Voted for Obama / Biden today, and left the GOP

[Obsoleet]

Today was the first day you can vote early in Iowa, so I went to my local courthouse and voted for Barack Obama and Joe Biden. It felt great.

I left the GOP after ~8 years of being a member, I'm now an independent. As an American, I believed in the philosophies that the Republicans laid out, but they ended up making the gov't 3-4x larger than it was when Clinton was in office, they have damaged our civil liberties, started needless wars and they knew they were so.

It's a real shame Bush didn't follow through with his espoused principles in 2000.
Now he says his "first instinct" was to not bail out all of these failed banks, but in the end he's for bigger government and more intrusion in our lives than the Democrats were.

It's the Democrats trying, if anything, to reduce the waste in this bailout if it even goes through. I suppose some Republicans oppose it too, but the great leader Bush is pushing it and I've simply had enough of these clowns.

From his value of civil liberties, conservative tax cuts for working Americans trying to survive in this McCain / Bush economy and reduction of interventionism in the world, Barack Obama is more conservative than John McCain.

Right to life issues and trying to scare me into voting against the Democrats because they might make us all chip in so that impoverished children can have health coverage just isn't going to work on us.

Basically, the GOP is now soley the religious party for evangelicals. There's nothing left for the rest of us.

Due to these misgivings of conservative principles by McCain and Bush, the GOP is ideologically bankrupt. It brings me no joy to admit or proclaim that, but it needs to be said.

I hope you join me in voting for Obama / Biden. If you're a former Republican like me, and you prefer real conservatism with some sense to it, you're doing the GOP a favor in letting them know that we don't want McCain and neoconservative policies to dominate that party for the next 25 years. Which is exactly what's going to happen if he wins. Not to mention more wars and more deaths. If you do vote for him, it would be irresponsible after 5 years of constant warfare to not send your children, or yourself to fight in the wars you're endorsing for the rest of us. It's time to get out of the deluxe armchair, and follow through with your rhetoric.

 

[Craig234]

Good for you. Now, it's time to recognize why to become a democrat. It's not easy to do what you did, kudos. We need more people to.

 

[TraumaRN]

I gotta say, if Obama is gonna win, people like the OP are the exact reason why. Also the reason why people are saying that if the race is close in a swing state Obama will probably win the state. Turnout plus disgruntled repubs/independents.

 

[NoStateofMind]

Greeat! Lets throw a big government party!

 

[nageov3t]

k

 

[Balt]

Basically, the GOP is now soley the religious party for evangelicals. There's nothing left for the rest of us.

Bingo.

Fact is, there are plenty of independents who WOULD support the GOP if they could still legitimately claim they were the party of fiscal responsibility.

I don't believe in injecting religion or moral authority into government so my reasons for voting Republican have evaporated.

 

[OrByte]

Wife was going to vote for McCain up until the point he picked Palin to run as VP

she doesnt trust Palin to step in as Prez in case McCain goes down.

And she got offended that McCain would try and take her vote as a female for granted

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

Beautiful post. Join the club my friend.

 

[QED]

Riiight....

You actually believe Democrats want to rein in spending? And you actually believe it is House Democrats who are going ape-shit over spending 700 billion dollars? You are wrong on both counts... Bush is mostly fighting against his own party on the bailout issue.

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

That's the ruse of current Republicans. They keep shouting that the Democrats are going to drastically increase spending and what not, but the reality is the Democrats are the only party who have successfully cut spending and balanced the national budget in the last 3 decades.

The Republican ideology has utterly failed in economics. It has produced disastrous results every single time it was implemented. Disastrous results.

 

[jpeyton]

Congrats! We vote my mail in our state (which is how it should work in EVERY state, as far as I'm concerned). Ballots usually arrive a couple weeks before the election here.

Our state is solid blue anyway. Not much drama here on the west coast.

 

[ranmaniac]

I wish a vote for Obama in Texas would mean something, except the last time a Democrat has won Texas was by Jimmy Carter in 1976.

