I was raised a Republican. My father was a conservative.I grew up believing that the Democrats were all a bunch of crazy Liberals.

I don't believe the current administration is a true Republican administration.

They're not fiscally conservative, it's making quite the opposite of small government, in fact I feel more like "big brother" is watching me than ever before, the only thing that they have done according to true Republican beliefs is take a step away from strict gun control.

This administration is what pushed me to the "other side", and I realize that being a Democrat isn't bad at all, in fact I love most of the ideals.

I am probably a rarity. I'm a Democrat and an NRA member. Other than that, I can identify fairly well with the Democrat party.

I'm tired of being grouped by Republicans. They say I'm mad because Bush won in 2000, actually, I was hoping he'd win then. Am I upset that he won this year, absolutely, not because he's a Republican, but because he's dangerous. Do I think Kerry was great, no, but Bush already has a bad track record as president. I was going for the lesser of two evils.

I need to say that another thing that made me shy away from the Republican party and being identified with them was the attitudes I encountered on Republican forums, I didn't enjoy making sweeping generalizations about those belonging to another party. I never felt comfortable posting there.I am so happy that I have changed parties.


Ok, that turned into a vent as well lol

__________________

Well, we're glad to have you as a Dem!

I think that your assessment is correct: Bush is not a mainstream Republican. He does not exemplify what I think of as an "everyday Republican" (the person who has the usual complaints about big government, taxes, let me live my life and spend my money, etc.). Sure, he passed an ENORMOUS tax cut but he continues to spend, spend, spend to the tune of how many trillions of dollars of debt now? And the argument that I hear most often is that it's not his fault, that this is wartime and we have to spend money to go to war. Uh . . WE DIDN'T HAVE TO GO TO WAR!! Ugh, ok that was my vent.

Anyhow, I hear what you are saying. The Republicans are traditionally about smaller government and responsible spending but Bush creates an entirely new bureaucracy in the Dept. of Homeland Security and is responsible for an enormous deficit. Those are just two examples . . . I'm sure there's more.

I think both sides tend to use generalizations when speaking of the other party but what I personally find very frustrating is when Republicans adopt an attitude of "only Republicans can be Christian." That is the attitude that I have seen most often and that I hate. Because Democrats can be spiritual and are spiritual for that matter and do embrace Christian values. I would even go so far as to say that Democratic values are MORE Christlike than Republican values (peace, help the poor, etc.). That, of course, is another debate entirely.

__________________

Jen--you have a lot in common with my DH, who was also raised Republican, and also voted for Bush in 2000. He's become so disgusted with the Bush administration and the way the party has gone that he's now just about totally dissassocciated himself from what they stand for now. It's not lost on him that "smaller government" that used to be a Republican tenet are nowhere to be found in the big, bloated Bush administration.

Another HUGE reason my DH no longer indentifies with Republicans ans feels that the Democratic party more embodies his beliefs. It's insulting to the intelligence when both DH and I, both Christians, have to hear from the right wing all the lies about how Democrats hate god and want to ban the bible and crap like that.

Anyway--I'm getting off track here but my point was that I think a lot of people completely appreciate where you're coming from, and I think it's great that you decided that it made more sense to switch parties.

__________________

Glad you came over to the "dark" side Jen.

__________________

I'm Sorry, i am an intruder...i am republican. but i wanted to kind of answer this question, and POLITELY discuss this topic...
I am republican based on these issues:
1. I believe that human life begins in the womb. therefore i am pro-life.
2. I agree with the gun laws under this administration
3. I disagree with same-sex marriage
4. I agree with the war in Iraq. but that is based on my belief that everyone has a right to living in a free and peaceful nation. as long as Saddam was in there, that wasn't going to happen. it was more of a war FOR iraq rather than a war ON iraq. my heart bled for the torture and genocide under that man.
I agree with the democratic "agenda" for lack of better terms when it comes to environment issues. I believe that republicans that claim to be Christian should also be more aware of those issues. I believe that we should take care of this land God gave to us.
i just thought i'd give you a run-down of political beliefs from a professing rep.
OH. and by the way....
I HIGHLY respect George W. Bush.
I may not agree with everything he says or does. but who in this world DO we agree with 100% of the time really??

