Confessions of a former Republican...

[MojoXN]

I'm a registered Republican, though I find that I don't identify with my former party any longer. I used to think of myself as a Republican in the tradition of Abraham Lincoln, or Dwight D. Eisenhower. It has become obvious to me that the Republican party does not represent me any longer. Though not quite a Democrat yet, I identify very strongly with the doctrine of the Democratic party. If anything, I would describe my ideology as, "liberal Libertarian". The few things that I disagree with are minutiae, gun control, etc.

I'm a strong believer in limited government. Bush and company do not. I believe in the right of the states to determine policy independently of the corrosive influence of the Federal government. Bush and company do not. I believe in free-market Capitalism, but I recognize that if left unchecked, that wonderful institution gives rise to corporations that trample the rights and freedoms of the people. I believe in corporate oversight and accountability for their misdeeds, if and when they occur. Bush and company do not. I believe that we, as a society, should measure our success not by our numbers of wealthy, but by our absence of poverty, which is, of course, currently lacking.

I firmly stand behind the principle, "If it harm no man, do what you will." Personal liberty is perhaps what has suffered the most over the last few decades of America's decline. The last major victory for personal freedom was the SCOTUS' declaration that anti-sodomy statutes were unconstitutional, in 2003. Before that, it was the overturning of the various abortion laws with Roe v. Wade in 1973. During those thirty years, the decisions of the Supreme Court that had the effect of limiting personal freedom and/or Constitutional protections are far too numerous to list.

We live in an America where the police are now legally entitled to require a citizen to show identification for no cause, with no suspicion of any wrongdoing, articulable or otherwise. This was a result of the decision of the Supreme Court in a case involving a man named Dudley Hiibel, I don't remember the exact title. Their decision eroded at the very core of the Founding Fathers intentions in authoring the Fourth Amendment, "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated..." When I was a boy, I remember learning of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, and the ubiquitous phrase, "Papier, Bitte!", "Áóìàãè, ïîæàëóéñòà", or in English, "Papers, please!" I also remember thinking, "How terrible it must be to have to register your identity with the government, and give your credentials to any government official who wants to see them, even when there's no justification, just because they asked."

I never thought that I'd see the day when MY country, the United States of America, former beacon of democracy and freedom, would descend into totalitarianism. Perhaps it was because I believed in the myth of America's inherent goodness, in any case, I no longer do. The atrocities that have been committed in my name disgust me. It was once anathema to think that my nation would torture anyone, let alone the innocent. But that has happened. It was once unthinkable that we the people would allow ourselves to be lied into a war of conquest. But that too has happened. And until VERY recently, it was utterly impossible that these things would come to pass, and virtually no one would care. That there would be not be an entire nation of voices crying out, "THIS IS WRONG!" Roughly half of the American people tacitly approve of the rape of our Republic. They claim that their support of tyranny is based on "moral values". There is nothing moral the death of innocents, and nothing moral about the America of 2005. Remember, readers, that the opposite of love is not hatred, it is indifference.

Mojo

If you liked this, more of the same can be found at:

http://blogsdontexist.blogspot.com

EDIT: I didn't realize that DU doesn't support Cyrillic characters. Sorry about that!

[Darkhawk32]

1. My brother describes himself as a "liberal Libertarian" as well... n/t

[MojoXN]

13. Sorry about the terrible pun, but I can't resist...

WORD TO YOUR BROTHER!

MojoXN

[Darkhawk32]

44. He decided to leave the Libertarian party for several reasons...

His local branch of LP wasn't focused on winning elections, just hanging out and complaining it seems.

He realizes that the Republican party is NOT the party of smaller government but vastly larger government.

He thinks he can effect change in the Democratic party easier than he could be staying with the LP.

