Public split from GOP hits a nerve nationwide

[central scrutinizer]

A few weeks ago, I posted an article and LTTE from my local paper (Eugene Register-Guard). Two life-long Republicans had written in to say why they were leaving the Republican Party. They both felt that the party had been hijacked by the Neocons who were betraying everything that the party used to stand for. That posting floated almost to the top of the DU "Greatest" list. Apparently we were not the only ones to notice and appreciate Mr. Chaney's article. Today, a followup article by Mr. Chaney appeared.

from:

http://www.registerguard.com/news/2005/08/07/b1.ed.col.chaney.0807.html

begin excerpt:

In early June, I decided to leave the Republican Party after having been a registered member for 25 years. I've gathered since then that I'm not alone in having made that decision.

What made my departure different is that I decided to leave, for better or for worse, in a very public way.

I wrote an essay explaining my reasons for leaving - essentially, that "my" GOP had drifted so far from its traditional moorings in honesty, practicality and common sense so as to be unrecognizable to many rank-and-filers like me - and this newspaper printed it on June 26. I expected a response, but not the one I got.

In this broadband era, the reaction wasn't just local; it was national. Through nothing more than our 21st century version of word of mouth, within three days I was getting calls, e-mails and letters from all over the country, and invitations to appear on talk radio not just in Oregon, but also in Boston and in a broadcast heard across Canada.

end excerpt

[FreedomAngel82]

1. Nice

I think we're seeing that now. We really saw it with Ohio. I still wonder if Hackett really won or not. 2006 and 2008 will be very interesting. :0)

[mom cat]

7. Don' t wonder. Hackett won. So did Kerry and Gore and probably

enough Democrats to shift the balance of power in this country! We have been hijacked by the Bush Crime Family and their Neo-con foaming at the mouth ideologues!

[In Truth We Trust]

9. no tin foil-unfortunately i completely agree

[msongs]

12. you notice that the DEMOCRATS INC. are doing nothing about this, and

there are just a few voices in the wilderness like john conyers and several others. Evoting fraud is not a big issue.

firebrand howard dean is doing HIS job out there in the red states drumming up support from the democrats, and while I wish he were more vocal on several primary issues, he probably understands what his job is, in that he is expected to do his job since he accepted it on the terms the job requires.

have not heard from boxer lately, and we all know ms hillary is trending right these days, and her husband is really trending right.

Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[Wapsie B]

2. That's great to hear.

More people are waking up. Too bad it's not an election year.

[Peace Patriot]

28. Well, in the election year that was--2004--Dems blew the Repubs away

in new voter registration, nearly 60/40. People were FLOCKING to the Democratic Party--as a result of the huge grass roots effort which was overwhelmingly antiwar.

The great majority of new voters voted for John Kerry. The great majority of independent voters voted for Kerry. The great majority of Nader voters voted for Kerry. And Gore 2000 repeat voters (who actually beat Bush in the popular vote in 2000) were the ones who got all their non-voting family members, friends and co-workers to register and vote for the first time ("most important election in our history")--indicating great motivation to oust the Bush Cartel.

Who else is there? Bush 2000 voters and...? Karl Rove's "invisible" get-out-the-vote campaign? Uh-huh.

So the tide started turning long ago, in fact way back in Feb. 03, prior to the invasion of Iraq, when 58% of the American people opposed the war--well before all the lies came out, and before the true costs were known. I'll never forget that stat. They didn't trust Bush THEN--nearly 60% of them, which had to have included a goodly number of Republicans.

It makes you really wonder about the counting of the votes of Bush 2000 repeat voters (not to mention the counting of the votes of OTHER voting groups). Were some of their votes ALSO "disappeared"--by the Bushite electronic voting machine companies who tabulated the votes with their secret, proprietary software?

And perhaps only when the Republican voters begin to realize what the Bushites have done to THEM, will we be able to change it, and achieve transparent, verifiable elections. We can't seem to get anywhere with our Dem Party leaders on this--I think in part because of the bipartisan corruption among election officials in the billion dollar electronic voting system boondoggle. (How else do you explain Dem Party leaders saying NOTHING about major Bush donors counting all the votes in secret? I mean, come on...).