While I respect your right to say it, this post is better served on the DEBATE board IMHO, as I am unable to politely discuss this with you on this board Clearly labeled DEMOCRATS and am afraid if I say what I truly feel, I'd probably get banned. By the way there is a REPUBLICAN board . Just scroll your mouse down an inch, i'm sure you'll find it.

__________________

What you all stated above describes many of the reasons my DH and I are now full-blooded Dems. As you all have stated, this adminstration not following the traditional conservative stance of the Republicans before them. As for the war, I always wonder if Bush and any of his cronies had actually been in active duty (or, for most of them, in any kind of military at all), if they would have so cavalier in sending our troops into this ill-fated war. Even if they still would have gone to war with personal military experience, maybe they would have at least listened to the generals who told them how to go about this differently or wanted to concentrate on Afghanistan for a while longer. One other thing that I've noticed about the current Republican crowd I know, and I've mentioned this already, they seem to be very un- or misinformed about what this administration is actually doing. Heck, as avid a listener as I am to Air America, I will usually check several sources on things they mention to get different views. I know most who have one source and in this day and age with the internet which opens up news and viewpointes from around the country and world, and Barnes and Noble hosting a variety of periodals, that is just sad.

__________________

Wow. thanks a lot. i did say that i also agreed with dems. i realize there is a republican board. i was not debating. i was just answering a question posed. have a pleasant day as well.

Jordy, thanks for your opinions. I don't mind them, but sometimes, harmless comments turn into debates. I know it didn't happen in this case but we don't want hositility on the board. I ,personally, didn't mind your reply. I would much rather see that then a rude remark or an attempt to start a fight.

__________________

thanks. i wasn't trying to start a fight. i figured if someone really wanted to know, i would POLITELY answer. like i said...i DO agree with Democratic views on some things. I didn't realize you could only be one or another (rep or dem). i am primarily rep, but do also agree with some dem beliefs. i will be leaving now.

Hey Jen-I'm glad that you made it over. Jacob is was "May'd" baby, too! jordybear-silly goose! *The "blue side" is all about human rights~they don't end in the womb. *Someone like Britney Spears can be married for mere hours because that person happens to be a man, yet same-sex couples who have been together for 40 years cannot be married? If you are concerned about the sanctity of marriage, then your concern is displaced. *I thought that the war in Iraq was about WMD's(**wink, wink, nudge, nudge**) While I know that this is not a debate board, I just could not help myself.

Sara
Dh Eric
Jacob Thomas May 3, 2003

__________________

Sara
Dh Eric
Jacob Thomas~May 3, 2003

Sorry, but they're not living in a free and peaceful nation now since we went in--it's at least as dangerous if not more dangerous now. And as for what the war IS for (not was--even though Bush played dress-up and stood on the deck of an aircraft carrier and declared the end of major combat, it's still going on and won't be over anytimne soon)--the reason given changes every time the Bush administration is caught in a lie over why we went in.

There are DOZENS of oppressive dictatorships around the world where people live under oppressive regimes every day--so if helping the people was really the legitimate reason for going in, how come we're not busy saving the day in any of those other countries? I think anyone who doesn't get that Bush went in to gain political clout and to distract from the fact that he couldn't find Osama Bin Laden is just stubbornly in denial, or wearing blinders.

__________________

My thoughts exactly, Karah. If we are playing "Big Brother" then there are a lot of countries that need saving. I might as well sign up Jacob for the draft in 2021-this is going to take a while.

__________________

Sara
Dh Eric
Jacob Thomas~May 3, 2003

Karah, I agree completely.......

__________________