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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums"I've been a Republican all my adult life, but no more!"
This is an exact quote from a friend and fellow church member this morning. It was in response to a question put to him by another friend and church member-- a teacher and staunch Democrat-- asking what he thought of the Cotton letter to Iran. He said that the letter to Iran, combined with the invitation to PM Netanyahu, were "childish, foolish, hateful and unpatriotic". He admitted trying to rationalize the last 6 years of GOP obstructionism, etc., as 'hardball politics', but said these last two events made it crystal clear to him (and his wife, too) that it has been pure racism behind these actions, and nothing but racism.
In the interest of disclosure, this man is a mining engineer and never has been a 'Teapublican' sort-- more of a 'chamber of commerce/fiscal conservative' sort.
I wonder how much of this is occurring or going to occur among the GOP faithful?
greatlaurel
(2,004 posts)The people running the GOP now are not the chamber of commerce types any more. The ideology driving the GOP is straight out of the John Birch Society and even worse. Before Reagan, GOP or Democratic Party elected officials knew how to run government and accepted that certain functions were necessary to operate as public entities, the Post Office, public schools, infrastructure, health and safety and even environmental regulations. Nixon signed into law USEPA and OSHA. The current bunch in the GOP are nothing but thieves, vandals and fascists.
QED
(2,749 posts)or should I say clown car?
minidriver
(57 posts)That you could put 47 adult-sized individuals in such a short bus.
strawberries
(498 posts)JaneyVee
(19,877 posts)If so, good for you!
Trust me when I say I was staunch republican and living in a blue state I used to speak up
strawberries
(498 posts)rogerashton
(3,920 posts)That was '65, understand, and at that time the white supremists were mostly in the Democratic Party. Goldwater and Nixon shifted me to the Dems.
CanonRay
(14,113 posts)He'd be lynched by the Republicans of today. He was a flaming liberal.
BobbyBoring
(1,965 posts)I was very young growing up in VA. Harry Byrd closed public schools as he wouldn't have " Darkies" attending with us.
zappaman
(20,606 posts)Was there a particular issue(s) that got you to think he was a better choice?
Just curious since I've never had any interaction here or in real life(I live in a solid blue city) with someone who said they voted for Romney...
strawberries
(498 posts)but that is not why I voted for him
1. He implemented health care for all in MA. and it works. I know people who are on it
2. He is a business man and I felt he could get us out of our financial mess
3. He understood why there are times when we need "a safety net" (to use his words) so he wasn't going to abolish any programs
I'm sure there were other reasons but those come to mind
Victor_c3
(3,557 posts)I was young and grew up under the umbrella of my parent's politics which was center-right and I voted that way back in 2000. However, after fighting in a war (and subsequently becoming disabled) my politics have changed drastically.
strawberries
(498 posts)not to worry
Aristus
(66,462 posts)And never again. I'm so much happier as an out-and-proud liberal. Welcome!
Roland99
(53,342 posts)Xyzse
(8,217 posts)I just didn't know enough at the time.
calimary
(81,466 posts)It's VERY good to have you join us. Always room for more! We need all the motivated voters we can get.
All you former Republican voters - your perspective is MOST illuminating and welcomed. I appreciate the answers to every "why did you switch" question because it's consistently valuable information.
ChiciB1
(15,435 posts)but I usually am!
vlyons
(10,252 posts)or rather the tparty, which now runs the GOP.
Xyzse
(8,217 posts)I got burned by that badly, and so I am never voting with little information again.
closeupready
(29,503 posts)Nobody has ever given me grief about it - I guess I've given myself more grief about it than anyone else. Never again, I'll tell you that.
catbyte
(34,451 posts)ChiciB1
(15,435 posts)to have you on board. As a very long time Democrat, but have voted for a candidate of another Party (rarely) I'm so very happy to see that some are beginning to SEE what's been going on. I talked with a sister of mine this past weekend and I was completely flabbergasted at how much she's dug in! Some of the comments she made to me were truly off the wall and have me seriously worried about her. We've always been very close but she became a Repub a long time ago, and I decided we just needed to agree to disagree. For many years now it's worked very well. but lately I suppose she's decided to break this agreement. However, not only did she decide this but did so in a very vitriolic way. I just kept joking around the comments as she kept making remarks that were simply NOT true! I do have Repub friends and even they said she wasn't getting good information and they told me about stuff that was going around. She really said some hateful, hurtful things and I'm trying so hard to understand HOW she got this way. She's a Fundamentalist Christian, which is her choice but what she was saying was anything BUT Christian IMO!
