SamHenry is fed up with name calling in general and that being done among the politicos on the right in particular. The Tea Partiers are out there labeling Republicans as RINOS (Republican In Name Only) who have but a mere ounce of liberalism. The “regular” Republicans look down their noses at the Tea Partiers because they are used to calling the shots. It is a nasty business. There is NO trust anywhere. This is the biggest breach.
Tea Partiers are seen as blue collar; RINOS as blue bloods. Is there some kind of “unofficial” data gathering resulting in these pronouncements?
It is the kind of thing that turns people off. Right now in this pitched battle for the heart and soul of the Republican party, both sides are entrenched. More than entrenched, their positions are like a religion to them and if you aren’t deemed one of the faithful then out with you. Everyone is a judge of everyone else. There are no compromises and there is no reaching out and trying to understand the other side. We would give more quarter to the views of a foreign exchange student than Republicans give to each other these days.
SamHenry will be registering as an independent this next week. At last, a quiet place where a fellow independent will not chastise you for having an economically conservative view while at the same time entertaining a liberal social policy in an area. You can go with the issue and with the candidate and not tow a party line. The last time SamH heard of towing the party line was 1917 in Russia. Most important, you will not be accused of being anti-patriotic because of your politics. Sorry but patriotism is not the purview of one party or the other.
It will be interesting how many others will be put off by the dissension in the ranks and bolt for independent registration. Growing tired of being judged, drawn and quartered? Head to the same shore with this ole dog.
©On My Watch…the writings of SamHenry. Registration pending.
DarcsFalcon
November 27, 2010
Of course there is no trust! When people elect Republicans based on things they claim to stand for, certain stated party principles, and then the Rs they voted for go against those very same principles, how can you blame them for being angry and feeling betrayed?
And how can you blame those in the party for wanting the people they elected to represent them, to actually represent them, and to remain true to the values they claim to have?
samhenry
November 27, 2010
DF – it goes beyond election outcomes. I do not expect anyone in the Republican party to agree with what I havee said
carldagostino
November 27, 2010
Saw your comments-Blackwatertown of whom I recently became a subscriber. I worked for Barry Goldwater from Jan to Nov in 1964 here in Miami, Florida. Put in at least 30 hours a week. I was 15 years old then. I often converse with him because I have a line direct to Republican heaven. He is very angry that our Republican Party is the agent of special interests. We used to be the party that freed the slaves and rammed through the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments. We we abolitionists against social injustice through the likes of Theodore Roosevelt. I am very ashamed of my party’s poor record on environmental issues and for our lack of concern for the concerns of people that Jesse Jackson characterizes as “the people that take the bus to work.”
samhenry
November 28, 2010
Carl, welcome aboard. I am happy you feel you may speak freely here since all who come do and they have spirited but respectful commenting. You have made some very good points for a side of the issue that is very valid. We are honored with your presence and your history in the GOP.
steve
November 27, 2010
I think “blow out Congress” has the right idea; at least in part.
samhenry
November 28, 2010
Thanks for your always good comment. I’m frazzled by dogs right now. (see reply to DF). You and I know dogs come first!
DarcsFalcon
November 27, 2010
It hurts me to think I may have offended you, and if I have, please know that was never ever my intention, and I apologize for wounding you somehow.
I do think it’s important to have the “definitions” if you will, firmly in place, so that there isn’t any confusion. When I vote for someone, I want to have the confidence that they truly represent me, and that they will follow through on their promises. Each party has a platform, and people decide whether or not to join based on that platform. And because that platform is in place, it gives the members a starting point on which to judge whether or not the candidates are representative of their views.
Take that Westboro group, for example. I can tell you flat out they aren’t Christian, despite the fact that they claim to be, because they make statements and behave in ways that are contrary to Biblical teachings. I know this because I know the Bible and I know it’s “platform.” I can judge that group to be false.
Democrats have a platform, Republicans have a platform, and even the Independents have a platform. It’s figuring out where we fit in the spectrum. Even choosing not to decide is still a choice, right? And making a choice is simply a judgment.
Love you, dearheart. I am for you even if we disagree on some things. You may adore Brussels sprouts and I will always hate them, but I still love you.
samhenry
November 28, 2010
I made a short answer because I have been very bad and taken in another Labrador retriever. I don’t have the money for it but I missed Sam so much. This is a yellow lab. I have taken her for her breeder. She is about a year. I keep her until she needs to be bred. She goes to be bred then comes home until a week before the pups are due. Then she goes back to the breeder for a couple of months until the pups can be sold. Then I get her back. She will be bred 2 more times after that and then she is mine – free except for all the daily expenses. Now she has all her shots and her hips have been x-raid and her eyes checked and all her shots have been done and so I have a certified healthy dog. It is a lot of work but we will take one day at a time. Sadly, the breeder misses her and has said she may take her back in a week, ugh. So we will see. DF you could NEVER offend me. I am so happy Brussels sprouts will never come between us, kitteh. I agree no decision is a decision, I wrote that about Obama when he put out servicemen and women out there while he made up his mind.
