"I am a former Republican and a military veteran."

[babylonsister]

The only way I, as one person, know how to voice my displeasure at what the GOP has been doing since election night 2008, is to VOTE BLUE in every election until my dying breath.

I am a former Republican and a military veteran. My voting record, since I could first vote, went to Bush Sr (’88 & ’92), Dole (’96), Bush Jr (’00 & ’04) and Obama (’08 & ’12). Yet, over the past six years, my eyes have been opened to the obstructionist, RACIST, presidential disrespectfulness, big business-over-people-supporting, 1%-pandering, corporate welfare-giving, social security-cutting, climate change-denying, war mongering, foreign policy-sabotaging (think Iran #47Traitors letter), military veteran-patronizing, national infrastructure non-funding, immigrant maligning, environmental catastrophe-inviting (think Keystone XL pipeline), union-busting, rich-getting-richer-while-poor-get-poorer-ensuring, presidential patriotism-questioning, NRA-ingratiating, income inequality-encouraging, human rights-preventing, ELITIST, war on women-perpetuating, Jesus’ word-changing, sensible gun law-blocking, middle class-erasing, sacred land-selling, PRIVATIZING, student loan lower interest rate-rejecting, Medicaid expansion-refusing, Equal Rights-dismissing, minimum wage hike-fighting, equal pay-denying, path to citizenship-opposing, gerrymandering, vote suppressing, environmental deregulating, "Citizens United" supporting (think GOP-controlled SCOTUS), Koch-indebted, WHINING-because-you-didn’t-get-your-way, poor-and-less-fortunate-hating, birther and fake scandal-creating (think also BENGHAZI), presidential daughter-attacking, 54+time Obamacare-repealing (and failing), LYING, executive appointment-blocking, Peace Deal-threatening, jobs bill-ignoring, FAUX News-supporting, presidential suing at taxpayer expense, propagandizing, government closing and do-nothing positive GOP party that has been wreaking havoc since Obama took office.....and all this cloaked as the one true “religious,” “patriotic,” and "conservative" party and yet, contrary to the will of the American voter in two presidential elections.

While I don't agree with, nor support, all of Obama's policies, beliefs or actions, I give him credit for trying to do something to help everyday Americans struggling with day-to-day life issues which is more than I can say of the GOP party and leadership who made it their pledge upon Obama's first election to stop him from doing virtually anything during his presidency. Remember, it was Mitch McConnell (R-KY) who, instead of encouraging a bipartisan effort with the then-new president, is quoted as saying, "The single most important thing we [the GOP] want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president." Additionally, a Time magazine article outlined: “If he [Obama] was for it,” former [Republican] Ohio Senator George Voinovich explained, “we had to be against it."

They failed in keeping Obama limited to one term but, even with this loss, the GOP has kept their second promise. They have done absolutely NOTHING to help the struggling American economy nor it's struggling people in well over six and a half years and we pay them millions in salary and benefits for their inadequacy and lack of work product! The rest of us would have been fired long ago if we produced absolutely zero for those who pay our salaries! It is just remarkable what this president has accomplished, what with the obsessive obstacles purposefully thrown in his path. Imagine what could have been accomplished if those elected, on the Right, actually worked with this president!

It’s past time to change the game plan and start benching the Republican party. Progress depends upon this. I am so done with these haters!

Don't just agree with me - Please VOTE every single time and encourage likeminded family and friends to do the same. Nothing changes if we remain apathetic to voting!

------------
NOTE: Many on the Right, after seeing this essay have accused me of lying about my veteran status, or of ever having been a Republican in the first place. I welcome the challenge as to the first accusation. Please report me for "stolen valor." I am who I say I am. As for the second allegation, well, blind allegiances are just not my thing which is why, I believe, I was born with a eyes, ears, and a brain. For those who quickly dismiss this essay with “TL;DR” (too long, didn’t read), maybe you should take some time to read this as it affects YOU also.

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[freshwest]

1. Okay, at least one paid attention learned something! n/t

[63splitwindow]

2. And murderous wacko instigating, not to mention...

trying their damndest to actually CAUSE the eradication of all life upon this planet in the name of religious prophecy fulfillment.

