If you are a Repuplican, what are you going to do about it?

[Anonymous]

There is so much waste in the federal government.

Please identify what you consider to be waste at the scale where it could actually influence the Federal budget

The main job of our government is national defense.

Weren't you paying attention to School House Rock as a child?

"We, the People, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and, secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our prosperity do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America."

Seems like "common defense" was only one of the things they had in mind.

But, it has become everything to everyone - much of what they do could be better left to the states

Since I was born and have mostly lived in states that are net exporters of tax dollars, my home would benefit from a change where my tax money stopped going to the residents of states that keep taking it, but, since I actually consider us all to be Americans, and such transfers of wealth are part of the Federal government's role in promoting the general welfare, I believe it's a good thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would never vote for a guy who insists I have a wand stuck up my cooter. No matter what his positions were on the economy, etc.

Planned Parenthood and other safe abortiom clinics require ultrasound for abortion

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From the Tea Party website, these are the core beliefs of the TP:
1. Illegal aliens are here illegally.
2. Pro-domestic employment is indispensable.
3. A strong military is essential.
4. Special interests must be eliminated.
5. Gun ownership is sacred.
6. Government must be downsized.
7. The national budget must be balanced.
8. Deficit spending must end.
9. Bailout and stimulus plans are illegal.
10. Reducing personal income taxes is a must.
11. Reducing business income taxes is mandatory.
12. Political offices must be available to average citizens.
13. Intrusive government must be stopped.
14. English as our core language is required.
15. Traditional family values are encouraged.

So, with which ones do you have a problem? I have to say, these are pretty reasonable to me.

Much of that list I can get on board with. I disagree that gun ownership is "sacred". I disagree that income taxes must end. Disagree that business taxes must be reduced. Maybe SMALL business income taxes should be reduced but corporate subsidies must end. I don't mind encouraging traditional family values but I do mind legislating them. I think it's great if govt wants to ask, "How can we improve our society to make life easier for families and thus help them hold it all together?" Not anti gay, anti gay marriage, anti single mother, anti food stamp, anti abortion, anti birth control. As long as family values manifests itself in homophobia and misogyny, the Tea Party is a no go for too many.

And the list above fails to mention their God awful, blatant racism.

Which number says income taxes must end?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

There is so much waste in the federal government.

Please identify what you consider to be waste at the scale where it could actually influence the Federal budget

All you need to do is look through the newspapers for the past year and see the ridiculous spending and lack of accountability. Social Security being paid to dead people. Food stamp fraud. "Grants" being used to study online dating or the connection between cocaine and the mating habits of quail. There are several departments that could be closed or greatly reduced. All of these things are using OUR tax funds.

The main job of our government is national defense.

Weren't you paying attention to School House Rock as a child?

"We, the People, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and, secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our prosperity do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America."

Seems like "common defense" was only one of the things they had in mind.

I said the MAIN job..... Unfortunately, our government has become a vehicle to "take care" of individuals instead of individuals learning to take care of themselves.

But, it has become everything to everyone - much of what they do could be better left to the states

Since I was born and have mostly lived in states that are net exporters of tax dollars, my home would benefit from a change where my tax money stopped going to the residents of states that keep taking it, but, since I actually consider us all to be Americans, and such transfers of wealth are part of the Federal government's role in promoting the general welfare, I believe it's a good thing.

I disagree. Enough transferring of wealth from the federal government. Once they get their budget under control, I will reconsider my opinion about states "exporting tax dollars."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From the Tea Party website, these are the core beliefs of the TP:
1. Illegal aliens are here illegally.
2. Pro-domestic employment is indispensable.
3. A strong military is essential.
4. Special interests must be eliminated.
5. Gun ownership is sacred.
6. Government must be downsized.
7. The national budget must be balanced.
8. Deficit spending must end.
9. Bailout and stimulus plans are illegal.
10. Reducing personal income taxes is a must.
11. Reducing business income taxes is mandatory.
12. Political offices must be available to average citizens.
13. Intrusive government must be stopped.
14. English as our core language is required.
15. Traditional family values are encouraged.
So, with which ones do you have a problem? I have to say, these are pretty reasonable to me.

This list demonstrates that the oft-repeated platitude of the PP ("The Tea Party is a good thing, but the liberals have painted them with a broad brush and made their issues social--when the Tea Party issues are fiscal." ) is just not true. More than half of the list is not "fiscal" (and 15 wraps in a whole host of separate issues that should be counted individually). Unless you blame the "liberal media" for what is on a TP organization's own website? Plus, I'm gonna need to see some support for # 6. What horseshit.

