There's a credo "I am a Republican because" (see http://www.rpof.org/agenda/because.php). This says that I am a Republican because:1. The most effective government is closest to the people. Then why do they keep EXPANDING the role of government, into our bedroom, into our hospital rooms, etc. 2. Good government is based upon the individual and that each person's ability, dignity, freedom, and responsibility must be honored and recognized.  Does immigration reform fit this pattern?  What about the dignity of dying people? 3. Free enterprise is good.  Well, yeah, I believe that.  But I don't see that the GOP is supporting it all that much. 4. Sound money management should be our goal.  Hello?  Do the Republican leaders actually believe they believe this? 5.) Equal right, equal justice, equal opportunity for all races. Yup. Just as long as you are white. 6. A desire for peace & freedom.  Iraq, anyone?  7.  The Rep. Party is best vehicle for these ideas. I'm a Rep but I no longer know why.
127501
As an atheist republican, I have been asking myself that for a while.\n\nI guess I still believe in the platforum, but may be only one of a few who actually do.\n\nThe increasing influence of the religious right seriously distresses me, as I hate the idea that the GOP is now connected at the hip with those hate-mongers.  Barry Goldwater warned about this as early as 1980, but I guess few headed his warning.\n\nTechnically, I am a libertarian, but not with the big "L".  I'll vote for moderate Reps, or conservative Dems when the chance arises.\n\nIn short, I hear ya brother.
52125
Having read there party platform I agree with them on many points.  Im most likely to vote Republican in most major races but I wouldnt rule out a Constitution Party candidate.
515433
Funny how everyone believes that you should be a member of a political party, or you just have no belief system.  Here goes one for you I am not a member of a political party I will never be.  I couldnt vote a straight ticket if my life depended on it, I voted for Bush for president yet I voted for Evan Bayh and somehow I am disgusted with Julia Carson.  I voted for a republican governor because he was a better choice for my state and then turned around and voted for a democrat to run my city.  Party politics is for the feeble minded, union members voting for Dems because their rich handlers tell them too even though a repub might be the best choice for their industry in their city.  \n\nYou guys can rely on party politics all you want, they divide people not only on economic issues, but on every issue that could divide people.  We are no longer a country of patriots, we are a country of republicans and democrats because they told us that was how it was suppose to be.  Vote how you want and for the best person no matter what party they are from.
578816
Okay... let me just correct your association mix up.  The Christian fundamentalists with their aggressive agendas are overwhelmingly republican. It does NOT hold true that republicans are all Christian fundamentalists interested in pushing agendas on anyone. Case and point, McCain. \n\nAre the christian fundies pushing their agendas on the people of the US?  Of course they are. They always have and they always will. That's what they do. Republicans are more interested in kickstarting the economy by making some of the people richer.  And fortunately, some of them are smart enough to back off of the wedge issues.
654509
I'm a republican.\n1. GOP pushes non-issues like abortion and gay marriage to energize and get out the vote of the religious ...it works.\n2. Democrats criticize everything the GOP does to energize and get out the vote of the uninformed....it works.\n3. Both parties will be united WHEN we are attacked again. But it will be temporary. \n4. I think ONE term limits and NO compensation of ANY kind (no free golf etc.) would be a good start. Then only patriots would apply.
667171
Quite frankly,its not an everyday Republican or a Democrat that is always in the headlines.Its people like Bible thumpers on the right and hippies so stoned out of their minds to know what they are protesting that get the headlines.I am a Republican.Not because I am ultra conservative,but I see them as a class of action and ideas.They are proclaimed as the group who listens to nobody but really all they do is listen and actually act upon it.I am a firm beleiver in the powers that be work for us,not us for them.So when something is wrong.It seems the right is more of the party not afraid to get some dirt on the hands to help while others sit there still trying to find something wrong with what my side is doing.Im not all for my side.Alot of bad people in it and I know that.The President is not one of them to my notion.It is his staff in which he trust too much and have got him into alot of thick water.All political areas have their own agendas,but it just seems the Republicans are actually more in line with what matters rather than what gets you the most face time on CNN or Fox news.
