Since I appear to be the only one here who is actually a
member of this
much-maligned party, allow me to get "
serious" on the subject.
"How can you belong to the party of Strom Thurmond and Jesse Helms?" people ask me. My answer has been that I don't necessarily agree with them. I could throw out a list of ultra-leftists at them, but (in my experience) the questioners rarely admit that some of their own members have warts of their own. But there is a better answer to this question, and I will begin to volunteer it proudly:
"The Republican Party isn't about any one person. It is an organization founded on a belief in the ability of individuals to shape their own destinies."
Some out there will scoff at this. Probably most Democrats will. Yet I quote now from The Republican Oath:
I believe that good government is based on the individual and that each person's ability, dignity, freedom and responsibility must be honored and recognized...I believe in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, age, sex or national origin....
On the policy front, it is true that some Republicans have, especially of late, championed "family values" and other such polarizing causes. But Republicans also stand for many other admirable policy goals, including:
This is hardly a comprehensive list. But I put it up here (and fully expect a rapid downvote) in the hopes that the Everything community will steer away from simple denunciation and move instead toward constructive debate. Hell, trashing the Republicans is the easiest thing to do--just remember that that sword cuts both ways.