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SemiCharmedQuark Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 09:51 AM
Original message
I AM...a self-congratulatory Republican
I got this in an email...can we shake of all the sugar and reveal what is really underneath?

"$104,655.60 Ad in the Washington Post

Here is someone with the money to fund a rebuttal to what Howard Dean, Democratic National Committee Chairman, said recently that many Republicans have never done an honest day's work in their life. The following full page ad was placed in the Washington Post by a businessman named George J. Esseff, Sr. He paid $104,655.60 to run the ad and only did it because he is sick and tired of the way that "the rich" are portrayed by liberals these days. It is a great read.


You're a Republican???

In today’s America, ask a growing number of high school and college students; their teachers and professors; the self-anointed media elite and/or hard working men and women of all ethnicities, the question, "What is a Republican?", and you'll be told ". . . a rich, greedy, egotistical individual, motivated only by money and the desire to accumulate more and more of it, at the expense of the environment . . . the working poor and all whom they exploit . . ."

I am a Republican . . . I am none of those things . . . and I don’t know any Republicans who are.

WHAT I AM . . . first and foremost, is a loving husband of some 52 plus years, the father of four and an American who's proud of his country. . . and his country's heritage.

WHAT I AM . . . is the grandson of immigrants who risked everything, including their lives and those of their children, to escape tyranny in search of freedom.

WHAT I AM . . . is a man who grew up during the Depression and witnessed, first hand, the effects of the Stock Market crash and the soup lines that followed. I watched as both my parents and grand parents, who had very little themselves, share what food they had with a half dozen other families, who had even less.

WHAT I AM . . . is someone who worked his way through college by holding down three and four jobs at a time and then used that education to build a better life.

WHAT I AM . . . is a husband who, at age 24, started his own business for the “privilege” of working 60, 70 and 80 hours a week, risking everything I had, including my health, in search of a better life for myself and my loved ones.

WHAT I AM . . . is a businessman whose blood, sweat and tears . . . and plenty of them . . . made it possible for me to provide a secure living, not only for my family and myself, but also for literally hundreds of my employees throughout the years. Employees, who in turn, were able to buy their own homes, raise their own families and give back to their communities and their country.

WHAT I AM . . . is a man who believes in God; a God who has blessed this country . . . and all for which it stands.

WHAT I AM . . . is someone who knows, if you doubt miracles exist in today’s world, you need only to look into the face of those who received them . . . and the eyes of those who give them.

WHAT I AM . . . is an American who's proud that his President embraces a belief in God; proud of a President who understands, as "politically incorrect" as it may be, there is evil in this world and for the security and safety of all freedom loving people everywhere, it must be confronted . . . and it must be defeated.

WHAT I AM . . . is an American who takes comfort in the knowledge that our President refuses to allow decisions concerning the very safety and security of this nation, to be governed by the political whims of foreign governments.

WHAT I AM . . . is tired of hearing from leading Democrats who see only negativity in America; racism in her people; class warfare in her society and "political incorrectness" in her character.

WHAT I AM . . . is a former democrat who now understands that it is the soldier and not the reporter that guarantees us our freedoms of press, speech and dissent.

WHAT I AM . . . is a man who believes in the sanctity of life. A man who is repulsed by the pandering of the political left for votes, at the expense of the unborn.

WHAT I AM . . . is a husband and father who believes in the sanctity of marriage and the preservation of the family unit.

WHAT I AM . . . is a movie go-er who is repulsed by those insecure, socially inept, elementary thinking, ego-inflated "entertainers" who have appointed themselves "experts" in the fields of national security and geo-politics and then use their forum to attack this nation, its leaders and its actions . . . much to the delight and encouragement of our enemies.

WHAT I AM . . . is an American who understands the difference between "censorship" and "choice". Evidently, these individuals do not, because when these same "celebrities" receive public ridicule for their offensive actions, the first thing they yell is "Censorship!". What they seem incapable of understanding is . . . the right of free speech and dissent is shared equally by those offended . . . as well as those who offend. I support and will continue to support those films and performers whom I choose to . . . and refuse to support those I don't. It is my right as an American . . . a right I will continue to enthusiastically exercise.

WHAT I AM . . . is a voter, tired of politicians, who, every time their voting records are subjected to public scrutiny, try to divert attention from their political and legislative failures by accusing their opponents of "attack ads" and "negative campaigning" . . . and the news media who allow them to get away with it.

WHAT I AM . . . is a Catholic who loves his God and his Faith . . . and who's been taught to respect all religions whose teachings are based in love, peace and charity. As such, I am embarrassed and ashamed of those individuals, in both private and public life, whose decisions and actions are devoid of any sense of character or morals; individuals who are only driven by what's best for them . . . rather than what's right . . . often times at the expense of many . . . including our national security.

