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In reply to the discussion: I am going to repeat this [View all]Sugarcoated
(7,724 posts)when I was beginning to pay more attention to politics I was really turned off and angered watching how Clinton was constantly attacked, but not really knowing if there was anything real being investigated.(and of course, that was the point) I started listening watching and reading everything, left, right, local, you name it.
Misguided vote for Arlen Spector aside, I'd always voted Democrat because the issues always lined up with my morals and values, but I didn't really know know, like to explain or debate with a politically knowledgeable person about any of it. I considered both sides.
Of course it quickly became clear Republicans were making shit up and had a disingenuous way of spinning everything and they would get ugly and personal. I even listened to ole Rush Limbaugh and that really opened my eyes to how the right wing was operating. High and mighty, family values, military, Conservatives good/Libs bad, etc.
In 2000 I was keeping an open mind, liked McCain and was giving him a fair look. I remembered as little girl the live footage of the POW's walking out of the plane, my mom tearing up as the serviceman she sponsored walked down the plane steps, the salute. She got to take her rubber bracelet off. I mostly remember the skinny white haired good looking guy who got the most buzz.
Growing up, as far back as I could remember, I was terrified my older brother would likely get drafted into the Vietnam War and prayed every night, begged God to protect him, that the war would somehow end before he turned 18. As it turned out, it did and I will never forget the relief and joy I felt.
I saw John McCain as a hero for real and watched in disbelief as Rove/Bush disgustingly smeared him, a man who gave so much. The most vile, racist, unamerican smears. I had a hard time wrapping my head around it. The light bulb moment, the realization: With Republicans The Ends Justify The Means.
The Ends Justify The Means.
They didn't really care about the military, those men and women who bravely served. It was a mind blower for me. If they could turn on a war hero....
If the ends justify the means then they stand for nothing. And that makes them capable of anything.
I knew at that moment I would never, ever, EVER consider crossing the line to vote for political party with such a philosophy. I knew it could, and now we see it has, lead to evil.