 

[blackangst1]

Someone had to take my place when I left - thanks Enjoy!

 

[pstylesss]

Originally posted by: OneOfTheseDays
That's the ruse of current Republicans. They keep shouting that the Democrats are going to drastically increase spending and what not, but the reality is the Democrats are the only party who have successfully cut spending and balanced the national budget in the last 3 decades.

The Republican ideology has utterly failed in economics. It has produced disastrous results every single time it was implemented. Disastrous results.

The only dem that could take credit for that in recent history is Clinton and if you were honest and not a hack you would admit that he was able to do that because of H.W.'s tax increases and spending cuts. Prior to that Reagan's economic policy helped lift us out of a slump and get American's jobs again.

 

[Obsoleet]

I'll be happy to join the Democratic party once I see some real changes made. I think that's fair enough.
I'm not entirely happy with either party, but it's time to give the Democrats a turn. Historically, they've been better at governing America. I was hoping when I helped with the GOP takeover, that we'd get more sensible rule but they were worse than the Democrats.
I'm likely to join the party, but I like the freedom of being an independent and get the salad bar instead of ordering off the menu. I like ideas from both parties and think both can work if implemented in ways that are beneficial to the average American. We haven't seen that for the past 8 years.

I'm afraid Obama will lose this election, regardless of my support because I believe racism is alive and well in America. More so than in any other Western nation today. Again I speak from experience as a white man, seeing how many people (entirely Republicans) speak when no minorities are around. It's sickening and enough is enough with the whole lot of them.
With the collapse of conservatism within the GOP, all that is left are casual racists and the religious. I'm sure that's not pleasant to hear but it's the truth. I was "on the inside" for many years, being a very politically active person myself. The intellectual faction of the right has left the GOP, besides the neoconservatives and those with allegiance to countries other than our own.
Let's not beat around the bush here, Republicans have turned downright anti-American and have done little in the peoples best interests.

The whole "be scared of Democrats cuz of big gov't" thing is a total lie and only the most ignorant among us would even dare to say it, but I hear it often online and at my work. Oh yeah, the Republicans at my work are all racists, the rest are the bible thumpers.

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ
The only dem that could take credit for that in recent history is Clinton and if you were honest and not a hack you would admit that he was able to do that because of H.W.'s tax increases and spending cuts. Prior to that Reagan's economic policy helped lift us out of a slump and get American's jobs again.

Oh yes the "previous President lays down a bunch of candy for his successor to gobble up" theory. I don't think it's all the US's policies that affect our own economy, and I think the Federal Reserve has a large role as well.

Without debating the past 100 years of policy, what's important right now is considering what candy GWB left the future. I'm taking a wild guess that increasing spending and the size of the gov't by 4x, overstretching our military to collapse while bankrupting the nation and paying for it with Chinese loans, and McCain's and Clinton's deregulations led to this.

The only guy not guilty of destroying this country today is: Barack Obama. That's one of many reasons why I voted for him. And I think he has better judgment than the other 3 candidates involved put together. He's been right all along on most issues, and that's the man I prefer to listen to from here on out.

 

[daniel49]

Originally posted by: QED
Riiight....

You actually believe Democrats want to rein in spending? And you actually believe it is House Democrats who are going ape-shit over spending 700 billion dollars? You are wrong on both counts... Bush is mostly fighting against his own party on the bailout issue.

Was listening to Obamas speeech this morning were not only going to take care of our country, we are going to make sure every child in the world gets the education and health care they need.:roll:

 

[Balt]

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ

Originally posted by: OneOfTheseDays
That's the ruse of current Republicans. They keep shouting that the Democrats are going to drastically increase spending and what not, but the reality is the Democrats are the only party who have successfully cut spending and balanced the national budget in the last 3 decades.

The Republican ideology has utterly failed in economics. It has produced disastrous results every single time it was implemented. Disastrous results.