WHAT I AM . . . is a realist who understands that the terrorist attack that murdered hundreds of innocent Russian children could have occurred here, in our heartland. That's why I sincerely believe America needs now, more than ever, a President who sees with a clear and focused vision and who speaks with a voice when heard by both friend and foe alike, is understood, respected and believed.

WHAT I AM . . . is eternally grateful to Ronald Reagan for having the bravery to speak out against Communism and the courage of his convictions in leading the fight to defeat it; and George W. Bush for the vision, courage, conviction and leadership he has shown in America's war on terrorism amidst both the constant and vicious, personal and political attacks both he and his family are made to endure.

WHAT I AM . . . is a human being, full of numerous faults and failures, but a man nonetheless, who, though not always successful, has continually strived to do "what's right" instead of "what's easy". A man who is challenging the religious leaders of all faiths, to not only preach to their congregations the fundamentals of "what's right" and "what's wrong", but to also then hold them accountable for their actions in both the public and private sectors.

WHAT I AM . . . is disgusted with the Courts who, on one hand, call the murder of a pregnant woman a "double homicide" but then refer to the abortion of her baby as, "pro-choice".

WHAT I AM . . . is someone deeply troubled by a political party which embraces a candidate whose primary "leadership" qualities center around his protesting of the Vietnam war and his labeling the honorable men and women who fought in it, (50,000 of whom gave their lives in that action), as rapists, and war criminals. That same political party then stepped forward this year to block the appearance of a true Vietnam war hero, retired Admiral and former United States Senator, Jeremiah Denton, (a man who spent seven years and seven torturous months in a North Vietnam prison), from speaking before an open session of the California legislature as part of that state's 4th of July celebration. The reason Democrats gave for refusing to allow this American hero to speak before their state legislature was because of the "conservative" nature of his views. As an American, that troubles me deeply . . . as well it should you.

WHAT I AM . . . is a man who feels the need to spend, $104,655.60 (tax paid) of his own money, to purchase this advertisement, in order to set the story straight. Some may say this money would have been better spent feeding the world's poor. At the risk of sounding self-serving, as an American and as a Republican, for the last six decades of my life, I have done exactly that . . . and more. Following the examples of my parents and grand parents, I have used my earnings to feed the poor, shelter the homeless, provide housing for the elderly and medical care for the sick . . . and continue to do so . . . and I'm not alone in that work.

WHAT I AM . . . is someone who is paying for this announcement, at my sole expense, in hopes of opening the eyes of those led blindly by ill-informed elements of our great nation, who, through either ignorance, or malicious intent, repeatedly attack and belittle those of us who belong to a political party that holds true to the belief, " . . . the rights of the governed, exceed the power of the government". For those interested, I am speaking only as a tax-paying individual who is in no way associated with The Republican National Committee, nor with any of its directors, or delegates.

WHAT I AM . . . is a man who understands, "the American way of life" is a message of self-empowerment for all.

WHAT I AM . . . is an American who is grateful that our nation gives each of us the opportunity of self-determination and the right to benefit from the fruits of self achievement.

WHAT I AM . . . is an American who wants to preserve that way of life for all who seek it.

WHAT I AM . . . is blessed to be an American . . . and proud to be Republican.

For a free reprint of this "Open Letter," go to www.whatiam.net"
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Dora Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 09:55 AM
Response to Original message
1. OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG
Edited on Fri Aug-12-05 09:56 AM by Dora
bla-bla freaking BLA!

My face hurts.

Is this guy asking for it, or what?
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Dees Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 09:59 AM
Response to Original message
2. Heart of this bullshit is still.....$$$$$$$$$
I don't think I read where he declares himself a veteran. Shouldn't he have been in WWII?
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tabasco Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 10:06 AM
Response to Reply #2
6. What I am... just another chickenhawk !
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LibDemAlways Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 09:59 AM
Response to Original message
3. He left one out.
WHAT I AM.....is a moran.
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bryant69 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 10:02 AM
Response to Original message
4. WHAT I AM . . . is kind of a pathetic crybaby
But hey, whatever works.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com
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madeline_con Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 10:22 AM
Response to Reply #4
16. Great site there... funny as heck
Edited on Fri Aug-12-05 10:22 AM by madeline_con
is it yours?

EDITED: I cannot speel todae!
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nookiemonster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 10:02 AM
Response to Original message
5. They're just smarmy little mfers
that try to hide their inadequacies by wrapping themselves in the flag.

:puke:

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Brewman_Jax Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 10:07 AM
Response to Original message
7. Makes you want to


Notice that there's no reference to his grandchildren sacrificing themselves to bring freedom to other lands, or is it that that isn't for "our kind of people?"
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Nite Owl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 10:11 AM
Response to Original message
8. Doesn't seem like he
took any time off from making money to serve the country in the military does it? Another repuke chickenhawk!
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BeFree Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 10:13 AM
Response to Original message
9. A freeping hypocrite
..is what that rich bastard is. Oh, he has rich words but when it comes to American history he is in deep denial.

