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

[fishface]

By James Chaney


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.

My Republican Party was the party of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Barry Goldwater, and George H.W. Bush. It was a party of honesty and accountability. It was a party of tolerance, and practicality and honor. It was a party that faced facts and dealt with reality, and that crafted common-sense solutions to problems based on the facts as they were, not as we wished them to be, or even worse, as we made them up. It was a party that told the truth, even when the truth came hard. And now, it is none of those things.

Fifty years from now, the Republican Party of this era will be judged by how we provided for the nation's future on three core issues: how we led the world on the environment, how we minded the business of running our country in such a way that we didn't go bankrupt, and whether we gracefully accepted our place on the world's stage as its only superpower. Sadly, we have built the foundation for dismal failure on all three counts. And we've done it in such a way that we shouldn't be surprised if neither the American people nor the world ever trusts us again.

Enough is enough. I quit.

Read the entire letter at:


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

[Oversea Visitor]

1. Evil

chimp destroying the party of Abraham Lincoln. Why is no one fighting this why why all asleep.

[BlueIris]

28. Damn. And from a Eugene, OR Republican, no less.

Anyone managing to remain Republican while living and working in Eugene (didn't say how long he'd worked there, but still) is hardcore about his or her beliefs. I lived there for five years and while I did know some G.O.P. (not well, mostly people describing themselves as fundamentalist Christians) but I could probably count them on my fingers. That's incredible. Bush is losing the base.

[XemaSab]

34. Time to lower the stars and stripes

and raise high the black flag!

[FreedomAngel82]

41. Because the real republicans are leaving

They don't stay and fight to get their party back. Instead they're just leaving and letting the extremists take over.

[Nothing Without Hope]

2. This is an excellent piece - we should collect these letters from former

Republicans who give their reasons for leaving the party they supported for so long.

At this point, they have more in common with us progressives than with what is now called the GOP. We need to be open to these people, standing together to regain democracy in this country and America's soul. After the country is saved, we can always get back to our traditional "liberal vs. conservative" arguments. The criminal cartel that has stolen our country has almost nothing in common with traditional GOP beliefs and is far more radical than we are.

We can take some encouragement from this letter. Republicans of integrity are finally beginning to see through the lies. At some point they will begin to see the scope of the crimes committed by the Bush cartel.

Recommended. Thanks for posting this.

[fishface]

6. The reaction to the letter from this rwingnut demostrates why

republicans will be shocked when their party takes a big hit in the election: They're arrogant.


"I'm sure the Republican Party will be devastated and shaken to the core by the loss of an obscure attorney in Eugene, Oregon.
I know many will want to send flowers, and words of encouragement as we try to cope with this tragedy, but somehow we will manage to carry on."


http://members.boardhost.com/zendevil/msg/581795.html

[Nothing Without Hope]

16. So willfully blind - amazing how people can deceive themselves. Reminds me

of a Navajo proverb: "You can't wake a person who is pretending to be asleep."

[Cha]

64. That's a Good Proverb!

I think I'll use it!

"You Can't Wake A Person Who Is Pretending To Be Asleep.."

[Freedom_from_Chains]

11. I became disenchanted with the GOP in the early 90's

And for the reasons the author stated in this article, but primarily because of the takeover by the theocrate's that now control it. Of course on the other side I do not consider myself a Democrat because I am not, nor will I ever be, a socialist. So,politically I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.

But in the last general election I did vote for Kerry but it was more a vote against Bush than for Kerry. Although since then Kerry has been one of a handful of Democrats who has actually had the balls to call the Republicans what they are on the Senate floor and I have gotten to like him much more.

[Nothing Without Hope]

15. Here is my recommendation - compared to this administration, you are

a progressive. Don't worry about party labels, worry about the good of the country. (In fact, I believe that some of the Dem leadership are also complicit to various degrees in the corruption that is ruining this country, though it is driven by the Bush cartel.) After we stand together and save democracy, we can get back to traditional arguments of "liberal vs conservative" takes on issues. In my opinion, these arguments are often a good thing, as they can produce practical, yet forward-looking plans that either side alone would not be able produce without this dialog. The current administration is NOT conservative and has BETRAYED the traditional beliefs of the GOP party. And a single-party system of EITHER side invites corruption and abuse, as has happened.