A revolt of the VOTERS--Dem, Repub, independent, Green, new, old--to throw ALL of the bums out and start over!

-------

I caught a quote today by Russ Holt regarding Congressional investigation of the Plame outing, and what he said went something like this: We're not interested in this because of past events; our purpose is to prevent this kind of thing from happening in the future.

Russ Holt. I thought he was one of the good guys! And his statement on the Plame outing was a word for word replica of what virtually every Dem Party leader said about the 2004 election: We're not challenging the election; our purpose is to prevent these kind of irregularities in the future.

But when does the future get here? Never, it seems.

We have to face the truth of collusive Dems--collusive on the war, and collusive on the utter corruption of our election system. We have collusive Dems on the one hand, and outright fascist jihadists having hijacked the Republican Party on the other.

Yup, it's time us ordinary citizens and voters got together. The DISENFRANCHISED. The UNHEARD. The ones who have been deprived of the "consent of the governed." And take some BIG BROOMS to Washington DC, and clean house.

[Wapsie B]

35. Yes I wonder about those bush 200 repeat voters

as well. You can't tell me he got every one of those votes and added more on top of that. I agree about collusion with the Dems. Diebold and its competitors should not have secret proprietary software for tabulating votes. There needs to be technical-savy people on these election committees from both sides and not run by some political drone who got the job because of patronage. We need to take the hardware from Diebold, et al, and tell them thank you but we'll put our own open source software in these boxes. Count all the votes indeed.

[helderheid]

38. Too much to deny

http://www.udpc.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15

[FightingIrish]

3. What a great message

It makes me proud to be an Oregonian and me gives hope that my pride in being an American can be restored.

[Maat]

4. Thanks for the post.

That was a great column.

Maybe someone needs to point him in the direction of DU.

[kitkat65]

5. Very nice, well thought piece . . . kick!

[Dogmudgeon]

6. Like I keep telling people ...

... don't go calling them "pukes" and blaming them for everything that you don't like, and don't idly vent your anger at them. They are our neighbors, our co-workers, our family members, our friends. They are the "rank and file" of the Republican Party.

If you think you felt betrayed because Gore and Kerry didn't bellow and beat their chests, multiply that by fifty, and you'll get a taste of how most Republicans feel. Their gilded boy-god has been shown for the craven worm that he is, and their New-Jerusalem-on-the-Potomac looks more like Sodom, complete with roving rape gangs (and they have video cameras now, too). Their ideology is seen to be written in dust and grime and rodent droppings, and their values (so-called) can not even buy them the peace of sleep.

It is time to invite them in from the cold, to give them shelter in the Big Tent. Slay the Fatted Calf. Welcome them home.

Tonight, as the Conservative fever-dream drives its remaining sufferers into certain madness, the dance of self-destruction, and unthinkable death, we should celebrate those who have taken the cure. We can bicker over ideology and policy in the morning.

--p!

[mcscajun]

10. Well said and then some!

We can't be alienating them now, just when they seem to be shaking off the influence of all that kool-aid.

[phylny]

31. Very thoughtful post - and I agree! n/t

[Ladyhawk]

40. I'm starting to agree with you.

I came in from the cold, but I was pretty pissed off at first. People are usually angry when they realize someone has sold them a bill of goods. I wondered why others didn't see it, too. I didn't stop to realize that many, many others wondered why I didn't see it earlier.

Who the hell am I to point a finger?

It is true that some people don't care about the truth. These people are the willfully ignorant. It's best to just ignore them.

Those of you who don't mind talking politics in public--for me it's still a delicate subject--do it! See if you can't sway some of the folks who can still think for themselves.

I may not completely agree with you on all the issues, but there had better be a place for me in the Democratic Party because that's all I have.

As the man said:

"I'm hopeful that there's a place in the Democratic tent for a fiscal conservative who believes in a foreign policy based on strength, respect and honesty, and who favors the zealous defense of individual rights, without regard to whether that defense involves death with dignity, gun ownership, freedom of speech and worship, or sexual orientation. The Republican Party left that set of beliefs behind a long time ago, and ultimately lost any tolerance for dissent. We'll see if the Democrats can do better."

