I'm seriously considering renouncing the Republican party

[thewise1]

Some would accuse me of never being a real Republican anyway (especially in local Republican leadership), but I just can't be a part of it anymore. I've worked to help them on a local level - I am a precinct committee officer and I've door-belled to help out when I was able - but all they do is call names because I support Ron Paul.

1) I'm sick of being told I'm not welcome in the Republican tent because I refuse to go down the ballot and vote for the (R)'s
2) I'm sick of local Republicans main defense for Republican wrongdoing: "But if it was a Democrat, they would have done the same thing!"
3) I'm sick of being called a Ronulan, Paulistinian, Paulbearer, or other such childish insults by people that are running my local Republican party.
4) I'm sick of candidates that claim they stand for limited government and fiscal responsibility either doing the opposite (on the national level) or maintaining status quo when they get in power (locally) instead of massively cutting spending and programs. If the people are too socialist to elect folks that will so what a real conservative does, then let them elect their socialists, and they will either fail - per my belief - and people will switch back to fiscal responsibility, or they will do well, in which case I guess we all benefit, right?
5) Most of all, I'm sick of not having any candidates (except one, I guess) that I can vote for in good conscience.

As a result I'm thinking about switching to and volunteering to help the Libertarian Party. In the past I've identified with them, and I do consider myself a lowercase L libertarian, so it's not a big stretch. I'm also considering a run for office on the city level where I live - a part time sort of thing.

I may not be able to win as a Libertarian, and I may not get the candidates I want in office, but at least I'd be among friends. I was so excited to get involved in the political process 8 months ago, but now I'm kinda jaded about the whole thing. I think there's so much potential for good change; but I'm certainly not bringing it about with what I'm currently doing.

Thoughts? I don't presume to be important enough that people will care really, I just felt like I had to get it out there. I'd post it on the local blogs but I don't want to deal with Craigslist R&R style intelligence in the responses.

[motivez]

I've never considered you a Republican, and I find it hard to believe you would have considered yourself a member of the party for awhile now.. they don't stand for anything you seem to espouse on the site except maybe Christian morals, but even then they're only paying lip service to it on even numbered years as a way to turn out people to the polls.

With the exception of Paul, they're not really conservative in the definition of the word that you'd agree with. They're neo-conservatives.

The last thing they want is to really accomplish any of their goals, constitutional amendments banning gay marriage, making abortion illegal, etc.. because it'd lose them the wedge issues they've been so successful at turning people out to the polls with.

I think it's a good decision for you personally, the LP is definitely more in line with how I view your political beliefs (though I suppose I'm being a little presumptuous), and while you may not agree with all of their platform, I'd be willing to bet money that you'll agree with far more of it.

I have a feeling the LP after this cycle will really begin to gather steam.. if Paul comes out and works hard for someone like Barr, IMO they could become a true national party.

I think running for office would be an interesting experience. The biggest issue is that so many people are all about voting a straight party ticket, you'd have to work really hard to overcome that issue.. certainly more so than you would if you remained a R and then switched once you were in office.

ps, Paulbearer? ..haven't heard that one before

[Smull]

I sorta know where your coming from, I'm somewhat torn between Libertarianism and Republicanism as well, though I haven't given it nearly as much thought as you since I'm not involved in politics other than my studies (political science major).

I made a post earlier in the week about how I basically think that the Republican party will suffer a huge loss this fall, and be forced to rethink itself. If you have that kind of time, I would wait it out and see if the Republican Party makes any real effort to adjust it self to your views. On the other hand you could be a real part of that effort, the local Republicans may be more open to your views if they lose big and need some new ideas to reinvigorate the party. Though, a lot of this might be a lot different at the local level, do you live in a heavily Republican area, are there a lot of Independents?

If you plan on making a decision on this before November though, I would look very hard at how much of a presence the Libertarians have locally. If its not much, I think your probably better off trying to reform the Republican Party from the inside.

Best of luck, and keep us updated!

[kombayn]

^I agree. If you live in a heavy-handed Libertarian Party area, work with them. If not, start finding like-minded people (Paul Supporters, Limited Government Supporters, Sane People, etc.) and try to reform the Republican Party from the inside. You'd be surprised how well the Ron Paul Supporters are doing at State Conventions to reform their state Republican Parties.

[thewise1]

Originally Posted by kombayn

^I agree. If you live in a heavy-handed Libertarian Party area, work with them. If not, start finding like-minded people (Paul Supporters, Limited Government Supporters, Sane People, etc.) and try to reform the Republican Party from the inside. You'd be surprised how well the Ron Paul Supporters are doing at State Conventions to reform their state Republican Parties.

I don't think Washington has a very strong libertarian presence, although it has a strong libertarian streak. A lot of Ron Paul folks are sticking around in the Republican party, but for the reasons I listed, I'm not sure I want to be there. I'm not sure they can be redeemed, honestly.

[kombayn]

Washington State GOP passes anti-war resolution - Ron Paul Forums

I think they're already on the right track. It won't happen overnight. You have to fight and keep active. You have to be an activist! It takes a lot of commitment, but there is an LP of Washington.

Libertarian Party of Washington State

[thewise1]

Originally Posted by kombayn

Washington State GOP passes anti-war resolution - Ron Paul Forums

I think they're already on the right track. It won't happen overnight. You have to fight and keep active. You have to be an activist! It takes a lot of commitment, but there is an LP of Washington.

Libertarian Party of Washington State

Yeah, I'm aware of that - the local republican blogs are furious about the resolution - maybe that's a good sign. I would consider myself an activist, but maybe I'm just at a low point, I dunno.

As for the LPWA website, I was just there earlier - they still have candidate information for Bruce Guthrie (a really nice guy, btw, I've talked to him a few times) who ran for US Senate in 2006 :\