Confessions of a Former Republican

[punked]

A lot of sentimental nonsense that does not address the core issues: the big spending policies of the last 40 years are not sustainable in the long run. Government budgets must be balanced and the ability to tax is limited. This means a responsible government cannot afford to worry about every sob story out there. The republicans are the only party which at least acknowledges the problem even if their no-tax increase obsession is part of the problem.

What are talking about. Obama spoke about this problem in his convention speech even if you were pretending it didn't happen.

[Guest American Woman]

If I don't like it, I will respond that I don't like it and I will let you know why....

Be my guest. I don't recall telling you how to post. You can't say the same, can you? So here's a newsflash. If I don't like/agree with a post, I, too, will respond in accordance. Weird how that works in reverse too, eh?

If you could wait until Bitsy answers the question, if she chooses to do so, then you would see whether she has an intelligible answer to Guyser's question and discussion about the topic could flourish... instead you insinuate that she doesn't know before the conversation even starts... add some passive-aggressive emoticons, and drama ensues!

In case it's truly escaped you, "Bitsy's answer" has nothing to do with my response. And fyi, I "insinuated" no such thing. As for the "ensuing drama," that would be your reactions.

I for one am eager to hear what Bitsy says about the topic.... because, from all I have seen, she is probably the best person on this forum to be able to answer such a question!

Good to hear. Then I guess it stands to reason, by default, since I have lived all of my life in the U.S., that I, along with the occasional other American, am the best person on this forum to be able to speak about the U.S. Good to know.

[The_Squid]

A lot of sentimental nonsense that does not address the core issues: the big spending policies of the last 40 years are not sustainable in the long run. Government budgets must be balanced and the ability to tax is limited. This means a responsible government cannot afford to worry about every sob story out there. The republicans are the only party which at least acknowledges the problem even if their no-tax increase obsession is part of the problem.

Your post does not address the core issue that there is no evidence whatsoever that Republicans have ever done this (certainly not in the last 8 years of Republican governance before 2008) nor is there any serious attempt to do so now.

But that is completely off topic and wasn't addressed in the op-ed piece anyway.... but neither was global warming, abortion, or a myriad of other governance topics. The op-ed was about what drove this Republican party member away from the Republicans. And I take issue that his reasons were "sentimental nonsense". They were serious political issues.

I am willing to guess that this guy would have stayed with the party if they stuck to fiscal conservatism, like you are contending is the "core issue". If this is what the Republican party was addressing, he would still be a member.

[The_Squid]

Good to hear. Then I guess it stands to reason, by default, since I have lived all of my life in the U.S., that I, along with the occasional other American, am the best person on this forum to be able to speak about the U.S. Good to know.

I mentioned Bitsy.... I don't recall mentioning you....

[TimG]

What are talking about. Obama spoke about this problem in his convention speech even if you were pretending it didn't happen.

ROTFL. Obama? The same Obama who set up another trillion dollar entitlement program that the US cannot afford? Sorry but Obama had his chance to demonstrate that he acknowledges the problem with policy proposals. Instead he simply increases spending again and again.

[guyser]

But I don't expect you to 'get it.' I thought guyser might, but .... oh well. C'est la vie.

Sorry AW, I didnt get it. If it was a poke for fun, I missed it.

[Guest American Woman]

I mentioned Bitsy.... I don't recall mentioning you....

Golly, gee. I recall you responding to my post - even though my prior responses weren't directed at you.

:rolleyes:

[Guest American Woman]

Sorry AW, I didnt get it. If it was a poke for fun, I missed it.

It wasn't a poke for fun; my response was quite serious. But yes, you obviously missed it. As I said, c'est la vie.

[The_Squid]

Golly, gee. I recall you responding to my post - even though my prior responses weren't directed at you.

:rolleyes:

You don't quite understand... I was responding to this:

Then I guess it stands to reason, by default, since I have lived all of my life in the U.S., that I, along with the occasional other American, am the best person on this forum to be able to speak about the U.S. Good to know.

And I insinuated (maybe I should have been more blunt) that I agree that Bitsy is the best person on the forum to answer the question, but you.... not so much.