[Anonymous]

Try the Constitution re: #6. Lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a real shame when people have to resort to electing an alleged criminal as Governor when they had a perfectly nice guy like Cuccinelli willing to do the job.

Do you have any thoughts as to WHY enough people felt more comfortable with McAuliffe than Cuccinelli?

Would you like to start winning elections again? Do you have any insights as to HOW the Republican party might want to revise its current priorities to attract more middle voters? Do you plan to make a big fuss within your party and try get your party back on a winning track?

Seems obvious to me that the problem is the social/religious/sexual/reproduction issues. If you get back on jobs, economy, taxes, defense (national level), that is what people want to hear. Not that sodomy should be illegal.

Thoughts?

Correct. This is almost too blatantly obvious and I'm puzzled as to why the Republican party hasn't been able to figure it out yet. Many, many people now identify as "fiscally conservative" but "socially liberal" - to speak in broad brush terms - and a candidate who acknowledges this fact would win by a landslide in now-purple Virginia.

I usually vote Democrat but I would happily consider a Republican if a reasonable one were presented. I'm glad McAuliffe was able to pull this one out, but the entire campaign was a national joke and completely painful to witness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a republican and I have a hard time voting for tea party candidates. I don't care about social issues at all and I think ALL parties need to stay out of my bedroom. I don't think gays are ruining my marriage. If someone wants to have an abortion, it's their decision.
I'm not a libertarian because I believe in national defense.

I wish Chris Christie was running in VA instead of NJ.

Are you communicating your feelings to your party leadership?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would never vote for a guy who insists I have a wand stuck up my cooter. No matter what his positions were on the economy, etc.

Planned Parenthood and other safe abortiom clinics require ultrasound for abortion

Not because a politician said so. It's a medical issue and not one politicians should be dictating.

[Anonymous]

So back to the original question.... any Republicans on here who are going to try to "take back their party" and convince the leadership to get off social issues?

[Anonymous]

Since I was born and have mostly lived in states that are net exporters of tax dollars, my home would benefit from a change where my tax money stopped going to the residents of states that keep taking it, but, since I actually consider us all to be Americans, and such transfers of wealth are part of the Federal government's role in promoting the general welfare, I believe it's a good thing.

This can't be overstated. So often, I want to say to the Tea Party and "states should do it" supporters, "OK, assholes, you got it. We'll give you what you want. Federal dollars going in cannot exceed federal taxes leaving." Texas would be OK, and probably a couple other red states. The rest would be completely fucked. This map is instructive.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/08/americas-fiscal-union

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try the Constitution re: #6. Lol

Where in the constitution does it say that the government must be downsized?

In any event, #6 was a typo - I meant #9 "Bailout and stimulus plans are illegal."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try the Constitution re: #6. Lol

Are you referring to # 5? See the part of the Constitution that says WELL REGULATED MILITIA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would never vote for a guy who insists I have a wand stuck up my cooter. No matter what his positions were on the economy, etc.

Planned Parenthood and other safe abortiom clinics require ultrasound for abortion

They use those ultrasounds as part of the abortion procedure. They are done for the doctor and there is no requirement for the women to view the ultrasound, for them to make the heartbeat audible, or to wait 24 hours between ultrasound and abortion. The proposed legislation in VA and other states is not intended as a medical step, it's an attempt to make a woman feel guilty about undergoing a legal procedure by pressuring her to listen to the heartbeat and view the ultrasound.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
So, with which ones do you have a problem? I have to say, these are pretty reasonable to me.

How do you reconcile 3 with 10 & 11. How will you pay for this strong military without taxes. How do you reconcile 3 with 6. DOD makes up almost 50% of goernment spending. DOD was the hardest hit agency during sequestration because of its sheer size.

We can have a strong military and still have reduced taxes. There is so much waste in the federal government. The main job of our government is national defense. But, it has become everything to everyone - much of what they do could be better left to the states. So, this explains both of your questions....
In response to a previous poster, the TP has NEVER said NO taxes. They also believe that taxes are essential to provide for a national defense. But, it is ludicrous how our taxes have increased, our government has increased, and it has become less and less efficient. And, by the way, I am a spouse of a government employee.

Okay, what would you cut out? What do you consider not essential to the American people?