So my younger brother is a Republican and an atheist...

[LAGC]

He's purely an economic conservative, not a social conservative, and has been active in local party politics trying to move the GOP in a more libertarian direction, a totally uphill battle, really looks up to the likes of Ron Paul.

He's actually been attending some local atheist meet-ups, which is more than I've ever done with my similar lack of religious beliefs.

Anyway, we got to talking over dinner at our parents' place last night, and I posited the question: "So what happens if a religious fruit-cake like Michele Bachmann or Rick Perry wins the Republican nomination, and those atheist meet-ups turn into de facto rallying points for the Obama campaign like they all did in 2008? Will you still keep going?"

He considered for a moment, then answered: "Well, let's hope it doesn't come down to that, but yeah, I'd probably still keep going."

He's already said he'll just sit out the 2012 presidential election if those are his only choices. (There may be hope for him yet! B-) )

[JohnnyRingo]

1. Every year I try to multiply my vote

by getting someone to the polls who wasn't going to vote.
It sounds like your brother is a prime candidate. I'd work him if possible if I were in your shoes.

Good luck.

[LAGC]

2. Yeah, I think with him it just boils down to priorities...

If he can be convinced that the threat to his pocket-book (he makes decent money as an accountant) from a Democratic administration is less than the threat of religious extremism run amuck, he might eventually come around and vote for the lesser evil.

In the meantime, I'll just keep encouraging him to keep attending those atheist meets! ;)

[Ter]

10. If he's an atheist, anti-war, anti-gun-control, and anti-tax, he's not gonna support Obama

Nor should he. He should be convinced to register as a Libertarian if Ron Paul doesn't win the Republican nomination.

[Skittles]

3. I don't understand what an ECONOMIC CONSERVATIVE really means

they think wasting money on senseless wars is A-OK but helping people is a no-no?

[LAGC]

4. My brother is totally anti-war.

Remember, he's more of a Ron Paul follower than anything else...

The problem with economic conservatives is they are mainly concerned about their own welfare and finances, and don't really care if other people are struggling while they happen to be relatively successful. They side with the rich because they hope to be rich one day themselves, even though its the middle-class that often suffers the most from Republican policies.

It's just a matter of getting them to see beyond their own situation, and to recognize that they have much more in common with poor people than they do with the filthy rich.

[Zynx]

5. Just out of curiosity, does he have a lick of compassion for the disabled and the disadvantaged?

I would guess not, but I would want to hear an answer before judging him too harshly.

[LAGC]

9. He thinks churches and private organizations should care for the needy, not the government.

I guess in that sense he's kind of a "faithiest" (doesn't believe in God, but still likes the role the church plays in providing charity and what not) -- just like my libertarian uncle.

I figure in 30 years once he looks towards retirement, he'll regret supporting politicians who wanted to destroy Social Security and Medicare, but he seems to only be concerned with his immediate circumstances, the short-term, not the bigger picture, for now anyway.

[banned from Kos]

6. its about money, I know. So remind him that the top capitalists

all got filthy rich and are atheist liberals. (Buffett, Soros, Gates, Brin, Page, Ellison, Woz, Allen, etc)

Remind him no one ever got rich waiting for tax cuts.

[FSogol]

7. I recommend that all Republicans sit out this election. n/t

[HelenWheels]

8. Republican and atheist

just don't fit together.

[IggleDoer]

11. Actually they do

Do you think that they really believe that stuff or are just playing Christian to arouse their base? I think that Bachman is the former and Perry is the latter.