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Name:	Summer Lover -	Reply
Subject:	Republicant comments please
Date:	2/24/2010 9:39:44 AM

I hear the "you independent thinkers should just vote Repub", and "you caused the train wreck in DC." This guy is feeding on the public credit card again, why don't you true Republicants help Riley understand responsibility and give us reason to follow you?

URL: Gov Riley's fiscal conservatism

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	Republicant comments please
Date:	2/24/2010 10:59:17 AM

The wonderful politicians in DC decreed that all people should have access to health care, but they did not fully fund the program, Medicaid. That puts states with excess "democrats", those who live off the fat of the land, in a bad situation. All states with loads of these democrats are in trouble, thanks to Congress and whoever was President when Medicaid was passed. Lesson is, don't start something you can't pay for. Same, same, o-BAMA-care.

Name:	lamont -	Reply
Subject:	What's a "Republicant?" - NT
Date:	2/24/2010 11:28:54 AM

Name:	Summer Lover -	Reply
Subject:	Republicant comments please
Date:	2/24/2010 11:39:32 AM

I understand the problems with unfunded mandates, I question why we still keep going back to the trough. Are we going to wait until it gets so bad that martial law is declared before we take tough actions to limit spending? It seems like ALL politicians are just delaying the inevitable so that bad things do not happen on "their watch".

Name:	Summer Lover -	Reply
Subject:	What's a "Republicant?" - NT
Date:	2/24/2010 11:41:53 AM

A Republicant is a member of the party that claims to be for small Government and yet seems to offer choices that are more of the same. See also Dumbacrat - the party who believes all that is Government is good.

Name:	lamont -	Reply
Subject:	Thanks Summer....
Date:	2/24/2010 11:44:20 AM

I guess that explains that.

Name:	MAJ USA RET -	Reply
Subject:	Less and More
Date:	2/24/2010 11:49:48 AM

As a conservative independent, I think some Republicants need to be made to walk the plank. Shelby and Graham come immediately to mind. We need fresh blood... fewer lawyers... more veterans... more doctors... more business professionals.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Ain't it great to be an "independent"?
Date:	2/26/2010 1:24:58 PM

That way you have no real stake in the game and can take potshots with no responsibility for anything. Life is grand.

The fact is there are any number of GOP politicians that stray from fiscal conservatism and other conservative values. Such is life in the big tent and it can be frustrating. What would you do, vote for a Demoncrat just to show those pesky Republicans that don't always meet your unique brand of beliefs? That's what happened in November 2008 and look where that got us.

What you don't seem to get is I would rather work to improve the GOP with better, more conservative candidates. How you think you can accomplish that from the outside cherry picking our problem children is beyond me. And to where will you go? If you are truly a fiscal and/or social conservative, if you believe in limited government, free markets, traditional values, a strong national defense and individual liberty and freedom then the GOP is your only hope, despite its many imperfections and imperfect candidates. Third parties only ensure Demoncrat wins and voting for a Dem out of spite only insures something significantly worse.

Name:	Summer Lover -	Reply
Subject:	Ain't it great to be an "independent"?
Date:	2/26/2010 2:28:13 PM

Actually, I take great exception to the “no real stake in the game”, I guess that means that if we are neither D nor R and not members of EITHER of the “great parties”, that we are second class citizens – OK. As far as limited Government is concerned – although the R’s are supposed to be for limited FISCAL interference, they are FOR meddling in my private life, which is NOT “Limited Government”. I will keep it simple – less Government = more good. The arrogance of BOTH major parties is responsible for most of the problems we have in this great country. Stop blaming the independents, and push YOUR party for TRULY small Government and you WILL get the votes of independents and the Tea Party crowd – simple.

Name:	lamont -	Reply
Subject:	Just Curious......
Date:	2/26/2010 3:02:50 PM

What are those sneaky "Republicants" doing tp your "private life."

Name:	Summer Lover -	Reply
Subject:	Just Curious......
Date:	2/26/2010 3:40:20 PM

None of your d*&% business. ;-) And I will say conservatives rather than Republicants, because in times past, the Dumbacrats were legislating morality. It is none of the Government's business if I drink on Sundays, or if I choose to gamble. I don't understand why it is any of the Government's business to control what goes on in the bedrooms or smoking rooms of consenting adults. Just watch the CF going on in Alabama with regards to Bingo, or the sale of sex toys. What is the purpose of banning these? Prohibition was the jumpstart to organized crime in the U.S., without it perhaps the Chicago Mob would not even be running the White House.

