It seems to me most politic topics end up being republican bashing sessions. Let's have one topic where republicans can share how their party has helped our economy, the environment, homeland security and improved the lives of gay Americans. Let's try not to criticize, but to learn from another prospective.

Then let's also have a thread titled "I'm a proud democrat because....." with the message "It seems to me most politic topics end up being democratic bashing sessions. Let's have one topic where democrats can share how their party has helped our economy, the environment, homeland security and improved the lives of gay Americans. Let's try not to criticize, but to learn from another prospective."

Anyone? Anyone?


Well I think this thread is done!

Good ideas, both. I'll post in a day or two, because I've got two big briefs - good grief! - due Monday and will probably have to work this weekend.

But TONITE, the BF gets back from NY and all else - well, he too, actually - gets put on "hold!" eek!

Maybe you can think of something in a "day or two."

My mind is soooo in the gutter. Sorry to sully a perfectly good thread.

I worded this topic "I'm a proud republican.." for a couple of reasons. 1) The current administration is republican, in majority control and more able to promote positive change. 2) It appears that most people posting here are democrats and don't understand the republican review point.

Instead of avoiding the issue, provide substantial, definitive information.

There's no need to double post. As you know, it's not just the administration, but Republicans also control both houses of Congress, and the Supreme Court (Kennedy, Scalia, Thomas, Rehnquist, Souter, and O'Connor were all Republicans before their seating and were appointed by Republican presidents).

In addition, not all who criticize the Republicans here are "Democrats," and we are quite aware of the "Republican review points." The Republican position (and I don't mean "republicanism," which is what how our federal and state governments all function), however, is more than "review points," but entails a philosophical and political tradition, and is a very powerful, real-world governing force, in the form of the Republican Party and its allies, in the United States.

There are other political parties, and other political and ideological views. Some of us are Libertarians, Greens, Liberals, Conservatives, Tories, Socialists, Democratic Socialists, and, if PF is to be believed (ever on anything outside sports topics), there are raving Communists too. (As for the fascistic elements, there may be some of them as well. Does anyone admit to being a Nazi or Falangist?) Anyone from ANY of these parties would have more than enough grounds to criticize the current Republican Congress and the five year administration of George W. Bush, just as they would Bill Clinton's center-right Democratic administration, which did, at least, improve the lives of the vast majority of Americans as a result of his administration's excellent stewardship of the economy, which including cutting the deficit to the point that he created the first surpluses in two generations, lowering interests to make borrowing and credit access easier, fostering a business climate that created 22+ million jobs in eight years, and bailing out our neighbor to the South (Mexico), among other successes.

I am interested in hearing some of the Republicans enumerate some of the reasons that they are a proud Republican, dwelling specifically on the successes of the current Administration and Congress. I can imagine that gmg and William will have some compelling things to say.

[ May 05, 2005, 11:29 AM: Message edited by: fantomas ]

there's nothing to be proud of if you're gay and republican.

it's diametrically opposed.

[ May 05, 2005, 11:33 AM: Message edited by: Andre29 ]

illini - your post cracked me up! thanks!

Every day more and more American lives (as well as Iraqi civilians) are lost due to the lies and deceits of this Republican administration. Billions have been spent since 9/11 on Homeland Security and yet the threat of an attack upon our soil is far greater than before. Today, an explosion in Manhattan at the British Consulate. The warped agenda of the far right, our own religious fanatics, continues to be imposed upon us by this Republican Administration. Our civil rights continue to erode due to this administration's policies. This republican administration continues their attempts to alter the fabric of our constituiton in order to suit their needs. The list goes on and on...
If you're proud to be a Republican today, if you can't see just how bad things are, you're in big trouble. Will it take another catastrophic attack on America to shake you from your denial? I hope not.

[ May 05, 2005, 01:23 PM: Message edited by: Bryan ]

Guys:

This isn't the bash Republican thread. We've got 1,227 of those. Let's let the republicans on this board tell why and we can all peruse the answers.

Hell, who knows, maybe we could all understand each other a little better and at least agree to disagree.

Agreed. Let's try real hard to keep one thread every once in a while on topic.

Would love to know how traditional Republicans feel about their party being controlled by religious zealots (or if they believe that it has been).

Republicans, I am asking you to tell me what you are pruod of. Like the title of the thread says, please tell us Democrats why we shoud switch parties.

