How to fix the Republicans?

[Qikdraw]

Both Republicans & Democrats can answer in here, but please lets keep cross party politics out of here. But what do you think would help the Republicans win more votes? What policies do you want the Republicans to push on?

And please, keep it civil.

Qikdraw

[Qikdraw]

Both Republicans & Democrats can answer in here, but please lets keep cross party politics out of here. But what do you think would help the Republicans win more votes? What policies do you want the Republicans to push on?

And please, keep it civil.

Qikdraw

[Hooked]

I think it would help if Republicans took a more neutral stance on some morality issues because not everyone out there has the same morals such as gay marriage. They need to remember that this country is based on liberty, not a loose translation of the Bible (which a lot of people do not read nor believe is true). I think another thing that might help the republican party is if they show more compassion over capipalism. If they could accomplished these two things, they would have a chance of getting a vote or two from me in the future because not all of their policies and programs are bad in my opinion.

[Nude in the North]

I'm still going with the Vet on this one.

As Bob Barker would say...

Remember to have your Politicians Spayed or Neutered.

Steve

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Remember to have your Politicians Spade or Neutered. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


The word is spayed. Common misspelling. I even see it in the newspaper ads spelled like that.

[hm0504]

Here's a shocking idea I could have put on either this or the "How to fix the Democrats" topic, but how about the U.S. getting another (or more) real party? Then hopefully, one party would steer up the middle?

[NudeAl]

It's been tried remember that fellow named Ross Perot a while back? Yeeaah, it's kind of like that. There doesn't seem to be enough votes to go around especially with this crazy electoral college thing.

I think the Republicans need to tone down their retoric a bit. I would say a majority of the voting public is patriotic, they don't have the market cornered on that commodity. They should also try to do things that are not all about makeing this country the playground for big business, hard as it would be to divorce themselves from all that big money.

[KirkOntario]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Qikdraw:
Both Republicans & Democrats can answer in here, but please lets keep cross party politics out of here. But what do you think would help the Republicans win more votes? What policies do you want the Republicans to push on?

And please, keep it civil.

Qikdraw </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Republicans win more votes? The have shut the democrats out of the house and senate for year, they have the Presidency for most of the decade, they dominate in governorships. Isn't it the democrats that should be talking about how to win more votes? How to dump the kooky moveon.org and George Soros part of the party?

[Bob S.]

This could be in either section but I will start it here. Both parties need to move back to the center. As of now, both are getting too extreme for my tastes.

Republicans need to leave morality to the churches and keep it out of the legislative process. Unless a country is a theocracy, legislating morality is impossible and leads to rancor among those who do not agree with that certain morality.

The population as a whole needs to come to terms with the idea of sacrifice. We want everything and the government is irresponsibly wanting to give it to us. Spending needs to be cut back by a lot. Congress should adopt a kosher diet and stop indulging in pork. We are the party of tax cuts and spending cuts. But now it seems the Congress is adopting the contradictory traditional ideas from both parties: spend and cut taxes. I would prefer that we cut both.

Bob S.

[KirkOntario]

Bob, all governments legislate morality. Prohibiting murder is a moral law. Legalizing abortion is a moral law. The lifeblood of politics is legislating the public good: hence morality.

[Qikdraw]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by KirkOntario:
Republicans win more votes? The have shut the democrats out of the house and senate for year, they have the Presidency for most of the decade, they dominate in governorships. Isn't it the democrats that should be talking about how to win more votes? How to dump the kooky moveon.org and George Soros part of the party? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Kirk

I'm going to ask you again to please keep to the topic at hand. You're adding in party politics which I specifically asked not to be started.

Qikdraw

[KirkOntario]

QD your topic is about party politics.

[NudistGuy47]

I am with Hooked in hoping the Republicans can find some moderation in their views of capitalism and compassion. I find many Republicans in Ohio too extreme when it comes to the views espoused. The high ground on morlas many Republicans espouse does not fit with me. I believe more in choice than absolutes.

[hm0504]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by NudeAl:
It's been tried remember that fellow named Ross Perot a while back? Yeeaah, it's kind of like that. There doesn't seem to be enough votes to go around especially with this crazy electoral college thing.

I think the Republicans need to tone down their retoric a bit. I would say a majority of the voting public is patriotic, they don't have the market cornered on that commodity. They should also try to do things that are not all about makeing this country the playground for big business, hard as it would be to divorce themselves from all that big money. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I was indeed thinking of Perot and the U.S. Reform party when I wrote that and I think it is unfortunate that they did not have a higher degree of success. So the question is, how can the U.S. political system be changed to allow greater choices.