I've never felt that I have all the answers and know that my liberalism is to the left of fellow Democrats, but NEVER have I closed my eyes and ears to factual information, especially when it's been presented to me. I also realize that there are times that I'm in disagreement with posts here at DU, but know there's a LOT of diversity here. I've even had to take breaks from time to time because it was depressing me too much or making me so angry. I've been a member since 2004 and given my number of posts this fact is evident.
So, I just want to thank you for helping me over my anxiety since having talked to my sister. Just to know that some people have finally been able to say ENOUGH and actually come here and say so, has lifted my spirits a lot. We may not always agree, and if you hang around here long enough you will see that Democrats DO disagree and say so loudly!
Regardless, again I say Thank You and Welcome. I do hope you stick around.
strawberries
(498 posts)and I thank you for truly making my day. Initially I thought I was going to get banned from DU when I posted my original post.
Tell your sister she can still have her beliefs and convictions. she is not changing who she is. It is just time to accept not everyone is like you and that is ok. No one is going to take your God, your flag or your pro-life stance from you, but it is time to get your head out of the sand and realize who the bad guy really is
I assumed on the pro-life because you said she is a Fundamentalist Christian
ChiciB1
(15,435 posts)You may not be a SIR! So if you're a Madam, my apologies!
strawberries
(498 posts)but you can call me Marie
JaneyVee
(19,877 posts)And which state are you living in?
strawberries
(498 posts)since I have been on this board
TexasProgresive
(12,158 posts)And thank you for your insight.
tblue37
(65,488 posts)strawberries
(498 posts)it really does. I felt like a liar
strawberries
(498 posts)would give me away
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)tblue37
(65,488 posts)willlingly betrayed me.
I deserved that
tblue37
(65,488 posts)grammar guru. My Grammar and Usage for the Non-Expert website has over 12 million readers worldwide.
*Internet famous" = my online writing is fairly widely read, but I actually am not known myself.
RufusTFirefly
(8,812 posts)Minister knocks at the front door of a rural home and a little boy answers:
"Is your father home?"
"No, he ain't home."
"Well then, is your mother home?"
"No, she ain't home neither."
"Son, where's your grammar?!"
"Oh, she's upstairs havin' a laydown."
tblue37
(65,488 posts)TexasProgresive
(12,158 posts)by that I mean I sometimes bristle to syntax errors but usually keep it to myself, we at DU are guilty on occasion of bad grammar and spelling but we are not morans that is a hugh thing to not misremember
hopemountain
(3,919 posts)and myself - because i am neither perfect nor wish to be. my postings are in lower case to remind me of a teaching i received from an elder many years ago - no one is above another.
Liberalynn
(7,549 posts)and welcome.
I was a Republican once mostly because my parents were. My first vote was for Reagan. Then I went to college and studied history and political science. I decided that the Democratic Party was more representative of my values and how I see the world. To be honest I have never voted for a Republican again. I'm happier being a liberal.
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)who admit that they were Republicans, and who are now moving or have moved to the Democratic side. Welcome.
strawberries
(498 posts)hifiguy
(33,688 posts)until she got one look at Raygun. She voted Dem for the rest of her days.
Pacifist Patriot
(24,654 posts)Reagan cured them of any temptation to ever vote Republican again.
ProfessorGAC
(65,168 posts)Particularly my mom. They voted for Stevenson, Kennedy, Johnson, Humphrey, McGovern and Carter. (My mom might have voted for Ford. My dad couldn't forgive Ford for pardoning Nixon.)
Then along comes Reagan, and even my dad, the Teamster, voted Reagan. I thought he'd lost his mind, as much as i liked and respected my dad.
I never got what caused that.
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,145 posts)And then FOX News took her.
(I voted for Carter and Reagan - Last time I voted Republican was 1988. Killing unions and trying to privatize SS have made me a very proud Progressive).