Yet this is the kind of republican who once educated can become a formidable ally against the anti-Americans who squat on the white house. Do we have a liberal enough heart to take the time to educate him?
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Fenris Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 10:15 AM
Response to Original message
10. This reads like an Edie Brickell song.
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GreenPartyVoter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 10:15 AM
Response to Reply #10
11. *lol*
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madeline_con Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 10:15 AM
Response to Original message
12. I scraped the sugar of the donut, and something stinks in here...
Edited on Fri Aug-12-05 10:18 AM by madeline_con
While I didn't get all the points down before getting dizzy from the Repug spin, I managed to translate a large portion of this RW diatribe against non-neocons. Here's my contribution:

"... if you doubt miracles exist in today’s world, you need only to look into the face of those who received them . . . and the eyes of those who give them."

Has seen Jesus.(?)

"... an American who's proud that his President embraces a belief in God; ..."

Is a fellow Evangelical Fundie who's crazier than a shithouse rat.

"... is an American who takes comfort in the knowledge that our President refuses to allow decisions concerning the very safety and security of this nation, to be governed by the political whims of foreign governments."

Supports the stripping away of basic constitutional rights and the torture and killing of people around the world to achieve the Boy King's pipe dreams.

"... is tired of hearing from leading Democrats who see only negativity in America; racism in her people; class warfare in her society and "political incorrectness" in her character."

Is ready to support the erosion of even more rights.

"... is a former democrat who now understands that it is the soldier and not the reporter that guarantees us our freedoms of press, speech and dissent."

The librul media sucks, and you can't support the troops unless you support Dubya's genocidal Iraqi policies.

".. is a man who believes in the sanctity of life. A man who is repulsed by the pandering of the political left for votes, at the expense of the unborn."

"... is disgusted with the Courts who, on one hand, call the murder of a pregnant woman a "double homicide" but then refer to the abortion of her baby as, "pro-choice"."

Wants Roe v Wade overturned.

"... is a husband and father who believes in the sanctity of marriage and the preservation of the family unit."

Is a homophobe who fears the gay "agenda".

"... is repulsed by those insecure, socially inept, elementary thinking, ego-inflated "entertainers" who have appointed themselves "experts" in the fields of national security and geo-politics and then use their forum to attack this nation, its leaders and its actions . . . much to the delight and encouragement of our enemies."

Wants to deport famous Amricans who exercise their right to free speech.

"... is an American who understands the difference between "censorship" and "choice"."

Supports censorship of points of view which differ from his own.

"... is a human being, full of numerous faults and failures, but a man nonetheless, who, though not always successful, has continually strived to do "what's right" instead of "what's easy". A man who is challenging the religious leaders of all faiths, to not only preach to their congregations the fundamentals of "what's right" and "what's wrong", but to also then hold them accountable for their actions in both the public and private sectors."

Believes it's time for "Intelligent Design Theory" to be part of the Science cirriculum in public schools.

"... is an American who wants to preserve that way of life for all who seek it."

Feels that the United Sates should control the world's oil supply so we can all drive Hummers to the kids' soccer practice.





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Zenlitened Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 10:43 AM
Response to Reply #12
21. "is repulsed by... "entertainers" who have appointed themselves "experts".
But worships Limbaugh, O'Reilly etc. :crazy: :dunce: :crazy:
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madeline_con Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 11:05 AM
Response to Reply #21
25. Bingo...
fat, pasty neocon pundits whose only claim to fame is their B.S.
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jojo54 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 10:17 AM
Response to Original message
13. I wish that most blue state Americans could afford a whole page
ad in a newspaper to declare their rights, beliefs and preferences!!! Don't sit there and tell me that you are All-American when you've got $100K in liquid assets, you ass!!
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ibegurpard Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 10:19 AM
Response to Original message
14. I wholeheartedly agree with this one:
"WHAT I AM . . . is a voter, tired of politicians, who, every time their voting records are subjected to public scrutiny, try to divert attention from their political and legislative failures by accusing their opponents of "attack ads" and "negative campaigning" . . . and the news media who allow them to get away with it."

I assume they are speaking out against the corruption in government now and the media's refusal to mention it in more than passing?
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marions ghost Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 10:20 AM
Response to Original message
15. "self-congratulatory Republican" is WAY TOO mild...
Edited on Fri Aug-12-05 10:31 AM by marions ghost
WHAT I AM ... is a Megalomaniac.

But I'm glad he described himself so well for the world to see.

