What the...

[GM John]

The trouble with the words nowadays is what exactly do YOU mean when you say you're Republican? 

Fiscally conservative?  Pro-small government?  Because most of the Republicans and Conservatives I know admit this President is neither, but he calls himself both, and of course being President he is going to have first dibs on the words as far as influencing what people think of when they hear them.

(Side rant: He also calls himself the Education President, but when the only demographic group of which a majority voted for him was "Uneducated" you have to ask if he really has any personal motivation to educate people.)

I'm very much for small government myself, and gosh, I'd like a little fiscal responsiblility to rear it's head sometime soon, but it just doesn't make sense to call those values "Republican" right now.  You need to specify the principles you're for nowadays, or you can't blame peopel for lumping you in with the crazies using the same words.

Re: Byrd, at least he's a FORMER Clan Wizard!    I've never checked into him, but I'm all for people who realized they were wrong and changed their ways.  So let's give precedence to the legislation people are proposing now when we decide how to label someone. 

[Alf Cunha]

The trouble with the words nowadays is what exactly do YOU mean when you say you're Republican?

**  As for me, it means I am regfistered to vote as a Republican in the state of NJ
 

Fiscally conservative?  Pro-small government?  Because most of the Republicans and Conservatives I know admit this President is neither, but he calls himself both, and of course being President he is going to have first dibs on the words as far as influencing what people think of when they hear them.

**  My rationale:

  Defense (Rep-ish) - I am for a well-regulated military but I don't think we should stick our noses in everyone else's business. I do have a problem with things like the Patriot Act that lets the gov't become more meddlesome in our daily lives [a decidedly non-Republican piece of legislation]

  Economy (Rep) - I'm for less government regulations of business especially since gov't tends to act as its own monopoly ... again with the whole sticking its nose into things

  Budget (Rep) - yeah, less taxes ... I'm not a big fan of the welfare state

  Crime (Rep) - I'm pro gun-ownership and support the death penalty [of course, in order for it to work we actually have to USE it]

  Environment (Dem) - The one area where I would like to see more regulation is here, big business looks at the profit margin - which tends to be good for the economy, but bad for everyone in the long term in other areas. Definitely need to look at alternate fuels.

  Education (Rep) - I'm kind of leaning toward full privatization.  Right now public schools are poorly run money pits.  Competition and parental choice would improve schools and we would no longer be lagging behind 'third-world' countries in several areas.

  Health Care (centrist) - Many countries provide free health care for all citizens, paid for through taxes.  The downside is that when you have gov't control it leads to a poorly run system.

  Expression (Dem) - Flag burning? come on, it's not a danger it's a form of expression (extreme, yes, but usually used to make an extreme point)

  Religion (centrist) - No problem with prayer in school, as long as it's not delineated who/what you're praying to (even atheists can have a moment of reflection)

  Abortion/Cloning/Stem Cells (centrist) - I personally find it morally objectionable, but I don't think it should be restricted by government

  Illegal Aliens (Rep) - Send 'em home ... they're illegal.  My parents came over legally.

  Gay Marriage (centrist) - ok, easy solution.  Marriage: religious ceremony.  Legal Union: documentation that allows you to get gov't considerations.  Leave the marriage thing in the church and let any pair of consenting adults obtain a legal union.

(Side rant: He also calls himself the Education President, but when the only demographic group of which a majority voted for him was "Uneducated" you have to ask if he really has any personal motivation to educate people.)

**  Education? Hardly.  'No Child Left Behind' is only a means to further push forward kids who are not ready for the next grade and playing with numbers instead of addressing real needs.  Sadly, the Republicans over the past few years have been very ... non-Republican.  They've increased the size of gov't and have increasingly invaded our lives.  Nope, don't like Bush one bit.

I'm very much for small government myself, and gosh, I'd like a little fiscal responsiblility to rear it's head sometime soon, but it just doesn't make sense to call those values "Republican" right now.  You need to specify the principles you're for nowadays, or you can't blame peopel for lumping you in with the crazies using the same words.

**  We're definitely in agreement there.  Problem is, a lot of people identify themselves as something when they don't even know anything about it.  When I taught in Trenton almost every kid onsidered him/herself a staunch Democrat - but after a simple activity where they chose platform points a lot of them found themselves centrist and occasionally Republican.

Re: Byrd, at least he's a FORMER Clan Wizard!    I've never checked into him, but I'm all for people who realized they were wrong and changed their ways.  So let's give precedence to the legislation people are proposing now when we decide how to label someone. 

**  Granted, being a former-clan wizard will definitely color my perceptions in regards to a candidate, but if they have a solid platform their personal views can sometimes be overlooked.

.

[Horace]

I would love to know how he came up with that one. 
.

Thats simple.
The theory is that we are "Endowed by our creator" aka God. If you dont believe in God, then he cant have endowed you with any rights.

I do agree however, that this guy could make Rush Limbaugh look like an extreme leftist.

Brian

[Alf Cunha]

The theory is that we are "Endowed by our creator" aka God.

**  Tha's assuming this 'god' person did, in fact, create us (actually my parents created me ... I guess THEY endowed me with my rights?). 

If you dont believe in God, then he cant have endowed you with any rights.

**  So ... if I shoot you, and you don't believe I have a gun ... do you still bleed? 

.

[Alex Rovias]

*Bleeds More*

[Alf Cunha]

*Bleeds More*

::passes Waffles a mop::

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[FoxMcCloud]

My parents came over legally

It would be hard to sneek across the atlantic

[Drewcifer]

...... MEEP!

[Alf Cunha]

It would be hard to sneek across the atlantic

**  You'd be surprised, there are actually illegal immigrants from Europe.

...... MEEP!

**  And there's your non-sequitir for the day

.

[FoxMcCloud]

**  You'd be surprised, there are actually illegal immigrants from Europe.

but its not wadeing through the rio grande