Why should I switch?
| By Democrat in Mesa, AZ - Jan 7th, 2009 at 8:17 pm EST |
I'm a lifelong Republican. I believe in small government, low taxes, and telling people (and the government) to mind their own damn business, not mine.
However, after the last eight years, I'm not convinced. Suddenly we have bigger government, more debt (which will almost surely be followed by more taxes) and the government is coming after all of us with every intrusive tool except a proctoscope (and that may be on the drawing board.)
So, this is your big chance to convince me - is it time to switch? Give me a reason.
Not an "against" reason, like "Republicans are all evil white people and they're all fascists and they just want to play golf and club baby seals while they watch black people pick cotton AIEEEEEEEE I can't stand it!"
I'm talking about a "for" reason. Something that makes sense. Give it at least a try. Come on. You can do it. :)
However, after the last eight years, I'm not convinced. Suddenly we have bigger government, more debt (which will almost surely be followed by more taxes) and the government is coming after all of us with every intrusive tool except a proctoscope (and that may be on the drawing board.)
So, this is your big chance to convince me - is it time to switch? Give me a reason.
Not an "against" reason, like "Republicans are all evil white people and they're all fascists and they just want to play golf and club baby seals while they watch black people pick cotton AIEEEEEEEE I can't stand it!"
I'm talking about a "for" reason. Something that makes sense. Give it at least a try. Come on. You can do it. :)
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All but $10 of his medications are paid for by his employer's medical plan because some liberal union workers fought their employers for paid medical insurance - now Joe gets it too.
He prepares his morning breakfast, bacon and eggs. Joe's bacon is safe to eat because some girly-man liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry.
In the morning shower, Joe reaches for his shampoo. His bottle is properly labeled with each ingredient and its amount in the total contents because some crybaby liberal fought for his right to know what he was putting on his body and how much it contained.
Joe dresses, walks outside and takes a deep breath. The air he breathes is clean because some environmentalist wacko liberal fought for the laws to stop industries from polluting our air.
He walks on the government-provided sidewalk to subway station for his government-subsidized ride to work. It saves him considerable money in parking and transportation fees because some fancy-pants liberal fought for affordable public transportation, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a contributor.
Joe begins his work day. He has a good job with excellent pay, medical benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacation because some lazy liberal union members fought and died for these working standards. Joe's employer pays these standards because Joe's employer doesn't want his employees to call the union.
If Joe is hurt on the job or becomes unemployed, he'll get a worker compensation or unemployment check because some stupid liberal didn't think he should lose his home because of his temporary misfortune.
It is noontime and Joe needs to make a bank deposit so he can pay some bills. Joe's deposit is federally insured by the FSLIC because some godless liberal wanted to protect Joe's money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system before the Great Depression.
Joe has to pay his Fannie Mae-underwritten mortgage and his below-market federal student loan because some elitist liberal decided that Joe and the government would be better off if he was educated and earned more money over his lifetime. Joe also forgets that his in addition to his federally subsidized student loans, he attended a state funded university.
Joe is home from work. He plans to visit his father this evening at his farm home in the country. He gets in his car for the drive. His car is among the safest in the world because some America-hating liberal fought for car safety standards to go along with the tax-payer funded roads.
He arrives at his boyhood home. His was the third generation to live in the house financed by Farmers' Home Administration because bankers didn't want to make rural loans.
The house didn't have electricity until some big-government liberal stuck his nose where it didn't belong and demanded rural electrification.
He is happy to see his father, who is now retired. His father lives on Social Security and a union pension because some wine-drinking, cheese-eating liberal made sure he could take care of himself so Joe wouldn't have to.
Joe gets back in his car for the ride home, and turns on a radio talk show. The radio host keeps saying that liberals are bad and conservatives are good. He doesn't mention that the beloved Republicans have fought against every protection and benefit Joe enjoys throughout his day. Joe agrees: "We don't need those big-government liberals ruining our lives! After all, I'm a self-made man who believes everyone should take care of themselves, just like I have."
