GOPbasher - here's your reply from the Moderate Republican

[SoFlaJet]

http://moderaterepublican.atlblogs.com/

Well Frank, I have to admit that there are times that I wonder if the cause is worth it. I sometimes wonder about leaving and becoming and independent. However, I stay because I think the cause is just and it must be done. Let's say people like myself leave the party and the far right is left in control. Democrats think that it means that they will win since they are the pro-gay, pro-environment, pro-all good things party.

What Frank and others forget is that the voting public is fickle and those in power become lazy. All it takes is an ecomomic downturn or a scandal or poor leadership and voters will choose another party. And what party will they choose? Well, in a two party system they are going to choose the GOP that is controlled by the far right, the anti-choice, anti-gay, theocratic party.

As a friend once said, leaving the party will still leave the far-right in power and will be a victory for them since they want me gone anyway. I don't want people who view me as evil to have power in government or in a major politcal party. I want them marginalized and that will not happen if I leave the party over to them.

I also stay for another reason. Parties change. Unlike European parties, American parties are really just vehicles for various ideologies and philosohpies. Contrary to what Frank might think, the Democrats were not always pro-civil rights. It was because of people like Hubert Humphrey who decided to go toe-to-toe with the southern segrationists who controlled the party. Frank is right that the GOP is no longer the moderate party it once was, but that was because many of the southern segregationists who left the Dems went over to the GOP and remade it into their image. The GOP doesn't have to be the right wing party that it is. If moderates and principled conservatives were able to gain power again, the Republicans could be the party of moderation. I believe they can in time.

I don't know about you, but I'd rather have two parties of the center than one center-left party and one far-right party that will only perputate the tone of politics we see today.

So, thanks for the invite Frank, but I'm staying. I have work to do and a party to reform.

[wryter2000]

1. Awesome

I want them marginalized and that will not happen if I leave the party over to them.

If the more reasonable types take back the Republican party, we can get some good things done in this country.

[Worst Username Ever]

2. It's nice to see

a conservative that thinks independently and with eloquence.

[papau]

3. logical but only if moderate GOP vote against far-right in actual election

otherwise it is playing with words.

You do not change a party that is winning by helping it win again with right wing candidates.

And with Bush support about 90% within the GOP, there is no change possible.

[SoFlaJet]

4. I don't buy that 90% Pap

how many times have we heard on C-Span and read here and other places about repubs running away from Bush?Alot more than I ever heard well maybe not since the Reagan democrats.You're right though we have to convince them,and people like mcCain that their party ain't comin back to them.I've written a couple of letters to McCain and wonder if he gets to see them or if his operatives get rid of them fast.

[amber dog democrat]

5. I have to respect this person

Even so, this is probably a lost cause. Its nice to see some one with principles even if they are Republicans.... ( the party of lincoln, remember? ) .

Lincoln would have been a Democrat today.
Hell, Reagan and Cheney both favored Apartheid !

[Jesse_W]

6. [clap] [clap]

I'm glad to see this also. We need to move _both_ parties to the left right now. In the future, when we win, the way we will win is that both parties are left leaning, the same as many leftists complained that Clinton leaned to the right. That's what winning looks like - when even your "enemies" have to go along with your basic ideas.