Name:	lamont -	Reply
Subject:	Here's a thought...
Date:	2/27/2010 9:51:52 AM

Buy enough Liquor on Saturday if you wish to drink on Sunday or simply go to one of the thousands of sports bars or reataurants that serve on Sunday.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Ain't it great to be an "independent"?
Date:	2/27/2010 10:46:41 AM

What I mean by no stake in the game is you can sit back and take potshots at both parties as if you had no role in having elected them. Unless you have been asleep at the wheel from the last umpteen decsdes you independents that vote actually almost always have to vote for a GOP or Dem candidate. Then when things don't work out you smugly sit there and blame whatever party upsets you this week as if you had no role in getting them into office. So you high minded independents have no real stake in the game because if a Dem or a GOP politician misbehaves you can stand back, blame the party and act as if you are blameless. I would prefer to be realistic, recognize we have a two-party system and try to work within the party that best represents my ideals, and that's the GOP.

I know you want to be able to buy your booze on Sunday but you know how a representative republic works, the people of Alabama elect politicians that agree with their view that they don't want liquor sales on Sunday. If you don't like it move to a more libertine state that the majority agrees with you. I suspect what really gripes you is that too many citizens of Alabama disagree with you. And by the way, I think banning liquor sales on Sunday is silly but I accept the will of the people and think ahead and buy what I need on Saturday.

The same goes for other social issues that may be important to you. One of the reasons I prefer a limited federal gov't is states can go their own way on social issues. So if you want to wear a dress and makeup and hold hands with another guy then California is your kind of state and maybe Iowa wouldn't be so comfortable for you. If you love lots of government move to the northeast, they have it with the taxes to pay for it. Whatever.

And sure, go ahead and withhold your vote from the GOP candidate because they are not ideal.....there are plenty of Obama's waiting to get elected while you high-minded independents either go with the wind or decide to punish the GOP because they are not "perfect" so you enable the election of something much worse. How that makes sense is completely beyond me.

Name:	MAJ USA RET -	Reply
Subject:	Ain't it great to be an "independent"?
Date:	2/27/2010 1:01:12 PM

Uh... MM, yes, it is. Once upon a time I was a Republican. But, the Republican Party isn’t interested in the kind of government I want. They mouthed the words and promised a “Contract with America.” I was excited about that… at last, the Republicans would be looking out for us. But, they abdicated that contract. Instead, we got more of the same… that is MORE government… and MORE deficits. The Republicans talked the talk, but then didn’t walk the walk.

I have voted for a Democrat governor. I voted for one who was fiscally responsible (Bredesen) as opposed to the corrupt Republican incumbent (Sunquist). I wasn’t sorry I did it. He did… and is still doing… exactly what he said he’d do. The Republicans are afraid I might do something like that again… and I surely might. If a good ol’ southern Democrat runs against Shelby… well, there you go.

A “conservative” independent is one who has been disaffected by the Republican Party. A “liberal” independent is one who has been disaffected by the Democrat Party. Before we independents bailed on party lines, our views were taken for granted by our parties. NOW we see that our voices are being heard and the parties are jettisoning their extremist planks and listening to voices outside the beltway. Both parties are moderating and modifying their positions to court our votes. I LIKE THAT!

I am for what’s good for America. I don’t give a d@mn about what’s good for either party. And that’s the attitude I take into the polling booth.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Ain't it great to be an "independent"?
Date:	2/27/2010 2:17:35 PM

Maj: The following doesn't apply to you but it does to a great number of independents.....

Yes Republicans went astray and gave us hundreds of billions in new debt so independents went for Obama/Reid/Pelosi and we have over a trillion in new debt, attempted takeover of health care, nationalizing two of our three auto manufacturers, etc. Boy, those independents sure showed the GOP. Way to go independents!

This one does apply to you and others like SummerLover.....

My whole point is there is no moral superiority in defecting from the GOP versus trying to fix it from within. I say you can do more good staying in the GOP and participating in nominating true conservatives than bolting the party. Explain to me how your approach is better than mine, especially when you end up having to vote for a GOP candidate 99% of the time because the Demoncrats are significantly worse.