[BattyDem]

8. This quote amazes me:

"I'm hopeful that there's a place in the Democratic tent for a fiscal conservative who believes in a foreign policy based on strength, respect and honesty, and who favors the zealous defense of individual rights, without regard to whether that defense involves death with dignity, gun ownership, freedom of speech and worship, or sexual orientation."


Um ... doesn't that describe our beliefs EXACTLY?! :shrug:

This proves once again that "average" Democrats and "average" Republicans pretty much share the same beliefs - but the propaganda machine has taken the message of both sides and twisted it into extremist, unrecognizable crap in order to make us all believe that the "other" side is trying to destroy our way of life, when in fact, we all want the same things. It also proves that the DLC's approach to the problem is COMPLETELY WRONG.

[Dogmudgeon]

11. The Sawdust Trail!

I can't speak for the writer, but I have a similar attitude.

Similar, but not the same. I prefer the all-inclusive state of mind in politics, but I never thought for a minute that it meant I had to sacrifice my own ideals. And if the members of the DLC had that once, and then lost it, it's their loss, a bigger loss than they will know.

Yes, the Tent is Big enough for everybody. But there's a Revival going on in the Big Tent -- and it's OUR Revival.

And the Rev. Pigwidgeon will be preaching at 9 and baptizing at noon. Plenty of associate preachers, plenty of baptizing pools, and plenty of chicken, ribs, and cold beer. Love Donations optional. Democracy mandatory.

--p!

[BattyDem]

15. That's my point. No one has to sacrifice their own ideals because ..

we obviously agree on so much more than we disagree on. The author's desire for a "zealous defense of individual rights" is the basis for the Big Tent - we may disagree, but we all believe that individuals have the right to live their lives however they choose. :-)

[phiddle]

13. There's a great opportunity here.

These values could be our credo, and define "Democrat" in the public mind. If so, and given honest voting, we'd bury the Repubs for a generation.

[deadparrot]

42. Yes, and the GOP would claim that his social positions are "far left."

Radical, even.

[Writer]

14. I think this paragraph is especially compelling

"I'm hopeful that there's a place in the Democratic tent for a fiscal conservative who believes in a foreign policy based on strength, respect and honesty, and who favors the zealous defense of individual rights, without regard to whether that defense involves death with dignity, gun ownership, freedom of speech and worship, or sexual orientation. The Republican Party left that set of beliefs behind a long time ago, and ultimately lost any tolerance for dissent. We'll see if the Democrats can do better."

If we want to broaden our appeal - if we really want to open our doors and accept these converts, it would hearken us to pay attention to the needs of lost Republicans such as Chaney, discuss them, then let them in.

The Democrats, then will be the majority party that supports true mainstream values.

[sunnystarr]

27. Do we have to subscribe to everything on the Dem platform?

It seems to me we have room for those of pro-life leanings for example. It's kind of like being Catholic and practicing birth control contrary to church doctrine. It doesn't stop one being Catholic. Responsible gun ownership for the hunters, who are probably the most responsible gun owners on the planet. While it doesn't have to be the party platform, one shouldn't feel that they can't belong due to some contrary beliefs, nor should they be made to feel unwelcome. Like the Catholics I mentioned, they don't expect the church to change their stand.

Dems really have all encompassing unifying principles and values that make an unbeatable platform. Why not focus on it more than the issues that tend to divide. Fairness and equal rights to all our citizens without regard to race, age, gender, or sexual orientation.

[Spiffarino]

36. If they really want to prevent abortions, that's one thing

If their goal is to reduce the number of abortions through means that actually work - a healthy economy, an excellent educational system, access to safe and effective birth control - then I urge them to climb aboard.

If they harass and vilify patients, doctors and clinic workers or push Draconian legislation to outlaw it, then I've got a problem.

[babylonsister]

16. Thanks for this and my fellow DUers' comments

are awesome!
:toast:

[stepnw1f]

17. Neo-Cons Hate Democracy...

They claim to love Democracy, but we know better. Actions speak louder than words... rape and torture anybody?

[RovianNightmare]

18. Kudos to Mr. Chaney

What a class act. I'd be proud to be his neighbor, and I certainly hope the democratic party does have room for more like him. Thanks for posting this.

[I Have A Dream]

23. Hi, RovianNightmare -- welcome to DU!

Much of what he stated is exactly what I want, and I'm certainly a progressive. I'm sure that there are some areas where he and I differ, but the Democratic party certainly has room for someone like him -- a person who thinks for himself.

