I'm thinking about not voting Republican for the first time?
951684
I know how you feel...\n\nI was a Republican all my life until 1992 when I switched to Independent. I changed parties at this point after the Iran/Contra and World Bank scandals of Reagan and Bush Sr.\n\nDuring the 90s, I voted for Perot twice and never Clinton BUT by the end of the 90s, after educating myself enormously on politics, I began to see the depth of lies, propaganda and manipulation the Republican party was using to win votes.\n\nSo, in 2000, I re-registered Democrat and will probably be so the rest of my life.\n\nBtw, from what you have written, you have a long way to go but it is a good sign that you are at least beginning to question truth. That is where I started my journey out of the 'dark side' into the light. I grew up in a hardcore Republican family and was extremely conservative. Part of letting go of that facade was realizing it is the democratic party that are the ones in Washington fighting for me, for you and for our brothers and sisters.\n\nNo matter where you end.. and it can be a long journey to find yourself, just seek truth and if you are lucky enough to find it, hang on to it with all that you are.
646943
I'm not voting for a Republican in 2008.  I don't want a successor to Bush.  To me, this nation doesn't feel like America anymore and to find what is left of it I have to look to the people, not the government.
565735
I am not a racist. I didnt vote Republican last time. I do prefer SUV's.
616375
Voting Republican is one.
772579
I myself have always wondered what would make hard working tax payers vote Republican. I thought it was common knowledge that Republicans work to benefit only the richest people in America, not the working class, which is the majority of us here. But it appears that all some people need is for some politician to say he's conservative and against abortion or gay marriage or illegal immigrants or whatever hot issue is in vogue at the time and these same hard working tax payers forget how much they may be struggling financially go and vote for him on "moral issues or family values". If you are not already rich before you vote Republican then you definitely won't become rich after you vote for them. If you have as much money as George Bush, or the likes then of course you should vote Republican because then he will be working for your interests.
400466
As a Republican, when I voted for Bush in the first term, I thought that I was electing a small limited government Republican. Instead, I elected a religious Republican. The 04 election was more about safety and security for me, so I still voted Bush as it seemed that Kerry didn't really offer anything different.\n\nIf I could go back, I would change my vote to a no vote, as I believe that Bush is not the president that he proclaimed to be, and that Kerry didn't and doesn't stand for my values. To be truthful, most canidates are either too far left or right for my taste.\n\nTo answer your question, some conservative / libertarian Republicans still exist, but it seems to me that our party has been hijacked by religious factions. They seem to be on this holy crusade to stamp out all opposition to anything that they deem is wrong or sinful. Since the Republicans control almost all the branches of government at this time, I believe it is time to restore balance. So, I will probably vote the straight democratic ticket in 06 to see if the balance of power will be changed.
600887
1. I am a registered Democrat (although I do consider myself far more liberal-minded than most typical Dems).\n2. I have affiliated myself with this party because I feel Democratic politicians do a better job at representing interests that serve the working class middle Americans; for instance-Dems are more likely to raise minimum wage, more likely to push for social assistance programs, more likely to work towards improving health care and education just to name a few.  I would rather align myself with a more liberal party, but the way our two-party system has evolved, I feel that I would truly be non-effective.  One of my liberal ideals--because we live in a "free" country, I believe we should have the freedom to make choices, provided those choices do not harm others, and our government should pass laws to protect us in our choices.\n3. I can't say there was any one issue that had me join the party, nor did I realize right away that I would become so partisan.  When I first became interested in how my government affects my life, it was because of a bill Bill Clinton passed that allowed me to deduct my college tuition.  It was a huge help to me since I was attending a community college that did not offer student loans, and I had to pay for tuition as I went along.  I do not think I would have been able to make it through school if it weren't for this bill.  Since then, there have been a number of ideas (most often proposed by Democrats) that I have agreed with.  One thing I currently support about the Democratic party is the idea of justice and equality for all.  The idea that it is okay to deny a person rights or privileges based on differences (such as sexual orientation) I find extremely un-American.\n5. The Democratic party is definitely less unified than the Republicans, and I believe this has been detrimental to our country over the past ten years.\n\nI hope this helps you with your homework.  And I hope you come to really enjoy politics.  I wasn't very interested in politics in h.s. but in the twelve years since I have been out of school, I have come to realize how interesting the whole democratic process is.  This is OUR country, and it is up to us younger Americans to learn all we can about our past so we can take adequate charge of our future.  Good luck!
775569
I have decided on all of political races in my area but I am having trouble deciding on which way to go on one issue, I probably won't decide until I mark my ballot, it really is a tough decision.
932968
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.
702855
I was voting Republican anyway, but, good point. The very thought of, Nancy Peloci, as Speaker of the House scares me to death!
1132540
If you are so worried about all your money, why not just donate to a Republican campaign. If they win, they'll let you do whatever you want.. You could probably hire only illegals and not have to pay taxes either.
701216
Many before you have done just that. Just make sure you run as a republican; the libs don't much value military sevice as much as they do the ability to get out of it (ie WJC)
1057710
I'm with you. I've been a conservative Republican for about 20 years and I have now officially terminated my support and membership with the RNC. The Republican party has done nothing for me in the past 5 years. And the Democratic Party certainly has done nothing for me EVER!\n\nI'm voting Independent in 2008.\n\nIf you are a conservative I encourage you to look into the Constitution Party. http://www.constitutionparty.com/
856008
I was a Republican yesterday (although moderate), I'm a Republican today.   I'm just not a socialist.  That's the bottom line.  You can't force people not to want a handout or to vote against something instead of for it.  You have to respect the process.
543911
I would say dont vote, but if you have to, choose your family.  Blood is thicker that water
605486
I have never been & will never be a redneck. Been called preppy, concieted, even overdressed but never a redneck. However I do have a few "redneck" friends, & I like them better than the political people I associate with at functions where the Democrats & Republicans meet. Give me a good old boy over a liberal any day. At least one can tell the truth.
726890
Before Bush a person could feel safe telling each other how they felt about a sitting President...are those days gone ? I will vote out of fear in november ...just like the Republicans want me to...Fear of their Party running my Country straight down the tubes!!!