[Toots]

30. You say Democrats equal socialsts

You are still drinking the kool aid I see. If wanting to take care of the least amonst us is socialism then I admit I am a socialist but if the meaning of socialism is a complete government takeover of all aspects of life and outlawing private business then I doubt you will find many Democrats that would support such a thing. You need to look up the meaning of socialism and ask yourself if Democrats truly believe in it. I think you will see it is nothing more than a right wing smear but even if the Democrats wanted a Socialist government similar to Sweden I doubt America would be worse off and in fact Sweden is doing quite well and the people there love their government. They have bested America in just about every single way possible when it comes to caring for their citizens. A government that is truly for it's people would understand that when the people are healthy the government is healthy and right now many Americans can not get health care because they can not afford it and the government lets them suffer. America can do better without dictating how you live. Right now it is dictating how we live and keeping the poorest in poor health. The worst of all worlds We are the only westernized nation that does not provide health care for it's citizens and that makes us better how????

[B3Nut]

32. RW uses "Socialism! Booga-booga!" as a thought-stopper.

They fail to disclose that there are (1) degrees of mixture between socialism and capitalism, it's not totally either/or and (2) economic philosophies do not necessarily control all areas of life. There are some areas where a more socialistic approach might be the best solution, and areas where a more lassiez-faire/capitalistic approach might be the best solution. RW radio hosts are stuck in an all-or-nothing mode of thinking, but the reality is that the world doesn't work that way. It's kind of like the old saying, "when all you have is a hammer, every problem starts looking like a nail." Use the right tool for the job.

Todd in Beerbratistan

[Freedom_from_Chains]

39. Actually, I think you need to re-take Poly-sci n/t

[FreedomAngel82]

45. We also

have the most expensive health care as well but we call ourselves the greatest.

[Nothing Without Hope]

52. Hey, easy, friend. I doubt this person wants the poor to suffer as they

are under Bush. Let's find the commonality behind the semantics.

[Theseus Ship]

62. Hmm,

It's not "Socialist" to want to take care of "the least among us." It *is* socialist to demand that I do so as well.

[quiet.american]

33. Why do you think Democrats are socialists?

The reasons James Chaney gives for being a Republican are very much what Democrats stand for in the here and now.

[Norquist Nemesis]

36. The majority of people who are Democrats are not, nor will ever

be Socialists. Why you are equating the two is confusing to me.

[Freedom_from_Chains]

40. Why you don't understand what a socialist is, confuses me. n/t

[Norquist Nemesis]

42. I understand what a socialist is. Apparently you don't

or you would not equate Democrats as Socialists.

[Crunchy Frog]

75. Please explain to me what a socialist is

or what you believe a socialist is. I've never considered myself to be even remotely socialist and I'm a lifelong liberal Democrat from a family of lifelong liberal Democrats.

Somebody above posted the dictionary definition of socialism. I would hardly equate belief in a social safety net, some government provided services, and a degree of regulation in the economy, with that definition of socialism. If you have a different definition of socialism, I'd be interested in knowing what it is.

I congratulate you on leaving the Republicans and hope that you will educate yourself more thoroughly on what the Democratic party actually stands for.

[TroglodyteScholar]

53. Well...

I know this isn't my discussion, but compared to the wingnuts we ARE socialists. They want to kill ALL the social programs, and we want to maintain them. They want government to have loads of money and no real responsibility for the wellbeing of the public. We want that government $$$ to go toward social programs such as Medicare, Social Security, etc.

Relative to people who oppose all domestic social programs, those of us who want any social programs at all could, in fact, be viewed as socialistic.

Sure, it's a smear....but it's more accurate that a lot of the labels we fight against.

[rman]

74. How is a tax-funded Social Security not socialist?

Why do you think RW-ers want to privitize Social Security? It's not because they like socialism.

Much like the European Left, most democrats want a healthy mixture of socialism and capitalism.

Point being, contrary to popular belief (with thanks to the oh so 'liberal' media), there really isn't much wrong with socialism.

[Ariana Celeste]

47. short rant thing re: socialism

Some Dems are Socialists. Some Socialists are Dems. Some Republicans (gasp) are Socialists. Some Socialists are Republicans.