[newyawker99]

45. Hi RovianNightmare!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Booster]

19. Very nice; thanks for posting this. All Americans need to stop and

realize the problem isn't each other - it's the extremists - extreme left and extreme right. Just like everyday Iraqis probably hate the extremists in Iraq, we tend to hate them in the US. In my opinion, it's the media that hypes this because they have the most extreme people on radio & TV, i.e., Rush, Hannity, Coulter, Savage, etc. If people would stop listening to this bullshit, we would get along with each other much better. I'm not taking up for Repugs, but they have been listening for many more years than we have and they have been told over & over that they should hate the Dems, no matter who they are or what they're trying to do. People need to wean themselves away from "hate" talk on both sides. Maybe we do need to move to the middle, then if they move to the middle, maybe we can get our country back to normal, whatever the Hell that was.

[ailsagirl]

20. YAY!!! Mr. Chaney is now a DEM!!!! :=D

WAY COOL!!!

So for me, the Democratic Party it is; I switched my registration about a week after the piece was published.

:bounce: :patriot: :kick: :applause:

Thanks for posting this!!! :)

[iconoclastic cat]

21. Here's a link to his first essay:

http://www.registerguard.com/news/2005/06/26/ed.col.chaney.0626.html

As of today, after 25 years, I am no longer a Republican.

I take this step with deep regret, and with a deep sense of betrayal.

I still believe in the vast power of markets to inspire ideas, motivate solutions and eliminate waste. I still believe in international vigilance and a strong defense, because this world will always be home to people who will avidly seek to take or destroy what we have built as a nation. I still believe in the protection of individuals and businesses from the influence and expense of an over-involved government. I still believe in the hand-in-hand concepts of separation of church and state and absolute freedom to worship, in the rights of the states to govern themselves without undo federal interference, and in the host of other things that defined me as a Republican.

My problem is this: I believe in principles and ideals which my party has systematically discarded in the last 10 years.
*************

[Stil]

22. Another defection earlier was

Christine Whitman, she put out a book around the election called "It's my party too". She was a cabinet member of * #1 and New Jersey governor. Pretty much saying the same thing. Several of the old repub's at work say the same thing. But they seem to still cling on.

[ailsagirl]

24. kick

[H2O Man]

25. My normal brother

lives in Eugene, and often sends me articles from that paper. It seems like a very progressive area to live.

[ailsagirl]

29. H2O Man-- someone asking after you...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4282864

[H2O Man]

32. Thank you. n/t

[roguevalley]

33. Eugene is wonderful. Its a big college town.

[H2O Man]

37. That's what my brother says.

He describes it as being somewhere between an Oneonta and an Ithaca. Those are the islands of sanity in rural, upstate New York.

[Ladyhawk]

41. I went through Eugene on a choir tour. All I remember is that it was COLD

hehe :scared:

[shelley806]

26. Very good post and comments. Thanks! His last name makes me nervous

though...just one little 'e' difference, and we have evil one himself. (Chaney vs Cheney)

Do you have the link to the original DU post? I don't think I read it at the time.

[I Have A Dream]

30. I think that it's this one...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3954801

[shelley806]

34. Thanks!..n/t

[Sgent]

39. If he speaks as well as he writes

Can we run him for state senate or rep?

This guy is impressive. Note, on many issues he is probably to the right of this board, but give him time :). He's already to the left of the DLC.

[Hekate]

43. Well said -- gives me hope

Mr Chaney's observation about the here-and-gone popularity of the KKK, international socialism, and McCarthyism (in the 1920's, 30's, and 50's respectively) made me think of Thomas Jefferson's words posted by Elizabeth Edwards after last year's election:

"A little patience, and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people, recovering their true sight, restore their government to its true principles. It is true that in the meantime we are suffering deeply in spirit, and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous public debt. If the game runs sometimes against us at home we must have patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are at stake."

We have much to do, and it's good to know we are gaining allies. Let's resolve to be welcoming to them!

Hekate

[Lannes]

44. Thanks for the post

Im curious to see how stories like these translates in 2006,assuming we do a better job of monitoring elections.