I'm not going to bash Tom Delay, or Frist, or Cheney, or Shrub, or the Georgia laws (or the vast number of GA and Texas citizens), or even, Pat Robertson. I'll just let you defend them with pride, your head held high waving your flag like only Republicans can.

God Bless 'Merika!

still waiting

:confused:

Didnt you commies start a thread like this about a month ago?

Then a month ago before that?

Yeah, but you chickenhawk republicans couldnt come up with anything to be proud about, maybe this time....

JIP,

I started the "I'm a proud democrat because.." post because you asked for one. Several of us have added our reasons for being a proud democrat. We are still waiting to learn from your response.

Well, don't hold your breath waiting. I asked for that other thread out of sarcasm more than anything else, knowing that there was no way that you would get your wish for a non-bashing thread.

Republican and proud because I like others help generate the world largest economy, a Free Enterprise System in the USA. Free to hire and employ people and give them skills they never had before and improve their lives. Republican and proud because the uniform of the US Armed Forces means strength and freedom for not just Americans but others around the world. Republican and proud because I give back - See Generosity Index (on Google) did you know 31 RED states were 2x more generous in giving to charities than 19 Blue state (take Annual income -donations and %) R&proud because with a rising tide (economy) all boats are lifted (dare I quote JFK) R&proud because morals mean alot to me- blowjobs in Oval by sexually harassed interns should not be the norm in the WH. R&proud because I believe in god (notice lower case) in fact all gods. R&proud because I believe in what "governs best governs least"
R&proud and accepting of other viewpoints. wink wink

[ May 06, 2005, 09:11 AM: Message edited by: Eastsidewa ]

Accepting of other viewpoints?????

I wasn't aware that this country was built by Republicans and the armed forces was developed by Republicans.

I also wasn't aware that Democrats were against free enterprise and hiring workers and improving their lives.

A rising economy/tide, all boats are lifted? Yeah, check out the Prez's approval ratings.


But you are right on one thing, Bush supports minority rights. Well, at least in the BALTICS.

\"....the majority can't trample the minority....\"

Thanks for your response, Eastsidewa. I am kind of perplexed by the phenomenon of gay Republicans so I welcome the chance to hear what's behind the decision to support that party.

Remember- it started with Lincoln, continued w/ U.S. Grant was Repub who unified the States. Teddy R -was the big push behind automation and allowing "Captains of Industry" to raise capital to build plants (where would all the union workers be today w/o plants built by Republican entrepeneurs and funded by Repub venture capitalists and bankers. All leaders - no chiselers or whinners like Jimmy Carter (anybody remember interest rates at 21%- I do) what a frickin disaster were Carter and Clinton when it came to our economy- of course the taking of Tehran Embassy and siege forever until Ronald Reagan took office.....strength and respect...values lost in the Democratic party...Still proud to be a Repub. wink wink

PS. Why do Democrats insist on unionizing Nurses? Did I miss something- there's a shortage of nurses - pay scales going up, incentives being offered...oh that's it- the Unions want the 8% of their wages thrown into their coffers to build Casinos in Vegas....

[ May 06, 2005, 07:57 PM: Message edited by: Eastsidewa ]

Yeah, the Democratic and Republican parties have NOT changed at all since ohhhh the Civil War. I mean, even Republicans/Democrats in the early 20th century are a TON different than they are today, so don't even TRY bringing that crap up.

Clinton was bad for the economy. And I also am not gay.


I still haven't seen you mention anything about Republicans and gays. And that's peculiar since it is a GAY message board.

And if you think the Bush administration believes that the best government is one that governs least, you're on craaaaaaack buddy.

The Top 10 Reasons Why I am Not a Democrat:

1.Drivers Licenses for illegal aliens. Need I say more? What part of the word, “illegal” do you not understand? Ever thought about how this affects Homeland Security? You liberals continue to amaze me.

2.Soft on crime policies: Mr. Dukakis – the poster boy for this topic.

3.The lowering of standards in our educational institutions. Sorry, but as long as I can remember, receiving a "D" (60-69) always meant you FAILED! Stop lowering standards.

4.Your “politically correct” propaganda. Case in point: Schwarzenegger’s use of the term, “Girly Men”. Please Mark Leno, get off my dick...don’t speak for me, I was not the least bit offended.

5.Gun control: You still don’t get it. Like a ban on guns in San Francisco will prevent the drive-by shootings in Bay View/Hunters Pt and Mission Districts. Keep smokin’ that medical marijuana Mr. Daly.

