You seem to be a very intelligent and experienced individual. Yet you are a republican I was hoping you could write a few words to show me the other side of the republican party. As far as I know, republicans are right-wings who strongly support in religion, those with money, etc...

There is no way I can wade thru all the bullshit to find out what both parties really represent, so I'm looking to you to give me the alternate view, the cons on democrats and pros on republicans. Thanks.

"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule."
--H.L. Mencken

supporting those with money would be better stated as not penalizing those with money

The other bros have touched on some of what I believe. I generally do vote the "Big R" although I subscribe to many libertarian viewpoints as well.

I am not an enormous fan of organized religion. Religion is man's implementation of how we should have faith. I don't need another man to tell me that. Honestly, I believe both parties pander to religious organizations more than they honestly believe what they are saying.

I served in the military for a few years also. The defense budget is something that liberals are always trying to reduce. This is despite the fact that every conventional unit is undermanned, underequipped and the military is underpaid. This, combined with the current adminstration's mishandling of military deployments (Somalia: 18 Rangers dead for WHAT? Bosnia - why are we there? - and now Clinton is entertaining sending troops to East Timor. East Fucking Timor?!) I see many democrats as really just being clueless on military matters, and that is important to me.

I am sick of watching Hillary Clinton (I'm in NY) and Al Gore say we need to spend still MORE money on the public schools of this nation. Wrong answer bitch! I like the voucher idea - I would like to see the governemnt out of the education business entirely.

Lastly, the democrats are the party of the handout. Ideas that were institued in the Great Depression are still here and are outdated. Equality, in Latin, is "the absence of quality".

I really resent the fact that I have to work until April each year for others. Taht is roughly the percentage of taxes I pay now. Gore comes out and advocates all kinds of new programs. Who is paying for these programs? I am! And so are the rest of you. I truly disdian the idea of giving my money to others.

Simply put, I see goverment as existing to provide MINIMAL services to its people. Minimal services means minimal governemnt. Services like a defense force, and law enforcement. (State and local governements). What I cannot stand ids the idea that givernment should do more than that.

I don't claim that Bush is the ideal candidate. In fact, Alan Keyes was the most intelligent candidate in either party's primary. But I can't stand Democrats.

It is important that you vote.

All I would ever ask is that you make the most informed decision. I hope you vote the Big R, but find out as much as you can and make your choice.

Ask your Mom why she is voting for Gore. In all likelihood, she will probably begin an attack on Bush.

You may also want to read Dirk Diggler's post about a long time Gore fundraiser leaving to join Bush.