Am I a RINO?

[AlwaysGreenAlwaysWhite]

I had this conversation with a buddy after watching The Newsroom on Sunday and SPCA's post just reminded me of it...

Essentially, I feel like my generation is socially liberal in most cases... At least those of us not sheltered at current. When social issues are brought up here, I don't even like discussing them because I'm disinterested... They simply don't matter in the grand scheme of things...

My affinity for the Republican party stems from my family at a younger age and because quite simply, the Democratic party isn't going to help me in the long run. If anything, I feel longstanding Democratic leadership in positions of power would hurt me and any future people I care/will care about... I could talk about the why's, the how's but all that is inconsequential... It's simply MY belief...

I said that to say this... If I simply choose not to voice my opinion on issues I feel are unimportant, or if I disagree with you about issues I personally feel are unimportant, even though you may hold them in the utmost importance...But I agree with you on issues we both feel are important, how can you call me a RINO?

The same conversation piece holds true to conservatives being called liberals/crypto-liberals/etc...

Just curious...

[PlumberKhan]

To Jungle Flush Jet, yes.

To normal folks, no.

[southparkcpa]

Originally Posted by AlwaysGreenAlwaysWhite

I had this conversation with a buddy after watching The Newsroom on Sunday and SPCA's post just reminded me of it...

Essentially, I feel like my generation is socially liberal in most cases... At least those of us not sheltered at current. When social issues are brought up here, I don't even like discussing them because I'm disinterested... They simply don't matter in the grand scheme of things...

My affinity for the Republican party stems from my family at a younger age and because quite simply, the Democratic party isn't going to help me in the long run. If anything, I feel longstanding Democratic leadership in positions of power would hurt me and any future people I care/will care about... I could talk about the why's, the how's but all that is inconsequential... It's simply MY belief...

I said that to say this... If I simply choose not to voice my opinion on issues I feel are unimportant, or if I disagree with you about issues I personally feel are unimportant, even though you may hold them in the utmost importance...But I agree with you on issues we both feel are important, how can you call me a RINO?

The same conversation piece holds true to conservatives being called liberals/crypto-liberals/etc...

Just curious...

Dude if you are referring to me it is SPCPA not SPCA, GOT IT!


I agree with your post. My opinion is formed from the private sector to whom I work for and try to help. Government, IMO, should never be able to provide a situation which exceeds the level available to those whom they govern and pay for it.

[chiefst2000]

Originally Posted by AlwaysGreenAlwaysWhite

I had this conversation with a buddy after watching The Newsroom on Sunday and SPCA's post just reminded me of it...

Essentially, I feel like my generation is socially liberal in most cases... At least those of us not sheltered at current. When social issues are brought up here, I don't even like discussing them because I'm disinterested... They simply don't matter in the grand scheme of things...

My affinity for the Republican party stems from my family at a younger age and because quite simply, the Democratic party isn't going to help me in the long run. If anything, I feel longstanding Democratic leadership in positions of power would hurt me and any future people I care/will care about... I could talk about the why's, the how's but all that is inconsequential... It's simply MY belief...

I said that to say this... If I simply choose not to voice my opinion on issues I feel are unimportant, or if I disagree with you about issues I personally feel are unimportant, even though you may hold them in the utmost importance...But I agree with you on issues we both feel are important, how can you call me a RINO?

The same conversation piece holds true to conservatives being called liberals/crypto-liberals/etc...

Just curious...

You are part of the new younger generation of Republicans. Some hardcore types would use the term RINO to disparage any R voters that aren't socially conservative. I think personally that the social conservatives are the RINO's. Those one issue anti-abortion type voters are not the true conservatives IMO. Real conservatives espouse smaller government and fiscal responsibility. They value personal freedom above reliance on government. I guess in a way the philosophy more accurately describes libertarians vs conservatives.

After writing this up my conclusion is that you and I and those that have similar views are part of the TEA Party/Libertarian wing of the GOP.

[PlumberKhan]

Originally Posted by chiefst2000

I think personally that the social conservatives are the RINO's. Those one issue anti-abortion type voters are not the true conservatives IMO...