6.The Death Penalty. Thanks to the ACLU, this will never be an effective form of punishment.

7.From a non religious man: Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Merry fcuking Christmas! No, I’m not going to say Happy Holidays!

8.Welfare & Homelessness: The only way you know how to keep a people locked down and enslaved to you and your voting block – create dependency. Thank you Mr. Newsom for “CARE NOT CASH”, but it should’ve been “CARE NO CASH”.

9.Midnight Basketball. Every time someone brings this up, I just laugh my ass off.

10.And last but certainly not least: YOU Re-ELECTED A KNOWN CRACK HEAD FOR MAYOR! AND BY AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY!?!? Liberals... and you don’t understand why we’re Republicans.

I thought Bush wasnted to grant citizenship to everybody (including illegals)? Is Bush a Democrat?


Not a Republican cause I'm not an ass****!

Illini- nice mouth! Let's do a quick review Joe In Philly - labeled my comments "bulls***" (but he spelled it out and called me the "American Taliban" and a "troll" and you referred to me indirectly as an "assh***". As I said before what next the "n" word.

Seems Fantomas, JIP and you can't argue facts so lets use four letter words and personaly slurs....Geez I take the high road and list the Great American Republican Presidents and get slandered.

I enjoy the fact that democrats pick on Republicans because of "their agenda" and dems are so "self righteous" I remember the over weight alcoholic breathe Teddy Kennedy wagging his 40 lb finger at the DNC with "Shame" "Shame"

Well back to you guys- all three: Fantomas, JIP and Illini- Shame- your own liberal verb Shame that you have to use swear words to answer me, shame that you have to label me an American Taliban? Can't argue facts -clean it up then.

Oh I forgot -you three think you own the Discussion board...a clean, intelligent discussion is informative and enlightening- your repsonses are trite, vulgar and childish. Stick to your photos.

Bottom line just IM yourselves.

Don't take yourself so seriously, because I don't see that there is any real committment (I'll out total all three of you on time I spent on campaigns in the Fall (Republicans and Democrats- yes I worked for the first black Sheriff elected in Travis County (a Dem), out donated and out worked all three of you- You can only live your values if you work for them , I see little substance in what you say - Democrat bla, bla, bla, American is turned off on the DNC- Terry McAuliffe was a failure and embezzler (remember World Com insider trading). Maybe Dr. Dean will bring some credibility back- until then get used to it - Repblicans are winning in City Councils, School Boards, County Commissioners, State Senate and House races, Govs and Congressional races...insulting people is not the answer... wink wink

First of all, I'm not even a registered Democrat! There are plenty of screw-ups in the Democratic party and plenty of things I do not care for.

And I don't think you have much room to talk eastside. You and others in this thread have been name-calling and spewing stuff at Democrats. Calling Democrats whiners, disasters, etc.

Please, I'll start being 'civil' when you and your Republican counterparts do.

Quoting you:

Not a Republican cause I'm not an ass****!

okay- calling some one a whiner or a disaster is a little different than an "assh***" Quite a blanket statement. As in 44M "assh***" in America. wink wink

Let me move on- I accept your pledge of civility. That does not mean I won't debate and argue with you and others.

At no point have I turned personal or nasty. Facts are facts. Sorry you may not like my spin.

I really think "token Gay vote" hurts everyone. No one is holding the DNC responsible for lack of GOTV. That's where you outrage should be directed. Repubs have out worked, out hussled and out man-powered the DNC in last two Pres. elections- we used to always pray for rain or snow on Election day- no longer the case. Repubs work early voting and absentee voting 3x harder than Dems. I watched Repubs crowd the polling places in Brownsville Tx on Oct 15th when it opened. Usually this place is truly Dem land in Tx. Similar situations all over the US.

Polarizing statements with name calling won't get any one to listen to your message. wink wink

Thanks again for your civility pledge.

The 'ass****' comment came from a previous post which deemed Democrats as failures for trying to improve the country in terms of crime, poverty, etc.

Ridiculing someone for trying to improve the country (interestingly, similar things have been done in other countries that have helped) is being an ass****.

It's one thing to say that their method is not the best and here's what they should do, but to ridicule and make fun of is once again, no better.

And don't get me started on the death penalty!

originally posted by alleninsf:
I guess you don't consider Bush a crack head (maybe just a dumb-ass) or draft dodger, or his brother an alcoholic, and I'm sure you hold Tom Delay in high steem for trying to change the rules to fit his ethical lapses.

