Hello my fellow getbiggers. I am a Republican who is getting a bit tired with my party, and I am wondering if this a time for a legit third party to come on the scene to collect most of us who are close to the "center" politically. First, a little background on myself. I am a thirty something white male, who while I have never voted for a Democrat in a presidential or gubernatorial election, have crossed party lines on local and other state government officials. My reasoning for this is because I try to vote with the issues of me and my socioeconomic constituency's best interests in mind.
This does not mean that I do not care about the poor of our country. I donate to charity, last year almost $5,000 and I do a bit of volunteer work as well. While I am a firm believer in capitalism, that you should be rewarded for being better than your competition and that everybody in this country has some sort of chance as long as they put forth the effort, I am not so naïve to believe that some of us may have a better shot than others, and need a bit more help (life isn't fair though). I think that welfare, while good in theory, has the ability to be abused, and is abused on a wide scale and is in need of reform. I really don't think that someone on welfare should be spending their money on steak, shrimp etc., when they are on a shoestring budget in the first place, and that it is most likely those type of reckless fiscal decisions that lead them into that position(i.e. being on welfare/food stamps) in the first place. I do however, feel that they should be entitled to nutritious foods, such as fruits and veggies. Some will probably think that this is overstepping on my part, but I believe if you are on the government dole, that beggars cant be choosers.
Another issue I have with the Republican party is that it has been a majority white only party, and with that the rednecks and racists seem to have latched on and made it their own. I myself would never have some sort of Rebel Flag on my car, and most of who I see sporting them are redneck white trash. It also amazes me, that when some white trash chides Obama and spouts off about how he is taking jobs away, letting in illegals (or whatever their argument for not being employed is) they fail to see themselves as on par with these very ghetto blacks that they so much despise. I am not lumping all blacks into that category mind you, just illustrating the fact that the average white trash does not see himself as part of the problem as well. I do think that the Democratic Party does not do all that they can for the black voter, as they see their vote as a given come election day.
Is there another party to latch onto, is it time for another one to rise? The Libertarian thing seems to get hijacked by potheads, and does not seem to have a fiery leader that can bring about excitement within the party. Your average voter, thus feels they have to choose one or the other in regards to the Republican/Democrat question. There is no compromise between the two, with neither wanting to give any ground, as they think it will be seen as some sort of weakness to give in. Now I am sure there will be some links posted emphasizing this is not true, but those instances are the exception and not the rule.
What say you getbig, can you help me with this? Maybe we can start the new "Getbigger Party"?
