Will the real Republicans please stand up!

[Andy A]

5th Gen Local & DFSBoy:

I don't live in your county/state, but my county's voting record (Shelby County, Alabama) is very similar to that of Walton County. 100% of our elected officials are Republicans, and our county's voters tend to vote 75% - 80% Republican at the state and national level.

Why is it so necessary to pigeonhole candidates, and for that matter, voters, on individual issues? I may agree with you on some of the issues and disagree with you on others, and there may be other "conservative" values which I hold that you may disagree with. I've voted mostly Republican my entire voting life, and pulled for the Republican candidates since I was a kid and knew what voting was. Am I not a "true" or "real" Republican based on your selection criteria? Who is on the committee that determines which of these criteria we must meet to be considered Republicans?[/quote]

Excellent point. I have always wondered why to be considered either a "true" R or a D you have to go down a list and check all the boxes. Who made up the non negotiable list anyway? Why don't politicians set all of that aside, take the best ideas from both camps and end up doing whats best for the American people? That is what Teddy Roosevelt would do. ;-)

While I certainly agree with what you say regarding party affiliation and how it is determined, unfortunately it appears to me we do not have the caliber of politicians such as was Teddy Roosevelt. The politicians, especially at the national level, seem only interested in their own selfish interests and the creation of more personal power. We need a change in this country alright but I'm not sure this election will bring about smaller government, more personal responsibility, less creation of a welfare state and fewer demands on the working public to support those who don't. These are a few of the changes needed, IMO. They have nothing to do with whether you are a Republican or Democrat. They have to do with "common sense" which seems to be greatly lacking in most of our politicians these days.

 

[Linda]

While I certainly agree with what you say regarding party affiliation and how it is determined, unfortunately it appears to me we do not have the caliber of politicians such as was Teddy Roosevelt. The politicians, especially at the national level, seem only interested in their own selfish interests and the creation of more personal power. We need a change in this country alright but I'm not sure this election will bring about smaller government, more personal responsibility, less creation of a welfare state and fewer demands on the working public to support those who don't. These are a few of the changes needed, IMO. They have nothing to do with whether you are a Republican or Democrat. They have to do with "common sense" which seems to be greatly lacking in most of our politicians these days.