I've Had A Real Change Of Heart. I Used To Hate Republicans!!!

[DistressedAmerican]

Now I wish we could have some back.

Let me distinguish here between Republicans and the Neocons that are currently hijacking the name.

For years I thought Republicans were some pretty bad folks. That was before I met the grotesque little creature known as the Neocon. Lets compare shall we?

Republicans
=======================
Relative Isolationists
Deficit Hawks
Love Small Government
Religion And Politics Somewhat Separated

Neocons
=======================
Neo-Imperialists
Drunken Sailors
Love Big Government
Religion And Politics Mated Like Pandas At The National Zoo

There are many other points of comparison. However, I think the short list makes the point. Which is, The people that call themselves Republicans today make Old School Republicans look fairly palatable by comparison.

You'd think they would fight to get their party back. At least sue over the brand name. Make them re-brand themselves. Maybe "Southern Baptist Neo-Convention...

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. Stop doing their work for them.

If the Republicans want to distinguish themselves from the neo-cons, let them do it. Personally, I don't see it that way. Moderate Republicans may have different views from the neo-cons, but anyone who is a conservative Republican, is as bad as a neo-con.

[DistressedAmerican]

2. Doing their work for them? What Do A Lot Of Republicans Hang Out Here?

My post on DU does no one's work for them. When you can't note the differences between today's repugs and those of a generation ago without being accused of "doing their work for them" DU is getting a bit on the paranoid side.

I didn't expect flame so early in the morning.

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. If there's a difference, the ownership should be on them.

Moderate Republicans won't have any desire to distinguish themselves from neocons if liberals act, well liberal, and say, "Oh, it's okay, I know you're not as bad as a neo-con." They voted for them or for candidates who follow their policies, so, in my opinion, they're just as bad. Probably worse in some ways.

[DistressedAmerican]

11. I Think You Greatly Overestimate The Effect Of This Post.

Besides, where did I ever say we should cut them slack for supporting these piggies?

I was saying what many other folks have also related here. While, I agree very little with traditional conservatives, I could work with them in a collective government. They were not zealots to the point that all other points of view were excluded from the process.

If you think my saying such things is heresy and will only lead to moderates staying behind the Neocons, you should really reconsider if DU is as influential as you seem to think.

Can't a discussion be had here where someone does not accuse someone else of working for the betterment of the enemy? While there are some disruptors and trolls around here that should rightly be called on it, I clearly am not one.

I was merely expressing my surprise that there hasn't been a tangible split I the Republican party. Does that mean I work for Rove?

People could stand to lighten up in this forum. There are ways to effect change but, attacking each other over such petty crap is totally counterproductive.

[The Backlash Cometh]

18. I think you're being too sensitive.

Just because someone disagrees with your opinion, it's not an attack. Fer Gawd's sake. And that's what we have. A disagreement of opinion.

[leftofthedial]

9. I didn't see a mass defection among moderate repukes

last November

And their choice was clear then.

I hate repukes.

[izzie]

10. Well they sure are not the party of Ike.

This is really the corp party with church bells.The very odd thing is all those Southern Rep. used to be Dem. I wonder just what makes them Dem. now? Just what Happened to make them leave one party and join this one? HA HA

[Lefta Dissenter]

4. A republican who comes into my office pretty often

is absolutely sickened by the current administration. She didn't vote for them, so she has every right to complain. She still identifies with the repub party, but that of 20 years ago - with the values you have listed above. She's the kind of republican I enjoy talking to, because we can discuss issues and disagree, but it's not like trying to reason with a madman.

[LynneSin]

5. I think your tombstone date is off

Personally, I saw the rise of Neo-conservatism during the Reagan administration but they fully took over the party in 1994 when Newt Gingrich had the "Contract On America" year.

Your tombstone is about 11 years too late - but nice graphic anyways

[Freedom_from_Chains]

6. Conservatism is a legitimate political philosophy.

But the people who are running the GOP now are by no means conservatives. Any real conservatives left the party a long time ago.

