Confession of a Republican for Obama

[viguy007]

I am a life long Republican. Before I could even vote, Barry Goldwater was my hero. People might disagree with him, but they always respected him for honestly standing up for what he believed. He once said "it is time to put conscience back in government. And by good example, put it back in all walks of American life." I could not agree more. I have discovered in life what is important is not what a man will say he will do, what is important is the nature of the man.

As I grew older I moderated my views, so I supported Mitt Romney in the early primaries. I thought he was a moderate Republican. However, once "Bain" entered the discussion, that began to change. Desiring to know the true story I started to do some research. I became convinced that not only would his policies be bad for US, but as a man, he was not worthy of our trust. Mitt Romney is a dishonest lying hypocrite who is unworthy of being the candidate from my party.

I know these are strong words, but I felt so strongly about it I put up a Website to explain my reasoning. If you read my two pages “Character Counts” and “Character and Taxes” you will see why I am justified in saying this. I believe “An American Nightmare” would not be possible with any candidate except Mitt Romney. This Site explains all the reasons I came to my decision. I believe it would be particularly helpful to people who are not wildly enthusiastic about either candidate. Please go to my Website at:

http://CommonSenseFor.US

[sellitman]

1. Welcome to DU

Lots of thought went into your site. While I didn't read every page I got the gist of it. I'd suggest a few well placed Twitter & Facebook links so it might be shared easy, right from the site.

I hope it's shared.

[viguy007]

3. I wish I had the skill to add social networking. I would appreciate

Any help anyone could give me to add these.

[sellitman]

7. Try this site

It gives you ways to add each social networking site:

http://www.inqbation.com/how-to-share-your-web-site-or-blog-on-linkedin-facebook-twitter-delicious/

[gateley]

13. I'm working my way through the site. In addition to some great talking points, it's helping

me understand some of our policies and actions better. I'm grateful he shared this with us!

[still_one]

2. Where have all the moderates in the Republican party gone? Dick Lugar would not be considered

Moderate, however, he compromisd, and because of that sin he lost in his primaries

I find your assessment right on. What does Mitt Romney really stand for, he has taken almost every position on a subject

As you stated you are a life-long Republican this has got to be quite difficult for you. My hats off to you

[randr]

4. Welcome to DU

Our nation should be in a state of mourning over the loss of Republicans like yourself. My Dad was one and he would be bat shit crazy if he were here to see what happened to his "grand old party".
The Democratic Party has moved considerably to the right over the years, not to my personal liking. However this will, hopefully, allow reasonable and moderate Republicans to find comfort in our tent as we all face a very real threat to our Nation from the radical right.

[viguy007]

5. I wish every wild eyed right winger would read my nightmare

and then think if this is where they want the country to go. When people are starving they revolt. We were lucky in 1932 there was FDR to led a peaceful revolution, but a revolution nevertheless. Now they want to undo the whole thing.

[aletier_v]

26. I didnt have to read.

I gave up on Republicans several years ago. This tea party stupidity was the last straw. Palin, Cain, Romney? What a sad sick joke they were.

[Petrushka]

6. I posted your link to my Facebook wall (public) with a note saying . . .

"Interesting perspective from the viewpoint of a lifelong Republican."

Hopefully, more people will take notice and share.

All best!

[Tigress DEM]

8. Barry Goldwater, Teddy Roosevelt, Paul Wellstone & Ted Kennedy and those like them....

They were respected even by their opposition because they had an innate respect for others and a strong sense of their own values.

Time was that people who got elected took different stands on the issues, even radical stands, but had certain respect for the democratic process of determining the will of the people and using persuasion rather than illegal methods or strong arm tactics to move the people away from things that were bad for America.

The bs from the mainstream media that "both" candidates or "both" parties are "just as bad" is a way to keep people from voting. More disenfranchisement.

Honorable Republicans, there are still a few, believe in themselves and their values. They don't believe in cheating to win an election.

The current leadership:

Romney snuck in prepared notes to a debate when he'd agreed to no notes.
RNC bought the same guy who cheated in 2004 and then fired him once it came to light.
Supports Republican groups "training" their volunteers to ILLEGALLY challenge people on election day.


The comparison with DEMs:

Obama had MORE content and less lies from his side of the debate WITHOUT a cheat sheet.
ACORN FOLLOWED procedure and turned in registrations that didn't meet the criteria AND WERE DESTROYED for being honest about it.
We train our people to register ALL voters with the knowledge that MORE voters always favors DEMs so maybe our interest isn't quite as vested.