Allen, you have given me even more reasons I am glad to not be a republican.

First, I've never used any "four letter word" against you, so it's an outright lie to claim I have. YOU are the one who impugned my sanity, claimed I was "unhappy," etc. YOU. I asked you a basic question about this "freedom" you so espouse, which is under attack even as you send your replies back, and all I got back were evasions. Before you start lodging charges, look in the mirror.

If you want to cherry-pick history, you can come up with whatever view of the past you want, but unfortunately about the only thing on here that squares with the historical record is the fact Abraham Lincoln, and then U.S. Grant (who presided over one of the most corrupt governments in U.S. history) did re-unify the country after the Civil War.

You conveniently leave out a whole mass of incompetent or ineffectual Republicans, like William McKinley (Mr. Laissez-Faire himself), William Howard Taft (Mr. Huge-As-A-Tub-and-Just-As-Effective), Warren Harding (Mr. Corrupt-Is-As-Corrupt-Does), Calvin Coolidge (Mr. If-It-Ain't-Broke), Herbert Hoover (Mr. Great Depression), General Dwight Eisenhower (Mr. Hands-off-the-Wheel), Richard Nixon (Mr. Watergate), Gerald Ford (Mr. What-Time-Do-We-Tee-Off?), and George H. W. Bush (who was vying to rank as the worst president until his son came along).

I know Bill Clinton (like Woodrow Wilson once did, and later FDR) vexes Republicans to no end because he was an incredibly effective, popular president who got away with doing what so many of the secretly do and yet condemn in public, but the truth is that he presided over the longest and greatest expansion of the U.S. economy in the second half of the 20th century. It's on record, and you know it. As for Carter, he certainly was a better president than either Gerald "Incompetent" Ford or HW! Have Egypt and Israel, which had fought repeatedly since 1949, gone to war since he brokered the peace accord between Sadat and Begin in 1979? Are you even aware of this?

Now, before you tell me or anyone else not to take herself or himself too "seriously," you might follow your own advice, as I said in another post, stop projecting. As a happy, card-carrying Repuglican, just gloat and crow and do whatever it is you do. Don't worry about others' "unhappiness," as you call it, and if you can ignore the loonies in your party, like Tom DeLay, Tom Coburn, Rick Santorum, Jim Sensenbrennner, Pat Roberston, James Dobson, and so on, then all the power to you. Just keep in mind that if you have a boyfriend or lover or whatever, if it were up to the elected Republicans--including your beloved W--the state could still be marching into your bedroom. Sounds like "freedom" to me. LOL It was those "judicial activists" (sane Republican and Democratic Supreme Court judges) that wackos DeLay, Cornyn and Robertson have been denouncing who ruled correctly in Lawrence v. Kansas. The White House, remember, wanted the sodomy laws upheld....

[ May 08, 2005, 11:05 AM: Message edited by: fantomas ]

Statements like this are why nobody takes you guys seriously. Bill Clinton presided over unprecident economic growth and left office with a huge surplus and that's a "disaster" in your book.

Bush presides over the biggest government ever and the biggest deficits ever but somehow thats ok for you small government guys.
I guess that's about par for a gay republican.

Gay Republican?

I guess I was a Gay Republican and didn't really know it at the time. I voted for Reagan twice. I voted for him because that is what our church said to do to go to Heaven.

Now will I still go to Heaven because I switched parties and became a Democrat?

When I was a Republican I was voting for who I was told to vote for. When I switched to a Democrat it was after studying both parties and their agendas and making a choice on my own as to who I would support.

Being Republican and being gay would go against so many issues I support in my daily life. I had so many issues being gay to start with and coming out of the closet. Why would I want to make those issues even more painful by voting against what I believe in. I had to abandon the self-hate in order to love others.

[ May 09, 2005, 08:55 AM: Message edited by: gadbearr ]

I should really learn to finish reading threads before posting...

But anyway!

I have decided to become a Republican because:

1. I feel I have a Constitutional right to carry an assualt rifle.

2. Gays have no right to marry.

3. Religion needs to be allowed into EVERY sector of American society.

Right... :mad:

[ May 09, 2005, 03:40 PM: Message edited by: metromathis13 ]

OK, all my briefs are done - but not up in knots - and I can get back to this other-worldly thread. In addition to what Eastside* and AlleninSF wrote so well, I first want to respond to Illini's query why no one had mentioned much in the way of gay issues as part of GOPride. Well, for me, that's probably my number one reason for being a GOPer - the vast majority of us gay ones don't wear our sexuality on our sleeves. It IS a highly personal matter, after all, and to the extent that it's a public or political one, I don't like the condescension others attach to it. But this thread is not about trashing opposing views - too many of its fibers notwithstanding - it's about "telling" why we GOPers like the GOP.