[Marie Marie]

3. That second paragraph...

wow. 'Bout sums it all up.

[skepticscott]

12. What, and they just started noticing those things in 2008?

Sorry, but you'd have to have been in a coma for the 8 years of the Clinton administration and the 8 years of GWB not to have seen all of the shit they're talking about going on every day. I don't buy for one second that they suddenly experienced "enlightenment" over what the Republican Party is about. I strongly suspect that as long as the Republicans were screwing other people, their attitude was "fuck the welfare queens", and that their attitude only changed when they took the punch in the gut personally.

[Uncle Joe]

13. People can come to the same location by different paths, some are longer than others.

The corporate media is a most powerful brainwashing institution and perhaps this is a sign of the Internet's growing influence in changing perceptions.

[skepticscott]

14. That's a nice Buddhisty platitude, but that's all

It doesn't require people to take responsibility for all of the damage they've caused in traversing their "longer path". And I remain unconvinced that anyone who isn't brain dead couldn't have noticed all of the things they're ranting about going on throughout their long-term support of the Republican party. Their eyes were not suddenly and recently opened. They knew these things were going on all along, and they supported and applauded them for a very long time. When they've apologized to all of the people hurt by the policies they've supported, when they've worked as long and hard to undo the damage as they worked to inflict it, then maybe they'll have the right to strut around saying "Look at me...I'm voting Democratic now..aren't you proud of me??"

[Uncle Joe]

15. I don't view the OP as a statement of pride so much as a confessional or epiphany.

Last edited Sun Jul 26, 2015, 08:46 AM - Edit history (1)

Peoples' perceptions of reality are greatly different depending on their own life experiences, age, culture, education, emotional awareness, environment, friends, family, gender, income level, intelligence, news sources, race, sexuality. I suppose it would be nice and and simple if we all had cookie cutter existences but that's simply not the case.

When the prodigal sons and daughters do have these realizations, I believe as a practical matter it would be better to welcome them to our fold, versus rubbing salt into their wounds.

[skepticscott]

16. They are welcome to vote Democratic from now on

But I see no "confession" whatsoever in this little diatribe. No acknowledgement of the terrible harm that support for the Republican party has done and continues to do to this country and no acceptance of the responsibility they bear for having been a willing and enthusiastic part of that for so long. Nor, very tellingly, any explanation of how they magically, all of a sudden, had their eyes opened to what the Repugs are about.

This is the last person I need telling me that the Republicans need to be "benched", since they wouldn't even be in the game if not for people like this, so they really need to shut the fuck up about that. Assuming they actually, finally, have started to get a clue, they should be not only ashamed, but horrified at what they've helped to do. Wouldn't you agree?

[Uncle Joe]

17. I said confessional "or" epiphany

I am a former Republican and a military veteran. My voting record, since I could first vote, went to Bush Sr (’88 & ’92), Dole (’96), Bush Jr (’00 & ’04) and Obama (’08 & ’12). Yet, over the past six years, my eyes have been opened to the obstructionist, RACIST, presidential disrespectfulness, big business-over-people-supporting, 1%-pandering, corporate welfare-giving, social security-cutting, climate change-denying, war mongering, foreign policy-sabotaging (think Iran #47Traitors letter), military veteran-patronizing, national infrastructure non-funding, immigrant maligning, environmental catastrophe-inviting (think Keystone XL pipeline), union-busting, rich-getting-richer-while-poor-get-poorer-ensuring, presidential patriotism-questioning, NRA-ingratiating, income inequality-encouraging, human rights-preventing, ELITIST, war on women-perpetuating, Jesus’ word-changing, sensible gun law-blocking, middle class-erasing, sacred land-selling, PRIVATIZING, student loan lower interest rate-rejecting, Medicaid expansion-refusing, Equal Rights-dismissing, minimum wage hike-fighting, equal pay-denying, path to citizenship-opposing, gerrymandering, vote suppressing, environmental deregulating, "Citizens United" supporting (think GOP-controlled SCOTUS), Koch-indebted, WHINING-because-you-didn’t-get-your-way, poor-and-less-fortunate-hating, birther and fake scandal-creating (think also BENGHAZI), presidential daughter-attacking, 54+time Obamacare-repealing (and failing), LYING, executive appointment-blocking, Peace Deal-threatening, jobs bill-ignoring, FAUX News-supporting, presidential suing at taxpayer expense, propagandizing, government closing and do-nothing positive GOP party that has been wreaking havoc since Obama took office.....and all this cloaked as the one true “religious,” “patriotic,” and "conservative" party and yet, contrary to the will of the American voter in two presidential elections.