CANDO
(2,068 posts)And I may be wrong, but I'm remembering the Teamsters endorsing Reagan. I'll have to do a search on that. Anyway....I was young and dumb and my first Prez vote was in '84 for Reagan. And I may have even voted for GHWB in '88. I went into trucking in 89 and joined the Teamsters and that's when I began to gain political knowledge and apply it to my personal values and by '92 I was a full fledged and registered Democrat and never voted for another R since. I knew far too many R's in the Teamsters, btw, and that was very shocking and sad to see.
Just googled and they did endorse both Reagan and GHWB, but the Dems since then.
ProfessorGAC
(65,168 posts)No matter. He's been dead since 2001. Not like i can browbeat him now.
Blue_In_AK
(46,436 posts)but she was becoming more and more liberal before she passed away in 1999. I'm kinda glad she didn't have to go through 9/11 and the Bush years.
My dad was always a staunch FDR dem which is probably where I got my political leanings.
LuckyLib
(6,819 posts)but that Obama will be recognized for work that the Repubs have done everything in their power to thwart.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)TheNutcracker
(2,104 posts)bomb bomb Iran.....jerkoff.
ColesCountyDem
(6,943 posts)He's a deacon, and our church runs a soup kitchen, a food pantry and a 'brown bag' weekend meal program for school children. I know that many of the cuts in the social safety net, particularly the SNAP program, have troubled him deeply. Unlike many/most of the prominent GOP leaders, he's not a sociopath.
n2doc
(47,953 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)edhopper
(33,615 posts)is they still believe that lower taxes and less regulation improves the economy.
They think giving lip service to the TP wackos will keep the $ rolling in.
And the consequences of kowtowing to them won't affect them.
ColesCountyDem
(6,943 posts)edhopper
(33,615 posts)seeing that the overwhelming evidence says it doesn't work.
But getting an extra 2% off their tax rate is like heroin to them.
glowing
(12,233 posts)The small business community that operate in America doesn't like the way things have shaken out. What's good for Walmart, isn't so great for Main St.
The Drs, lawyers, real estate, and other small business owners operate from sales at the local level. If the local community is lacking the money or resources or ability to use these local device providers, these for real "small business" owners are actually hurt financially. I know they don't feel their "small business" is the same as the Koch Bro's, yet the Koch Bro's organize as a small business. They also realize that they pay the brunt of the business taxes that the likes of Verizon, Bank of America, GE, etc, don't pay.
The Chamber of Commerce operating in "small towns and cities" across America would be wise to begin siding with some lefty ideas... They certainly don't feel the National Chamber is representing them in a fair shake. They don't necessarily believe that the national chamber taking money from India or China is beneficial to Americans or small town interests. If I was in an organizational position of leadership within Democratic policies/ support, I would be reaching out to individual Chambers and speaking to them about support for closing loopholes and raising taxes on the truly wealthy corporations/ people. Investing in infrastructure; which helps the local businesses thrive. I think they are more than tired of the same ole' same ole' of being burned at all ends like most Americans are!
Blue_In_AK
(46,436 posts)for medicaid expansion, but getting a lot of opposition from our ALEC-infused legislature.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Johonny
(20,888 posts)I'd laugh, but so many Republicans I know think that way. They all point to the mythic time when they win and show their actual helpful policies. They don't get that this is all they have. These policies are the Republican party. Once you get that you never vote Republican again. It isn't a football game, this is your life so stop rooting for a jersey.
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)SusanCalvin
(6,592 posts)Afraid you may be right. That issue has kinda fallen off the radar. How is traffic in the Election Reform group nowadays?
kairos12
(12,872 posts)ReRe
(10,597 posts)... my life-long-Republican brother swore he would not vote Republican in the next election. At that time, he was leaning towards Bernie Sanders (if he decides to run.) I need to touch base with him and see what he's thinking at this point in time, after these traitorous shenanigans.
That is encouraging.
ReRe
(10,597 posts)... I never thought I would live to the day when brother would even consider not voting Republican. There is HOPE, Enthusiast. Will be talking to him over the weekend on the phone. We live far apart, but like Maggie Smith's character said in the last Downtown Abbey "Love may not conquer all, but it can conquer quite a lot."
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)DVR it so we can watch when we want.
ReRe
(10,597 posts)AlinPA
(15,071 posts)ann---
(1,933 posts)I have NEVER EVER voted for a Republican president - ever.
"I have NEVER EVER voted for a Republican president - ever."