Does that mean we're "closeted?" Emphatically not. I like going to GOP meetings, as I will tonite, and having intelligent, focused conversations with people who aren't ashamed of their patriotism and aren't afraid to show it in a stoic, traditional way without breaking down and crying when doing so. I like letting them know, in an off-handed manner midway thru the conversation, and in a non-threatening way, that I'm a gay man - and then afterwards hearing others "get back to me" with stories of how such people are starting to rethink whatever prejudiced attitudes they might have had towards us simply because all they knew of us was what they saw in footage - they ARE rather pedestrian, if not pederastrian when NAMBLA's not given "their place at the table," affairs - from "Pride" parades. I'm proud that I can change people's minds this way and am proud to be part of an organization that, in California at least, if not in most places outside of Texas and parts of the deep South, provides me with a forum for doing so.

I'm also proud to be "where the action is." I like debate and confronting issues and people who present them, and we have plenty of both in the GOP. Not only because we're the party in power right now, but because we have so much to do in getting this party back to its root principles - which I am MUCH more in tune with than any other party's - do we have our work cut out for us. What happens after DeLay gets tossed, as he will? Who will be ready to assume leadership when the majority in the GOP reassert themselves and toss the theocrats out, boosted, as they are, by antics like those of that ridiculous So. Baptist pastor in NC who Bibled his congregation into booting two of its long time members for not supporting President Bush. (Memo to IRS: reconsider their 501ciii exemption.)

I'm also proud to be part of the party of ideals, and a certain romantic, even chivalrous attachment to them. Oh sure, many scoff at these notions, but I don't and I'm proud to be associated and work with people who actually and conscientiously try to put these principles into practice. Does that mean we hanker for a return to the "good old days?" No, that's just another shallow critique from those who've never experienced romance, whether in ideas or in people. It means we know what's in danger of being lost - personal responsibility, true self-respect and self-worth, both of which are earned, never given, a healthy patriotism and a healthy worldview - a res publica sana in corpo sano, if you will - and are willing to work to protect it.

Finally, for now at least because frankly I've spent too much time typing over the past few days, I'm proud to be associated with some truly outstanding people whom I admire. Do I mean Tom DeLay, Judge Pryor and the other bogeymen of the left? Hell, no! I'm talking about people like my friend and fraternity brother Todd Rokita, IN's youngest Sec. of State in its history, who will probably go on to become Governor someday. Or Congressmen Chris Shays, Tom Campbell and others, who really do represent the best and the brightest in my mind, and with whom it's been my privilege and pleasure to work over the last decade. Or some of the outstanding GOP-sprung judges I've practiced before over my career, like Chief Judge Vaughn Walker of the ND of Cal., or Judge Jeff Miller of our own SD federal court or Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Jeff Sutton. Or some of the really talented and independent-minded GOP women I've met: Linda Chavez and yes, my own beloved Ann Coulter. These are just a few of the reasons why I'm proud to be associated with and active in the GOP.

[ May 10, 2005, 04:00 PM: Message edited by: m1 ]

Gmg, I have to say, your post made me smile, but not in a nasty or snide way. I agree with you about ideals. You believe in the ideals of the Republican Party, which you've articulated before (and which are being totally cast aside by the resident of the White House, the Congressional GOP Leadership, and the nutty theocrats among them). As I stated on the Democratic thread, I believe in the ideals of contemporary liberalism (which the DLC, DNC and too many Democrats, like John Kerry, do not uphold). Such ideals were labeled "psychobabble" by someone else on here, but the truth is, some of us do have principles guiding our political actions, though the best national leaders (Lincoln, TR, FDR, Kennedy, Raygun, Clinton, etc.) are to some extent pragmatic. They usually leave the country in better shape than when they took office. Ideologues are often as bad as incompetents, at least in terms of governance, because transcendent ideals cannot be isomorphically* mapped onto reality.