You are right about the platforms and I had forgot about that. So We’ll see but meanwhile I will be independent until the dust clears!
carldagostino
November 27, 2010
Falcon , since when did a platform mean anything to a candidate? The platform committees eye gouge and blood let over words that no one pays much attention to. Apparently you do because you have the honor to expect that platforms are meaningful. I admire Bob Dole for admitting he never read the thing when he ran. He said words to the effect that the platform committee was not running for president, he was. Now that’s hilarious. I consider myself a born again Presbyterian but I wish the Christian Right and those claiming to be Christians would stop trying to commandeer the Republican Party. Jesus wins us by conversion, by our accepting His invitation. Jesus never went to the Roman Senate to lobby for laws and rules and he ridiculed the Law obsession of the Pharisees and Sadducees. We convert by setting the example and we should stay out of the state house and remain in the meeting house.
samhenry
November 28, 2010
I believe that Christians stay out of the state house to a point. You take your beliefs with you wherever you go. This nation was founded on the old/new Testament morals. Those morals reflect the laws that Moses brought to us from Sinai. I don’t think the Christian right has succeeded in taking over the party at this time. They are a faction like any other. But we need to grant them quarter in order to work things through – to respect their position even when they grow judgmental as do you, as do I. Your honesty is refreshing and needed and others will speak as you do about their side of the argument. Thank you for your valuable comment.
DarcsFalcon
November 30, 2010
Well Carl, I think of it this way – whether or not the candidates adhere to the platforms is a strong indicator of their own integrity. The platform allows for a baseline if you will, a rule of measure. No one is ever going to be 100% anything, but that platform will show you how close or far one is from “base,” so to speak.
For me, politics isn’t about Christianity. Jesus never went to the Roman Senate because He as a Jew and doing so would have made Him unclean. Don’t forget, Jesus came to fulfill the Law, so yes, the Law was very important to Him. By it’s measure, His sinLESSness was proved, and our sinFULness is also proved. That’s how He is the only one qualified to be our Savior, because He is the only one sinless.
As to Christians getting involved in government, the Bible also calls us to be good citizens, and we are taught that God puts governments in place. Clearly He doesn’t have a problem with governments when you looks at the lives of people like Joseph, Esther, David, to name just a few. In America, we have a unique situation here in that we ARE the government, since it is government by, of, and for us, the people. So, we as Christians have a unique responsibility to ourselves and to God, to “get involved in the state house,” and to see that our government is run properly.
Lastly, in my humble opinion, we don’t convert anyone. Only Christ through the Holy Spirit can convert. I can only live my life as cleanly as I can, in such a way as to not bring shame to His name. That’s my goal. I know I often fail, but I can only persevere.
This article is written much better than I can express my thoughts though, if you’re interested in taking a read:
http://midwestoutreach.org/blogs/jesus-and-the-tea-party
I hope that helps.
carldagostino
November 28, 2010
Yes, ultimately you cannot separate your morals in politics, if you have integrity. I studied Roger Williams(1603-1683) re sep church and state. He says things like adultery and not keeping the sabbath may be sins but should not codified into civil law. Difference between sin and crime. So murder is a crime and a sin so should be codified in civil law. Puritans kicked him out. You may enjoy The Faiths of the Founding Fathers(David Holmes, Oxford Univ. Press, 2006) and How Would Jesus Vote?(D. James Kennedy,WaterBrook Press, 2008). You may also enjoy How I Got Barry Goldwater’s Autograph, my blog 8/6/10. I had a small yellow lab years ago. I miss her so. If I can have only two “people” with me in the Afterlife, it would be that dog and my granddaughter. Please keep me as subscriber. One last point of honesty from me today: Unfortunately, I have known potatoes smarter than Sarah Palin.
samhenry
November 28, 2010
Thanks for the references. I did study the views of the founders through the literature of that period that was in effect what their literature was – religious and political tracts. You can like or dislike any politician you wish here so long as the remarks remain civil. Best to say I don’t like Sarah Palin becuase she is inexperienced, etc. Remarks that are demeaning demean the utterer rather than the target of the utterance IMO.
DarcsFalcon
November 30, 2010
I have to ask you, dearheart, in what way do you think Palin’s inexperienced?
Did you think Obama was experienced or inexperienced when you voted for him?
Mountain Republic
November 29, 2010
Unfortunately, I have known potatoes smarter than Sarah Palin.