I have NEVER voted for a Republican.
tblue37
(65,488 posts)Republican primary against Reagan. Anderson would have been a good president, too.
Skittles
(153,193 posts)people acting like repukes have suddenly become offensive - please, they have sucked for DECADES
No Vested Interest
(5,167 posts)Stardust
(3,894 posts)LeftOfWest
(482 posts)NEVER.
Even when they have a "D" by their name and make their fortunes slaughtering the poor by maintaining war on the poor worldwide with con talk right wing CONSERVATIVE murdering bullshit.
EVER.
CONS ARE LIARS AND MURDERS.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)I cast my first presidential vote for George McGovern. I was 1-AA and eligible for the draft.
Dyedinthewoolliberal
(15,589 posts)responsible, adult types who know what compromise and cooperation mean. The group that is running the party now is not of this type. All the moderate Repubs are hiding. If this pushes him to vote or register as a D, I'm all for it!
47of74
(18,470 posts)NoJusticeNoPeace
(5,018 posts)pieces of shit they ALL are, but some republicans are capable of growing up and joining the human race, for sure.
ColesCountyDem
(6,943 posts)... I think he reached his tipping point.
Cosmocat
(14,572 posts)This is something that just is flat inexcusable to anyone sensible person (admittedly a sadly small percentage of our voters).
DesertDawg
(66 posts)A MASSIVE purge. I am one of the ones that walked away never to return. For many reasons, one of them which actually is the biggest reason for the purge is that there isn't a place for me there anymore. There isn't a place for left leaning repubs nor Moderates there anymore.
The GOP has been radicalized into a group of extremist lunatics believing all sorts of Bircher nutjob bullshit. That was I think my breaking point. I got so sick of hearing how President Obama was a crypto Jihadist born in Kenya colluding with an underground cabal of Communists to overthrow America turning it into a Jihadi Res dictatorship. I became extremely sick of GOP politicians refusing to cede ANY common ground with the Democrats and our President, also THEIR President like it or not, and their refusal to compromise. They would rather people starve and die, literally(go back to the Unemployment debacle in 2009-2011 and how they refused to extend that lifeline for months on end) in some cases.
I am about fixing the issues. I am also a Christian in the true sense. I love and care about ALL of my God's creations, it is our responsibility demanded of us by Christ. It sickens me the GOP stands opposed to Jesus while throwing his name around.
Anyways, I have to thank them. Their actions shoved me and millions more I am certain out of the door. It also woke me up and caused me to actually dig deeper with the issues in America and caused a massive transformation.
More will be shoved out the door, bank on that.
Skittles
(153,193 posts)just sayin'
blm
(113,091 posts)Let's hope more come to their senses.
bvar22
(39,909 posts)I never believed any of them,
but this one has the ring of truth about it.
davidn3600
(6,342 posts)It's nice to hear this, but I've heard it hundreds of times before. They always go running back when it comes to one of those big wedge issues.
jimlup
(7,968 posts)unfortunately the rate is pretty low.
Cha
(297,655 posts)anecdotes like this.
Skittles
(153,193 posts)even the most ignorant conservative has to know it was wrong
sunnystarr
(2,638 posts)5 Our Fathers & 3 Hail Mary's
and you're all forgiven
Hekate
(90,793 posts)I mean "conservadem" candidates for office in red states, to draw the escaping former Republicans into what I hope is the Big Tent of the Democratic Party. We have a huge amount of work to do to repair this country. The GOP has been taken over by radicals who wouldn't know real conservative values if you put it in a book and fed it to them for breakfast.
truebluegreen
(9,033 posts)Hekate
(90,793 posts)Perhaps you have noticed that?
In any case, while certain persons here were saying "good riddance" and "don't send any support to Congresscritter X, Y, and because they are only 80% with us," we lost the House and Senate both. Cute trick.
Big Tent doesn't have to move anywhere. It just has to open up.
truebluegreen
(9,033 posts)My loco RWNJ BIL in Alabama--of all people--thinks she makes a lot of sense.
Jamastiene
(38,187 posts)I'm not saying we should let them get by with something as treasonous as this latest batch of actions they have taken, but in general, letting them put their feet in their own mouths and do their thing is enough to destroy them. I have firmly believed that for years now.
