Kissing the Party Goodbye

Well, I've had it. I've been as loyal as someone with a brain can be at this point, and I don't think I can continue on anymore. I suspect, witnessing all that has happened in the past two years and all that is happening currently, that I will no longer be a Republican by the next election cycle. Why is that? Several reasons, all centered around the fact that this party will not remove it's head from a darkened orifice. And I know, there is a big debate coming. I'll stick around to see where it goes. However, I full suspect that regardless of how this "great debate" ends, I will not wish to call the Republican party my political home any longer.

We have seen one of the most poorly run campaigns by one of the worst Republican candidates in decades. And I could deal with that, except for all that it has shown of the awful pit that the Republican party has become. On the one hand, we've seen so-called conservatives completely abandon the party with the absurd claim that Obama was actually the true conservative candidate. Right. I wouldn't mind it as much if they would just admit what they believe...That Sarah Palin is trailer park trash unworthy of their notions of highbrow societal correctness. It's hardly a surprise that someone like Noonan, Will, or Buckley Jr. would find such a woman beneath them. I mean, after all, she wasn't born into the elite class and she hasn't spent her entire life in the DC area soaking up the atmosphere. So clearly, she could not possibly offer anything. Such elitists disgust me and I'm embarrassed to be in a party with people who cannot look on a somewhat average human being with anything but disdain. The idea that you have to be of Washington-bred elite to possibly be a decent candidate is not in any way a conservative idea. If this is the "thinking class" in the party, I find no reason to stay. Add to that the constant attacks on her faith because (God forbid, she's got a Pentecostal past!) and these supposed conservative thinkers have said everything you need to hear/read to know exactly what they think of us "commoners."

On the other hand, we have far too many examples of "the base" willing to accept anything and everything they are told. How many Republicans have I had to debate about rather Obama was a Muslim? Or worse yet, that he was the anti-Christ. Please. Sarah Palin is not the best thing since sliced-bread and Obama is not the anti-Christ (I don't think he is anyway.) It seems like the party has attracted a branch willing to accept the most absurd ideas out there. In the age of Snopes, there is no reason to be that ignorant of what is going on. Now, I know that not everyone has the internet. But I would guess that everyone could at least have access to it. I mean, virtually every library in the country offers free usage. It's not that hard. I know that you could argue that these things are true of many Americans, not just Republicans. And you're right. But ignorance doesn't excuse ignorance. I expect a party of principle to demand that it's members rise to a higher standard. Of course, that same type of thinking is what got me invited to leave our last church, so maybe I just really am expecting too much. Perhaps we should just give up on the idea of integrity and principles and all that.

The third group who has really irked me, and who I believe should be run out of the Republican party forever, is the McCain staff. It's bad enough that these clownshoes ran the most idiotic campaign I'll probably ever live to see. (I pray so, anyway.) But now, rather than accepting defeat and admitting that they deserve the brunt of the blame. They are instead setting Palin up to take all the blame. Tucker Bounds is easily one of the sleaziest and most despicable people I have seen in the cycle. And sadly, he is just one of many such in the campaign. The dirt that the staff has already started to throw around is starting to make Sullivan and the rest of the left's attacks look tame in comparison. Even more sad is the information that apparently some of Romney's staffers have been behind the attacks as well. This sinking, festering, joke of a conservative campaign shows us the worst of what the Republicans can put forward. If any of these people are actually rewarded by the party with anything other than 50 lashes, I don't see any reason to stay.

I appreciate Nomad's thoughts on the past below. I think he's right. But more and more, I also don't believe that the party is going to be willing to do what it needs to. Now it's possible. We might just get some actually leadership with the will to do what it takes to actually do conservative government again. The Lord knows that after the last eight years, we need something. But from the looks of it so far, all the wrong factions are far ahead in the blame game and in the process of getting their message out. Unless those who hold dear to true conservative philosophy (and not just when the polls look good) stand up and take the party back by force, I seriously doubt that I'll wear the Republican tag in four years.