I'm switching to Republican

[salinen]

Yeah, I've had it with caring and compassion. So why not try the other side. Here's a list of my new mindset:

- Fuck you buddy, if you can't benefit me, screw you. I hope you suffer.
- Poor people are lazy. Or drug addicts.
- God blessed America. God wants death to non-christians.
- Civilian casualties, so what.
- I love paying taxes for military, nothing else.
- CEO's make billions! Cool.
- Scientists are liars.
- I might be gay. But I'll vote to deny gays any rights.
- Everything is in our national security interest.

[Echo In Light]

1. Your list is dead accurate re many who don't even cast themselves as RWers

... which is largely due to the various forms of their corporate culture indoctrination that has strategically shaped their perceptions so that they're unable to discern shit from shinola.

[ClassWarrior]

2. Really? Several people unrecced this? For the trolls, denial ain't just a river in Egypt.

:rofl:

NGU.

[Echo In Light]

3. Apparently strikes a nerve

[goldcanyonaz]

27. Some don't read past the title.

[whistler162]

28. or just tired of the same childish whine!

[chelsea0011]

4. You left out, "brother can you spare a tax break? I'm rich".

[salinen]

5. even better

the poor person who wants the rich guy to get the tax break.

[HughMoran]

6. Yep

Republicans are just the sweetest, most compassionate people, huh?

[rudy23]

7. So you joined the DLC?

Cause that's what it sounds like ;)

[Mari333]

12. [phone]

[rateyes]

70. And another +1,000,000,000,000

[Blasphemer]

54. Genius... nt

[Goldstein1984]

8. The party is only broken because the system is.

The fundamental truth in your post is that there is hardly a difference, except the Republicans are on the worser side of the equation.

It's time to start looking outside the system.

Here's a campaign slogan for the Dems in 2010 and 2012: "Democrats: Because Brand X is a little worse."

[Echo In Light]

15. Better slogan: Fuck The Two Party Ruse, We're Not Falling for It...Again

[Goldstein1984]

22. Yes, I'm getting tired of the "I'm staying with the party because...

I've seen how much worse it can be.

Sometimes I wonder if making things worse is the only path to making things better.

[Echo In Light]

30. That's inevitable, which is why our sham "democracy" is now replete w/anti-"terror" legislation

Goes hand in hand with the phony "war on terror" a la Patriot Act. That is the domestic angle. From Power's perspective, who do'ya suppose the "terrorists" are?

Any who oppose the corporate aims and interests our elected reps actually represent.

[Goldstein1984]

31. That's what I believe too.

Look around the world. The peasants are getting restless everywhere.

Look at the standing ovations received by Hugo Chavez when he condemned capitalism and imperialism in Copenhagen.

Look at the tactics used against protesters during the G20 Summit in Philadelphia.

Look at the "preemptive arrests" of private citizens in Copenhagen.

Every little act of defiance is now "terrorism."

I think TPTB are getting everything in order to keep the peasants in line.

[Echo In Light]

34. Exactly. It's just that an insular, brainwashed populace is just starting to read the proverbial...

writing on the wall

[Goldstein1984]

35. This is the part that bothers me, though...

I'm beginning to believe that good can only be found on the other side of worse. American citizens don't yet realize they are becoming peasants--they still have faith in the system, or they have not yet been impacted negatively enough to realize what is happening.

There is some part of me that wants to see things get worse. It isn't until then that the people will challenge the status quo.

As frightening as this sounds: A Palin/Cheney ticket may be in the long-term best interests of the people. The only thing that will turn the people from sheep into wolves.

[Echo In Light]

36. Oh, absolutely. I know people who strategically vote R in hopes of collapsing the empire sooner

... which will of course, as you allude to, force Power to show its true colors once the "democracy" rhetoric/propaganda no longer secures the passive compliance of a large enough %

[bvar22]

73. There were "pre-emptive arrests" in Minneapolis/St Paul...

...last year at the Republican Convention.

[PassingFair]

41. We're not "falling" for it. We just don't have a choice.

[phasma ex machina]

56. +1 That's fairly good - have another. Note how the ballot box only influences the reality show on TV

while the guy on the throne stays put.