STILL - there isn't any TRUE comparison for the level of greed and corruption in the current Republican party and the DEMs. I get completely outraged when someone says there is.

But it's pretty much a truism these days, "If you aren't outraged, you aren't paying attention." Because there is SO MUCH to be outraged about these days.


Thanks for being a reasonable person and seeing what happens when the facts are honestly inspected.

[Javaman]

9. As a kid I was conservative. As an adult I was liberal

as an old man I'm a bomb throwing anarchist.

[abelenkpe]

10. K&R

Welcome to DU! You should post this to reddit too.

[mnhtnbb]

11. Thanks for sharing your website with us.

I have just posted it on a site where a friend has confided she really is an undecided voter. She cannot make up her mind
whether to vote Romney or Obama--even though she identifies herself as a Democrat--but personally, I think she's more of
an Eisenhower Republican.

I also put it up on my fb page where several family members--Republicans--MIGHT take a look.

[gateley]

12. K&R

[WinstonSmith4740]

14. Excellent essays.

Welcome to DU. I can only hope my sister and brother-in-law, both moderate, thoughtful Republicans as yourself, see the light before election day. I'm sending them your site link. They need to hear this stuff from someone besides me!

[Wait Wut]

15. Welcome to DU!

I so appreciate your post and I've quickly scanned your site. Let me tell you...you aren't alone, I'm sure you know that. I live in Arizona and the majority of my friends here are Republican or right leaning Indies. They're scared, sad, disillusioned and a little lost. Most of them, I should say. A few have embraced the insanity and I avoid discussing politics, or much else, with them.

I was born a Democrat, born/raised in Chicago. Growing up I really had little concept of what a Republican was. The closer I got to voting age, the more I learned about the Republicans and their party and the more I was grateful that I was born and raised a Democrat. My parents weren't the type to 'hate' the Republicans. My father was retired Army, 2nd Lt. and would have put these faux 'patriots' to shame. He taught me to respect the President, regardless of party. Nixon broke his heart. Not that he ever liked the man, but he disgraced the highest office and our country. But, he would never have said the things that are said about Pres. Obama. That would be disrespectful. So, this is the type of Democrat I am. Liberal, patriotic, love my country and respect our flag. But, what makes this country great isn't it's politics or the flag, it's our people. That's what I fight for. That's what I believe in. When I fly the flag I do it for all of us. Democrat, Republican, Indie, rich, poor, Christian, Atheist, gay, straight, teachers, bankers...you get the picture. I have faith in our country and her people. I wouldn't know how to be anything else. We're going through some tough transitions. I honestly feel a little bad for the far right. Hell, I hate it when my husband switches the milk carton with the Coke. Change isn't something I embrace. We're telling people that have their own irrational fears that they aren't allowed to have them anymore. It's similar to letting your child cry that first nite that you've decided it's time to outgrow the bogey man.

My son is a retired Marine. One of his buddies saw my FB page and made a joke about his 'liberal mom'. My son told him, "My mom loves this country more than anyone I know. A lot of Republicans could learn a lot from her." The flag I fly is one he gave me for Mother's Day, the year before he retired. He bought it at Camp Pendleton. I cried when he gave it to me.

So, let me close this windy rant by saying, all those years ago when I was so grateful to be born and raised a Democrat I never imagined that someday I would actually miss the Republican party. It restores my faith in humanity to know that the sane ones are still out there. And, maybe not as lost as I thought they were.

Again, welcome to Democratic Underground.

[Tippy]

16. Thanks for sharing ....Common Sense without it we are lost.....

[mwooldri]

17. Welcome... interesting site :)

IMO the Republican Party of today is split into two different types of Republicans. The first kind are what I call Traditional Republicans, which I think you're more like. Traditional Republicans are pragmatists, manage change conservatively, and as you state figure out "what works" rather than sticking 100% rigidly to political dogma. The second kind are what I call New Republicans. I'd rather not attach the Tea Party label to them, but they do follow the so-called Tea Party agenda, and are focused on implementing the Tea Party vision rather than figuring out what works. This change they advocate for is hardly conservative - it's quite radical actually.