Most Socialists are just Socialists. I, myself, am an Independent Progressive Socialist. I am not a Democrat. I like Democrats, though. I identify with their ideals, for the most part. The beauty of the left side of the fence is that so many of us can identify with eachother regardless of all of our differences. I don't have to identify with any particular Party or Faction in order to feel comfortable on the left, and I like it that way.

Some Democrats are Feminists- that doesn't make all of them Feminists. Some Democrats are vegetarians, doesn't mean they all are. This Party isn't solid, there are many many differences.

Now I will give you the fact that some D ideals are somewhat Socialist concepts. That isn't a bad thing. The word Socialist has such a taboo ring to it anymore, that not very many people even understand the concept of Socialism as it really is.

Some rulers have tainted the image of Socialism. That's the fault of the rulers/leaders/what-have-you, not the political philosophy.

Either you need to research Socialism for what it is (not how people have tainted it) or you need to take another look at the D platform. As for everyone else- google Republican Socialists. Lol. I was shocked when I saw that. All I could think was, how the hell does that work? :7

[Cha]

65. Ya'll made me want to look up "socialism"

in the dictionary..

Main Entry: so·cial·ism
Pronunciation: 'sO-sh&-"li-z&m
Function: noun
1 : any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2 a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3 : a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done.

I do Not think Dems qualify as socialists.

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=socialism&x=16&y=16

[rman]

77. It is very well possible to be part socialist

It's not a black-and-white issue.

I think most dems are not in favor of the opposite of socialism, which would be that -everything- would be privately owned, and nothing would be managed by the government (ie Social Security, Health Care etc), which happens to be exactly what the RW wants. It the RW that wants a winner-takes-all capitalism-running-rampant system where the rich get richer and the non-rich work longer hours for lower wages (as has been happening in the past few decades).

What do you think Bush means by "ownership society"? Why do you think Repubs want to privitize Social Security? Why do you think they want to cut budgets for public broadcastin?
Because to them having those things - or anything for that matter - managed by the government, is socialist. And they are correct, it's just that unlike what they want us to believe, there's nothing wrong with a bit of socialism.

You are playing right in their hands by denouncing socialism all together. Also, given the RW's ownership of the mainstream media, you've got to wonder why it is that in the public mind socialism is a bad thing. Where do people get such an idea?

[Nothing Without Hope]

3. This letter also specifically mentions the DSMs as showing that the

Bush admin LIED about the Iraq war. The word is getting out at last.

[Cha]

66. That's Got To Be the

HIGHLIGHT!

[Swamp Rat]

4. "My Republican Party was the party of... and George H.W. Bush???"

George H.W. Bush is one of THE evil lizards! ... though, it's GREAT he's dumping his rethuglican party membership. :)

[H2O Man]

17. I do not mean to repeat

myself so frequently, but when I see your artwork, I simply must: you have a wonderful talent. I really get a kick out of it. And while it is always thought-provoking, and usually hilarious, things like the coffins in this one put a lump in my throat.

[Swamp Rat]

19. Thanks... Here's my latest:

[Nothing Without Hope]

49. This is so extremely cool. I think you've reached a whole new level

with this latest batch, SR!

I'd love to see these printed on stickers, to be left for the public to read. With their brilliant color, they would catch the eye and wouldn't have to be all that big to get attention and be read.

Bravo! :yourock: :applause: :woohoo: :toast: :applause:

[superconnected]

20. he's waking up, just slowly.

I mean come on, after 25 years!

It's amazing he's waking up at all.

[Swamp Rat]

21. You are right

Baby steps.

[XemaSab]

35. The Scream

has been found in a Swamp Rat original...

[Nothing Without Hope]

48. Ooooh, SR! I hadn't seen this one before. It's a beaut!

I love the one with the exploding planet too! Thanks for showing your very special efforts.

[H2O Man]

5. The Republican Party

was named by a "free-soil" advocate who had been involved in the Anti-Rent War in NYS. I've been tempted to post a thread on the Anti-Renters, because I suspect there are very few Americans who are familiar with that chapter of our nation's history. It shows how the Republican party has betrayed its original values and goals.

I think that many republicans feel betrayed by this administration. I have a few republican relatives; none of them support this administration.