[GetTheRightVote]

2. It is as if you took the words right out of my mouth.

:kick:

[MojoXN]

3. I'm glad that you enjoyed it!

[CAG]

4. Thanks, I appreciate your thoughts

It reminded me of a time last week when I was flipping thru the AM dial to see what all of the hypocrits (Limbaugh, OReilly, Savage, etc) were screaming about that day and dropped in on a conversation on a Focus on the Family Christian right station with Bob Barr (a person who had no worth to me up until that point for his associations with the CCC) and he was pleading with his christian right brothers to be against the Patriot Act.
Although I was pleasantly surprised that the hosts admitted having "some reservations" about the patriot act after the conversation with Barr, I was saddened that the only reason expressed was that when "others" (ie, not their christian right buddies like Ashcroft and Texas' village idiot) get in charge of the executive branch, they would be afraid that pro-life demonstrators, anti-gun control people, and others of their bent would be scrutinized under the Patriot Act. They never mentioned that it would be upsetting to them to see pro-choice demonstrators, gun control advocates, etc, be scrutinized by anyone right wing administration. Total hypocrisy. Everyone should be outraged that ANYONES constitutional rights to express their beliefs would be harrassed.

[Mythsaje]

5. Welcome, Mojo!

I find that I am in agreement with much of what you say here. I'm probably also a "liberal libertarian" or, according to the political compass, an anti-authoritarian-liberal.

Again, welcome to DU.

[MojoXN]

6. Thank you!

Y'know what I love about this community? The heartfelt "Welcome to DU!" that I get from everyone. It's nice to know that there ARE people who still care about their fellow man. Even as I close in on 250 posts (1/4 of the way there!) people still welcome me in all sincerity. Thank you! I'm proud to be a DU'er!

MojoXN

[Mythsaje]

8. Exactly how I feel

I used to post on the About.com Civil Liberties boards, but I just couldn't stand the obnoxious stubbornness of some of the posters anymore. I'm open to debate--to differing points of view. I just grew exhausted trying to discuss things rationally with people who couldn't see any side of anything but their own.

For me the breaking point was when I tried to explain that invading a country and killing people was bound to make some people there really pissed off and somewhat justified in fighting back. Especially those who'd lost a family member.

I don't have it in me to hate these people. Sure, some are probably outside agitators and terrorists, but a lot of are what we'd call "freedom fighters" if it were to happen somewhere else--like HERE, perhaps?

I tried to ask this guy--and if another country invaded US, ostensibly to "save" us from a dictator, and killed your kid, or your wife, wouldn't YOU consider picking up a gun and fighting back?

Ah, but I digress. Anyway, I love DU too, and even though I may disagree with some of the posters here on a few different subjects (gun control being one of them) I find the lack of venom refreshing. I don't get the feeling they hate me because we disagree about something. And that's kinda nice.

[Booster]

50. Personally, I consider myself a moderate Dem, and have no

problem with people owning guns. What I have a problem with is people owning assault rifles, which are only used for killing as many people as you can in a very short time. I really don't think the average Joe should own these. And welcome to all; we have people on this board who you will disagree with, but you will find most of us a peaceful group who want our country back.

[Jackpine Radical]

9. We're not at all monolithic.

I walked that path from libertarian Republican to civil-libertarian liberal in 1968-69 after my eyes were opened by certain excellent adventures I had experienced on a hiking and camping tour of Indochina.

I'm a gun owner & hunter, a die-hard environmentalist, despise patrician paternalism whether from a Kennedy or a Reagan, etc.

So welcome, dammit. The people around here will piss you off sometimes, and at other times you'll weep at your own good fortune to find yourself among such fine human beings.

[MojoXN]

12. Thank you for your service in defense of our country...

My brother is a soldier, he spent over a year in Iraq 2.0. There is no catergory of people that I repect more than soldiers. Even when they're ultra-Rightists, I feel an affinity for them. I have a feeling that you and I would get along quite well in person. In any case, thank you for your kind words. I already feel blessed to be a part of such a wonderful thing. And to think that once upon a time I used to frequent FreeRepublic... Oy Vey! On the bright side, if it weren't for THEIR closed-mindedness and vitriol, I'd never have found this place.