As for the confessional aspect, or to precisely what "opened his eyes" that may come later when he can deal with it, I don't expect this to be his last post on the subject.

If you believe, he's only speaking to you, then you're not giving the Internet enough credit, he's telling the world.

I stated my position in regards to the "prodigal son," rubbing salt into his wound serves no purpose other than to satisfy your own vindictiveness.

To the contrary, acrimony would only be counter-productive in dissuading other Republicans from having their "eyes opened," and "voting blue until their dying breath."

[skepticscott]

20. Which simply confirms my suspicion

about people changing how they vote out of pure self-interest and not because they give a fuck about what's right and best for the country or anyone but themselves. Which is basically what you're arguing if you say he might decide to keep voting Republican after all just because he met a few Democrats who told him the plain truth about the damage he's caused and the responsibility he bears for it.

[Uncle Joe]

21. Reread my post, I never said "he" might decide to keep voting Republican.

To the contrary, acrimony would only be counter-productive in dissuading other Republicans from having their "eyes opened," and "voting blue until their dying breath."

As I stated on my previous post, he's not telling you that he changed, he's telling the world, and likewise you're also sending the world a message that any other Republicans thinking about reevaluating their political point of view or altering their ideology can expect to do so, only if they come to the Democratic Party dressed in sack cloth and ashes.

That's not how you win minds and hearts.

[skepticscott]

36. No, that's not the message I'm sending

But the point stands that if people are choosing which party to support based on who kisses their ass, instead of which one has policies that are sexist, bigoted, hateful, war-mongering, dishonest, hypocritical and just plain criminal, and which one doesn't, I'm not at all sure I want them on our side, because they're liable to switch back just as quickly.

[Uncle Joe]

37. Your post #16

But I see no "confession" whatsoever in this little diatribe. No acknowledgement of the terrible harm that support for the Republican party has done and continues to do to this country and no acceptance of the responsibility they bear for having been a willing and enthusiastic part of that for so long. Nor, very tellingly, any explanation of how they magically, all of a sudden, had their eyes opened to what the Repugs are about.

This is the last person I need telling me that the Republicans need to be "benched", since they wouldn't even be in the game if not for people like this, so they really need to shut the fuck up about that. Assuming they actually, finally, have started to get a clue, they should be not only ashamed, but horrified at what they've helped to do. Wouldn't you agree?

No where in the OP did the author suggest or imply that "his ass needed to be kissed" indeed he listed an entire litany of adjectives and adverbs; most of which I'm sure you and virtually everyone else here agrees with as to why he's totally against the Republican Party and will now "vote blue until his dying breath," he made this declaration to the entire world including his family, friends and any Republican out there to see, but that's not good for you, you demand he "shut the fuck up" "should be ashamed and horrified" so my description of "sack cloth and ashes" demand is right on point.

Every item that you just posted is in the OP, I'm beginning to wonder if you actually read it?

[skepticscott]

38. No, YOU suggested that his ass needed to be kissed

or at least that he's so damn fragile that he can't even face up to taking responsibility for his actions without wanting to run back to the loving arms of the GOP.

And yes, he should shut the fuck up ABOUT telling people that the Republicans need to be "benched" who have know that since long before he was voting, and who have trying to do that for 35 YEARS, fighting people like him every step of the way.

And since you seem unable to answer the question, I'll ask it again..if he truly understands (finally) what the Republican Party is really all about, if he truly understands the damage to our democratic process, our schools, our environment, our foreign policy, our military, our courts, our health care system, our foreign policy and our social welfare network that he's been a willing and eager part of, why would he, why should he not be ashamed and horrified by it? If he has a brain and a conscience, that is?

