Originally Posted by
Hastings95
Glenn Beck........My parents (who are hardcore conservatives), got me (A liberal, but they don't know it.) his book, "Arguing With Idiots" a few years ago, it was the most insane thing I've ever read.
On topic:
I chose the Liberal: If I were you, I'd do something else entirely (please state in reply). option.
Some background, everyone in my family is hardcore conservative, and all vote Republican. I however, for whatever reason have managed to become a person who tends to view the Democrats as the party of my choice (This forum actually contributed quite a bit to that, along with being exposed to the internet without them looking over my shoulder since I now have my computer in my room).
Now, I'm sure we can all agree that each side has their share of extremists, but in the case of Republicans, I think the over zealous amount of religion influencing political motives, ideas, etc is causing the party to lose many people. (Note: I'm not saying that all Republicans are religious zealots, I'm saying that a very vocal part of the party has been making religious ideals appear to be very important to the party and it has started mixing with politics, and has been for awhile now)
For example, if the Republican dropped the religious aspect they would gain the following votes:
1. Potentially votes from homosexual people, because now the Republican party would be giving them the same rights as the Democrat party, and maybe they prefer the Republican party because of economic reasons.
2. Swing Voters who agree more with the Republican approach to the economy, but had in the past voted Democrat because of the Republicans being socially conservative.
3. Minority groups, who didn't like the social conservative aspect to the Republican party.
4. People who considered voting Republican because of the economy, but didn't like the anti-abortion platform that the current Republican party has.
I could go on, but if the Republican party were to be socially liberal, and drop those who weren't, it would gain votes, especially among swing voters and moderates.
Some may argue, then the social conservatives won't vote for them if they become socially liberal, put it this way, social conservatism needs to die out, it has no place in this day and age, and so the social conservatives can either not vote, vote for the Republican party because they agree with it's economic ideas, or vote for the Democrat party (Which is very improbable, they most likely would still vote Republican).
Anyways, to reiterate my point, the Republican party needs to drop the social conservatism, religion has no place in politics and it's "ideals" don't need to be enforced on those who don't want it, and its "ideals" of social conservatism are not needed (Or wanted, in the case of many) in this day and age.
-From a Flaming Liberal from Texas.