I like Neal. I really do. Don't agree with him on a lot of things, but I like him.

But I'm just about fed up with his constant litany about how spending increased under Bush. Neal, do you remember 9/11? Do you remember the impact it had on our economy? We should thank God that our economy didn't go into complete collapse as a result of the attacks. If increasing goverment spending helped keep that from happening, then so be it.

Also, don't you think that going to WAR might have caused an increase in spending?

1. Am pro-choice
-- So am I but I hate the idea of abortion in its many guises. I choose to educate my daughters and sons about actions having consequences and one of those consequences is preserving a life they might create. By raising my kids to never need an abortion, I would hope that it would become a rare, but still legal, medical procedure...horrid as it may be.
2. I want the government out of the bedroom
--Never had a politician in my bedroom but for the most part whatever you are doing is still pretty much your business. Unless you forget to close the shades.

3. Am pro-gay marriage
--Call it what you want, but the agenda is to normalize an abnormal selective behavior in order to undermine social models, legitimize a minority status and qualify for benefits...which most are getting anyway; which in many cases also directly affects my tax dollars. I could not care who is married to who, but I disagree with their asking for special status based on personal choices; and letting them adopt children (sorry, I do have my personal prejudices) .

4. Oppose efforts to put God, religion, Ten Commandments, creationism, and Jesus into the classroom and Public Square
--Why...what does it harm? If you don’t like the message, don’t acknowledge it (I am less than religious but it never bothered me). Most find solace in such icons, why should they cause derision for those who don’t hold the same beliefs.

5. Am pro-science, including support for stem-cell research.
--But not on my dime. Let those who will benefit financially put up and make it happen and not use my tax dollars. Pfizer and many others can cultivate the science. Happens with pharmaceuticals and procedures all the time.

6. Can't stand anti-intellectual dumb-dumb conservatism (e.g., Sarah Palin)
--Palin probably has more intellect in her hot little bod than the vast majority of our “intellectuals” in Congress today. She has a proven, though occasionally flawed, track record as a leader. She earned her spurs and is more a traditional conservative than any person on the plank today.

I believe in minimizing American involvement in foreign affairs unless there is a clear, unambiguous threat to national security
--except today, the nature of “threat to national security” has changed significantly. If you don’t understand that, and our inexorable ties to global resources, global security, interconnected economies and extended strategic national interests, then you don’t really have a clue.

Rasmussen had a poll of moderates and that is why I said what I did. They realize that Clinton wouldn't have been any better than Obama. Romney maybe, but Ron Paul would have been better for everyone.

Anymore, if you don't do a total buyin on EVERYTHING the Conservatives (Hannity for one) say, then you are not really a Conservative. i asked the question; 'Can i be a Conservative' and got a fair number of "NO!" "You are Conservative enough if that's the way you really are."
You read it and tell me if i can be a Conservative: http://dubyavu.wordpress.com/2009/05/31/can-i-be-a-conservative/

Many observers didn’t realize that could mean people thought the country was going too far left, not right, even with the GOP running the show. I’ve noticed lots of conservative posters everywhere I post over the last four years confused with ‘liberals’ because of their loathing and hatred of President Bush and the “neocons’” liberalism and internationalism. I’m not surprised pollsters and people trying to make sense of them would also get confused. Remember, to most of the dp/msm President Bush was a “right-wing extremist,” (which is laughable, and proof that no matter how far left the GOP goes, they will always be “right wing extremists,” to the dp/msm).

It would be novel if it happened, but nobody can perfectly represent you, so don’t expect it, Secular Conservative. You have to prioritize and pick the candidate or party that best represents you on your biggest issues. It is up to you to decide what you are. While you are deciding (which you should do before you call others dumb-dumb, unless the question was rhetorical), ask yourself which federal government is most likely to impose its’ morals and beliefs on you, whatever they are, a powerful unlimited one, or a small limited one? The government must have power before a politician or bureaucrat can abuse it, or a lobby or special interest on any side can influence it.

A conservative with some sense.

The libertarians can’t capitalize on this because they keep fielding complete isolationists for candidates. It’s one thing to be against foreign entanglements (as was Jefferson in his pre-presidential writings) and another to be a head-in-the-sand isolationist. Jefferson recognized the difference between necessary foreign entanglements and unnecessary ones and went after the state-sponsored pirates of North Africa when it became an intolerable burden on our trade routes in the Mediterranean. The modern Libertarian Party can’t seem to figure that out. Until they do, they won’t crack the 10% mark.

Other than foreign policy I pretty much agree with them, as I suspect most conservatives do.

the US population sure is a fickle bunch.

A fiscally conservative republican elected to congress has the most ethically challenging job of any politician. He or she looks at all the perks, the fawning press, the power, the adulation of the masses, and the groveling and goodies of the special interest groups and lobbyists and, suddenly, voila', they never want it to end. If a conservative republican wants to be invited to the best Washington parties and interviewed by the best newspapers and network reporters, he or she just needs to moderate their views a bit. Bring home some bacon to the special interest groups and lobbyists from your district and suddenly you've got a bunch of money to help you keep the dream alive.
Unfortunately, the people who elected you get tired of your sorry, traitorous ass and stay home on election day.
Thus the story of the current republican party.
No money from me this year.

What I do not understand, is why the Libertarians are not capitalizing on this void left by the GOP. It would seem an opportune time to hit the streets and advertise the party. I think its safe to say there are people who are fed up with the extremes with either Dems or GOP and looking to a party that really aligns itself with what people may really be after.

Speaking of polls, I am running a poll right now:

Of the 3 braindead liberal posts on this board so far, which one takes the cake for being the most mindless:

(a) Voice of Reason
(b) 3mbw
(c) Brian Fantana

Why not start with someone that REALLY wants to lower the spending in Washington?

I agree the Republicants in power do NOT seem like conservatives.

maybe we can convince the true fiscal conservatives to come out of the shadows..

sure cant

which is what makes this so dead on:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-08-12/the-gops-misplaced-rage/full/

and again, reinforces my belief that GWB destroyed the GOP. It's done. Gone. What we're seeing now is the whig party and it will fade into obscurity over the next 5 years.

If you're libertarian and you want a chance at the show, you're not going to get a better shot than 2012.

isn't that what you said during the last election? and the election before that? and the election before that? the poll meisters have an agenda that they want to promote so will asks questions in the a way that they will get the answers that they want?

and you've got polls supporting your side. what's that say about us? or should i say, what's that say about what you think about us? i think that you think we're idiots.

About Democrats: Wah wah wah, we didnt win so everyone else is an idiot.

About RINOs: I voted for him, but I didnt know he would vote that way even though it was obvious that it would happen.

About government spending: If spending American Taxpayers' money on Iraq, then it is good. If spending it on Americans, then it is bad.

About Big Government: ON healthcare it is bad, on the military it is good.

About people: Before they are born they better get bulletproof vests and tons of protection. After they are born, if they are not catholic and not straight, then they deserve no protection

Neal:
What about the survey regarding the percentage of people who are Libertarian. I would like to see those numbers.

If the Repubs get into power again, will they finally get it through their thick heads that they need to be conservatives rather than Democrat Lite? Time after time, whenever the Repubs go with this moderate crap, they lose. Remember just a few short months ago after the elction, the big question within the party was whether they should move more moderte or to the right. As has always been the case, the answer is obvious yet again.