[hm0504]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by KirkOntario:
Bob, all governments legislate morality. Prohibiting murder is a moral law. Legalizing abortion is a moral law. The lifeblood of politics is legislating the public good: hence morality. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Oh goody, a word game. If it is right to legislate against murder because murder relates to morality, then it must be OK to legislate against how much skin people see on TV because that relates to morality too.

The goal of government in a supposedly free society should be to restrict its laws and programs to those necessary and pragmatic for ensuring a reasonably safe, reasonably successful society without micromanaging its citizens' lives. Where religious political conservatives fail to understand is that just because some issues relating to morality need to be legislated, it does not mean all issues relating to their morality also need to be legislated.

[ken0254]

You mean the Republicans can be fixed?? I don't think they think they NEED to be fixed!! I think Hooked and Bob S. are on the right track though. No. one, they DO need to come back to center where most of America is. No. 2 they need to practice what they preach. They say they are for family values, but where were they with Terri Schiavo? Right there butting into family business. They say we need to reduce taxes, but they mever mentioned what services they are going to cut in order to cut those taxes. They say they are for free speech. They would pass a flag burning amendment in a heartbeat. Bush signed McCain-Feingold!! What part of THAT upheld free speech?! Republicans, especially on the state levels pass legislation based too much on "feelings" rather than facts. I think it should be mandatory that EVERY legislatore carry a copy of the constitution in thier pockets like Peter Jennings did. Of course they would still have to take it out once in a while and REEEEAD it. Why does it seem the republicans could care less about protecting my rights unless it benefits them politically in some way or manner??

Lobotomies for Republicans, it's THE LAW!!

ken

[NudeAl]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by hm0504:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by NudeAl:
It's been tried remember that fellow named Ross Perot a while back? Yeeaah, it's kind of like that. There doesn't seem to be enough votes to go around especially with this crazy electoral college thing.

I think the Republicans need to tone down their retoric a bit. I would say a majority of the voting public is patriotic, they don't have the market cornered on that commodity. They should also try to do things that are not all about makeing this country the playground for big business, hard as it would be to divorce themselves from all that big money. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I was indeed thinking of Perot and the U.S. Reform party when I wrote that and I think it is unfortunate that they did not have a higher degree of success. So the question is, how can the U.S. political system be changed to allow greater choices. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Trash the electoral college and allow everyones vote to count equally, that would be a start.

[Boreas]

I agree with others about finding more middle ground. The same cane be said about some of the politics in Canada, for the record. It alarms me that there is so much black and white thinking these days....not just in the US.

Also, it would help if the Republicans had a leader with a better sense of what is going on in the world outside of the US. There has to be a certain amount of diplomacy from Washington since the US is the most powerful country today.

I was told about the values that guide the Republican party. They are great. How about they be followed?

I suspect that we could say much the same about the Demococrats.

[KirkOntario]

What does the so-called 'middle ground' have to do with what is best for the country? We only hear about finding the middle ground and reaching out to one's opponents to include them when....you guessed it...Republicans are in control. http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif A compromise position is not necessarily the most prudent course for the nation to take nor does it necessarily produce the best result.

[Bob S.]

It seems Democrats here think Repulicans are too far to the right while Repubs think Dems are too far to the left. I wonder if these same results can be found in the general population and to what extent?

"Bob, all governments legislate morality. Prohibiting murder is a moral law. Legalizing abortion is a moral law. The lifeblood of politics is legislating the public good: hence morality."

I knew I was going to get an argument about that phrase. I didn't quite phrase it like I wanted to, but hm did a good job explaining it. The government should be there to protect the health and safety of its population and that's it. Social issues such as abortion, nudism, sex, etc. should be left to the individuals to decide based on their own personal morals.

A law against murder is there to protect its citizenry. A law against suicide is there to protect people from themselves when they are not of sound mind. Now abortion does fall on the dividing line of protection and moral. I have not made my mind up on that issue.

Bob S.

[Bob S.]

Qikdraw, are you going to take ken to task about cross party politics?

Bob S.

[MJ_KC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by NudeAl:
Trash the electoral college and allow everyones vote to count equally, that would be a start. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
The electoral college doesn't have to be abolished. Some states already allocate their votes by percentage based on the voting returns. They do not do the winner takes all approach that a lot of states take.

The voters in each state, along with their elected representatives, have determined how they want to allocate their votes. It is fine for each state to be allowed to decide for themselves without every state being forced to go to an allocation based on percentages.

I am not so sure that the Republicans need fixing if the goal is to get them more votes. They could easily lose more than they gain if they were to make the wrong changes. They seem to be getting plenty of votes already.

