Converted a Republican . . .

[flamin lib]

I've finally converted my Republican friend to an independent. I may get him all the way to Dem by the '06 elections. I did it by asking simple questions about why he voted Republican and showing him that they really didn't stand for what he thought.

He said they cut taxes. I pointed out that they didn't really cut taxes only shifted them around and that his property taxes went up more than his income taxes went down. He said they are for small government. I pointed out that the government grew under Reagan, Bush I and Bush II. He said they are for a strong defense. I pointed out that our military is stretched so thin that we can't fight another war if needed. He said they were fiscally responsible. I told him that under Reagan, Bush I and now Bush II we grew the deficit and national debt. Then I began detailing every Republican abuse I could think of--DeLay's lobbyist ties, the Bridge to nowhere, tax cuts for the petro industry. He couldn't come up with a single Democratic example of such abuses (not so much because none exist, but because he isn't as informed as I am).

He finally said that the Democrats are just as bad, so he's voting independent. I suggested he just stay home so as not to cancel out my vote.

[Coventina]

1. Your story reminds me of a friend of mine who argued with his dad

His dad didn't have any information to argue back with and finally sputtered angrily, "You have all these FACTS!"

:D

It pays to be informed.

[glitch]

3. LOL! Thank you, I really needed that!

"You have all these FACTS!"

[wryter2000]

2. What converted my dh to dem...

My husband was an independent and had come around to being quite liberal in his views. What finally convinced him to register as a dem was looking at my primary ballot. I had all kinds of great people to chose from, and he only had a couple he'd never heard of. He was very jealous. Unfortunately, he died a few months later and never got a great dem ballot, but I still have the confirmation of his re-registration on the refrigerator.

However, having said that, your friend may be better as an independent. I've met republicans who call themselves "new democracts." Encouraging them to become dems, imho, only increases the strength of the DLC dems and diminishes the strength of liberals. These people would do much more good by rescuing the republican party.

My theory is that the country works best when he have a Democratic party along the lines of Roosevelt and a Republican along the lines of Eisenhower. Those kinds of parties can engage in a healthy tug of war that ultimately serves the country well.

Whew....end of sermon.

[flamin lib]

4. Sorry to hear of your loss.

We are in Texas,the DFW area, so the likelihood of actually winning a seat is slim. However after the Ohio campaign of Paul Hackett I think we can make some of the Repubs re-think their security. Kay Bailey Hutchison is up for re-election and my Rep, Joe Barton is being challenged by a Hackett type Democrat--Iraq war vet.

Kay Bailey's seat is as secure as it can get. Not sure about Joe's, he's not accustomed to having an opponent.

I met Joe Barton at a wing-ding by a major law firm in Dallas. He was going from table to table pressing the flesh and someone at our table asked him what it took to be a good Congressman. He answered, "Beat Democrats!" I said that I thought it might have something to do with governing or representing his constituents. He looked like a deer in the headlights. I don't get invited to those parties anymore . . .

[wryter2000]

6. Thank you

It was a relatively quick and painless death, but we did get a chance to say good bye.

[vptpt]

5. Your toaster oven is in the mail

Good job cadet!