[Nothing Without Hope]

8. I hope you do post that thread. We need to welcome Republicans of

integrity who perceive that the party of Bush and his cronies has almost nothing in common with the traditional principles of the Republican Party. We can get back to traditional interparty arguments AFTER the country is saved. Many progressives may not be aware of how deviated from traditional Republicanism the current GOP is. As for Republicans, they may be more likely to listen to a person who has been a long-term Republican who sees how the current GOP has betrayed their party as well as everyone else and the earth itself. We need to learn from our history, or - as the saying goes - we are doomed to repeat it.

If you do post that thread on the history of the GOP, I'd be grateful if you would PM me with a link to it. I think that more explanatory/historical articles and LTTEs that show how far the current GOP has moved away from the traditional principles of Republicanism would help more members of that party to overcome their party loyalty for a greater cause.

[H2O Man]

13. You are right.

Absolutely right. For example, fiscal conservatives have, in the past, felt that the republican party reflected their values more than the democrats. We need to highlight efforts to re-examine this.

Bush campaigned on the idea of not having the USA be involved in "nation-building."

The administration pretends it supports our military.

There are numerous examples of where the democratic party can appeal to republicans of good will. I do not for a second mean to imply that we compromise our core values -- just the opposite: we show that the republicans in Washington have compromised their values.

And the environment is always an important place to start. There is a reason why the corporate media apes the administration's lie that the environment is a democratic tree-hugging issue that offends the average American. This is as outright of a lie as has ever been told. If one reads the first chapter of Robert's book "Crimes Against Nature," the truth comes into sharp focus. Kennedy gets standing ovations from true conservative republican crowds.

[Burried News]

7. Catapault the Truth - we don't need a Deep Throat

From link above:
"Republican decisions made in 2002 and 2003 have killed almost 2,000 of the most capable patriots our country has to offer - volunteers, every one. Support for those decisions was gathered through what appeared at the time to be spin and marketing, but which now turns out to have been deliberate planning and falsehood. The Blair government's internal documentation only confirms what has been suspected for years: Americans are dying every day for Republican lies first crafted in 2002, expanded and embellished upon in 2003, and which continue to this day. This calculated deception is now burned into the legacy of the party, every bit as much as Reagan's triumph in the Cold War, or Nixon's disgrace over Watergate.

I could go on and on - about how we have compromised our international integrity by sanctioning torture, about how we are systematically dismantling the civil liberties that it took us two centuries to define and preserve, and about how we have substituted bullying, brinksmanship and "staying on message" for real political discourse - but those three issues are enough. "

[rhett o rick]

27. I like your "Catapult the Truth", may i use it? How about "We catapult

the truth, they catapult propaganda".

[calimary]

31. I think we have a new buzz-phrase, guys!

WE catapult the TRUTH. THEY catapult the propaganda.

[Burried News]

55. You may use whatever you like - I would be flattered.

As well as the truth I do like to catapault an occassional bag of shit like they did in the old days - the most recent load was Ken Mehlman when he defended Rove Rant in NY.

I thought this site was ironic - I goggled catapault for the spelling - looks like it can also be spelled catapult.
http://www.catapault.com/?f

[Cha]

68. I like your "Captapult The Truth", too!

Welcome to DU, Buried News!

[Maddy McCall]

9. Chilling. James Chaney was the name of the black civil rights worker...

who was murdered with Mickey Schwerner and Andy Goodman by Klansman Killen.

[StaggerLee]

23. I wondered why that name sounded so familiar

I big *doh* from me!

Thanks for gettin' that kink outta my brain.

:hi:

[Vickers]

10. I left the Republican side 20 years ago because of their lies

I was in the military, very gung-ho and very conservative. Iran-Contra broke, and I broke with them.

I felt personally betrayed, not only with the initial illegalities (which were unforgiveable), but the subsequent lying revealed to me the true nature of the Republican higher-ups. And it's only gotten worse.

It *is* possible to change parties. Any lurking freepers who think otherwise, your Republican leaders have hijacked your party and are using it to line their pockets.

But at least kweers ain't getting married, huh? :eyes:

[auburngrad82]

12. "honesty and accountability" these words sum it up for me

For me, it's about honesty and accountability and the GOP believes in lies and shirking responsibility.

[KayLaw]

14. I know how he feels

Most of my life I was registered Independent but went ahead and registered Democrat when we moved here. The Republican party seems to made up of shysters and propagandists, and their deluded marks.

[CWebster]

18. That's okay, you'll be right at home with the "New Democrats"

Where will the Democrats go?