Never thought of it that way...

[AlwaysGreenAlwaysWhite]

Originally Posted by chiefst2000

You are part of the new younger generation of Republicans. Some hardcore types would use the term RINO to disparage any R voters that aren't socially conservative. I think personally that the social conservatives are the RINO's. Those one issue anti-abortion type voters are not the true conservatives IMO. Real conservatives espouse smaller government and fiscal responsibility. They value personal freedom above reliance on government. I guess in a way the philosophy more accurately describes libertarians vs conservatives.

After writing this up my conclusion is that you and I and those that have similar views are part of the TEA Party/Libertarian wing of the GOP.

Solid post. Thanks for responding...

And sorry CPA

[Warfish]

Originally Posted by chiefst2000

You are part of the new younger generation of Fiscal Conservatives-Social Liberals

Fixed your post. Social Liberals have no place in (R). Just look at the Official Party Platform.

Some hardcore types would use the term RINO to disparage any R voters that aren't socially conservative.

Funny, I use it to bemoan (R) who run on conservative fiscal and defense principles, then Govern in a way directly counter to them.

Like G.W. Bush, for example.

Like I fear (and believe) Romney will be.

I think personally that the social conservatives are the RINO's.

I will enjoy watching you and Flushing debate this point.

Real conservatives espouse smaller government and fiscal responsibility. They value personal freedom above reliance on government. I guess in a way the philosophy more accurately describes libertarians vs conservatives.

I was going to say, sounds like you're describing Libertarians, not Republcians.

After writing this up my conclusion is that you and I and those that have similar views are part of the TEA Party/Libertarian wing of the GOP.[/QUOTE]

[JetPotato]

My question to you is:

Why do you care whether you're labeled that or not? You don't need anyone's approval. Your ideals are your ideals. They may overlap with one party's platform or the other more or less. It will constantly change. Vote accordingly.

The only label that defines you is your name.

The only parties I'm interested in serve booze

[quantum]

Interesting topic

Not that I know the answer.

I'm fiscal and defense conservative; "pragmatist" on everything else. I'm against abortion for humanist reasons as well as religious, but also common sense reasons ("its not life" is semantic nonsense).

A candidate who voted for gay marriage would not be denied my vote for that reason (although I'm against gay marriage, but not for religious reasons).

I'm in the Tea Party, but don't agree with everything my fellow TPers believe in.


Rarely are things black and white in this life.

[doggin94it]

Originally Posted by quantum

Interesting topic

Not that I know the answer.

I'm fiscal and defense conservative; "pragmatist" on everything else. I'm against abortion for humanist reasons as well as religious, but also common sense reasons ("its not life" is semantic nonsense).

A candidate who voted for gay marriage would not be denied my vote for that reason (although I'm against gay marriage, but not for religious reasons).

I'm in the Tea Party, but don't agree with everything my fellow TPers believe in.


Rarely are things black and white in this life.

You lie.

[parafly]

If you are socially liberal and fiscally conservative, your views are poorly represented by the Republican Party. They have been failing on both of these fronts for many years.

In a literal sense of the phase, you are a Republican In Name Only.

[southparkcpa]

Originally Posted by parafly

If you are socially liberal and fiscally conservative, your views are poorly represented by the Republican Party. They have been failing on both of these fronts for many years.

In a literal sense of the phase, you are a Republican In Name Only.

Interesting and IMO thats why the Tea party was born.

Bush, as an example of republicans, spent money like a liberal and set the party back 30 years.

[doggin94it]

Originally Posted by parafly

If you are socially liberal and fiscally conservative, your views are poorly represented by the Republican Party. They have been failing on both of these fronts for many years.

In a literal sense of the phase, you are a Republican In Name Only.

Yep. You are, like me, party-less.

[chiefst2000]

Originally Posted by parafly

If you are socially liberal and fiscally conservative, your views are poorly represented by the Republican Party. They have been failing on both of these fronts for many years.

In a literal sense of the phase, you are a Republican In Name Only.

