This thread represents a genuine effort to understand conservative thinking. What makes you a Republican? What is the appeal of the party to you? At what moments do you feel proud to be a GOP member? How do you feel about people like Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly? Does Fox News usually reflect your world view? How do you feel about homosexuals and non-caucasians? What do you find immoral?
To the Republicans here: sincere attempt at understanding
by JimmyPage 9 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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JeffT
What makes you a Republican?
Not sure I am anymore. I used to be attacted to the ideas of states rights, fiscal responsibility and lower taxes. For the last 8 years the republicans have been spending money like democrats. I don't think most Americans understand the concept of "state" anymore.
What is the appeal of the party to you?
See above, but we need to get back to basics.
At what moments do you feel proud to be a GOP member?
I'd say when Nixon went to China, but I was a communist then. Regan's tear down this wall speech was great.
How do you feel about people like Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly?
I've always thought Rush Limbaugh was a blow hard. I used to like O'Reilly but I rarely watch him anymore. He needs to calm down.Does Fox News usually reflect your world view?
I like their straight news reporting in the morning (and Megyn Kelly is easy on the eyes. I don't watch it in the evening any more.
How do you feel about homosexuals and non-caucasians?
Indifferent. I don't understand homosexuality, but I don't have any particular emotion about the battles over it. Except that I think the questions regarding marriage need to be resolved legislatively, not in the courts. This is a general belief about a lot of things.
I work with Hispanics, African Americans, and Asians. I like most of them, and don't care about their ethnic background.
What do you find immoral?
Lying. Child molestation, murder. I'm troubled by the entitlement mentality, but I don't know that I'd call it immoral. I don't care what people do in their bedrooms, but I would suggest that if they want it to be private business they keep it there.
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JimmyPage
Great answers! Thank you for taking the time to broaden my understanding.
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BurnTheShips
I am not a Republican. However, if I had to choose between the two major parties and had no other choice, then you could call me one for the purposes of this thread.
What makes you a Republican?
I believe in limited government and personal rights.
What is the appeal of the party to you?
At this point? There is no appeal. To choose them right now is to choose the less effective poison.
At what moments do you feel proud to be a GOP member?
When the Constitution is upheld. When individual rights are upheld.
How do you feel about people like Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly?
Entertainers. Rush is entertaining. Bill O' Reilly I cannot stand. Their criticism however is needed. But isn't this just a red herring? It is like asking what you think about Olbermann if you are a Democrat.
Does Fox News usually reflect your world view?
I don't get my news from there. Television is passe. What is their world view?
How do you feel about homosexuals and non-caucasians?
They can come over for dinner.
What do you find immoral?
In the context of government policy? The use of force. Coercion of individuals is immoral.
BTS
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JimmyPage
See? I would have just assumed BTS was a Republican. But now I have a fuller appreciation for where he's coming from as a poster.
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donny
What makes you a Republican?
I was up until the tenure of GW Bush. I am now a man in the middle.
What is the appeal of the party to you?
I never cared for the religious right aspect of it, but I was attracted by the lower taxes and the belief that most who take handouts are people who can actually work. And that most of what bad happens to aperson is their making, not everyone esles.
At what moments do you feel proud to be a GOP member?
I was happy when communism fell and America was viewed as stong agin in the 1980's.
How do you feel about people like Rush Limbaugh
An entertainer at best, sometimes a big blowhard.
and Bill O'Reilly?
I don't get the folks who get so riled up at O'Reilly. I do not find him that much to the right except in religious matters. Hannity is the one I can't stomach. He's as annoying as Keith Olbermann.
Does Fox News usually reflect your world view?
Not really, but I don't think Fox is as "right" as some make it, just as I don't see CNN as "left" as some say.
How do you feel about homosexuals and non-caucasians?
Gays should have the same rights as any other humans and my wife is a "non-caucasian"
What do you find immoral?
People who try to force others to think the way they do.
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skeeter1
What makes you a Republican?
I am a Libertarian, who has to vote Republican as the lesser of two evils. The TV networks only allow a bi-party government as they shut out other candidates.
What is the appeal of the party to you?
A personal viewpoint of self-reliance of the individual and family unit. Smaller federal government, lower taxes, free market capitalism to allow the individual the OPPORTUNITY to grow to greatness.
At what moments do you feel proud to be a GOP member?
Right now. They are fighting to stop this $10 trillion dollar deficit. Have you ever been "in debt" due to credit cards? Alot of your household income starts to just pay the interest. That's where we are at right now as a nation. With the Democrat's spending, which is ten times what Bush's and the Republican's spending (which I decided to not contribute to this past year because I was so mad at), our tax dollars are going to go to paying the Chinese interest instead of our own government programs. Taxes are going to increase across the board.