As I've said before, I don't think all Republicans are bad or wrong or wrong-headed. Some do a great job. Others are just dreadful. I hope your friend eventually takes over for the nincompoop who's running Indiana now. He--Daniels--once claimed there was no need whatsoever to raise taxes and indulged the current deficit mania in Washington, then had to confront the reality of governing a state whose laws require a balanced budget, meaning sound economics and not the smoke and mirrors he had grown used to abetting. It's always easy to make claims that don't square with the truth, and people do it on both sides, but I do think there are Republicans who don't believe in targeting gays for electoral gain, who sincerely are against abortion, who do realize that despite their strong religious beliefs that we broke away from a nation where the Church and State were intertwined and do want respect for religion without trying to enshrine it as law. But there are too many at the national level who're craven or ignorant, and could care less about our past, the Constitution, and why both are important for how we live today. They also don't hesitate to scapegoat gays.

Finally, here's one ideal I think the last Democratic president stressed: fiscal responsibility. Now we're told day in and day out that the GOP is the party of fiscal responsibility, and that the Democrats spend like there's no tomorrow. However, according to the conservative New York Post--not to be mistaken for the Washington Post or the New York Times--W is spending like, well, a classic Democrat! "The Party of Bloat." My question is, if this is a key organizing principle of the Republican crowd--and almost EVERY Republican I've ever met mentions this when asked what Republicans stand for, why is there so little outcry over the recklessness of W's economic and fiscal policies? I mean, ideals are ideals.


--
*Not a psychological, but mathematical term.

[ May 09, 2005, 10:44 PM: Message edited by: fantomas ]

FT, thanks for your kind post, which is totally in keeping with the title of these "Why I'm proud" threads. I understand perfectly where you're coming fom - and won't even read any benign condescension into that smile to make it a smirk. But I will ask you this re: your post on the Demo thread: how do we prevent that safety net from becoming a hammock? wink

I agree with you 100% about excess spending by this Admin, but will offer one word in defense of MDaniels: he bucked IN's religious right in the campaign for the general election by very publicly meeting with Indianapolis' LCR chapter and speaking out on their need to be in the GOP. Besides, I knew his sister when she was a Kappa at DePauw. You know, the school that drove Margaret Mead to Polynesia! :cool:

Gmg, I agree with you about the hammock. The way I see it, when our economy is creating a wide array of jobs as occurred in the mid-to-late 1990s, it deincentivizes (I know fellow English teachers and profs will scream at my using this awful term, but) the hammock mentality, crime and whole host of social ills. Pace Steven Levitt and his abortion thesis, it stands to reason that the more options there are for employment, especially for low-skill and low-education workers, the better off we all are. More jobs, more money flowing in the economy, more opportunity, and on and on.

There still will be people who'd like to sit on their ass all day and do nothing, but lack the financial resources to do so--that is, they're not rich. There are people who are mentally ill, people who are addicted to crystal meth or crack or OxyContin (but don't have get-out-free passes like Nicole Bush or Rush Limbaugh), etc. (And the majority, counter to what someone else on here suggested, do not live in inner cities.) Some of these people do NOT want to work. But most people in this society, I think, want to create lives that are fulfilling, and this includes working on a regular basis. Sometimes people fall into a bad place in life due to a range of things, and they don't have the resources or help to pull themselves back up. I'm not a practicing Christian, but one thing I always wonder is, where is the overriding compassion, love, understanding, and care, especially for those down on their luck, the downtrodden, the failed, the struggling, the outcast, that Christ showed? That is a constant in EVERY ONE of the Gospels.

Many on the left harshly--HARSHLY--attacked Clinton for his center-right welfare reform, which he accomplished with a Republican Congress, and the truth is, welfare as we knew it will never be an option in the US. It is in Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Canada, etc., but not here. So it baffles me when some on the right toss it out as if it's still a valid option. Social security, union membership, free public education, funding for our national infrastructure, etc., are NOT welfare. They are meant to protect our common wealth. Burgeoning deficits do nothing to help us survive the challenges of the future.

[ May 10, 2005, 03:11 PM: Message edited by: fantomas ]

"Deincentivizes" is that a word?

Hi Shore, as I said, it's an awful word, but it does appear in books and online.

http://www.google.com/search?num=20&hl=en&...ion&btnG=Search

Also, there's the related term "disincentivize."

English is a vibrant, pragmatic language... :confused:

Gosh, has anyone said why they are proud to be a Republican? Nope. The only posts I've seen are in defense of the Republican party. Now, can anyone out there say WHY they are proud to be Republicans?