199279
right on, q! \n\nthat's the one similar thing i've seen with the flaming republicans on the site. freedom, toleration, and the right to live a good life is for everyone, and not just for the people who are in the same mind frame as they are.\n\nif they put a little compassion or toleration into their ideas, it would make them look LESS ridiculous!
622194
The American political landscape is much more diversified than being simply Republican, Democratic, liberal, or conservative.  I for one, subscribe to a more libertarian philosophy.  \n\nI believe that the government's sole purpose is to exist for the benefit of its citizens in as noninvasive a way as possible.  To accomplish this, the government's power should be very limited and law enforcement should cease to focus on what we might call "victimless" crimes that impede their ability to process and punish legitimate criminals.\n\nIn places where my views stray from the Libertarian platform, I generally side with conservatives (NOT post-Reagan neo-conservatives) who tend to agree with my commitment to free markets, a loosely regulated economy, and small government.
475240
First let me address Hidden\n1.  the asker asked you to refrain from mindless bashing\n2.  bush is far from the only republican representing the party so your comments are meaningless\n3.There are even Liberals in the party god helps gee couldn't have that\nSorry folks had to get that off my chest most Democrats and Republicans are sincere folks that just differ in there views and outlook and that is there god given right!I  As a conservative I admired very much former senator Welsltone from From MInn. I disagreed with most of his views but the guy was open and honest and voted his conscience not the party line or the latest poll. Gee an honest politician who votes his beliefs what a novelty. \n\nno for my party I am a Republican but have constitutional party sympathies. Why? well partly because the party is more friendly to conservatives generally the party philosophy generally supports a more limited Govt. role fiscal restraint and a more constructionist view of constitutional law. While I am not particularly religious or a member of the Christian Right I do have strong views on the role of religion as a moral compass for societies  the world over hence have a strong aversion to  secularism. While i will be the first to admit the current crop of Republican congressmen have strayed from the course greatly especially in regards to fiscal restraint. That does not change the  tenants of most in the party.. the one most influential  Republican to me in my lifetime is Ronald Regan, No not for the tax cuts or rebuilding the military or the fall of the soviet bloc although I supported all of these. But simply put the man had a way of making people believe in themselves and their country at a time that we were very low and most thought in decline. In return the people believed in him it was a truly amazing thing to live through. The outpouring at his funeral from America some 15 yrs later is some measure of his affect. So because of the hope someday that we can come up with another Regan I tend to remain loyal to the party Despite  attractions to the Libertarian and Constitutional parties. No I would never vote party line just for the sake of it but all things being equal I would tend to support a republican. As a conservative I also respect another's right to disagree  or hold a diverging  philosophy this world would be an all to dreary place if we had a hive mentality  with all the drones dancing to the queen bees beat. I certainly would not demean your intelligence by implying  that because you believe differently that you are stupid or wrong. I may try to sway your opinion using intelligent discourse using logic and facts you may not be aware of.  But, To accuse you of being wrong is hubris in the extreme and denies the most fundamental right of all humanity the right of choice.\n\nSo sir that is a little window into at least this mans soul?
473493
Politicians are politicians, so be skeptical no matter what.  However, someone is going to win so it's better to join in and vote than to sit on the sidelines.  As others have said, you basically have to shoot for the least worst.  Look at the party that most closely represents you; DON'T hang your vote on just one issue, like abortion, or capital punishment or whatever.  Look at the big picture.\nGenerally, Republicans think citizens can take care of themselves (financially) without federal input and they try to limit the amount of taxes forced on you.  They think businesses are good to have because they provide jobs to all of us and therefore we all have more money to spend in our society and this promotes even more businesses and makes the world go round.  Republicans do like there to be laws that maintain a certain minimum level of behavior and promote morals so that people aren't running around like animals.  Also, Republicans are not very forgiving of people who are criminals (especially violent criminals) and they are usually much tougher on crime than democrats.\nDemocrats, on the other hand, would like everyone to be at the same level.  They don't think it's fair if you are smarter than other people and work harder and make more money.  They want to take your money from you and give it to the weaker, less hard-working people so that everyone is equal.  They want the government to collect all the money and then dole it out as it sees fit (after taking out enough to keep the government people fat and happy).  They don't care what you do to yourself or other people.  They think all businesses are evil and yet they like them around so they can tax them, however their laws and taxes are the very things driving businesses away from the United States.  They think the government knows best.  They think criminals are all victims and can't help what they do so that we shouldn't punish them.