The only dem that could take credit for that in recent history is Clinton and if you were honest and not a hack you would admit that he was able to do that because of H.W.'s tax increases and spending cuts. Prior to that Reagan's economic policy helped lift us out of a slump and get American's jobs again.

And what kind of a situation is G.W.B. leaving us in?

 

[quest55720]

Originally posted by: Obsoleet
I'll be happy to join the Democratic party once I see some real changes made. I think that's fair enough.
I'm not entirely happy with either party, but it's time to give the Democrats a turn. Historically, they've been better at governing America. I was hoping when I helped with the GOP takeover, that we'd get more sensible rule but they were worse than the Democrats.
I'm likely to join the party, but I like the freedom of being an independent and get the salad bar instead of ordering off the menu. I like ideas from both parties and think both can work if implemented in ways that are beneficial to the average American. We haven't seen that for the past 8 years.

I'm afraid Obama will lose this election, regardless of my support because I believe racism is alive and well in America. More so than in any other Western nation today. Again I speak from experience as a white man, seeing how many people (entirely Republicans) speak when no minorities are around. It's sickening and enough is enough with the whole lot of them.
With the collapse of conservatism within the GOP, all that is left are casual racists and the religious. I'm sure that's not pleasant to hear but it's the truth. I was "on the inside" for many years, being a very politically active person myself. The intellectual faction of the right has left the GOP, besides the neoconservatives and those with allegiance to countries other than our own.
Let's not beat around the bush here, Republicans have turned downright anti-American and have done little in the peoples best interests.

The whole "be scared of Democrats cuz of big gov't" thing is a total lie and only the most ignorant among us would even dare to say it, but I hear it often online and at my work. Oh yeah, the Republicans at my work are all racists, the rest are the bible thumpers.

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ
The only dem that could take credit for that in recent history is Clinton and if you were honest and not a hack you would admit that he was able to do that because of H.W.'s tax increases and spending cuts. Prior to that Reagan's economic policy helped lift us out of a slump and get American's jobs again.

Oh yes the "previous President lays down a bunch of candy for his successor to gobble up" theory. I don't think it's all the US's policies that affect our own economy, and I think the Federal Reserve has a large role as well.

Without debating the past 100 years of policy, what's important right now is considering what candy GWB left the future. I'm taking a wild guess that increasing spending and the size of the gov't by 4x, overstretching our military to collapse while bankrupting the nation and paying for it with Chinese loans, and McCain's and Clinton's deregulations led to this.

The only guy not guilty of destroying this country today is: Barack Obama. That's one of many reasons why I voted for him. And I think he has better judgment than the other 3 candidates involved put together. He's been right all along on most issues, and that's the man I prefer to listen to from here on out.

Obama is just as responsible as the rest of the scum in washington. Did Obama stand up with a few others to get reform to freddie and fannie a few years ago? Did Obama stand up and get an real energy plan passed this summer? Obama is a partisan hack like the rest of them in washington. Obama is an empty suit and the situation this week proves it. A crisis happens and Obama tells congress call me if I am needed lol. That is a real good leader there. I can only imagine if he is president and a crissis happens he will let Pelosi handle it and let her call if she needs help lol.

You almost had me fooled with your OP but I think you showed your true colors calling every republican a racist. Race won't cost Obama the election being to liberal and never going against his party will. He is the last person who can call for change when he votes with his party over 90% of the time.

 

[FuzzyBee]

Originally posted by: Obsoleet


I'm afraid Obama will lose this election, regardless of my support because I believe racism is alive and well in America. More so than in any other Western nation today. Again I speak from experience as a white man, seeing how many people (entirely Republicans) speak when no minorities are around. It's sickening and enough is enough with the whole lot of them.

Good thing there aren't any racist Democrats, eh?

Painting with such a wide brush makes you just as guilty as the people you accuse.