[TimG]

Your post does not address the core issue that there is no evidence whatsoever that Republicans have ever done this (certainly not in the last 8 years of Republican governance before 2008) nor is there any serious attempt to do so now.

Yet republicans don't campaign on promises to set up new massive spending entitlements. Given the choice between promises to increase spending and promises to decrease spending by people who have broken them over and over - the people that at least promise to decrease spending are still a better option.

[GostHacked]

So let's wait to see what Bitsy says. This conversation engaging with AW is not getting anywhere as usual.

[guyser]

It wasn't a poke for fun; my response was quite serious. But yes, you obviously missed it. As I said, c'est la vie.

I shall ask then, could you please explain, I am confused on this.

[punked]

Yet republicans don't campaign on promises to set up new massive spending entitlements. Given the choice between promises to increase spending and promises to decrease spending by people who have broken them over and over - the people that at least promise to decrease spending are still a better option.

Why? At least the people who increase spending are telling where and how. The republicans just lie to you and increase spending anyway. Why is picking the lair a better choice? Is that something you really believe?

[Guest American Woman]

And I insinuated (maybe I should have been more blunt) that I agree that Bitsy is the best person on the forum to answer the question, but you.... not so much.

Trust me, Squid - I know exactly what you were saying. Apparently, however, what I was saying zipped right over your head.

[bud]

once again, american woman is misunderstood.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2FT4FprxDg

[Guest American Woman]

once again, american woman is misunderstood.

Fact of the matter is, American Woman wasn't talking to you, and not only does she not care if you understand or not, she doesn't expect you to understand .... anything. Ever.

Edited September 13, 2012 by American Woman

[The_Squid]

Fact of the matter is, American Woman wasn't talking to you, and not only does she not care if you understand or not, she doesn't expect you to understand .... anything. Ever.

You do understand the concept of a "public forum", don't you?

Everyone who is a member can post and respond to each others posts... If you needed to have a discussion with Guyser alone, perhaps PM's would be the way to go...

[Bitsy]

Bitsy...curious to know...Is Texas considered part of the bible belt? Is God and Country as prevalant as say SC , Alabama et al?

Guyser, as has been determined, I am not an expert on any topic but I do have background and history in living in Texas for 70+ years. So I shall give you a non-expert view, and I would say that God and Country is equally prevalant in Texas as in SC, Alabama, et al, in my opinion

Yes, Texas is definitely part of the Bible belt, as is Oklahoma and Arkansas. The Bible belt is not bound by geography but more by lack of religious diversity, especially in the small rural towns in these states. I saw an exit poll published from a recent election, and I was astonished at the number of voters that called them Evangelicals, it was close to 70%.

I grew up in a small town population 1200; the Southern Baptist church controlled the town . Dancing was a sin; finally in my senior year, we were allowed to have a homecoming dance in our school gym but the Sunday before the dance, the minister of the Baptist church asked the teens who wanted to rededicate their lives to Christ by not attending the dance to come to the alter for his blessing. Needless to say, my first school dance did not have a large attendance but it was a beginning and we did have fun.

Until I went to college, I had no contact with a black person. Though I never saw it on a sign, I understand at onetime there was one that said, Don’t let the sun set on your black ass, nigger. Even though it wasn’t on a billboard, it seemed to be the town motto since the town never had blacks in any capacity, day or night.

After college, I moved to Dallas where water fountains and restrooms were marked Whites and Colored; coloreds sat at the back of the bus; they were signs in store windows and restaurants No Coloreds allowed. Yet, there were churches on every corner professing their love of God and Jesus but would not allow a “colored” to join in their worship. These days are as fresh in my mind as the years that I lived them; they left an indelible mark. Times have changed but our religious right’s prejudices and exclusionary attitudes are broadened now to include illegal’s, LGBT, Muslims and liberals.

[Guest American Woman]

You do understand the concept of a "public forum", don't you?

Yes, I do understand. Again. I wasn't the one telling you how to post. When you choose to do that, when you choose to tell me how to post, I'll choose to point out that I wasn't directing my response to you. You do understand the concept of my having the right to do that, don't you?

Everyone who is a member can post and respond to each others posts... If you needed to have a discussion with Guyser alone, perhaps PM's would be the way to go...