[Nothing Without Hope]

22. This great LTTE is also the subject of another thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x135484
Thread title: The party's over for betrayed Republican (DSM part of reason)

It's the earlier post, but I think this thread has good comments and should not be lost.

[hnsez]

24. Hey Moron: Lincoln told ur party to go to hell and joined the Union party

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

25. Recent collection of GOP defections: A growing trend......

As another poster said in a parallel thread on this story, this seems to be a growing trend in the blue states (coastal areas) but it's the start of a trend. Enjoy!


Republican says his party has been taken over by "a bunch of kooks"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

Are we witnessing the collapse of the Republican Party?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

The Good Republicans (Plaid Adder)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

Post in this thread:
Voinovich is in tears on Senate floor!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

A Voter Switches Party Affiliation
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

Something in the air? Lots of converted Repubs....
(links to the following three threads)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

New to DU by reformedrepub (14 posts at the time)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

OMG - my parents LEAVE the Republican Party!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

Hi, my name is Stacy, and I'm a recovering Republican...................
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

And my post from mid-May:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Nothing Without Hope]

51. WONDERFUL!! I was hoping someone would collect these threads.

I was regretting not having done it and now you have done it for me. Thank you! :applause:

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

56. You're welcome.

I try to keep up on what appears to be a growing trend...Like most trends, it seems to be starting on the coast/blue states. The theocratic neocon rule can't end soon enough!

Here's to sanity.:toast:

[Crunchy Frog]

76. I can't get your links to work.

Could you possibly repost them? If you copied and pasted the text directly from another post, you end up with a shortened URL that won't work. Thanks. :hi:

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

78. Sorry. Here are the updated links....

I didn't realize the cut/paste shortened the URL's...I'll post each one again one-by-one. They seem to all work in 'preview' mode, but, just in case it happens again on 'post', I listed in italics the truncated part for you to attach in your browser.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1811231
az=view_all&address=132x1811231

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3732175
az=view_all&address=104x3732175


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3729680#3733287
az=view_all&address=104x3729680#3733287


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1809081&mesg_id=1809207
az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1809081&mesg_id=1809207

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1803102&mesg_id=1803102
az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1803102&mesg_id=1803102

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3654563
az=view_all&address=104x3654563

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1780575
az=view_all&address=132x1780575


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3652906
az=view_all&address=104x3652906


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3651186&mesg_id=3651186&page=
az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3651186&mesg_id=3651186&page=


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=1795344
az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=1795344

[Crunchy Frog]

79. Thanks.

They work now without having to cut and paste the attachments. Sorry I made you put in all that extra effort.

[calimary]

26. Hot Diggity-Dog! GREAT letter! And it seems to me this writer is

not alone - by a LONG shot.

I firmly believe that, rigged elections or no, if this keeps happening, and somehow, incredibly, republi-CONS keep winning at the polls, there WILL be marching in the streets. Not all Republicans are republi-CONS. More and more of them are seeing The Light. This letter is NOT an isolated case.

[central scrutinizer]

29. Dupe

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

[DinahMoeHum]

37. One by one by one by one by one. . .

is how we take our country back.

:patriot:

[TriMetFan]

38. I also left the Republican Party.

But I jumped ship when I could not pull the lever for George H.W. Bush. I saw the party being run to the ground and I knew it was time to fight for the other side. Just because Lincoln & T. Roosevelt were Republicans, today they would be Democrats. The more the Neo-Con/Nazi the Republican Party becomes the more to the left I go.

[meppie-meppie not]

43. another one wakes up, however to include GHW Bush in the list of

honesty,accountability and honor is delusional. The senior turd no more embodies those characteristics anymore than his son has a soul or a brain to think with!

[Sean Reynolds]

44. Show me an honest president.....

And I'll show you a failure.

Honesty doesn't work...just ask Carter.

[Nothing Without Hope]

50. Honesty, no. But the senior Bush was not insane as Junior clearly is.

The senior Bush knew not to kill the golden goose.

[meppie-meppie not]

58. the difference is in degree not in kind. IMHO

[Nothing Without Hope]

59. yes, that may well be so. But Junior is definitely farther away from

the real world than Poppy is. The whole family is beyond creepy.

[meppie-meppie not]

60. he sure is! Creep is really putting it mildly!