[shomymojo]

"The more you read about this Politics thing, you got to admit that each party is worse than the other. The one thats out always looks the best. - Will Rogers-The Illiterate Digest- 1924.. http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif.."I am not a member of any organized party...I'm a Democrat." Will Rogers - :Prince of Wit and Wisdom- 1935...( Me too Will...LOL http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif)

[Boreas]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by KirkOntario:
What does the so-called 'middle ground' have to do with what is best for the country? We only hear about finding the middle ground and reaching out to one's opponents to include them when....you guested it...Republicans are in control. http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif A compromise position is not necessarily the most prudent course for the nation to take nor does it necessarily produce the best result. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Kirk, I have to clarify. Is your Ontario the province in Canada or one of the cities in the US?

My opinion of "middle ground" is probably difficult to articulate in this forum. It involves trying to find comprimise. Encouraging business, but NOT at the expense of the weaker members of our society. It is possible. Right now however, we are living in a climate where big business rules and therefore things like being unemployed or disabled or whatever is considered a weakness.

I believe that a society's health is judged by how it treats its weakest members. How are we all doing these days? I know what my opinion is.

Oh, and I never "guested" it. Is that a new word? Or are you referring to someone's guest status somehow?? http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

[fred950]

.I used to be a Republican...back in the days of Ike, Lodge, Dirkson and Goldwater. What changed me to a Democrat? Nixon. If only he kept his promise in 1962, "You won't have Dick Nixon to kick around anymore!"

The 'problem' with the current Republican Party is they are so far right-wing even Eisenhower would be considered a liberal.They used to say 'get the government off our backs' then turn around and pass the 'Patriot' Act...which encourages snooping and spying on private people. (Funny, is not that what we were told the COMMIES used to do?)

Did their lies (OK, "mis-statements") catch up with them? Create a diversion!!! Gays want to (gasp)Marry!!!.

Funy how you don't hear them mention Term Limits or Balanced budget amendments any more. I wonder why?

[Qikdraw]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bob S.:
Qikdraw, are you going to take ken to task about cross party politics?
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sorry Bob I haven't been around much to look into all the posts, I sort of gave up after Kirk started trolling. (plus I started a new job that has me commuting 2 hours each way, plus physical labour which I am not used to atm, so me is vewwy tired.)

But you are right Ken did cross the line on that, so guys, can we please try and keep this on topic? I had hoped we could be mature and stay focused but apparently we can't. http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

Qikdraw

[Captain Zen]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by KirkOntario:
Republicans are in control. http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif QUOTE]

The Republican proposal, titled "Operation Offset," was authored by the Republican Study Committee, a group of over 100 influential members of Congress, including powerful committee chairs and members of the Republican leadership.3 The proposal starts with support from at least these 100 representatives, and they are looking to quickly build momentum.

A full reconstruction of the Gulf Coast region is generally estimated to cost around $200 billion.4 We could more than meet this cost by rolling back Bush's 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for just the wealthiest one percent of the country, which would save us an estimated $327 billion.5

"Operation Offset," however, calls for an astounding $949 billion dollars in cuts over 10 years to vital national services.6—almost five times the full cost of reconstruction. To further put that in perspective, it's also more than 4 times what we've spent in Iraq.7

This plan is not about "offsetting," or rebuilding—it's about exploiting this crisis to push their longstanding goals for America. As conservative movement leader Grover Norquist has often put it, the goal is to get government "down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub."8 This proposal is their latest attempt to drown the public sector.

The excess of the Republicans' proposed cuts is almost unbelievable. You can read the full proposal here:


http://www.political.moveon.org/images/operation_offset...dScsYD7Dv0xB46HA&t=4 (http://www.political.moveon.org/images/operation_offset/operation_offset.htm?id=6043-6574029-fiOQDNdScsYD7Dv0xB46HA&amp;t=4)

Here are just some of the most egregious cuts:

$225 billion cut from Medicaid, the last-resort health insurance program for the very poor.

$200 billion cut from Medicare, the health care safety net for the elderly and the disabled.

$25 billion cut from the Centers for Disease Control

$6.7 billion cut from school lunches for poor children

$7.5 billion cut from programs to fight global AIDS

$5.5 billion to eliminate all funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
$3.6 billion cut to eliminate the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities

$8.5 billion cut to eliminate all subsidized loans to graduate students.

$2.5 billion cut from Amtrak

$2.5 billion to eliminate the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative

$417 million cut to eliminate the Minority Business Development Agency

$4.8 billion cut to eliminate all funding for the Safe and Drug-Free schools program