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: quest55720

Originally posted by: Obsoleet
I'll be happy to join the Democratic party once I see some real changes made. I think that's fair enough.
I'm not entirely happy with either party, but it's time to give the Democrats a turn. Historically, they've been better at governing America. I was hoping when I helped with the GOP takeover, that we'd get more sensible rule but they were worse than the Democrats.
I'm likely to join the party, but I like the freedom of being an independent and get the salad bar instead of ordering off the menu. I like ideas from both parties and think both can work if implemented in ways that are beneficial to the average American. We haven't seen that for the past 8 years.

I'm afraid Obama will lose this election, regardless of my support because I believe racism is alive and well in America. More so than in any other Western nation today. Again I speak from experience as a white man, seeing how many people (entirely Republicans) speak when no minorities are around. It's sickening and enough is enough with the whole lot of them.
With the collapse of conservatism within the GOP, all that is left are casual racists and the religious. I'm sure that's not pleasant to hear but it's the truth. I was "on the inside" for many years, being a very politically active person myself. The intellectual faction of the right has left the GOP, besides the neoconservatives and those with allegiance to countries other than our own.
Let's not beat around the bush here, Republicans have turned downright anti-American and have done little in the peoples best interests.

The whole "be scared of Democrats cuz of big gov't" thing is a total lie and only the most ignorant among us would even dare to say it, but I hear it often online and at my work. Oh yeah, the Republicans at my work are all racists, the rest are the bible thumpers.

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ
The only dem that could take credit for that in recent history is Clinton and if you were honest and not a hack you would admit that he was able to do that because of H.W.'s tax increases and spending cuts. Prior to that Reagan's economic policy helped lift us out of a slump and get American's jobs again.

Oh yes the "previous President lays down a bunch of candy for his successor to gobble up" theory. I don't think it's all the US's policies that affect our own economy, and I think the Federal Reserve has a large role as well.

Without debating the past 100 years of policy, what's important right now is considering what candy GWB left the future. I'm taking a wild guess that increasing spending and the size of the gov't by 4x, overstretching our military to collapse while bankrupting the nation and paying for it with Chinese loans, and McCain's and Clinton's deregulations led to this.

The only guy not guilty of destroying this country today is: Barack Obama. That's one of many reasons why I voted for him. And I think he has better judgment than the other 3 candidates involved put together. He's been right all along on most issues, and that's the man I prefer to listen to from here on out.

Obama is just as responsible as the rest of the scum in washington. Did Obama stand up with a few others to get reform to freddie and fannie a few years ago? Did Obama stand up and get an real energy plan passed this summer? Obama is a partisan hack like the rest of them in washington. Obama is an empty suit and the situation this week proves it. A crisis happens and Obama tells congress call me if I am needed lol. That is a real good leader there. I can only imagine if he is president and a crissis happens he will let Pelosi handle it and let her call if she needs help lol.

You almost had me fooled with your OP but I think you showed your true colors calling every republican a racist. Race won't cost Obama the election being to liberal and never going against his party will. He is the last person who can call for change when he votes with his party over 90% of the time.

Obama was 1 of very few to stand up against the Iraq War. Oh yeah, you forgot about that, but people who don't beat your crazy war drum have not.
And FYI, your sig: Drill, baby drill - McCain would disagree with you in Alaska. Oops.

 

[Juddog]

Originally posted by: Balt

Basically, the GOP is now soley the religious party for evangelicals. There's nothing left for the rest of us.

Bingo.

Fact is, there are plenty of independents who WOULD support the GOP if they could still legitimately claim they were the party of fiscal responsibility.

I don't believe in injecting religion or moral authority into government so my reasons for voting Republican have evaporated.

^^ Co-signed. I would have no problem becoming a republican again if they go back to the values they once held before getting hijacked by the neocons. Fiscal responsibility, separation of church and state, and smaller government. That's all I really want from them. It's too bad the republican party decided to take in the Evangelicals as their religion of choice in order to guarantee themselves more votes.

