Question for my fellow Republicans...please be courteous?

Question

How do you view the Republican party today, do we still represent the values of Lincoln and Reagan?

If not...please explain

Answer 1

I am a supporter of Bush. I believe in his vision.

Regrettably, Bush simply does not have the magnetism of Ronald Reagan. However, I believe both of them share an incredibly rare gift: the ability to imagine a totally different world and the vision to make that a reality. Reagan defeated the scourge of global Communist domination. Bush is trying to do the same with terrorism (aka: Islama-fascism).

Reagan inspired so much respect, admiration, and loyalty. The most touching tribute I have ever seen in my life was when former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher came to deliver a (pre-recorded) eulogy for Reagan (pre-recorded because she was so frail that she didn't have the strengh to do it at the podium). Can you imagine the depth of her admiration for Reagan, to practically use up her last ounce of strength just to give her farewells?

What Thatcher said about Reagan is so true: " In his lifetime, Ronald Reagan was such a cheerful and invigorating presence that it was easy to forget what daunting historic tasks he set himself."

Most of us Republicans wish Bush were more like Reagan. But the truth is, no one is like Reagan. He was unique. Imagine how other people would have behaved as they tried to defeat the Soviet Union. They would have been stern-jawed and ultra-serious. Thatcher spoke of Reagan's "lightness of spirit".

Bush embodies the same principles as Reagan. He's just not as eloquent, so the impression we have is quite different even though the message is esentially the same.

Answer 2

Although I admired Reagan (I voted for him both times) and believed his actions were totally sincere I think Republicans give him way too much credit for bringing down the Soviet Union.

The Soviet Union fell apart primarily because the people of Russia and it's satellite states started to demand more and more rights and more and more freedoms. Every time the Soviet government gave in they demanded more freedom. It reached a point where the Soviet people put enough pressure on their leaders that the Communist Party self-destructed.

All Reagan really did was beat them in the arms race. The Soviet Union collapsed within. To not give the hundreds of thousands of Soviets who put their lives on the line, and died or were thrown in prison, for reform is to do a major disservice to them.

I'm a long time Independent, by the way, and never vote party lines but for the best person I think will represent us at the time.

But to answer your question directly, Lincoln was very much the Liberal during his time. If anything, the Republican Party has done a 360 degree, as have the Democrats. There is no way to compare Lincoln to the Republican Party of today. Not fairly, not realistically.

Answer 3

The Republican party died when Reagan left office...He was a truly great man...America had pride when he was in office. I think that Republicans need to reach out to other races..Especially the blacks...I would bet that there are many blacks that are really more conservative and hold the same values as the Republican party is known for but they grew up thinking that they are supposed to be Democrats. If you gave most average moral people a test to see if they were conservative or liberal they would fall into the conservative side. Less government control over our lives and lower taxes...Who can argue with that?

Answer 4

These are the Old-School Republican values:

1. More local government, less federal government.
2. Lower taxes.
3. Lower federal spending.
4. Pragmatism around business and labor.
5. Protective of our people and our borders.

Where do we see the Republican leadership today? With an engrossing federal government that seems to be quick to encroach, or appear to encroach on our rights as American citizens.

We see Republicans advocating a tax cut that would make Ronald Reagan or Abe Lincoln sit up in his grave. Why in the world would you give a billion dollar tax cut to those who frankly don't need it.

Yes I know the rich pay a ton in taxes and theoretically should get it back, but due to our progressive tax system and the veil of ignorance that comes along with it, that's the price you pay for being LOADED. Any tax cut should go to the working families, the families that need the break.

Federal spending, now this is where I think Republicans have massively jumped off the ship that Reagan had so dutifully steered. Our budget deficit is incredible, we're spending far more than we're taking in in revenue with no end in sight. If you're going to fight a war, you're going to have to cut back. Where are the cuts to social security, the cuts to welfare, the cuts to medicaid? Are there going to be any real cuts, or is it just going to be reform after reform?

Businesses today get billion dollar tax breaks while American families struggle to make ends meat. A public school teacher should be the one getting the weight of the federal government's help and influence not the CEO of Coca-Cola making 18 million bucks a year. We've lost our pragmatic minds; no wonder the Democratic Party has all the labor folk on their side.

Finally Republicans today seem to be not very concerned with protecting the American people and our borders. You want an immigration plan that works? So do I. Here's one for you to ponder. Massive fines to any company that hires an undocumented worker. Any illegal immigrant here can come out of hiding with no penalty except they must pay back taxes and continue living here while waiting in line for citizenship right behind those who have started doing it legally. Furthermore, if they committ one single felony punishable by imprisonment here, they're gone, and they're not welcome again. Yes it's a crime to enter our country but they're here now and they aren't going to leave if we ask nicely. Amnesty is a joke, don't ever do it. Guest workers aren't going to be needed if you do as I stated above, so protect our borders, keep them safe both north and south, and let's all get past this.

Yes the Republican Party is a bit out of touch with its REAL base, not the Pat Roberts' of our Party.

I'd like to see us get back to being US by nominating someone like Lindsay Graham, a small government pragmatist, currently a Sen. from S.C.

Hope this answers your question.

Answer 5

The people do yes; but unfortunately our elected leaders are interested in reaching center ground. That could be why we see so many angry left wing responses around here - the Republicans are not the party of Reagan (can't speak to Lincoln for I wasn't here then). The leaders are trying to be centrist and it moves the left - further to the left.

Answer 6

Barely. I think Reagan would have handled events after the attack on 9/11 much differently. I like to believe he would have realized that America's safety came first. It takes a certain character to match up to the likes of Lincoln and Reagan, we'll have another one come around some day and get us back on track.

Answer 7

As a member of the DNC I can say you do not represent the republican party of Lincoln .

Answer 8

As a courteous liberal, I feel that the quality of the Republican party has declined since Reagan. I feel this is largely in part to the dilusion of conservative politics with conservative religion.

Answer 9

abe lincolns republican party is not the republican party of today. the 2 parties flip floped some time in the early 20th century. by todays standards he would be a dem. it doesnt matter what party you worship, neither one really cares about the people.

Answer 10

I really don't think we do. I think both the Republican and Democratic Parties have strayed far away from their founding viewpoints and are now only concerned with vying with one another for more power. The Democrats used to be for the poor and the working class, now they seem to only serve themselves, The Republicans used to be for smaller government and more freedom, today they seem to want to control more of our lives.
(P.S.- I really am a registered REPUBLICAN, as you requested to answer this question.)

Answer 11

I really don't think so. I am heading more and more to the Libertarian Party b/c democrats and republicans seem to be too busy punching eachother to really get anything done.