I understand your anger with the GOP because believe me I share it. I just think you and the others are wrongheaded with this self declaration of being independent and punishing the GOP rather than trying to fix it.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Ain't it great to be an "independent"?
Date:	2/27/2010 2:19:25 PM

Name:	Mack -	Reply
Subject:	Ain't it great to be an "independent"?
Date:	2/27/2010 4:06:31 PM

MM- you paint with a very broad brush.
I am registered GOP, but I try to stay informed before an election so that I will not automatically pull the Republican Ticket lever. The smell coming from DC in the last 20 years has originated with representatives from both sides.
Let's hope that the 2010 and 2012 elections have so many staunch conservative candidates on both sides that it will be difficult to choose. I for one will continue to vote independent of party. If that makes me an "Independent", so be it.

Name:	MAJ USA RET -	Reply
Subject:	Ain't it great to be an "independent"?
Date:	2/27/2010 9:01:40 PM

Quote MM: “My whole point is there is no moral superiority in defecting from the GOP versus trying to fix it from within.”

Fix it from within… who are you kidding? I get the same ol’ patronizing cr@p from the Republican party. They keep chanting a mantra that they don’t follow. I have bought into that for the last time. Now, they have to EARN my respect. They weren’t listening when I was a registered Republican. Viola! They ARE listening to independents.

NO! I had no voice to change the Republican Party from within. So, I chose to be an American FIRST and an ORIGINALIST second… and the Republican Party be d@mned!

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Ain't it great to be an "independent"?
Date:	2/28/2010 8:34:53 AM

One area we agree is I don't financially support the RNC or the other GOP nationsl organizations as they all too often go astray as they did in NY-23. I support individual candidates, all of whom are Republicans and most of whom don't reside in the area where I live. But make no mistake, I will always vote for the lesser of two evils and in my entire life that has always been the GOP candidate. You mention one Dem candidate you voted for and I have to say I don't know him but I can assure you I have never been presented with a Dem that comes even close to an imperfect GOP candidate. But even if I did and voted for him or her I would not call myself an independent.

And you say the GOP is listening to Independents. I say they are listening to conservatives and if they do and respond appropriately they will attract conservative independents back. For many of them that out of anger they took a hope on change I think this is a good illustration of their foolishness.

I understand your anger at the GOP but at the end of the day you will still have to vote Republican 99% of the time because you are conservative and 99% of the time the GOP candidate is going to be closer to what you believe. To withold your vote out of anger is to give you something worse.

Name:	Summer Lover -	Reply
Subject:	Ain't it great to be an "independent"?
Date:	2/28/2010 10:11:02 AM

What we independents can and will do is vote against a party candidate if we feel the other is more closely aligned with our thoughts on the critical issues, whatever that may be. As far as moving - I am quite happy living in Alabama, and all I am asking for is freedom for the PEOPLE of the state to be allowed more say in regulations or the lack thereof. I guess where you and i diverge is that I feel that WE (all the people) should have more freedoms. The problem with the two parties is that "what is best for the party is best for the country", the citizens be d@%#ed. I guess the simple question is - do you believe in smaller Government interference or more. If the answer is less, I would suggest a change in the direction of YOUR party. I have voted for more Republicant candidates than Democrap or Libertarian, and never for a Green, if you want me to continue that trend, simply push for LESS Government.

Name:	Summer Lover -	Reply
Subject:	Here's a thought...
Date:	2/28/2010 10:18:07 AM

I do keep a stock at home, and seldom go out to drink. My wife and I do not smoke and do not like being indoors around people who do - although being outside with a few smokers is not a problem, and we have several friends and a family member who are smokers. I just want to know why anyone who claims to be for smaller Government (picture the Republican party), can allow more restrictions on our freedoms, especially if it does not affect them.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Ain't it great to be an "independent"?
Date:	3/1/2010 11:54:59 PM

Look, I share your view about less government. But unless you think there should be no government, i.e., anarchy, then some government is not only necessary but good. You have decided what constitutes your version of less government and I have mine. As I said, I agree that banning liquor sales on Sunday is dumb but it is obvious that the voters of Alabama don't agree with you on that score or they would have voted in politicians promising liquor on Sunday. Just deal with it and stop blaming the GOP for giving them what they want, that is why it is called a representative republic. If that issue is so important to you start a statewide initiative or create a PAC whose sole purpose it is to eliminate those laws. If enough people are like minded you will get what you desire. I suspect you won't because Alabama is a fairly religious state on the whole and they want you to buy your beer the day before or the day after Sunday.

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