BobTheSubgenius
(11,564 posts)...not an enemy. I happen to be among those who disagree with a majority of their specific positions, and of their overall philosophy and position on the political spectrum in general, but I also think their views are reasonable and defensible. Just wrong, or very mistimed, at least. If everyone was doing well and the govt. had black ink instead of massive red, keeping something aside for a rainy day isn't a dreadful idea.
I'm not saying that "enemy" was the takeaway from your post, because you clearly never said anything like that. I'm just very glad the current crop of hateful idiots is driving away the...non-hateful-not-idiots. I'm heartened to hear that you know someone who can be persuaded by facts and events, as opposed to blinded by ideology.
DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)K&R
StarzGuy
(254 posts)...maybe even farther to the left than that on some issues. I earned several college degrees in science. Ah, the scientific method...need I say more?
Stardust
(3,894 posts)Welcome to DU.
Jamaal510
(10,893 posts)called the letter "stupid", and he couldn't believe it when I told the class about the article from TheDailyBeast where the letter turned out to be a "joke". The GOP is going to look up and all of the more reasonable-minded people might leave their party at this rate.
47of74
(18,470 posts)I got out into the real world and saw what a pile of horseshit the GOP was selling us. Now I'd sooner vote for Satan than a Republican. Better an honest enemy than a false friend, I say.
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)More conservatives flooding into the Democratic party isn't a good thing, whoever is destroying the Republican party knows exactly what they are doing.
Fairgo
(1,571 posts)No talk of platform, just changing Jerseys.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Once put into motion it continues, lemming like, on its own path of destruction.
ecstatic
(32,731 posts)He's more likely to go independent or 3rd party. Someone like that (a lifelong clueless repub) is not likely to become a democrat.
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)The best place for a Democratic politician in terms of job security is as close as they can credibly get to the Republicans, get almost all the liberals because the Republicans are so awful and some of the conservatives for the same reason.
B Calm
(28,762 posts)because this guy always in the past avoided talking politics. I told him I thought they were traitors and he whole heartily agreed. He said they made him sick to his stomach!
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)It's as if they see the election of Obama as an insult to the memory of the Confederate States of America or something. They are majorly butt hurt. And they're going to get even!
Whatever it is, it is certainly juvenile in the extreme. It's akin to a childish temper tantrum.
How any thinking person can remain a Republican escapes me.
sendero
(28,552 posts).. he is part of a very large trend.
I think most honest people of either party can "get" why these sorts of actions are not good for America.
ecstatic
(32,731 posts)Not necessarily to go Democratic, but to at least distance themselves from the pathetic clown car of 2012. The disgust was obvious for a lot of those types-like Joe Scab, Peggy Noonan, etc. I guess they fell in line again after the election, but maybe this is the last straw.
tridim
(45,358 posts)Mostly because of Brownback whom my mom said she "wants to punch in the face", but also because of the existence of the extreme teabaggers. Like MOST Republicans, before hate radio and Faux they were moderates, and they want to be moderate again.
A 60 year trend is reversing.
vlyons
(10,252 posts)hatred makes you say and do stupid things that are hurtful to yourself, your family, your friends, your work colleagues, and your larger community. For 6 years now, the Republicans have continually escalated their hatred and contempt for this president, from obstruction to the astonishing letter to Iran that undermines American credibility to our allies and enemies. Most Americans see this hatred for what it is, pure selfish evil.
Tom Cotton is basically auditioning for the Tparty role to be the point of the spear aimed at the Obama administration policies. He is putting himself out there to out-do Ted Cruz in contempt and dangerous tactics. No matter who gets hurt, Cotton has gotten the media to focus on him. Well guess what Tehron Tom? The media ain't so thrilled with what it sees. Regional newspapers across the country have labeled you a traitor at worst, and a dangerous idiot at best. The American people are tired of all the tparty hatred and bullshit. The tparty has managed to alienate just about everyone but the racist hatemongers and warmongers.
The challenge for me as a Buddhist is not to hate these tparty assholes, because hatred would make stupid as well, and then I would be on their team.
ebbie15644
(1,216 posts)pandering to the "teapublicans" and are actively recruiting them. Just my thoughts from the around where I live. It feels, around here, they are growing. Western PA
samsingh
(17,601 posts)ColesCountyDem
(6,943 posts)You believe that's a good strategy, do you?