[kansasblue]

7. Pat Buchanan

If you listen to Pat Buchanan you'll see a more responsible foreign policy coming from the Republicans. I'm not a big fan of Pat's but he calls a Neocon a Neocon.

[DistressedAmerican]

8. I Know What You Are Saying. I find It Creepy When I Agree

with the guy. But, on the war in Iraq we basically agree. That is one more thing I agree with him on than I agree with Bush on.

[DistressedAmerican]

12. Kick!

[aeolian]

13. I could go for a few more real conservatives as well

A real conservative, even when I disagree with him/her, is at least a rational, intelligent human being. One can present them with an argument or differing point of view without being labeled a "terrorist who hates america."

And real conservatives don't spend money like a crackhead on payday.

[cally]

14. Many of the early environmental laws were pursued

by Republicans. The ones today are anti-environment, small business, and the troops.

[crispini]

23. Yep. Didn't Nixon found the EPA?

Amazing to think now we're finding good things to say about Nixon....

[annabanana]

15. I agree with you 100%, DA..

The Republicans used to be an honest opposition. I disagreed with their vision for America, but I did not doubt that they wanted the best for our Country.

My grandparents were the Rockefeller Republicans of old and my parents voted Republican out of habit until Nixon freaked them out and they began paying a little more attention.

The crowd running their show now have ABSOLUTELY NO INTEREST in what is good or not good for America or it's people. Corporations, by their very nature are amoral and serve the bottom line. That is their job. And that is the philosophy currently running our government.

[DistressedAmerican]

16. Sad! But. Well Summed Up!

My dad was the state president of the Iowa State Young Republicans. He was a big booster for Nixon. He voted for Reagan and Bush I. He voted for Bush II the first time around.

Couldn't bring himself to do it the second time. He vote libertarian instead.

Those are the folks I'm talking about. The principled conservatives!

[Jade Fox]

17. Honorable Conservative have a responsibility to speak out....

against the Neo-cons. Many of them have, but it needs to be a mass
movement.

[OrlandoGator]

19. Neocons are NOT conservative.

They aren't interested in conserving anything but their power structure.

[driver8]

25. You got that right!!

The only thing I see neocons conserving besides their power is love for their fellow man.

How do people get so cold and greedy?

I wish the old school republicans would speak out against these criminals.

[hippiegranny]

20. In our culture of competition

all that seems to matter is "winning." I think most people who identify as Republicans are only concerned that they be perceived as being on the winning "team." They know not or care not what their "team" actually represents.

[Binka]

21. That's It Gran Win Win Win Win...Er Um What Are They Winning?

They cheat but they win. They lie but they win. They kill but they win. They steal but they win. Wannabes just jump on the "winning bandwagon." Every bloody Re-pub in my book is FUCKWITTAGE. End o' rant. My sig line pretty much says it all.

[DistressedAmerican]

22. I Think You Hit The Nail On The Head.

They'd be cleaning house right now if they had been thrown out of the Whitehouse. Guess we have to help give them some incentive!

[ComerPerro]

24. As long as they support Bush, they are neoCons as far as I'm concerned

They say they want small government, want the government out of people's private lives, and want to control spending.

But, as long as they support Bush, it doesn't matter what they say.

Its just all talk.

[DistressedAmerican]

26. Kicker!

[DistressedAmerican]

27. ...

[Stephanie]

28. "Drunken Sailors" - LOL!!!

If only the RED voters knew how they are being USED by the neo-cons!

[Synnical]

29. "Here Lies the Republican Party"

Distressed,

I'd buy that one on a T-Shirt, so long as it's a tank top that is not white.

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale

[DistressedAmerican]

30. Unfortunately, that is the only tank top color they have...

there is a pink ladies ringer "T". Let me know if that interests you.

DA