How do you feel about people like Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly?
I listed to both. Rush can be condescending to women in that he cracks a joke or two, but he firmly believes that every individual has the right to self-determine their own greatness. Rush never attended college, and fired from his early jobs. He stuck to his passion of speaking about political thoughts, and this has propelled him to a large audience, more stations, and loyal sponsers. Rush rarely talks about Jesus (I've never heard him), and I like that he keeps religious and bible thumping off his program. He sticks with news and politics. He holds Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid's feet to the fire, using their own words and actions.
O'Reilly is passionate about jailing child molesters. He keeps tabs on judges and state legislatures that go easy on them. I give him alot of credit there. I don't get alot of chance to listen to him lately, as I seem to be working alot into the evenings these days.
Does Fox News usually reflect your world view?
I watch Fox News here and there, but find it rather just skims the surface. I like to read National Review and pajamasmedia.com .
How do you feel about homosexuals and non-caucasians?
From growing up a JW with parents from the North, I was raised to not hate anyone and that all people are more similar than different. I don't see a black person in my office and think, "Hide my wallet." But, I do see a breakdown in the black family with a scourge of fatherless households. I attribute this breakdown to the social welfare system which has essentially ousted the father as being a valuable member and has taught minorities to rely on the government instead of their own bootstraps. It's really sad to see how much illiteracy resides in the black community, something that wasn't so before welfare. So, I think it's really great example that the President and his family are setting; as well as the Million Man marches.
I was raised to not hate gays, but to hate what they do. Now, I don't hate gays or hate what they do. I would attend a gay wedding. Homosexuality is largely set by birth and there is a continuom between straight and gay. To say that one is straight or gay, is like the President of Iran saying there are no gays in Iran. Simply ridiculous. But, I wouldn't want to teach a second grader about gay sexual relationships or transexuals. Just not age appropriate.
What do you find immoral?
I think terrorists are immoral. I think strapping a bomb onto a child's back is immoral. Killing other people in the name of religion is immoral.
I think not going after North Korea eight years ago was immoral.
I think Nancy Pelosi is an immoral hypocrite. She didn't want to give the military beefed up vehicles, but wants a huge goverment paid plane for her and her staff to commute in. She pumps natural gas to the legislature, while her husband is buying natural gas futures. She refused the minimum wage increase for a small island, because her family owns Starkist Tuna that had a large plant there. She claims to be a big supporter of unions, none of her companies or winery is unionized. She does what's good for Nancy.
I think Harry Reid is an immoral hypcrite. He stood in Congressional hearings and testified that nothing was wrong with the sub-zero mortgages that Freddie and Fannie were cranking out. Now, he blames the financial mess on anything but the mortgages. The mortgages caused the housing industry to fall, construction falls, consumer goods fall, etc.
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In the end, I think both the Republicans and Democrates are setting this world up for a "One World" Economy and Government. Someone wants to rule the world. Hence, Bush clammered to bail out the banks and nationalize companies. Obama and the Dems are following in Bush's footsteps. It's a concerted effort to bankrupt this country and cause hyperinflation. Then One Government and One Currency. This has been talked about for years, and I really think there is a huge power play at stake.
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/03/27/54110/global-currency-it-could-happen/
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BurnTheShips
In the end, I think both the Republicans and Democrates are setting this world up for a "One World" Economy and Government. Someone wants to rule the world. Hence, Bush clammered to bail out the banks and nationalize companies. Obama and the Dems are following in Bush's footsteps. It's a concerted effort to bankrupt this country and cause hyperinflation. Then One Government and One Currency. This has been talked about for years, and I really think there is a huge power play at stake.
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snowbird
But, I do see a breakdown in the black family with a scourge of fatherless households. I attribute this breakdown to the social welfare system which has essentially ousted the father as being a valuable member and has taught minorities to rely on the government instead of their own bootstraps. It's really sad to see how much illiteracy resides in the black community, something that wasn't so before welfare. So, I think it's really great example that the President and his family are setting; as well as the Million Man marches.
I've been preaching againt the welfare system for most of my life.
It destroys the dignity and initiative of the very ones it's supposed to uplift.
Sylvia
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Warlock
I am not a Republican, I am a Democrat.
Simply put, I think both parties are corrupt, and work together, like wrestlers in the WWE, or WWF, to screw YOU THE PEOPLE.
I hold the Democratic party more responsible, because they have always claimed to be the party of the people, but they are not. They, like the Republicans, are a party OF THE BANKS, AND FOR THE BANKS.
Warlock