There are many more such 'beneficiaries' of the America Way where he came from, and they are THE PROBLEM. The poor fundy Sheeple at the other end of the spectrum have just been used and abused--not excusing them, but they are pawns. These guys are the Kingpins, our true opponents in this struggle for democracy. Mr. Esseff may scream "I am ENTITLED!" as loud as he wants, but I don't think he can rally his troops. His cronies are too busy counting their money and figuring out how they can skim more profits into offshore accounts. They don't want visibility. He's an embarrassment. Privately they're urging him to get some better drugs and retire to a nice golf resort near Timbuktu.

WHAT I AM ... is trying to justify his life before he kicks off.
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brentspeak Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 10:32 AM
Response to Original message
17. "WHAT I AM . . . is a former democrat"
He's a Republican NOW, but he made an honest (I assume it was honest) living as a Democrat. So he really doesn't counter Dean's charge that "no Republican ever made an honest living".

(More importantly, what exactly IS this guy responding to? Dean never said a word about "the rich", only about Republicans.)

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loudsue Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 10:35 AM
Response to Original message
18. Most of what he said is WHAT I AM, too....except for the fact that
he drank the kool-aid about which side is actually FIGHTING for the rights of the people, and FOR the Constitution. His republican party is the party that has DESTROYED the constitution, and has DESTROYED chances for someone to pull themselves up by the bootstraps any longer.

There used to be an American Dream that was actually a POSSIBILITY. That dream is not possible anymore for most Americans, unless you're a child of someone who can spend $104,655.60 on a political ad! And the fact that that dream is not possible anymore for most people is THE FAULT of the republicans.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. And until EVERY American, no matter how modest the circumstances of their birth, is able to have a great education, good health care, a roof over their head, and food in their belly, the chain that binds this nation together will continue to grow weaker.

This fellow prospered after the Great Depression, because FDR started The Great Deal, and Americans had (UNION) jobs, and money to SPEND on this guy's business....THAT is why his business flourished.

But, those were the "old days". He needs to wake up and take a look around, rather than living in a past that no longer exists THANKS TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY!

:kick::kick::kick:
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ProudToBeBlueInRhody Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 10:39 AM
Response to Original message
19. BWHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!!!
Best laugh I had all day......
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wildwww2 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 10:43 AM
Response to Original message
20. What am I? Proud not to be friends with any Republicans.
Being around two-faced backstabbers is just not my style.
Peace
Wildman
Al Gore is My President
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Norquist Nemesis Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 10:54 AM
Response to Original message
22. These two items get my goat every time
"WHAT I AM . . . is a husband who, at age 24, started his own business for the “privilege” of working 60, 70 and 80 hours a week, risking everything I had, including my health, in search of a better life for myself and my loved ones.

WHAT I AM . . . is a businessman whose blood, sweat and tears . . . and plenty of them . . . made it possible for me to provide a secure living, not only for my family and myself, but also for literally hundreds of my employees throughout the years. Employees, who in turn, were able to buy their own homes, raise their own families and give back to their communities and their country."

AS AN EMPLOYEE . . . I have worked 60,70, and 80 hours a week for people like YOU to make YOU look good and be a part of making the business succeed. I'd be proud to show you my timecard for a personal best of 34 1/2 consecutive hours to meet a deadline for which YOU did not provide enough resources in either manpower or technology equipment. Every position I've held I have put 200% into it, risking everything I had including my health, my family, and my marriage in search of a better life for myself and my loved ones. I've laid it all on the line every time. YOUR sacrifices are no more valuable than mine!

AS AN EMPLOYEE: . . . I have given my blood, sweat, tears, and loyalty to YOU in an effort to provide a secure living, no only for my family and myself, but for YOU and the success of the business. I couldn't afford a house on what you paid. The bonuses or salary increases YOU grudgingly and infrequently allocated were as uplifting as a slap in the face. Meanwhile, the house YOU moved up and into, the new car with vanity plates YOU flaunted every three years, and frequent vacations YOU enjoyed with your family were a testimate to the employees who continued to work with decreasing benefits and increased living expenses. I also generously gave back to my community and country through volunteer efforts and small donations. It's a shame I had to be very selective because YOU might not agree with something I do on my own time such as work with political causes.

But whatever. Enjoy your life. It's America! The land of opportunity! And it's been a great ride since I no longer work for YOU!
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democrat_patriot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 10:56 AM
Response to Original message
23. Donate your 104,000 to stem cell research
and really help "the American way of LIFE"
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LeftCoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 11:02 AM
Response to Original message
24. WHAT I AM . . .is a long-winded SOB who doesn't know that sometimes
less is more. Sheesh!
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ObaMania Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-12-05 11:24 AM
Response to Original message
26. Someone should write a What You Are rebuttal and email it to him!
And place emphasis on your email being free!

LOL.
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