[phasma ex machina]

52. +1 nt

[L0oniX]

9. Oh yea ...I gotta recommend this one.

:thumbsup:

[arcadian]

10. If you support this President your leap isn't that far.

[kentuck]

11. k & r

Just to get another Republican troll to look at it. :-)

[grahamhgreen]

13. Because of the Dem's failed leadership, too many Americans will choose this option in 2010.

[closeupready]

14. "I'm a closeted gay, and if I can't be openly gay, NOBODY can."

n/t

[johnlal]

16. So just shut up and take it!

It's obvious that the President feels he can govern this country from the center-left without the help of the progressives. So be it. Good luck.

If he decides he wants my vote or my money in the future, he can make an effort. Right now he's happy to go it alone. His choice, not mine.

[asdjrocky]

19. Center-left?

If only.

[newspeak]

24. I'm with you!!!

Center-left? Now that would be a change!

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

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

[asdjrocky]

18. Tell me-

How do you tell the difference these days?

[landofconfusion80]

20. Just another view...

Since this is the party of listening and tolerance:

- I am not exactly sure where that came from, everybody has a place and a purpose, it just takes finding it and using the resources that you can utilize

- Poor people don't have to be poor, anyone can achieve, this is the land of opportunity. Social programs do take the incentive out of bettering yourself over time however.

- I don't have a problem with other religions, in fact, I know many people of many different backgrounds. However, when your beliefs encroach on my rights and threaten harm to mine and my family's life, we're going to have issues.

- Casualties happen. It's unfortunate, our military is trained to minimize this aspect of war, but it does happen. Nobody wants to see a young child missing a leg. Turning this into a political point is unfortunate at best.

- I believe in paying taxes for those things listed in the constitution. This would include a military along with those others clearly listed.

- CEO's do make billions. The company they work for agreed to it. I could request billions if I worked flipping burgers at McDonalds, but I'm sure they wouldn't go for it.

- Scientists have helped bring modern society to the point where it is today. When their studies start to have a political bias, those studies change from scientific to lobbyist in nature. And yes, I do believe in evolution and that men never walked with dinosaurs.

- Gays have rights to do whatever they so choose. However, marriage is a religious affair and no taxes should be collected or refunds given because of your sexual orientation. If you want to get married, go to the closest church that will accept you and best of luck.

- Not everything is in a national security interest. It would be beneficial to know who is here and what their intentions are, I'm assuming that's what you're getting at.

[Winterblues]

21. I need to respond to a couple of your responses

"Poor people don't have to be poor, anyone can achieve",
Spoken as an arrogant American. There are places in the world where what you say just is not a fact.
You don't have problems with Religion but then suggest Religion may do you or your family harm. Crime doesn't really know a religion. There is no real evidence that 9-11 was in any way connected to any Religion. It is only an assumption. Yes casualties happen in a War but why is the USA engaged in any War? No country attacked us or even threatened us. A Criminal Act happened that happened to kill thousands of people. It was not an Act of War, only in Republican world is that the case.
You only believe in paying taxes for things listed in the Constitution. What is mentioned in the Constition is the purpose of Government is to maintain the Health and welfare of the Nation. That would include Roads, fire departments, police departments, Ports/harbors, airports, schools, water distribution systems sewage distributions systems, I could go on and on and none of those things are listed in the Constitution. Republicans seem to want everything for nothing. They don't want to pay any taxes but are usually the very first ones to complain about potholes.
Maybe you could give an example of Scientist being lobbyists instead of Scientists? What IYO is in our National Interest?

[landofconfusion80]

23. Response back:

1. Luckily, if you live here, you don't have to be stuck in a caste system like you would in India or be forced into your situation through some dictatorship. Don't like living paycheck to paycheck(if you are actually working)? Start saving, build a cushion, find a better job. Trust me, I've been through it, I started working in a wood shop, washed dishes, I'm a mechanical engineer now, it can be done.

2. There are indeed religions in the world that preach harm to other beliefs. incredible, but true. Now, luckily, there are many that do not believe in this version of that religion, but they more often than not do not speak out against those individuals that try to do harm to others because of their beliefs. Afghanistan harbored the group named as Al Queda, the Saudi named as Bin Laden planned the attack in the name of his religion. The day that the twin towers came down was the day that this radical sect of Islam needed to be taken care of. They happened to be in Afghanistan.