523930
I consider myself republican and I believe it is but a blatant lie to say that the republican party denies basic rights to gays. They just dont support liberal issues such as same-sex marriage because conservative republicans think that it is immoral and wrong. But that is politics - the interplay of power.
510178
well without being to long winded about it basically the republicans are for smaller goverment, states rights, low taxes and generally fear change they like our laws the way the are.they live and die by the constitution. The Dems are for larger goverment more goverment involvement,sometimes higher taxes and tend to want to reform our laws they feel some are outdated and need looked at. When you ask about social issues typically your Republicans stand on the Conservative side of social issues like most are pro-life(but yet support the death penalty) against gay marriage and support gun rights. As for Dems they tend to support gay marriage, some are anti-gun and most are pro choice. hopes this helps and by the way Bush has been labled a Conservative but in reallity his views are more towards the center.
510000
1.) Bush and all republicans for that matter promote social darwinism. \n\n2.) Reps also promote inequality.  They want the rich to get richer, the poor to get poorer and the middle class more vulnerable as they fall into poverty.  \n\n3.) Republicans stand for unequal results and unequal assets\n\nPlutarch once said "an imbalance in the rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics."
531623
I think it shows an independence of character.  Today's republican party has changed significantly in the last few years. For example, they used to strongly "conserve" money and hold the Gov't accountable for spending (other than militarily). The reckless spending in Iraq is a polar opposite of careful spending and accountability.\n\nI had to be true to my own ideas and switched parties as the times changed. \nEmerson said "It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude."\n\nIt's important regardless of party to hold true to our character. So my answer is yes I would still have respect for them if I believed in their character.
622291
Like I've said before, there is nothing wrong with the Republican party. Theodore Roosevelt and Dwight D. Eisenhower are proof. It's the virus of Conservatism that is pulling it's name into the mud. Have you noticed that the word "repug" wasn't used to describe Republicans until people like the Bushes, Reagan, and Nixon got into office?
417010
Our Republican Administration is power and money hungry for themselves.  They are only interested in big business who supply their party with unlimited money to play with as they see fit.  \n\nThey take very good care of themselves, giving themselves salary increases every year, the finest health care and pensions.\n\nThey want to hang on to their ill gotten gains and will go to any lengths to achieve this.  They disrespect the opposition party and as they cannot discuss issues or their own achievements ( of which they have none) they resort to dirty tricks, lying and name calling.  All we can do is not vote for them when we have to chance to do so.
10578
In a brief nutshell, today's Republicans (the Good Old Party, GOP) are characterised by a want for 'smaller' government, a more agile (not necissarily bigger) military, and a connection with (usually religious) blue-color 'everyman' workers.  They believe in a government that is reflective of overarching, 'home grown' family values, as can be best seen in their "Contract With America". Democrats are more for creating a social welfare society, and believe that goverment should play a more active role in daily life (though not necissarily intrusive).  Many people brand this party as being 'liberal', which is actually a fairly new designation considering many Democrats (also known then as Dixiecrats) were opposed to 'liberal' civil rights reforms in the 1960s.  Further, whereas Republicans target typically older citizens, Democrats tend to lean towards younger, educated professionals (for example yuppies) and are a favorite on college campuses.  Unfortunately, in today's America politics has become frieghteningly divisive.  We can't even have a hurricane (I cite Katrina) without people pulling out 'Repbulican this' or 'Democrat that'.  Further, the two parties aren't helping the matter either.  Whenever someone does something wrong (For example a Republican President or Democratic governor), it is suddenly the fault of the entire party, and not just that one person.  You seem educated enough to visit each party's website and read their platform.  Skip over anything with the word 'Iraq' or 'terror' in it (because these are in the spotlight, and are likely to be uselessly full of propogand) and instead read your opinions on issues that effect your daily life, such as public education, health care and taxes.  I think you (and many other people) would be surprised at how much the two parties actually agree on, but with different routes.