I'm against the war in Iraq (and Afghanistan) but do understand that now that we're in this mess, we need to leave, but strategically.
I voted Barack Obama because he's not perfect but doesn't pretend to be. I filled in the bubble next to his name because he managed to create an organized grassroots community unlike I've ever seen before. My husband and I didn't vote for the "man;" we voted for the movement. People everywhere are meeting in homes (I've personally hosted several meetings and will host a National Service Day event Jan 19 here in Cleveland), they're rallying together, emailing, blogging, calling, and simply talking in public places...getting things done. Black people, white people, Hispanics and Asians are working together. Young and old and most of all Democrats and Republicans...getting things done.
Join us if you will. Don't even change your party. We'd be stupid to say Republicans are bad people. Many of my veteran friends are Republicans/many are Democrats. We've served together/are serving together in a VERY non-partisan manner. Let's simply work together for a while. And if you feel good after you see the results, THEN I encourage you to switch!
Now, isn't that a fair invitation!?!!!!!
This is a tough time and tough times call for tough measures. But this is also a time for us to be compassionate and remember we're all in this together.
Blessings to us all!
Donna Perdue
We're kicking this all off the 19th with a national day of service to work in our own community.
Obama made us realize that 'we are the change we've been waiting for.' We can change things if we are willing to roll up our sleeves, put in the time and work together.
That was a pretty good letter to AZ he or she should get a good reason to switch. plus it has some humor to it.
Today, others should now make the switch because the Democratic Party is the BEST hope to improve the lives, liberty, and property of more in both our nation and our world.
Mike W
Tulsa+
Who recalls that voting is like driving; "D" to go forward, "R" to go backwards! ;^)
Big government/small government. That should not be the question. You see the Republican party allowed people to have tunnel vision. It allowed and encouraged people to shrink their world. An efficiently run government is the point. An honest open government is the point.
This is not Obama's government, the Democratic Party's government. As Obama has reminded us, it is our government. It is our country. And we have to figure out how to live in it as grown ups, respectfully and responsibly.
The Republican Party if you really listen to its leaders and pundits continually attempt to label people, box people in, box ideas. That is small thinking. That small thinking eliminates and alienates.
Obama has awakened me and made me realize that I am responsible for where our country is now too because I did not stand up and fight for what was right or hold my law makers responsible. No more. Enough is Enough (as he said in his acceptance speech at the Democratic Convention).
Think bigger and broader and when you do, you will realize that being a Democrat is where it is. Stop boxing yourself into small government/less taxes.
Oh and by the way, in a few years, our taxes will have to rise. At some point we will have to pay the piper. It is what it is.
Have you rested up since the election? It sure took a lot out of us.
great to see you Sue.
But like you, I'm fired up and ready to go!
Without the progressive (liberal) activists we would have no right to privacy. Do you really want "big brother" I don't think most republicans do... the party has abandoned the issues which are the bottom line for republicans..
Small Government...NOT.
Balances Budget... NOT.
Lower Taxes... NOT.
Right now we have no choice about the size of government, whether we have a balanced budget, or the size of our taxes.
Because of individuals who were NOT doing what was best for America.
This is not, in my opinion a party issue as much as a greed issue. The republican party was duped by greedy traitors who should be prosecuted for their crimes. They sold out what the party (beside the fundementalists) believe in most.
I think most people see that now.
Hope you decide to come over... We can do great things together.
We are inclusive, believe all people are equal and work for everybody... even former republicans. You can help us be part of the solution. We don't bite. :)
peace,
marsha
Republicans do prefer less spending, but when they do spend, its a waste, kickbacks for their golfing buddies, money for spying and jailing people, and wars for nothing.
I prefer the lesser of the two evils, big government, but at least there's some accountability and results. If I'm going to be taxed, at least let it be to save a stream, or feed a child.
Really you don't need our imput. All you have to do is read a newspaper these days, and that's all you need to know about what 15 years of Republican policies will get you. If that doesn't convince you, well...