If you’re going to compare politicians to food, then what kind of vegetable/tuber best describes Obama??
MR
samhenry
November 29, 2010
Obama is some kind of rare African tuber. Rare. Sarah is not the brightest among the best but I hate to put her in a vegetative state. I am less inclined to support her. I wasn’t at the beginning, then I warmed to her after I met her in person and now I just am waiting for a Republican dark horse.
blackwatertown
November 28, 2010
All interesting comments.
On your decision to register as an Independent rather than a Republican – you’ll still be able to vote in national elections as you see fit, but won’t you be excluding yourself from influencing the choice of Republican candidates in future. Given that you’re a non-knee jerk thinker, a considerer, someone with an eye to the whole country and to tolerance – that’ll be their loss and further tip the balance towards the extremists and nutters within the Republican family.
Clearly it would be unfair to blame the emergence of the next Christine O’Donnell solely on you…. but seriously, I’m interested in the factors you weighed up before coming to your decision. Being able to have a free discussion on the issues on their merits was one factor. And a good one. I imagine you may have been others on the other side of the argument before you made your mind up.
samhenry
November 29, 2010
Roo – the intransigence of all of the factions in the R. Party – I don’t know if anyone can overcome that. The character assassination and other equally unfair methods of argument has been escalating. People seem to have run out of good ideas to bat around and are now batting each other!
I just think it is hopeless to think there could be any agreement reached.
Thank you for your faith in my ability to think. I will think further. I have considered your arguments over and over and mind run or have run along the same lines. So I will reconsider my proposed action.
Mountain Republic
November 29, 2010
SH,
As a former Reagan Democrat, I converted to the Republican Party in 1980. After offering McCain as the “conservative” choice in 2008, I had to finally admit that the Republican party no longer represented my political viewpoints. I registered as an Independent immediately after Obama’s election.
This past Nov. 2nd, I spent more time than ever before going over the candidates, their positions on issues etc. I was once guilty of voting along party lines, but no more.
I now only vote for the best candidate, whether they be a Democrat, Republican or a member of another party. Lately it seems like the candidates that represent me best don’t belong to either of the major parties.
Congrats on your decision!
MR
samhenry
November 30, 2010
DF – RE Sarah Palin vs Obama back in 2008:
He had held national office in the Senate and thereby knew the legislative process. He also was well-traveled.
Obama was running on a platform to bring us together. Sarah seemed to polarize IMO.
In the end, Barack Lied and Sarah went out and got more experience. Still, I think she is a polarizing figure. Let’s see how it all falls out in the Republican party and what role she plays in trying to keep it together.
I waffle on her for some reason.
DarcsFalcon
December 1, 2010
I guess that confuses me a little. He was only a Senator for something like 200 days before he started campaigning for President, while Palin was in political office of some kind or other since ’92, and 2 yrs of that as Governor before being picked as the VP running mate.
It was funny – I saw a local interview of him with Michelle after he got elected Sen. and the interviewer asked him if he was going to run for Pres, and Michelle said, “Of course not, he hasn’t done anything yet!”
samhenry
December 1, 2010
DF, I saw her as divisive and I still do. She has not brought people together in the Repubican party and she alluded to the fact that it was a goal. She really wants the Tea Party to take over the GOP. She’s a good administrator (something Obama is not) but I also don’t think she is imaginative – key to problem solving. She’s a quick study but again she is a figure that polarizes and she hasn’t taken this on as something for her to work on. I really don’t want to get into Sarah Palin that much. I am still considering her but she is not a top choice. I will vote for her if she is the selected one. I am sorry we disagree on this one. But friends can do that and the friendship goes on. Personally, I don’t think we’ve met the person who will be our next leader. I’m hoping the dire straits we are in will inspire someone who would ordinarily not run for President to think to do so – someone with qualifications of course starting with a birth certificate.
Mountain Republic
December 1, 2010
….someone who would ordinarily not run for President
SH, who would you like to see come out of the woodwork & actually LEAD this country?
Personally, I would like to see Micheal Savage make a run in 2012.
MR
samhenry
December 1, 2010
Can you resurrect the dead? LOL I really think it may be someone who hasn’t hit our radar yet. Someone quietly toiling in the fields of public service somewhere who has seen enough and doesn’t care if the nation has to see his tax return, birth certificate and dirty underwear. Someone who can say that he will not be put off by undue criticism and will get on that white horse and lead the charge. I may have to do it myself LOL. Are you with me? Co-presidency. I may have to take a few corruption lessons in order to dirty up the armor and look battle scared. Meanwhile, I’ve borrowed a white nag from Ichabod Crane (wasn’t he the one who was chased by the headless one) and am sallying forth to slay bad ideas and polarization “bears” like Sarah.