On your site you're advocating for less military intervention, universal healthcare, bigger stimulus, and removing the cap on Social Security Insurance Contributions (I refuse to call it a tax). I wouldn't call them Republican Party ideals, more of the Democratic Party and even then some of these are of the left wing of the Democratic Party.

So after reading your site I thought maybe you're not really a Republican... but the more I think about it, I believe you are. A Traditional Republican - like Barry Goldwater and General Eisenhower.

Certainly your experience living in the Dominican Republic definitely gives you a perspective that I think the vast majority of Americans (let alone New Republicans) appreciate. I think it takes an American to spend a fair bit of time outside the USA to see what America is. Life in a fishbowl is different from inside it and outside of it.

I hope you persuade more people through your site to follow "common sense" and to do what is right. I think Traditional Republicans have valid points and valid ideas, and are open to discussion. New Republicans... not so.

[marble falls]

18. Pretty much my story, except I've backed Kerry and Obama, and Loyd Doggett for my Congressman....

before I was gerrymandered out of his district. The GOP is currently (for the last 16 years) a shell for "Conservatives" and teabillies. And Texas is the most blatant example.

[OldDem2012]

19. Welcome to DU! nt.

[ailsagirl]

20. Welcome to DU!!

Great post!

[chknltl]

21. Republicans For Obama link:

Last edited Sat Oct 6, 2012, 05:32 PM - Edit history (1)

http://www.republicansforobama.org/

This next bit is just my oppinion and absolutely not one shared by all here: Our democracy requires more than an enlightened electorate. It requires at the very least two major parties. Both of our parties are being infected by capitalism unrestrained.

May I suggest that we citizens of democracy seek to clean out our own houses, may I suggest this not because my party is eager to take in refugees, it is QUITE EAGER to do that, no I suggest this because in the bigger picture of things our democracy needs at the very very least two parties OF, BY and FOR....US. I say this because you and those like you are exactly what is needed as my sides opposition. Your bottom line is OUR country, NOT some corporatists pocketbook.
Politically we are likely miles apart but when it comes to our country, we are in the same foxhole together and I KNOW that you have my back.

Welcome to the big DU.

[Robeysays]

22. welcome!

it's a big tent, as long as we all push for equality, liberty and justice.

i'm glad you have examined the facts.

[Festivito]

23. "...I started to do some research."

That's how it starts.

If you continue, you'll be correcting some of your facts.

Then, you'll be called a liberal.

Good luck.

[mnhtnbb]

24. Are you going to identify yourself on your website? Without that, I've already run into

the accusation that this is all fiction (you are a lifelong Republican).

[viguy007]

30. I describe my self on the about me page

The only thing I don't do is give my name. The reason why is because of Nixon's Enemies List in which he messed with ordinary people. I believe Mitt Romney would be a mirror image of Nixon if elected. One day when my children are grown I would like to return to the States. My wife who is Dominican will need a visa to be with me. That is why I did not post my name

[mnhtnbb]

31. Understandable. Thanks for responding.

I have friends (a Republican couple mid-40's from NE/MO) who moved to the DR a couple of years ago.
Both of them were trying to start businesses and got so frustrated they ended up moving back
to Kansas City within the year.

She got into developing mango jam while she was there--and is continuing to develop the business
model--using mangoes imported from Mexico!

[DeSwiss]

25. Welcome to DU.

- And remember, you're not alone......
[center]



















[/center]

[Cha]

28. Your post is heartwarming, DeSwiss,

thank you!

[Odin2005]

27. Welcome to DU!!!

[Cha]

29. Thank you for sharing your story here on DU, viguy007 and

Welcome to DU!

Character should count a lot! And, it always did before the gopropaganda Machine took over the air waves and then there was the Koch Brother funding the teabaggers!

I just heard today from my sister in New York that her 92 year old mother in law who is a life long republican and always voted is not voting this year. She doesn't like mitt romney after seeing the debate. Not quite voting For Obama but enough to keep her away from the polls.

My mom lived in Phoenix when Goldwater was running and I remember her handing out flyers. I was so not into politics then but I know my Mom would have voted for Pres Obama had she still been around.

Steve Benen has chronicled XXXVII Volumes of Mitt's Lies..

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2012/10/05/14246577-chronicling-mitts-mendacity-vol-xxxvii

[bushisanidiot]

32. congrats on your awakening. I know of many other former republicans who romney has driven away from

the party.

you are not alone.

and welcome!