MojoXN

[Nite Owl]

7. Welcome MojoXN

I think the labels aren't too important in a situation like we are in and it's time we just call ourselves all Americans and stand up to what is happening.

[MojoXN]

15. I AM AN AMERICAN.

And Damn Proud to Say So! To any foreigners who might happen to stumble on this thread, I want to reiterate, "Half of the country doesn't support the chimp-in-chief, nor does he truly speak for America" Just a reminder...

MojoXN

[drfunk]

30. we know it

i'm an aussie and am interested in us politics (as you all know they have a global reach and effect, look at what bush has caused ;) and how my country is dragged into Iraq because we always have to prove ourselves so we can get help from the US if we ever need it) and it is good to see the voice of reason and logic gaining strength every week. The overthrowing of Bush will not only be a victory for half of the US, but for the foreigners out there too who feel the impacts of US foreign policy.

drfunk

[Lilith Velkor]

53. welcome to DU drfunk

I'm just a human from Earth who happens to reside in the US.

Bush's downfall will be a victory for our planet.

[Wetzelbill]

10. Great post.... Loved your thoughts

You are welcome and among friends on DU.

[Fuzz]

11. I coined a term for my political persuation, Socialtarian

;) Part socialist, part libertarian, small (s), small (l).

Not exactly where you seem to be on the political spectrum, but much of what you said I agree with.

Welcome to DU.

[MojoXN]

14. Thanks!

By the way, I love the whole "Socialtarian" thing. Quite succinct. I'd start using that term to describe my political philosophy, but it would just confuse people. Wait a second, being of the Libertarian bent confuses people anyway. Oh well... Fuck 'em!

MojoXN

[funflower]

16. The dems are not the party of big guvmint.

I'd also call myself a "liberal libertarian" (with a big dose of environmentalist and feminist thrown in). The RW sells everyone on the idea that the democratic party wants to "tax and spend" everyone to death, but the republicans have spent quite a few of our hard-earned bucks on things that are far less worthy than the kind of programs the democrats want.

Maybe we need to form a "libertarian democrats" group w/in the party. We'd probably pull a lot of libertarians over from the republicans.

[FreedomAngel82]

18. I think with that

it's really backwards. Under Clinton we had a surplus and FDR got the country through the great depression. Can you imagine what that era in our time would've been like if we had a republican president and the republicans controlled everything then? Things would've been way worse. One thing I've noticed with these people, as Rhandi Rhodes said last week, anything they say about the democrats it's usually not true with us but true with them. They are backwards people. :shrug: I learned that a while back. Anything they say just flip it backwards.

[MojoXN]

20. "I learned that a while back. Anything they say just flip it backwards. "

Talk about a total 180... They seem to have taken their lessons from Orwell himself.

War is Peace.

Ignorance is Strength.

and though we're not quite to this point yet, it's coming soon to an America near you:

FREEDOM IS SLAVERY!

I need to write a new Mein Kampf, both to right the wrongs of its predecessor, and so that others will know of,

"MY STRUGGLE"

MojoXN

[MojoXN]

19. I don't necessarily consider myself an environmentalist...

But I seem to have a much deeper respect for the land on which we subsist than does any Republican (myself excluded) that I've ever encountered. I don't understand why people persist in thinkig that the Earth has an unlimited capacity for healing itself. To the extent that it does, the ultimate result will be the planet snuffing out our species. And I for one have invested FAR too much time and effort into our species to see us go out like that.

Now, the feminism thing, I can agree in principle, but I have met a few women who take it WAY too far, and hurt the cause of your whole gender, by extension. Though I've never me her, Gloria Steinem, for example. From what I've gathered, even she has mellowed somewhat in her old age. Even got married, if I'm not mistaken. How's that for a total 180?

MojoXN

[tavalon]

39. You may not use the label "environmentalist"

but you just described an environmentalist pretty damn well and you said it described you.

As far as feminism goes, yeah, there are some women who go over the top, but overall most of us just see it as the radical concept that women should be treated as humans.

