I don't consider myself a Republican. I consider myself a conservative. Obviously much of the time that means I lean to the Republican party, which more closely matches my convictions. Am I ready though to join the ranks of a party to which I become more disillusioned with each passing day?
The cause for this self examination is the chair of my county's Republican party who continues to petition me to not only join, but to serve as a treasurer on the county board. I will admit that I am torn. I hesitate to become part of a group (as a national party, not on the county level) that has disappointed me more often than not in the past 6 years or so.
On the other hand this would give me the opportunity to help guide the direction of the party at a grass roots level.
3 comments:
"I don't consider myself a Republican. I consider myself a conservative. Obviously much of the time that means I lean to the Republican party, which more closely matches my convictions"
You mean that your convictions are more closely matched with what the Republican party SAYS it stands for?
I personally, as you know, am an independent conservative. I too have become continually disenchanted with the Republican party and its actions, as they seem to be nothing more, once elected, than a different color of the same species as the Democrats.
If you do join, I would advise you to be vigilant in making them hear your voice of reason, and implore that they remain true to the conservative message, not only in talk, but also in action. The minute one swears fealty to the party as opposed to the principles, all is lost. All too often I hear of people who vote straight party tickets only, which is disheartening to see that they get played by politicians based on the letter before a candidates name.
So, good luck to you in your decision. And hopefully either way, the party adheres to your common conservative's thinking more than than the Washington Polticians' way of life.
On the national scene you and I agree completely. I will say however that in my experience the local and state (at least in Wyoming) seem to be doing a much better job of matching words and deeds. Naionally though, all I can do is shake my head.
Despite my affinity for elephants, I'm also definitely a conservative first and Republican second.
I'd consider other parties if I thought that could work, but I don't. As daunting as it seems to change a national party, its even more daunting to build another party from the ground up, or make a third party viable.
And even if every conservative joined together to form another party, we would still require the votes of others who don't consider themselves completely conservative in order to win... so basically, we could form another party, but then we'd have to get all the moderate Republicans to vote for us anyway.
Its much easier to change the party from within by getting involved in the party.
I hope you will decide to do so. Then recruit your conservative friends.
Its exactly what the party needs, is more conservatives to lead, persuade, and simply outnumber the moderates.
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