In my early years of political activism I was a radical and then as I got older I became a Republican, but a liberal republican….that soon went the way of the dinosaur as the GOP was hijacked by the extreme right wing and there was nothing about the GOP that appealed to me…after the hijacking of the party I became basically…a social democrat…for lack of a better title….but I always hoped that the GOP would reverse its course…so far I have been disappointed.
We hear all about the conservative Blue Dog Dems, but I wanted to know if there were such a beast as a liberal Repub. If so, what would they believe in? What would be their stance on certain issues?
After doing a little research, I hit the Google button and here is what I found:
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Step 1
Trust in a women’s right to choose. Roe vs. Wade was a landmark decision that gave a woman the right to choose her own destiny. This country’s basic tenets are freedom and liberty. The Liberal Republican understands this and supports, defends and trusts in this right to choose.
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Step 2
Believe in evolution. Evolution while controversial in some areas of the Republican party, is not the hot button topic in liberal wing of the Republican party. Liberal Republicans accept the scientific evidence in this case.
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Step 3
Maintain equality for all, including gays and lesbians. Again, this country is based on liberty and freedom for all. A liberal republican believes in excluding no one based on his or her sexual orientation.
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Step 4
Support stem cell research. Stem cell research has the possibility to save and extend millions of lives throughout the world. A liberal Republican believes in allowing science to determine its own course regardless of their personal beliefs on issues.
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Step 5
Protect the environment. With weather patterns becoming more and more erratic, the liberal Republican understands the importance of the environment to the survival of future generations. Environmental threats and concerns are to be one of the main topics in elections for the next generation or more.
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Step 6
Keep an open mind. Liberal Republicans understand that they may not have all the answers and that some questions are still unanswered. Too many politicians think that an issue is black and white. A liberal Republican realizes the nuances and grey areas that come with some issues.
Now with those characteristics can you think of any liberal Repubs in Congress? I cannot think of one right now, but I will say that Meghan McCain comes pretty close to being a liberal Republican.
If you cannot think of any liberal Repubs and want to be one for a future run for office here are a few instructions:
The first step to becoming a Liberal Republican is to take a hard stance on traditional Republican base beliefs such as strong National Security policies.
To be a Liberal Republican you must also believe in a smaller federal government and lower taxes.
Subscribe to the belief that religion is important to society and be driven by moralistic values and expect fairness and responsibility in all things.
Next, embrace social views that are generally associated with liberalism or the democratic party. Socially liberal views include, but not limited to; supporting gay marriage, pro choice when it comes to abortion and the support of social programs for the less fortunate.
Following these steps should make you a Liberal Republican.
There you are all you need to know about becoming a Liberal Republican. Personally, I think that the GOP would be better off if there were some actual liberals in their midst.
The only one that I have a problem with is no. 3 –why?–I believe that religion is important to the individual not necessarily to society as a whole and to pick a person to represent you just because of his religion is lunacy. But the part about having a moralistic outlook toward society is a necessity, in my opinion, but being religious does not make it so.
I am a capitalist, but not in the sense that it is defined nowadays…..I guess that is what a geolibertarian is about….I wait for the GOP to regain its wide appeal…but it does not look that will happen any time soon.
Great post. I hope you don’t mind if I repost it at the blog that help run called the Progressive Republican. I will link to it and feel free to explore the blog at progressiverepublican.info.
Hello Dennis and welcome…..glad you liked it and for sure link to me anytime….even if we do not agree…..lol
[...] The following is a post by a writer that called “Lobotero.” [...]
Here is the link to your post: http://progressiverepublican.info/2009/08/16/so-what-is-a-liberal-republican-anyway/
Thanx for link and I will check it out….
Wow wow wow! Excellent article..this pretty much sums me up. So happy I stumbled across this : )
cool….and I am also glad you did….thanx for the props Diane…please visit often…..personally I am an independent and would like to hear from others about the state of the parties.
Hi Loberto. Yes. Yes. Yes. I like the description. As you know, we broadly agree on a whole host of things. Like you, I do believe quite passionately in those things you list, particulalry 1 and 6, but all the others too. In fact, although you’re referring to a particularly contentious issue in the US, I’d expand the “Women’s right to choose” to EVERYBODY’S right to choose!
To government I’d say: Provide the services and then get the hell out of our lives and leave us all to personally choose what we individually want! “Considerate and Respectful Freedom” is what I think a good society is all about.
I kind of think of myself as a Republican sort of guy with a Republican hat but maybe wearing a somewhat Democrat suit, if that makes sense
My only real issue with anything about the Democrats is the (almost inevitable) increase in bureaucracy that is part of the package. I firmly believe in “small” government – the smaller the better – and that is the Liberal Republican bit.
I absolutely HATE big, interfering, nosey, oppressive, controlling big government and I believe a lot of others feel the same, which is, I think, why the rabid right get so many votes from people who detest 60% of what they stand for, but can’t abide the thought of Democrat meddling.
About the only saving grace for the UK at the moment is that the Tory (approx = Republican) Party is moving (lumbering?) towards the centre ground. Cameron looks and behaves a lot like Blair (Labour) did, but with a metaphorically nicer, cleaner suit and he’s looking more and more like the next Prime Minister (I HOPE!).
True…but (there it is again) America needs its government intervention from time to time….once again…but…..the politicians seem to find the worst times for that intervention…..
Oh, I agree. It’s all a question of degree and appropriateness – not something politicians are good at judging!
[...] guy I’ve met on the internet, who I like and even sometimes feel I know, wrote this description of his political beliefs. I guess it pretty well sums up a lot of what I think. Unfortunately, [...]
Quin…I do appreciate the kudos….and my name is Chuq (chuck)…I feel we know each other well enough that you could know my name…lobotero was the call sign of my unit in Vietnem….somethings I cannot out grow…lol
I had a post recently about the formation of a “Liberal Republican Party”……if the extremes cannot get it right…then the progressive Repubs need some voice in the government, most are the only sane voice on the right…..