3. I could get my water from a well if I so chose to. I use a septic tank for my sewage needs, maybe I should be reimbursed by the government since I don't use something that in your mind should be provided for by them? Luckily, those things are provided by co-ops or utility services, not the government. You could strip down many government services and have them provided by private entities.

4. Look up the tuskeegee experiments for a scientist turned lobbyist.

I'm glad you asked what our national interest should be, I have a few thoughts on the matter:

1. Trim government 3% annually across the board, that would include military, social programs, you name it. Everything gets trimmed.

2. Start closing down military interests found in other countries. Japan and German have behaved themselves for 60 years, they can start defending themselves without our involvement.

3. Make international trade even. Whatever tariffs that a country may place on our goods will be returned on theirs as well. (Union supporters out there will love that).

4. Drop capital gains taxes by 5% immediately to spur on business development and to get more people involved in stocks. Unfortunately, the government has mismanaged SS, medicare and medicaid and this would provide an out in case those programs begin to falter.

That's all in our national interest and just off the top of my head, I'd be happy to share more if you're interested in hearing about it.

[newspeak]

26. Medicare and SS has been a godsend to this country.

I assume you don't believe in taking care of your children, elderly or your poor. How quaint. How libertarian of you. I'd suggest you actually read about the true casualties of the depression. Since, I once was employed at SSA, it is not the problem. Dipping from it, is a problem.

Maybe you can view the graph that shows how the wealthy have actually shirked their responsibilities in paying taxes. Maybe you think that YOU are the one being put upon in paying taxes--but the tax code for the wealthy has diminished significantly since the 1950's--nothing like going from a 94% from FDR to 28% Reagan. And, I don't believe in trickle on economies. It's worked so well since they've created it--hasn't it. I mean I can see all that trickle down wealth coming to main street from our great war profiteering greedheads from above. We have the privilege of paying for their corporate interest wars, their bailouts--but lord help us, if we use our money for us! And the * administration intentionally mismanaged medicare, SSA and FEMA. They'd rather give the rest of our money to their corporate toady friends, as in more privatization--just ask the soldiers over in Iraq how privatizing parts of the military is going. Let's see two cases of washing and drinking with tainted water, eating tainted food and dying from faulty electrical--all for a fekkin buck. Yeah, Norquist wants to drown government in a bathtub so his greedy friends can have even more of a field day--and when more corporations take control of public programs-WE THE PEOPLE lose even more rights to corporations--our voices will be even less heard--and the corporations will be held less accountable. But, keep dreaming of that great LIBERTARIAN dream. The thing is they're more for your libertarian concepts for corporations, but less for your individual rights.

[landofconfusion80]

29. answer.

That would be the farthest from the truth. I do believe in taking care of my children and my parents when they get to an age where that would be appropriate. I don't expect anybody else to take on that responsibility, especially the government. As far as the poor, I'd have even more to donate to them if there were less to be taken from my income. I believe I could put it towards causes that are more targeted to my beliefs than the government ever could. Even churches served a vital role in communities at one point. Not just contributing directly, but alerting individuals to who could use a little help, be it goods or money. It's amazing how far away from personal responsibility we have traveled, isn't it?

I would take trickle down economics over trickle up poverty any day. It's the "corporations" that do the hiring, they got to their place by doing the right marketing, the right hiring and making the right product. If someone comes up with a better idea, they should chase it, it might make them very successful in the future.

I don't know where the libertarian title came from, I would prefer not to be labeled under any particular "tent" I am simply for individuality, personal responsibility and getting this country back to it's rightful place as the beacon upon the hill that everybody else strives to get to.

[girl gone mad]

43. Your drivel just gets more inane by the minute.

Corporations create the jobs?

Then, you pathetic little peasant, explain why we have fewer private jobs now than we did a decade ago, after 10 years of giving corporations more than they ever asked for?

Sorry buddy, but "individuality, personal responsibility and getting this country back to it's rightful place as the beacon upon the hill that everybody else strives to get to." is about as meaningful and relevant as a beauty pageant contestant answer.

[walldude]

Toppings?