Yep. And they can respond however they choose. Good to see you recognize that. Now if you could just practice what you preach, that would be great.

[TimG]

The republicans just lie to you and increase spending anyway.

Republicans increase spending because existing entitlement programs consume ever increasing amounts of funds. They don't create new programs which will only make the problem worse. It makes no difference that the democrats tell you what entitlement programs they want to create when the problem is they want to create them.

Lets put it a different way. Say you had to choose between a truth teller who promises to punch you in the face and a liar who promises give to $100. The only rational choice is the liar (unless you like getting punched in the face).

Edited September 13, 2012 by TimG

[cybercoma]

A lot of sentimental nonsense that does not address the core issues: the big spending policies of the last 40 years are not sustainable in the long run. Government budgets must be balanced and the ability to tax is limited. This means a responsible government cannot afford to worry about every sob story out there. The republicans are the only party which at least acknowledges the problem even if their no-tax increase obsession is part of the problem.

You say these things without ever targeting some of the biggest budgets in the US: military.

[cybercoma]

Yet republicans don't campaign on promises to set up new massive spending entitlements.

Cutting corporate taxes, giving out subsidies, and expanding the military are spending entitlements.

[guyser]

Guyser, as has been determined, I am not an expert on any topic but I do have background and history in living in Texas for 70+ years. So I shall give you a non-expert view, and I would say that God and Country is equally prevalant in Texas as in SC, Alabama, et al, in my opinion

Yes, Texas is definitely part of the Bible belt, as is Oklahoma and Arkansas. The Bible belt is not bound by geography but more by lack of religious diversity, especially in the small rural towns in these states. I saw an exit poll published from a recent election, and I was astonished at the number of voters that called them Evangelicals, it was close to 70%.

I grew up in a small town population 1200; the Southern Baptist church controlled the town . Dancing was a sin; finally in my senior year, we were allowed to have a homecoming dance in our school gym but the Sunday before the dance, the minister of the Baptist church asked the teens who wanted to rededicate their lives to Christ by not attending the dance to come to the alter for his blessing. Needless to say, my first school dance did not have a large attendance but it was a beginning and we did have fun.

Until I went to college, I had no contact with a black person. Though I never saw it on a sign, I understand at onetime there was one that said, Don’t let the sun set on your black ass, nigger. Even though it wasn’t on a billboard, it seemed to be the town motto since the town never had blacks in any capacity, day or night.

After college, I moved to Dallas where water fountains and restrooms were marked Whites and Colored; coloreds sat at the back of the bus; they were signs in store windows and restaurants No Coloreds allowed. Yet, there were churches on every corner professing their love of God and Jesus but would not allow a “colored” to join in their worship. These days are as fresh in my mind as the years that I lived them; they left an indelible mark. Times have changed but our religious right’s prejudices and exclusionary attitudes are broadened now to include illegal’s, LGBT, Muslims and liberals.

Thanks ever so much Bitsy.

I appreciate the candor and the life history growing up in Texas.

[bud]

Fact of the matter is, American Woman wasn't talking to you, and not only does she not care if you understand or not, she doesn't expect you to understand .... anything. Ever.

bud didn't say american woman was talking to him even though she just talked to him (in the 3rd person). bud was merely sharing his observation on american woman since he has become an expert on american woman. perhaps the reason american woman is feeling a little sensitive is because american woman is once again feeling like she is being misunderstood by the majority of the people.

- bud

Edited September 13, 2012 by bud

[punked]

Republicans increase spending because existing entitlement programs consume ever increasing amounts of funds. They don't create new programs which will only make the problem worse. It makes no difference that the democrats tell you what entitlement programs they want to create when the problem is they want to create them.

Lets put it a different way. Say you had to choose between a truth teller who promises to punch you in the face and a liar who promises give to $100. The only rational choice is the liar (unless you like getting punched in the face).

Yah Bush made Medicare part D would disagree with you.

If the liar punches me in the face to but lies about it every time telling me they were going to give me 100 dollars I am going to go with the guy telling me the truth. At least with him I know I am getting a punch in the face, with the lair I think I am getting 100 dollar but then get a punch in the face anyway.

That is your point.

Edited September 13, 2012 by punked