I've been having some thoughts since well before the election was over- after Romney chose Ryan I began to think of myself as an independent... and the behavior of the party post-defeat has soured me even more...
Let me begin by saying that I am not a loyal Republican- I am a loyal American. I do not stick by parties through their hard times... there's usually a reason people are leaving them! I voted Democrat in my first election for LBJ- and left the party in 72 because of who the Democrats nominated. I've voted since then for President for the Republican nominee but often Democrat for other races including Senate and Governor. But I have no qualms if because of these thoughts, other Republicans tell me that I am disloyal to the party- hell yeah, I AM! This isn't the Soviet Union- the party is not the country and is no where near as important- a message for people in all parties!
I tend to support candidates and parties based on more intangible factors- for example, I trusted Romney to react as I would to situations from foreign policy to taxes... I felt his response would better match what I would do. On the issues- I matched him more closely on many, and still do. However, the intangible for me has recently gone to the Democrats- it began with President Obama's handling of foreign policy... I DO have many issues with it- but there is no denying he has been tougher then even President Bush against terrorism. What I admire most about Obama, Biden, and Clinton and the others- they seem to care about people...
I saw this disability UN act go through with two of my heroes in my signature below advocating for it- and saw most of my party oppose it. I hear Romney classifying nearly half the population as useless. Folks in debates applaud prisoners being executed but boo at a soldier deployed to Iraq because of his sexual preference. I look at some of these people ad I am disgusted... sure we pride ourselves on our American individualism, we stand on our own two feet and earn our way through life- but surely our first instinct must be to care for others?
I've had many disagreeements with my Democratic friends and I disagree vehemently with many planks of the party- but oddly I feel more a kinship with Democrats now then I do with Republicans because I believe Democrats care more about the American people then Republicans do. There- I said it... I've voted for every Republican candidate for President since Nixon and I believe the other guys care more about the American people. I do NOT believe Republicans are not well intentioned- I simply believe too many of us aim to be divisive and rigid and many have trouble realizing that these budget cuts and line slashing... these affect people and famillies.
Of course- part of these thoughts is due to my girl Hillary revving up to run in 2016... but I do not want her to be a President in name only- I want her to have a party under her elected to achieve what her life has prepared her to achieve. For the reasons above, I am contemplating a switch to the Democratic Party...
Please let me know your thoughts...
I don't think anyone could tell you what to do, I think you're the only one who knows what is right for yourself. I do agree with you however that principle is more important than party line, regardless of what the party is.