[Tsiyu]

42. Your comment on feminism

You will meet people in ANY group who are over the top. There are males in the Dem party who are "over the top." Did you not mention them because they are male? Please don't heap a "special" standard on anyone: male or female.

You take the good and the bad in any group. I am just fed up with the females always being singled out as being "over the top." It's ridiculous and totally proves why we still need feminism, because even here you are calling women to a higher standard than men in the party.

Damn. How many times do I have to ask for this one adult behavior: FAIRNESS????????? Why is it so hard for you to be FAIR to both sexes? Why do you judge one more harshly than another?

[MojoXN]

45. I've met some ultra-liberals of both genders...

who hurt the progressive cause with respect to the moderate voter. Michael Moore comes to mind. I've met some ultra-conservatives who are overly vocal to the point of hurting their cause. Ann Coulter, anyone? I would have gone into more detail had I thought about it. My intent wasn't to single out women; if I offended you, I apologize. The only reason that I specifically referrenced feminism it was because the post to which I was replying specifically identified environmentalism and feminism. Hope that clears a few things up!

MojoXN

[funflower]

52. I'm a feminist, environmentalist, Michael Moore and Gloria Steinem-

loving peacenik small government libertarian liberal.

But I like moderates, too. They'll come around. ;-)

[FreedomAngel82]

17. Welcome abord!

:hi: I remember being young and I used to want to be a republican. So many members of my own family are. I loved Clinton and Gore (especially Gore) but wasn't old enough to vote in 2000. After seeing F911 and doing my own research and other films I am a very left-wing democrat (I'm an old school FDR or Kennedy democrat, not one of these new school one's) who is also Christian. I'm glad you're here.

[warrens]

21. I'm with you most of the way

I'm a deficit hawk who used to be a republican and left a long time ago when Reagan came in. My main interests are social policy, the deficit, and foreign policy. These punks are so far on the wrong side it makes me sick.

[MojoXN]

22. "I'm a deficit hawk who used to be a republican and left a long time ago:

when Reagan became President." I wish I had been of the age of majority during the Reagan years. As it is, I was but a child during those days, and have a heavily biased, hazy recollection of those times. I came of age during the Clinton years, and I long for the prosperous America that was internationally respected across the board. Hell, from what I can remember, even Bush I wasn't such a bad President, if one were to ignore domestic issues.

I think that I would have become just as politically motivated, had I been born twenty years earlier. Reagan might have been a fuck, but Bush II, oy! I'm, actually ashamed to be a citizen of this country, and that's definitely a sentiment that I could do without! Rightist, and occasionally Leftist (LBJ) presidents have been quite corrupt in the past, but we have reached a new low. Now I know what it feels like to be trapped in a bottomless pit.

MojoXN

EDIT: Fixed subject line

[warrens]

23. Reagan supported fucking nuns up the ass

After they were forced to dig their own graves. He said it was their own fault. He was a total piece of shit, but this guy CAUSES outrages, not just defends them. He thinks he has a right to piss on prisoners who have never even seen a court. How many people have been beaten to death? We know at least three. I bet there are dozens more. We are turning into a nazi state.

[MojoXN]

25. Dozens?

You are far too generous.

MojoXN

[fleabert]

24. Welcome to DU!

I hope you find it to be a place where you are comforted, challenged, and inspired. There are many here to the left of you, and some are even to the right, I am sure you will fit right in. :hi:

I agree with a lot of what you said, and with 100% of the feeling behind what you said! thanks for saying it.

[Swamp Rat]

26. Thank you and welcome fellow American!

I hope you will adopt a few lost souls, open their eyes a little, and then send them here.

Let us awaken the "Sleeping Giant" that is the American People. E Pluribus Unum!!!

Let us remove the shackles of tyranny once again before it is too late!

[MojoXN]

27. I have already adopted a few...

One of the few advantages to being a former Republican is that you have a lot of Republican friends. Some, not very many admittedly, but some, already agree with me. Others are starting to get fed up with various aspects of Bushco. I can tell that all they need is a little nudge in the right direction. Either way, I have a nice base from which to effect change.