[Uncle Joe]

39. You read a lot into something which I never said or implied. I said

As for the confessional aspect, or to precisely what "opened his eyes" that may come later when he can deal with it, I don't expect this to be his last post on the subject.

I imagine he is ashamed or embarrassed, but I believe in giving credit where credit is due and as I posted before, rubbing shame into his emotional wound does nothing to persuade other Republicans to open up to more enlightened points of view, it only hardens their resistance.

You totally disregard my repeated points that he's speaking to everyone not just the enlightened people such as yourself, his former and perhaps still existing Republican friends are hearing the same message, do you think they believe as you?

Unless you actually prefer a divided nation along emotional or cultural lines which plays precisely into the less than 1% and Republican hands, you will welcome him and then look forward to future posts of his to determine his motivations or causation of epiphany.

[awoke_in_2003]

24. There are a lot of us

Who were politically disconnected when we were younger. I am one of them. I didn't get involved until the run up to the Iraq war. My opposition to it brought me here in 2003, and I lurked a bit before joining up. I was questioning everything I believed at that point, and finally realized I was only a republican because my grandfather was, and because my father was (and still is) a liberal. I was a bit defiant when I was younger

[skepticscott]

25. This poster started voting Republican in 1988

and was still voting Republican 16 years later, so they really can't use that excuse.

[Augiedog]

4. I too am a vet...Nam 1970 pleiku Provence

But unlike you I have always been a left leaning liberal progressive and proud of it. My youthful exuberance at participating in the Vietnam War...ooops! I mean police action, can be attributed to my sense of national duty. It is and was a personal thing and hard to explain considering my proclivity to progressive political thought. Nonetheless I find myself in abject horror at the ignorant ideology of anyone who supports republican.....what is a good descriptive adjective for contemporary right wing obstructiveness. I digress, stupid is as stupid does.....Scott Walker says that on Inauguration Day he will start a hot war with Iran.....just because, apparently being an Eagle Scout qualifies you to murder people. It might come as a surprise to chicken Hawks like Walker that war kills more women, children, babies and fetuses and the elderly than any other groups period.

[saidsimplesimon]

5. Recovering from parental support

of President Eisenhower myself...my parents had enough common sense to reject Nixon and Reagan. "Not operating in the best interests of the majority who want peace", they said. I agree without bias. (I adore editors for their clarification of the spoken word.)

[KT2000]

6. Paragraph Two !! Wowzer!

You bet I will share!

[skepticscott]

7. What does he want, a fucking medal?

For voting for Republican presidents 5 times? And probably for Republican senators, congressmen, governors, state legislators and school board members without fail for that span of 20 years? And who wants to bet that he wasn't disparaging and insulting Democratic candidates and liberals in general, and repeating Fox News lies the whole time? It's this guy and lots of people just like him who have allowed the Republicans to do what they've done ever since 1980. And he's just now figured out what they're about? What's far more likely is that he was finally affected personally by the Rpublican Party's viciously anti-99% policies, and that if he hadn't, he'd be just as virulently conservative and disparaging of people who had been as ever.

Just shut the fuck up and vote the right way. Don't strut around like you have something to be proud of for finally figuring out what some of us have known for 35 years..that the Republican Party is poison. You should be deeply ashamed of yourself for having supported them in any way at all. When you and those like you have undone all the harm your votes have done, then maybe you'll have the right to feel proud. But not before.

[kelliekat44]

8. - 1,000 nt

[babylonsister]

10. Oh please. I never have met a perfect person, and

I bet you aren't one. Be nice.

[skepticscott]

11. Did I say I was perfect?

Do I have to be perfect in order to criticize someone for supporting the Republican party for most of their adult life (or for strutting around like their very recent enlightenment makes them something special)? In case you hadn't noticed, that's what this site is FOR.

