If I am conservative, and my party gets hijacked, should I blindly back them?

Question

I am furious at the shame the current administration has brought to the party. No other conservitive administration has given the world the idea that we are a bunch of idiots, like this one. What happened? Most of the conservitive people I know will not lift their little finger to defend Bush. Of course, there a some who will, but they just seem to be sticking with the team, with no apparent desire to re-establish credibility within the party.
I don't believe the democats are structured with honor either.
What the hell is wrong with us?

Answer 1

Both parties have moved away from the center, abandoning much of thier broader membership, moderates, and even non-radical liberals or less-religious conservatives.

You are not alone in being disapointed in your party, and probably would be surprised how much closer than your own party leadership similarly disapointed, moderate, Democrats are to your own views and positions.

Answer 2

I honestly feel for you because I've had similar situations in my own life. I'm glad to hear there are conservatives who feel the way you do, because I have been mystified by the fact that Bush still has a 28% approval rating. Who are the 28%?

My advice would be to find a way to work in your party either locally or nationally to help restore it to integrity. If you know others who feel the way you do, there is more power in numbers. Find candidates and issues you care about and can support and devote your time, energy and money to promoting them and helping them win. If enough like-minded people do this, you can take your party back.

I believe our current horrid state of polarization began with Lee Atwater and continues through Karl Rove--people who believe that winning is everything and that politics, not governing, is all that matters. If the current Republicans spent as much time putting forth a positive agenda as they do figuring out how to destroy others, suppress Democratic voting, cheat, lie and otherwise disgrace themselves, then people would want to vote for their party.

I also believe that not enough Americans bother to inform themselves before they vote and too many don't vote at all. I noticed that in the recent French election, 85% of eligible voters went to the polls! Without an informed electorate, we cannot have a thriving democracy.

It's a sad state of affairs in our country, because many people have become convinced that allegiance to their party is more important than allegiance to our country. A good example is how posters on this site will post nasty questions and statements directed at people in the other party. Aren't we all Americans? Don't we live in the UNITED States anymore?

Answer 3

Every political party has flaws. We can't expect that every leader that makes it to the White House is going to be GREAT. Sometimes the wrong person gets in for the right reasons & sometimes the right person gets in for the wrong reasons & sometimes we elect the wrong person in for the wrong reasons, but when we get it right like electing the right person for the right reason, history reflects their administration favorably. Sadly President Bush is not the latter.
So, if you feel you can't back the opposing party/s, then look deep within the one you prefer & back the one candidate that you feel reflects your issues, your values, & your vision of the future of the US for everyone who lives their, & know that when you've cast your vote, even though your candidate doesn't make it, at least your conscience is clear. But your responsibility doesn't stop there as a citizen... if the one you voted for did or did not win, you have to keep on top of things as to what the current administration is doing within the US & abroad and you must speak out even if it's your own party you speak out against. It's all of our civic duties & moral obligations, because the people are responsible as much as the leaders we place in office to represent us... that means all of us. You may feel defeated & betrayed by this current President & his administration, take heed, they aren't the first to mislead it's citizens & it won't be the last. That is why you feel upset this time. All you can do is keep plugging away & speaking out when an administration takes a turn for the worse. Swallow your pride, motivate your passion, speak when you're in doubt, even if fear overtakes you, & keep trying or believing, because the leaderships are not going to end just because we are disillusioned. If we don't keep tabs on our leaders, we end up with the extremists in power, no matter who they represent, they will if given the chance alter the very fabric of democracy we've come to accept, enjoy, even take for granted at times & ultimately admire the freedoms we've struggled to achieve & have learned through that struggle. I applaud you for posting your question. It takes a lot of strength to say what you said. So now take that strength & apply it towards the future, even if that means just this time round you'll vote against your perceived loyalties for the concervatives. You can always go back to them in four years time. Just don't give up, without your voice, you end up living in everyone elses world, & where's the freedom in that? Your opinion matters, even if it's not the same as mine or anyone elses.

Answer 4

There's some good guys in your party... Ron Paul (R-Texas) being one of them. You just have to look for them. I know on the "liberal" side there seems to be more diversity, which is probably the Democrats downfall--they aren't as many in "lock step" with eachother as the Republicans tend to be.

That, frankly, scares the crap out've me. It's refreshing to see a Conservative question the direction their party is going in...

Answer 5

Both parties are corrupt and pathetic in every way imaginable. Both should be taken behind the farmhouse and killed with a dull ax. Besides, the parties shouldnt matter. Its the individuals that matter.

Which is why Mike Gravel is getting my vote. No bullsh*t. A REAL straight-talker, for once. McCains "straight talking" pales in comparison to Sen. Gravel's.

Answer 6

we shouldn't be defining our selves by our parties.

A conservative is a person who likes to be conservative. Use the tried and true method of tradition.

A liberal, literally means one who wants change.

Sometimes we should be conservative. Don't put your hand in fire, i did that last week and it sucked. But then we also need to learn new things be liberal and let it ride. Play a hunch to try and score big. Maybe we can improve things, feed everybody build schools, we have money technology and time. Don't always need to build aircraft carriers.

so we need to be our own person. what do i believe. how do i want to help.

Answer 7

I usually vote Democrat, but that doesn't mean I don't feel for the conservatives who aren't idiots who have to watch this happen. You already know not to blindly back the party unless you believe in it. I wouldn't vote for a Democrat if I didn't believe in him/her.

Answer 8

,You really thought George Bush was a conservative? Most conservatives knew they weren't getting everything they wanted from a conservative. He was the best candidate available. He's still better than Gore or Kerry. I understand your frustration but we don't always get what we want. We have to work harder in the primaries!

Answer 9

Vote 3rd party, how about the constitution party? they are very conservative.

Answer 10

I'm disgusted with both parties. Ron paul is getting my vote.