As to the shackles of tyranny, I say that the chains that bind us do so only because we as a nation let them. We are a disjoint people. At a basal level, we all share certain characteristics. The primary one is a profound love for country. Bushco. has taken that commonality and twisted its expression into a presidential cult of personality.

We all grew up in a respected, honorable United States. We all have been indoctrinated with the belief that the United States is the world's bastion of freedom. It was once, and it will be again. That belief that we all share is our greatest asset, and our enemies' both neocon theocracists and radical Islamists) greatest liability.

Take heart! We shall prevail, or at the very least go down with one hell of a fight!

MojoXN

EDIT: typographical error.

[Swamp Rat]

29. I have never lost faith in the American People

The government, on the other hand, has devolved; it has become a nasty amalgam of Machiavellian plutocrats and mafioso subversives like the PNACers. Though, their haughty manifestos and Stalinist approach are starting to grate on our collective nerve. The dictum from hitlerian wannabes, that have overturned the American system of government, will not be tolerated for much longer.

"Where's my ID? Officer, I respectfully suggest you look up your hind quarters." I'm willing to bet you Americans will not tolerate this once it is enforced nationwide. Sure, many will acquiesce at first, but MANY people like me will whip out a pocket-sized U.S. Constitution and give a civics lesson... putting it mildly, of course. ;)

Can we convince the rest of America to connect the two huge dots? Midland Texas to Riyadh Saudi Arabi, for example? I think we can. Can we convince fellow Americans that we do NOT serve the government but it serves us? I think we can.

I believe we can awaken America to the impending danger that lies ahead... or else we're frogs in a boiling pot of water.

[MojoXN]

31. "or else we're frogs in a boiling pot of water"

Well, you obviously aren't, nor am I, but I fear that most of our countrymen are a-stewin' as we speak. Up until the theft of democracy in Nov. '04, I myself had hope for the future. And I got "learnt" the hard way; true democracy is nonexistent in the absence of an equitable, transparent voting process. Until we get non-computerized votes on paper we're doomed to failure and Bushite catalyzed retrogression.

MojoXN

[Swamp Rat]

34. An honest and transparent voting process is above and beyond

the minutiae that is often at the core of partisan bickering.

Glad you're here.

edit:

[elaineb]

43. Very well said!

At a basal level, we all share certain characteristics. The primary one is a profound love for country. Bushco. has taken that commonality and twisted its expression into a presidential cult of personality.

And his cult followers ain't NEVER gonna change their minds, no matter what is revealed in the coming years. But that's okay, because if good people like yourself are turning your backs on Bush, that's all the numbers we need to resurrect the country we all remember. I'm pretty far to the left, so I suspect we wouldn't necessarily agree on all that much politically, but I think most of us would agree right now that our #1 goal is to wrest back all civil and political liberties seized by Bush-and-Cabal and to secure and protect electoral integrity, so that we never again have to doubt that the person sitting in the Oval Office is the true choice of the American people. Let's get that done first...TOGETHER...Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Greens, WHOEVER...and then we can once again enjoy that fine old American tradition of "agreeing to disagree."

And, WELCOME TO DU!! I'm one of those reserved, dreaded "low posters", but I've been a voracious reader of DU since last summer (registered 11/04), and I simply love this place! The collective wisdom, moral support, and (dare I mention it) uncontained rage are such a balm during this scary time in US history.

[nadinbrzezinski]

28. Welcome to our humble abode

and welcome to the fight

:toast: :toast: :hi: :hi: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Dee625]

32. Well said. 30 year Republican here.

I just really wasn't paying attention.
But the goings on with this administration were too hard to ignore.
I was the only Republican at the Dean meetups for the primary and I haven't looked back.

I don't know that I'm a true Democrat. I've already encountered some in real life that despirately "needed spine transplants" or were DINO and I just couldn't identify with them. I've said I'm a Dean Democrat, but then he became head of the party so...just going with the flow for now.
Hoping they get it together.