:rofl:

Look, just because we are pissed off at Obama doesn't mean we are dumb enough to buy into your freeper bullshit. People like you are angry because this bill does too much we are pissed off because it doesn't do enough.

I'll take clues for 500 Alex :rofl:

[walldude]

60. Toppings?

:rofl:

Look, just because we are pissed off at Obama doesn't mean we are dumb enough to buy into your freeper bullshit. People like you are angry because this bill does too much we are pissed off because it doesn't do enough.

I'll take clues for 500 Alex :rofl:

[gaspee]

65. Wow

For someone with so many answers, YOU ARE COMPLETELY CLUELESS - about everything.

[Winterblues]

33. I am not surprised you don't list good relations with other countries as a National Interest.

I agree with you about reducing our Military footprint throughout the world 100% but the other things you listed seem quite short sighted to me. It was McCain that wanted a freeze on spending. Even he didn't go so far as a cut on "everything". You don't believe anything should be strengthened? Just cut...If I did such a thing in my business I would be out of business in short order. The idea is to strengthen the good and cut the bad, not just lump them all together..

[cark]

38. Out of business

Running perpetual deficits puts you out of business in short order, not cutting expenses.......

[Winterblues]

42. Right my truck needs a new waterpump before it can go on delivers.

Since I owe money I can not charge a new waterpump because adding new debt is not good business......:crazy: Do you know anything about business?

[Leftist Agitator]

72. "I'd be happy to share more if you're interested in hearing about it."

Nobody here is interested in hearing about your bullshit Libertarian rhetoric.

And I can tell from examining your writing style that you aren't even half as intelligent as you think you are.

Enjoy your stay.

[cark]

25. Health and welfare of the Nation

The purpose of the Constitution is to set limits on the government to protect the individual rights of it's citizens. No where in the Constitution does it give the FEDERAL government the power to administer any of the services you listed outside of roads (postal roads). These services were to be left to the states per the 10th amendment. This is why our nation is so screwed up and partisan, because we failed to enforce provisions of the Constitution.

[Winterblues]

32. Promote the General welfare

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense,<1> promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
IMO Supporting Domestic tranquility and promoting the General Welfare is in essence maintaining the Health and Welfare of the nation. What is your interpretation?

[cark]

37. Notice the words.... In Order To

The preamble is not consitutional law - it is the mission statement. The preamble says "in order to do x,y and z" they extablished the consitutional laws which start at Article 1.

[Winterblues]

40. Right it is the mission statement, the purpose, establishes the goals.

The Actual wherewithal is the Constitution itself. They can not be seperated...The purpose of the Constitution is to achieve those goals stated in the preamble. Basically to maintain the Health and welfare of the Nation. What purpose would you ascribe to Government anyway?

[cark]

45. Yes

In order to achieve these goals the Federal government shall follow these rules. The rules limiting the federal government start at Article 1 - there is no 'law' in the preamble. The purposes of federal government is specifically listed in Article 1 section 8. Amendment 10 restates that all other powers were to be reserved to the states. Our federal government was supposed to be a union of states.

The purpose I would ascribe to Federal government is to provide defense for the union and make sure all the states play nice with each other, protect our natural rights from infringement. The purpose of the states should be whatever that states citizens wanted it to do limited to what that states constitution allowed. You have much ability to affect change at a state level than at a national level. If you don't like your state government you could always move to a state more compatible with your ideals. Right now we are trapped under one size fits all and is the primary reason for the harsh partisanship between Americans.

States are the place where social services should be provided, not by our federal government. Our country is to big to be centrally governed. Remember at the time of its founding there were only 13 states and we had 1 representive for every 30k people. Clearly this system has broken down and no longer works as intended.

[Winterblues]

47. Oh goodie then we can bring back slavery

States right's afterall are the ONLY thing that's important.. You are completely wrong on this issue. We are one country and not fifty little ones. We are Governed as One Nation Indivisible with Liberty and Justice for All. It is the purpose of Government to provide for the General Welfare and insure the Domestic tranquility. Also to provide for the Common Defense and Provide Justice for All.

[cark]

48. Good Argument

Bring back slavery - intelligent reply.

States rights are about the citizens of that particular state deciding on how they want their government to function. Are you against democracy and power of the people? Central government limits both. The originally intended purpose of our constitutional federal government is specifically listed in section 8.

