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Why I Am a Republican (by Ben Stein)
The American Spectator ^ | June 26, 2006 | Ben Stein

Posted on 06/26/2006 9:29:40 AM PDT by EveningStar

...Karl Rove is why I am a Republican. He is how Republicans are...

The real Republicans are the hardware store owners in Little Rock, the factory workers in Kentucky who believe in life, the retired aerospace workers in Palm Desert who are concerned about the moral decay of the culture...

Real Republicans are not haters. Not ever. It's just not in them to hate, just as it's not in any real American to hate any other American who lives within the law...

(Excerpt) Read more at spectator.org ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Editorial; Government; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: benstein; gop; idealogy; karlrove; republicans; rove; tas
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1 posted on 06/26/2006 9:29:42 AM PDT by EveningStar
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To: Howlin; onyx; Clemenza; Petronski; GummyIII; SevenofNine; martin_fierro; veronica; EggsAckley; ...

ping


2 posted on 06/26/2006 9:31:03 AM PDT by EveningStar
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To: EveningStar

I heart Ben Stein!! :-)


3 posted on 06/26/2006 9:31:41 AM PDT by pillut48 (CJ in TX)
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To: EveningStar
The real Republicans are the hardware store owners in Little Rock

Little Rock... that's a good one!

4 posted on 06/26/2006 9:33:11 AM PDT by mtbopfuyn (I think the border is kind of an artificial barrier - San Antonio councilwoman Patti Radle)
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To: EveningStar

Stein has a good heart, but he's too wishy-washy for my tastes. It would be interesting to breed him with Peggy Noonan and see what kind of abberation results.


5 posted on 06/26/2006 9:33:56 AM PDT by Mr Ramsbotham (Laws against sodomy are honored in the breech.)
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To: EveningStar
WHY am I a Republican?

Anyone?

Anyone?

BUEHLER?
6 posted on 06/26/2006 9:34:46 AM PDT by Question Liberal Authority (Now that Zarqawi is dead, who will the Democrats nominate in 2008?)
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To: EveningStar
Real Republicans are not haters. Not ever. It's just not in them to hate, just as it's not in any real American to hate any other American who lives within the law...

I hate liberals.

I guess that makes me a conservative, not a Republican.

7 posted on 06/26/2006 9:35:56 AM PDT by Lazamataz (I hate asshat Islamics with Scuds in their Volkswagen Minivans.)
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To: EveningStar

He had me until he said McCain.


8 posted on 06/26/2006 9:36:10 AM PDT by battlecry
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To: EveningStar

Why I Am a Democrat
by IowaHawk

I sometimes hear the question, "Why are you a Democrat?" and frankly, I have to laugh. Laugh and laugh, because perhaps this person may tire of my laughing, and he will eventually wander off. Sometimes I ponder seriously when I hear this question, because I'll look around and around and there's nobody there asking the question. Why am I a Democrat?

I am a Democrat because I believe everyone deserves a chance. And if necessary, a second chance. And if, by the eighth or ninth chance, this guy needs another chance, I mean, come on. This guy is due.

I am a Democrat because I believe in helping those in need. All of us, you and I, have an obligation to those less fortunate. You go first, okay? I'm a little short this week.

I am a Democrat because I believe in the equality of all people, regardless of their race. That is why I think we should give free medical degrees to minorities because, well, duh. Like any of those types are going to make it through medical school.

I am a Democrat because I fervently believe in tolerance. Tolerance is critical in our diverse society, and if you have a problem with that, mister, then I will inform the authorities and I bet that after a few hours in their "special room" you too will agree that tolerance is critical.

I am a Democrat because I believe that we should take our noses out of other people's bedrooms. I say we move the noses to their banks and storage sheds and scout troops, and so forth.

I am a Democrat because I hold sacred freedom of the press, as well as freedom of the TV and freedom of the movie. Where I draw the line is freedom of the talk radio, and don't even get me started about that damn Internet business.

I am a Democrat because I recognize that education is important. Very, very, extremely very important. We must increase spending on education and enact important education reforms, such as eliminating standardized tests. Because we can never hope to measure this beautiful, elusive, important thing we call education.