:hi:

[ComerPerro]

46. Until next time some GOP idiot come along and promises the same crap

that Bush did. That's how Bush got 'em in the first place, and they will fall for it again.

[Nightjock]

54. Another vote to be switched by Diebold.

[Nothing Without Hope]

57. A special treat: look at what this WaPo review says about GOP gullibility

and its manipulation by the Bush Administration. It's wonderful - if you can, read the whole article, not just the excerpt given in this thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1891966
Thread title: Ooh, too delicious! WaPo review of anti-Hillary book slaps GOP gullibility
Article title: Right-wing sucker punch

[Theseus Ship]

61. me too

It's happening to both parties. While we sit at each others throats over stupid crap like the "10 Commandments" ruling, the SCOTUS has undermined basic property rights of U.S. Citizens.

Half of the debate is "chimpy mchitler!!!11" while the other half shoots back with "oh, the war is going just fine." Meanwhile, the elites are bringing in a permanant underclass of illegal immigrants. The 10% hard-right wants cheap nannies and gardeners and the 10% hard-left wants the socialist-leaning illegal votes. The 80% of us in the middle just want fair trade, honest work, and safe cities.

ENOUGH!

We need to change the debate and build new alliances.

The elites are grifting all of us! Meanwhile, we argue over stuff which could be decided after we put this nation on a track which looks more in harmony with the vision of our founding fathers.

[Cha]

63. Is James Chaney going to be a

Indie, now?

While I applaud him heartily for being a "republican" and seeing right through the puppet regime..I don't think the reagun, & bush 1 regimes were all that lilly white.

I now believe that bush 1 lied to get into a war with sadam, too. And, catsup man?.."Trickle Down Economy",Iran Contra, ect, ect, ect.

Tell me what reagun did for America? I know bush 1 didn't do anything.

[Eloriel]

67. Wonderful! Here are more "conversion" stories

I'm seeing a lot of changed minds about Iraq and Chimpy McCokespoon.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3939527

Pa. GOP honcho blasts right wing, switches parties
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1825375
Link: http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/111-06022005-497208.html

Republican says his party has been taken over by "a bunch of kooks"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1811231

Are we witnessing the collapse of the Republican Party?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3732175

The Good Republicans (Plaid Adder)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3729680#3733287

Post in this thread:
Voinovich is in tears on Senate floor!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1809081&mesg_id=1809207

A Voter Switches Party Affiliation
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1803102&mesg_id=1803102

Something in the air? Lots of converted Repubs....
(links to the following three threads)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3654563

New to DU by reformedrepub (14 posts at the time)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1780575

OMG - my parents LEAVE the Republican Party!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3652906

Hi, my name is Stacy, and I'm a recovering Republican...................
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3651186&mesg_id=3651186&page=

[Hotler]

69. Lame! Shallow! barely mentioned greed. eom.

[ChiciB1]

70. Couldn't Connect To The Link....

Were YOU REALLY a Republican???

You see, I've seen so much crap lately, it's hard to find reality anymore. I would hate to think a REAL Dem put this up as a hoax, but then again.... WHY NOT??

We've been taken for a ride for so long now, why not fight back, AND fight with all our MIGHT!!!

[Nothing Without Hope]

71. Here are links to formatted & printer-friendly versions:of the article

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

http://www.registerguard.com/cgi-bin/printStory.py

If you still can't connect, let me know and I'll PM the entire text to you. It's a letter and there is no copyright statement and it has a link for emailing, so this should be legit.

[ChiciB1]

81. Thank You So Much....

Got the article and copied it. I want to send it to my other email friends. NOT only the ones who have like minded views, BUT to those others who simply CAN'T see the forest for the trees!

The Repukes who keep telling me what a "left-wing" Un-Patriotic American I am!

[gee double you bee]

72. Something interesting I've noticed

Every couple of months there's another article by a disgruntled ex Republican decrying the direction of his or her former party, and without fail the environment ranks as a significant issue on their list of complaints and concerns.

So coming from kind of a political novice here, was the environment a bigger issue for Republicans in days past? Cause I just assumed they've always been this way until these articles started popping up. Or is the Bush admin really just that bad, heh.

[Skittles]

73. LOL

GHWB - honesty and accountability - what utter crap

[CitrusLib]

80. I noticed he didn't mention it was the party of Nixon.

[Nothing Without Hope]

82. another kick for a great thread n/t