We are one country, but the 50 states did not give up their rights to function somewhat independently when they ratified the Constitution, regardless of what it has morphed into as national politician have been consolidating power over the last 100 years.

I agree with he purpose of government - I disagree about the means to that end.

[Hippo_Tron]

64. I don't think you appreciate how complex constitutional law actually is

There is such a thing as implied powers and anybody who says otherwise doesn't understand the constitution. There are certainly legitimate disagreements about the extent of these powers amongst people who spend their lives studying and practicing constitutional law. But "power x is not listed specifically in the constitution therefore power x is unconstitutional" is not a serious legal argument.

[cark]

68. That isn't my arguement.

Of course the consitution can not list every power, but the implied powers should be in context to achieving one of those limited roles. They should be a means to a constitutional end. These laws should be both necessary AND proper.

[Toasterlad]

49. "Gays have rights to do whatever they so choose."

You are one seriously ignorant individual.

Can gays serve openly in the military?

Can gays get married at city hall?

Can gays not be fired for simply being gay?

Can gays not be turned out of their apartments for simply being gay?

Can gays adopt children everywhere straight people do?

Can gays visit their spouses in a hospital?

Can gays collect social security benefits from their deceased spouses?

Do you want more examples of your ignorance, or would you rather just concede your idiocy?

One more thing: marriage is a CIVIL term in the United States. A man and a woman can get married at city hall without a single witch doctor waving a magic wand over them. Stop using your outdated superstitions to judge what I should or should not be allowed to do.

[proud2BlibKansan]

55. Pepperoni?

[whatchamacallit]

61. Ah... the word of the aristocracy devoutly delivered by their peasants

Nation of self-sabotaging tools.

[PassingFair]

39. You don't have to go all the way....just join the DLC.....

You CAN go CORPORATE without going Republican!

[Tim01]

44. Funny how dems and repubs both have the same game plan.

Which is: "The other team sucks!".

There really isn't as much difference between repubs and dems as the leaders want us to think there is. "Vote for our team, we can't let the horrible other team win, it would be the end of the world."

Here is what the republican side says is the average democrat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P36x8rTb3jI
Obama's going to pay my mortgage.

Is a typical democrat? Of course not. Is Rush a typical republican? Of course not.

[Flaneur]

46. I've heard all that crap right here on this discussion board.

[laughingliberal]

71. Especially the part about the lazy poor

Squandering their food stamps on a can of beans when they should be buying dried beans and cooking them themselves.

I don't want my tax dollars going to buy lazy, poor people CONVENIENCE food. And I saw one buy a SODA the other day with their food stamps :sarcasm:

[Canuckistanian]

50. When is your intellectotomy scheduled for?

I hear it's quite painful, but you don't remember a thing afterwards.

You'll have a strong urge to watch Glenn Beck and shout "ditto!" at inappropriate moments.

Good luck.

[omega minimo]

51. And you overlooked and took for granted women altogether -- nice touch!!

[Blasphemer]

53. LOL... I gotta say the log cabin types make more & more sense every day... nt

[gardenista]

57. Mwah!

You rule. That is all.

[walldude]

58. Then you'll fit right in with most of the Dems on the hill...

Good luck to you.

[Initech]

59. You don't need to do any critical thinking either, Fux News does it for you.

[roamer65]

62. No way I ever could go back.

My journey lies even further leftward.

[NorthCarolina]

63. +1 nt

[gaspee]

66. Wow

The right wingers are coming out of the woodwork - good job!

[OnionPatch]

67. It is so much easier to be a Republican.

You don't have to care about anything....there is no global warming or environmental problems, so drive whatever you want as far as you want, poor people are lazy and deserve to be that way, all middle-easterners are terrorists, so no problem waging endless war against them....big business is there to help America prosper and will always do right, and oh yeah, you're going to be as rich as one of them if you can just get them to cut your taxes. :eyes:

[rateyes]

69. Makes you wonder why supposed Democrats want to toe the GOP line. nt

[Generic Other]

74. Can I wear a flag pin in my lapel too?

oh wait. I am barefoot and pregnant and wearing a walmart bathrobe. No lapel available. But I will homeschool my kids. They can memorize Bible verses.