Quote
Originally posted by: forkushVQuote
Originally posted by: alanleroyII
Quote
Originally posted by: forkushV
Quote
Originally posted by: alanleroyII
My father was a Republican for 50 years and left the party during the reign of George W. Bush. He left because for decades Republican Politicians demanded a Balanced Budget, but the moment they took control of both Executive and Legislative Branches they began borrowing and spending like drunken sailors.
I am not now, nor have I ever been a registered Republican, but I believe both parties have become more extreme. I see it in the Republican base making religion part of their policy and in the Democratic base's uuuuge grassroots support for a 'radical' socialist for President.
I'd take Barry Goldwater over Ronald Reagan any day of the week.
Of course you don't have to be a Republican Party member to be a right-wing conservative, do you? I just wish you folks would stop calling yourselves "centrists." Barry Goldwater sure as hell didn't.
Ok help me out then. Barry Goldwater was Pro-Choice. He was an environmentalist. He supported medical marijuana. He supported Gay Rights. I do too. Are those the hallmarks of today's 'right-wing conservatives'?
Gee, I bet you even support legalized casino gambling.
Sorry but it's 2016, and those things shouldn't even be issues anymore. If you're apparently capable of voting without consulting the heart of Baby Jesus, that does not get you your moderate badge - it simply means you're not fucking insane. Congrats on that by the way.
Want to take some moderate (NOT liberal) positions? How about having the same Social Security withholding rate as the one Reagan signed - adjusted for inflation. Same with the minimum wage; adjust it for inflation too. And the inflation adjusted tuition for public colleges and universities has doubled in the last 40 years - halving them today would be a moderate proposal. And in virtually every state, the wealthy pay a much lower percentage of their income in state and local taxes than the middle class. What if they paid an equal percentage - doesn't that sound moderate? And like I've said before, how about supporting G.W. Bush's immigration policy, Bob Dole's health plan, and Reagan's gun control?
But you're probably not cool with much of the above because you are an extreme right-winger. You know, like your guy Goldwater. You just look moderate when compared to the crazies that run the GOP these days.
Incidentally, did you hear about the uber-moderate in the GOP presidential race, Governor Kasich? Based on a deceptively edited video by a couple of soon-to-be felons, he's cutting funding to Planned Parenthood. Because nothing says moderate like more STD's, more unwanted pregnancies, and more dead women from back-alley abortions.
He ain't no moderate either.
In terms of fiscal responsibility, I believe in a Balanced Budget Amendment and a Federal Government limited to spending a fixed percentage of GDP. Like those Extreme Right Wingers Simpson and Bowles. Unfortunately, I don't hear many Republicans or Democrats espousing such craziness. Republicans just want to cut taxes. Democrats just want to spend more. They both spend money we don't have. I'd raise taxes and cut spending. Does that make me an extreme right winger? I don't think so. It makes me extremely responsible.
This is simply an age old political smear tactic to paint your opposition as extremist. Hey! They even did it to Goldwater in 1964. And I didn't say Goldwater was 'my guy'. i said I'd take him over Reagan. It's ok, Forkie. The Republicans use that same kind of dishonesty.
I will gladly vote for a Democratic Presidential candidate if his Centrist Platform was to work with both parties in congress to balance the budget and limit future federal spending to a reasonable fixed percentage of GDP. That's ain't Bernie or Hillary. Maybe Bloomberg will bring it. I doubt it though.
When a balanced federal budget is considered an extremist position, we're in big fucking trouble.