Indeed but unfortunately we are a living in a two party system. Like it or not one needs to prioritize. The democrats don't even pretend to be interested in fiscal restraint. Republicans in the past have said one thing and governed in another way. Bush's brand of compassionate conservatism brought us more spending and pork.

If you wipe away the media lies and propaganda the reality is that the TEA Party is born of the frustration fiscal conservatives had with both parties. They have done a great job holding politicians accountable for broken promises RE: small government fiscal conservatism.

[chiefst2000]

Originally Posted by JetPotato

My question to you is:

Why do you care whether you're labeled that or not? You don't need anyone's approval. Your ideals are your ideals. They may overlap with one party's platform or the other more or less. It will constantly change. Vote accordingly.

The only label that defines you is your name.

The only parties I'm interested in serve booze

The concept of fiscal responsibility is completely foreign to the progressive liberals heading up the Democrat party at the moment. Since anyone that values responsible small government has a philosophy that is the antithesis of what the D party is about they are left with little choice. I have confidence that the TEA Party is keeping the current crop of GOP candidates in check. Look at the "stars" of the party speaking at the convention.

Christie, Walker, Kasich, Paul Ryan, Jindal, Nikki Haley, Cruz, all folks embraced by the TEA party as small government types. Christie is not even socially conservative. Romney is not either. These are responsible government types.

Contrast that with the socialistapalooza lineup for the D convention. There is a stark contrast.

[parafly]

Originally Posted by chiefst2000

Indeed but unfortunately we are a living in a two party system. Like it or not one needs to prioritize.

The only way to change the failing two party system is to use the power of your vote accordingly.

If you wipe away the media lies and propaganda the reality is that the TEA Party is born of the frustration fiscal conservatives had with both parties. They have done a great job holding politicians accountable for broken promises RE: small government fiscal conservatism.

Can you give any examples of their "great job?" For all intents and purposes, nothing has changed. At the federal level, we are spending more than ever. Policy wise, they are a mirror image of Republicans but focus their rhetoric on fiscal issues.

[chiefst2000]

Originally Posted by parafly

The only way to change the failing two party system is to use the power of your vote accordingly.



Can you give any examples of their "great job?" For all intents and purposes, nothing has changed. At the federal level, we are spending more than ever. Policy wise, they are a mirror image of Republicans but focus their rhetoric on fiscal issues.

I have plenty of examples. For starters the GOP controlled house has been passing budgets and bills designed to reign in on spending and reduce the size of government. In the debt ceiling debacle they were able to get over a trillion in cuts over 10 years without raising taxes. There is only so much you can do controlling 1/3 of the executive branch. More importantly they have been ousting incumbents galore in favor of true fiscal conservative alternatives. That is the key. When GOP Pols fear the consequences of their broken promises they will be motivated not to break them. The GOP voters had never had an enforcement mechanism in place to punish pols that break their word on small government principals. Now they do. I'm optimistic about the whole thing as long as the progressive libs are removed from power. The mandate will be set to do what Christie is doing in NJ and Walker in WI and Kasich in OH etc and bring it to the federal level.

Paul Ryan, a TEA Party icon and as fiscally conservative as anyone is on the ticket for goodnes sakes.

[PlumberKhan]

Originally Posted by chiefst2000

Paul Ryan, a TEA Party icon and as fiscally conservative as anyone is on the ticket for goodnes sakes.

He had his hand elbow-deep in the bag of free money just as much as the next shady senator.

[JetsCrazey]

Republican means whatever you want it to mean.
These political parties are not vehicles for ideals and good government.
They are machines, ways for individuals to gain power. Nothing more.

[SafetyBlitz]

I thought the term RINO had more to do with spending and size of government than social issues?

I guess each fragment of the GOP, whether it be Ron Paul's libertarians, Santorum's religious conservatives or the Romney/Christie American exceptionalism types would view each other as RINO's.

I think JetPotato hit the nail on the head - people will classify you however they like, but you'll likely never find a party or candidate that completely, or even mostly, matches your views. We're all essentially voting the lesser of two evils.