Do you dispute that people like this are exactly the reason that our country is polluted with Republican filth, corruption, hatred and bigotry? There is not one significant problem in this country that can't be legitimately laid at the door of people who have supported Republican candidates over the last 35 years, and he's one of them. Much of the damage they've done may be unfixable, at least not within our lifetimes, so forgive me if I'm not gushing with adulation for this person. If they've finally seen the light, goody for them..better far too late than never, I guess. But they have nothing to be proud of and a lot to make up for.

[MH1]

18. I believe he wants to send a message to other veterans and republicans who might be reachable.

We don't want people like this to "shut the fuck up" as you say - we want them to bring other friends with them, to change other minds.

Yes, voting republican all these years has been part of the problem, but now if he is part of the solution, why do you have to attack him for trying to communicate his reasons to others?

[skepticscott]

19. That directly contradicts what he says

in his first paragraph.

And if he actually intends to change other people's minds, he might try addressing himself directly to them, instead of some vague, cowardly "they". Pretending that none of the people HE knows are part of the problem is a big part of the problem.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

22. Geeze Skep

did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed today or something? I read it as a 'I've finally seen the light' kinda thing. Hammering him for the past is fruitless. Let's make the change NOW!

[skepticscott]

32. Why do you assume

that I woke up "on the wrong side of the bed" because I'm not really to fall all over myself praising someone who says "Look at me...I'm finally voting Democratic" after having contributed for so long to the worst fucking-up this country has ever experienced? The harm he's done is far behind any good he's done since his "Oops, sorry", so you'll forgive me if I'm not ready to overlook past offenses for which the country is still paying dearly.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

33. because your reaction to the post seems over the top,

to me. What would you have people who change their opinion do? Whip themselves, wear hairshirts and beg admission to the Democratic Party?

edited for spelling

[skepticscott]

35. No, despite your overblown hyperbole, I'd have them recognize and

own up to the harm they've directly contributed to, and acknowledge that switching sides doesn't wipe the ledger clean.

And how is my response "over the top" when compared to the damage that the Republican Party has caused to the country and the world?

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

40. because you are responding to an individual

in a manner of speaking, and not the entire Republican establishment.
Hyperbole?

[skepticscott]

41. Everyone who supported and helped elect Republicans

bears responsibility and blame for what they've done. It is ONLY through the actions of individuals that people like GWB actually get elected, so saying he's just one guy is no excuse.

[Cha]

23. You're being rude.. some people can evolve.. and I thank them for it.

Last edited Sun Jul 26, 2015, 06:33 PM - Edit history (1)

[steve2470]

26. +1 nt

[skepticscott]

29. Rude? Even assuming the writer was actually reading this, how would you balance his having supported Republicans

for so long, with all of the horrific consequences to our democratic process, our schools, our foreign policy, our military, our judiciary, our social welfare system and so much more, against having his feelings hurt by being faced with the truth about the responsibility that goes with the right to vote? Which of us has done more damage?

[steve2470]

27. Better late than never....

Would you prefer the guy STILL voting Republican ? Good god, man, give this dude a break. AT LEAST he wised up. Some people NEVER wise up and go to their grave voting for the people who basically loathe them.

[pinboy3niner]

28. +1

[skepticscott]

30. Did I say that? No.

If you'd actually read what I wrote, you'd see that I also said better late than never. But his ledger is still very much in the red, so I'm not inclined to shower him with praise any time soon.

[steve2470]

31. Ok, you go on with your perfect bad self....

You're pissing on a guy who is NOW voting the right way. Good job.

[skepticscott]

34. You're the second one to trot out the silly straw man

that I'm justifying my criticism by I thinking that I'm perfect. I claim no such thing, but I do know that I've never helped put a Republican in office. And what, is he going to go back to voting Republican because his feelings are hurt by being reminded of the harm he's helped bring about?

[pansypoo53219]

9. i did NOT sign up for the GOP suicide pact!

[tblue37]

42. Could you provide a link and also enclose this in an excerpt block? I was at first astonished

because the essay seemed to have been your own confession. I get annoyed with people here who assume the OP wrote something the OP has clearly marked as a quoted piece and provided a link for, but I still don't see a clear marker except for quotation marks in the subject line of this OP, and *that* is all too often used by posters as a kind of decoration in their own title/subject line.