(p.s. the spineless ones are not found on DU)

[MojoXN]

36. Removed double post.

[MojoXN]

37. In the spirit of the forum...

As well as everyone who has been so friendly to me:
"WELCOME TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND!!!"

I was always the one to buy into the, "Liberals hate America" rhetoric. Now that I've actually opened up and exposed myself to other points of view, I see that the people on the "other" side of the aisle are much more in tune with my ideas than those who I had thought of as being closely aligned with my views.

I started becoming closely aware of politics in 2000, simultaneously, I started using the internet extensively, and to be frank, what I have learned in the interim has cemented my political opinion. I used to go to FreeRepublic, never posted there, but even when I first started becomig interested in the political scene I quickly realized that most of their number were hate filled syncophants, parrots, theocracists, with a few genuinely misguided individuals thrown in just for fun. It's been a long time since I took that website seriously, but nonetheless, there are a few times that I can understand SOME of certain freepers' rationale. Definitely a minority, but it happens.

Speaking of a spine, stick with Dean.

OK, rant off. Point is, I'm very pleased that you too have realized that what once was the party of Lincoln is, today, anything but.

MojoXN

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Swamp Rat]

35. Welcome to DU!

[MojoXN]

38. I second.

Welcome to DU, David!

I think you'll like it here. I sure do!

MojoXN

[ngGale]

40. Welcome to the DU ...

David. :hi:

Nice to have you aboard!

[toddaa]

41. Welcome to the libertarian wing of DU

Just be careful in your use of that word. It can trigger scorched earth posts by some who cannot tolerate those of us who fear the State and refuse to worship it. The term you are looking for to describe yourself is socialist libertarian.

[leesa]

46. "I'm a strong believer in limited government." I'll bet you believe in

cutting social programs in favor of a bloated useless military budget though. Which essentially is large government in a different form. Glad you are beginning to wake up.

[MojoXN]

48. No, I'm an isolationist.

We would have no need for such a large military budget if we'd quit pissing off the rest of the world by starting needless, unnecessary wars of conquest and messing with other nations' internal politics. I also believe in a tightly controlled immigration process, and well-defended borders. I think that we could get by on an annual military budget about 80% less than what it is now. As for social programs, I don't favor cutting most of them. The ones that don't work, absolutely. DARE, abstinance-only sexual education, etc. I also oppose measures like indoor smoking bans. Those kind of choices should be left to individual business owners, not ANY arm of government.

I'd like to see a large portion of the military budget go to providing universal healthcare, personally.

MojoXN

[donkeyotay]

47. Are you STILL registered Republican?

Please consider re-registering as an Independent. One of the most hopeful things that could happen right now is for rank and file Republicans to show their displeasure with their party by a protest registration. You can always re-register to vote in the Republican primary.

This is great stuff:

It was once unthinkable that we the people would allow ourselves to be lied into a war of conquest. But that too has happened. And until VERY recently, it was utterly impossible that these things would come to pass, and virtually no one would care. That there would be not be an entire nation of voices crying out, "THIS IS WRONG!" Roughly half of the American people tacitly approve of the rape of our Republic. They claim that their support of tyranny is based on "moral values". There is nothing moral the death of innocents, and nothing moral about the America of 2005. Remember, readers, that the opposite of love is not hatred, it is indifference.

Do you remember who said that the opposite of love was indifference? Jung, maybe?

PS: Hello!




:hi:

[MojoXN]

49. Yes I am STILL registered Republican.

And I plan on changing my registration very soon, perhaps to independent, perhaps Democratic, so that I can vote in the Dem primaries, which in most of WV are more important than the general election.

The quote is from holocaust survivor Eile Wiesel.

MojoXN

[donkeyotay]

51. Oops. Sorry about the all CAPS

I yell a lot, especially before my coffee... and sometimes afterwards. Well, you get on with changin' it, hear?
:evilgrin:

Thanks for the source on the quote.