 

[43st]

If anything think of it this way... The Republicans had their chance. They had the White House, the House, and the Senate for 6 years. And you saw very clearly what was important to them. With that record I think it's okay if they lose an election or two. I'm willing to give Democrats the benefit of the doubt now, at the very worst it'll just make people vote Republican in 4 years.

 

[Overgloc]

Originally posted by: quest55720

Originally posted by: Obsoleet
I'll be happy to join the Democratic party once I see some real changes made. I think that's fair enough.
I'm not entirely happy with either party, but it's time to give the Democrats a turn. Historically, they've been better at governing America. I was hoping when I helped with the GOP takeover, that we'd get more sensible rule but they were worse than the Democrats.
I'm likely to join the party, but I like the freedom of being an independent and get the salad bar instead of ordering off the menu. I like ideas from both parties and think both can work if implemented in ways that are beneficial to the average American. We haven't seen that for the past 8 years.

I'm afraid Obama will lose this election, regardless of my support because I believe racism is alive and well in America. More so than in any other Western nation today. Again I speak from experience as a white man, seeing how many people (entirely Republicans) speak when no minorities are around. It's sickening and enough is enough with the whole lot of them.
With the collapse of conservatism within the GOP, all that is left are casual racists and the religious. I'm sure that's not pleasant to hear but it's the truth. I was "on the inside" for many years, being a very politically active person myself. The intellectual faction of the right has left the GOP, besides the neoconservatives and those with allegiance to countries other than our own.
Let's not beat around the bush here, Republicans have turned downright anti-American and have done little in the peoples best interests.

The whole "be scared of Democrats cuz of big gov't" thing is a total lie and only the most ignorant among us would even dare to say it, but I hear it often online and at my work. Oh yeah, the Republicans at my work are all racists, the rest are the bible thumpers.

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ
The only dem that could take credit for that in recent history is Clinton and if you were honest and not a hack you would admit that he was able to do that because of H.W.'s tax increases and spending cuts. Prior to that Reagan's economic policy helped lift us out of a slump and get American's jobs again.

Oh yes the "previous President lays down a bunch of candy for his successor to gobble up" theory. I don't think it's all the US's policies that affect our own economy, and I think the Federal Reserve has a large role as well.

Without debating the past 100 years of policy, what's important right now is considering what candy GWB left the future. I'm taking a wild guess that increasing spending and the size of the gov't by 4x, overstretching our military to collapse while bankrupting the nation and paying for it with Chinese loans, and McCain's and Clinton's deregulations led to this.

The only guy not guilty of destroying this country today is: Barack Obama. That's one of many reasons why I voted for him. And I think he has better judgment than the other 3 candidates involved put together. He's been right all along on most issues, and that's the man I prefer to listen to from here on out.

Obama is just as responsible as the rest of the scum in washington. Did Obama stand up with a few others to get reform to freddie and fannie a few years ago? Did Obama stand up and get an real energy plan passed this summer? Obama is a partisan hack like the rest of them in washington. Obama is an empty suit and the situation this week proves it. A crisis happens and Obama tells congress call me if I am needed lol. That is a real good leader there. I can only imagine if he is president and a crissis happens he will let Pelosi handle it and let her call if she needs help lol.

You almost had me fooled with your OP but I think you showed your true colors calling every republican a racist. Race won't cost Obama the election being to liberal and never going against his party will. He is the last person who can call for change when he votes with his party over 90% of the time.

amen brother!!

 

[Possessed Freak]

And now for something completely different.

As a registered Republican, I am looking forward to voting for my party for the first time. In 2000, I voted Gore, in 2004 I voted Nader.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

:roll:
Does anyone else think that it's a bastardization of our process to have "early voting" a month before the election? Why not call it "absentee voting" and then get rid of all the instate "absentee" mail in ballots?(obviously people out of state would need mail ballots).
Hell, I don't want to hear a fucking peep out of you leftist whiners about people not being able to vote - EVER!