Comments on: Republicans Can Do Better: The Long View of an Election http://inamirrordimly.com/2008/11/02/republicans-can-do-better-the-long-view-of-an-election/ An imperfect and sometimes sarcastic perspective on following Jesus by Ed Cyzewski. Tue, 22 May 2012 18:37:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: ed http://inamirrordimly.com/2008/11/02/republicans-can-do-better-the-long-view-of-an-election/comment-page-1/#comment-1916 ed Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:40:17 +0000 http://inamirrordimly.com/2008/11/02/republicans-can-do-better-the-long-view-of-an-election/#comment-1916 Thanks for your comments Mike. I suppose I should have been a bit more blunt. If it's conservatism that's guiding Republicans away from addressing climate change, poverty, and health care, then I think the conservatism of Republicans is the problem here. While I want to see abortion done away with, we need to talk about more than abortion. We could talk about Saddam's regime, but I still disagree with Bush's approach and McCain's follow up plans. I'm not sure what I'm missing on the environment. However, I think the Democrats have a better understanding of the issues and have real plans. So while I don't want conservatives to become liberals, I think the liberals are dealing with the real issues. Instead of simply acting like global warming isn't happening, ignoring renewable, clean energy, using bombs instead of education and diplomacy to deal with terrorists, and dropping the ball on health care, I'd like to see how Republicans would actually do something about these issues. So while my list of issues may look very liberal, I'd like to hear how a conservative would address them, instead of simply saying, "What we really need to talk about is William Ayers." I'm not saying I agree with everything coming from the Democrats, but I think they're on to something and I wish the Republicans did a better job of addressing these deeply moral issues. And on abortion, I'd say Obama is just as likely to reduce abortion in some sense, though I have my reservations about his record. He has said: "I don't know anybody who is pro-abortion. I think people recognize what a wrenching, difficult issue it is… Our goal should be to make abortion less common, that we should be discouraging unwanted pregnancies, that we should encourage adoption wherever possible." - Christianity Today interview, January 2008" Have a look at Tony Campolo's take: http://blog.beliefnet.com/godspolitics/2008/09/in-books-and-speeches-i.html All that to say, while I'm registered independent, I am far more impressed with the Democrats this year. It's about issues for me and I'm giving my take on which issues are most important. At this point, I don't see the Republicans stepping up to the plate, and John McCain has definitely failed to step up to the plate with solid plans and policies in these areas. Each voter has to decide which issues matter most and decide accordingly. For myself, the Democrats make it an easy decision this year. Thanks for your comments Mike.

I suppose I should have been a bit more blunt. If it’s conservatism that’s guiding Republicans away from addressing climate change, poverty, and health care, then I think the conservatism of Republicans is the problem here. While I want to see abortion done away with, we need to talk about more than abortion. We could talk about Saddam’s regime, but I still disagree with Bush’s approach and McCain’s follow up plans. I’m not sure what I’m missing on the environment. However, I think the Democrats have a better understanding of the issues and have real plans. So while I don’t want conservatives to become liberals, I think the liberals are dealing with the real issues.

Instead of simply acting like global warming isn’t happening, ignoring renewable, clean energy, using bombs instead of education and diplomacy to deal with terrorists, and dropping the ball on health care, I’d like to see how Republicans would actually do something about these issues. So while my list of issues may look very liberal, I’d like to hear how a conservative would address them, instead of simply saying, “What we really need to talk about is William Ayers.”

I’m not saying I agree with everything coming from the Democrats, but I think they’re on to something and I wish the Republicans did a better job of addressing these deeply moral issues.

And on abortion, I’d say Obama is just as likely to reduce abortion in some sense, though I have my reservations about his record. He has said:
“I don’t know anybody who is pro-abortion. I think people recognize what a wrenching, difficult issue it is… Our goal should be to make abortion less common, that we should be discouraging unwanted pregnancies, that we should encourage adoption wherever possible.” – Christianity Today interview, January 2008″

Have a look at Tony Campolo’s take:
http://blog.beliefnet.com/godspolitics/2008/09/in-books-and-speeches-i.html

All that to say, while I’m registered independent, I am far more impressed with the Democrats this year. It’s about issues for me and I’m giving my take on which issues are most important. At this point, I don’t see the Republicans stepping up to the plate, and John McCain has definitely failed to step up to the plate with solid plans and policies in these areas. Each voter has to decide which issues matter most and decide accordingly. For myself, the Democrats make it an easy decision this year.

]]> By: mike duran http://inamirrordimly.com/2008/11/02/republicans-can-do-better-the-long-view-of-an-election/comment-page-1/#comment-1915 mike duran Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:23:52 +0000 http://inamirrordimly.com/2008/11/02/republicans-can-do-better-the-long-view-of-an-election/#comment-1915 Hi, Ed! While I agree a good "thumping" would probably benefit Republicans in the long run, I disagree with your assessment about why. John McCain is not a true conservative and, from my perspective, it's one of the reasons the base has been un-enthused and he'll probably lose this election. Staying to the right is what Republicans need to learn, not going further middle, as you suggest. In fact, the reasons you cite for your disenchantment sound, strangely, like liberal talking points. For example, you mention the thousands who have perished in Iraq and Afghanistan, the civilian causalities, those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders, and prisoners being tortured, but never once mention the freedoms rendered to those who were brutalized by Saddam's tyrannical rule. A similar myopia is evident when you address the issues of abortion and global warming. Selecting pro-life Supreme Court justices may have been the "only" thing Bush did end abortion, but it is the most important thing. Are you suggesting the unborn will benefit more from an Obama appointment? While I agree that no party has the corner of the market on truth, your arguments are for more tilted toward the Left than the middle. Anyway, thanks for the post! Hi, Ed! While I agree a good “thumping” would probably benefit Republicans in the long run, I disagree with your assessment about why. John McCain is not a true conservative and, from my perspective, it’s one of the reasons the base has been un-enthused and he’ll probably lose this election. Staying to the right is what Republicans need to learn, not going further middle, as you suggest. In fact, the reasons you cite for your disenchantment sound, strangely, like liberal talking points. For example, you mention the thousands who have perished in Iraq and Afghanistan, the civilian causalities, those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders, and prisoners being tortured, but never once mention the freedoms rendered to those who were brutalized by Saddam’s tyrannical rule. A similar myopia is evident when you address the issues of abortion and global warming. Selecting pro-life Supreme Court justices may have been the “only” thing Bush did end abortion, but it is the most important thing. Are you suggesting the unborn will benefit more from an Obama appointment? While I agree that no party has the corner of the market on truth, your arguments are for more tilted toward the Left than the middle. Anyway, thanks for the post!

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