.

The Bitburg speech, the fictional "welfare queen", the trickle-down BS, Iran Contra and the most corrupt administration in history. The constant anti-government propaganda. Reagan was a zombie, a wooden voice-over for the rising right.

I'm glad this guy has had a change of heart, but he needs to take in the long history of the GOP that got us here.

[SergeStorms]

10. No freaking......

shit! Reagan spelled the beginning of the end for fairness and true patriotism. After Reagan "patriots" were more often defined by how many magnets "supporting the Troops" were on your car, and how ridiculously right-wing your thoughts could wander. He ushered in the age of Limbaugh, which eventually lead to FOX "News" and the headlong shitslide to the right in this country.

Reagan sucked ass!

[lutherj]

11. Nail on the head.