I am a Democrat because I believe in the separation of church and state. We must stop the religious extremists who want school-sanctioned prayers. Now, you tell me - with all that chanting and praying and incense-burning going on, how can our kids concentrate on the big condom-and-banana midterm?

I am a Democrat because I believe in the rights of women, be they lawyers or housewives or skanky interns. For too long women have been the victims of discrimination, and we must target programs to help these women, and also the various people who have descended from women.

I am a Democrat because I believe in women's right to choose. I mean, not a church school or a tax shelter, or something like that, obviously. Let's be reasonable.

I am a Democrat because I believe in the rule of law. Or, at least, lawyers. Because hey, according to my attorney, I could have been on the Number 7 bus when it crashed yesterday. As far as you know.

I am a Democrat because I believe a healthy economy depends on good jobs at good wages. So fork 'em over, you fat bastard boss man.

I am a Democrat because I believe the government should step in to create good jobs when that fat bastard boss man moves my good job to Mexico. Hey, I know! Maybe we can take all the money that boss man spends on non-job-creating stuff, like solid gold yachts and mink spats, and use that money to create jobs.

I am a Democrat because I fear the power of giant unrestrained monopolies, such as Microsoft, Nike, Parker Brothers, Univac and the Erie Canal Company. The government must wage an unrelenting, all-out war to crush these scary monopolies to a pulp before they get too powerful.

I am a Democrat because I believe in a strong military. Strong, yes, but caring and thoughtful too, and ready to face new challenges. A military that enjoys long strolls on the beach, cuddling in front of a warm fire, unafraid to show its vulnerable side. Must be NS/DDF.

I am a Democrat because I believe there is too much violence in society, especially in our schools. To avoid another Columbine tragedy, we should have mellow "rap" sessions with at-risk teens, such as the Goths. The violence will only end after the teen Goths see that we adults really care, and are "hip" to their groovy teen Goth scene.

I am a Democrat because I believe in campaign finance reform. Sadly, our politics are dominated by advertisements, paid for by the contributions of giant corporations. All too often, these drown out legitimate grassroots opinions, like the kind heard on TimeWarner-AOL-CNN, TimesCorp, or Disney-ABC.

I am a Democrat because I believe in public support of the arts. By "the arts," I of course mean those things made by, or excreted by, an artist of some sort. It is especially important that art be provocative and take controversial stances, like opposing Jesse Helms, and so on.

I am a Democrat because I believe in the environment and conservation. For instance, we must raise the price of gasoline, like they do in Europe, to increase conservation. If we don't, there will soon be a big gas shortage, and this will mean higher gasoline prices for you and me.

I am a Democrat because I detest greed. Especially the sickening greed of those who struck it rich in the 1980s, and greedily refuse to give me any of their stuff.

I am a Democrat because I... hey look! A new episode of Survivor! Geez, I hope they don't vote off Jenna, she's my favorite.


9 posted on 06/26/2006 9:38:03 AM PDT by FormerACLUmember (No program, no ideas, no clue: The democrats!)
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To: EveningStar
So he posts nice things about Hillary Clinton and Sheila Jackson Lee.

Stein is wishywashy.

10 posted on 06/26/2006 9:38:51 AM PDT by Lazamataz (I hate asshat Islamics with Scuds in their Volkswagen Minivans.)
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To: EveningStar
I dragged myself out of bed, met my pal Mark Markey from the National Association of Variable Annuities, and went up to Capitol Hill. I was there to testify about retirement planning and the value of annuities before the Senate Select Committee on Aging. I had been told that Hillary Clinton was going to be there and I had something to say to her.

However, she was apparently at another function and did not show up.

He should have looked for Clinton hiding behind 4'11" Senator Barbara Mikulski.

11 posted on 06/26/2006 9:38:58 AM PDT by Minnesocold ("The public demand to protect our borders will triumph sooner or later." - Tony Blankley)
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To: Mr Ramsbotham

I don't have to WATCH that happen, do I?


12 posted on 06/26/2006 9:39:24 AM PDT by 308MBR ( Somebody sold the GOP to the socialists, and the GOP wasn't theirs to sell.)
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To: battlecry

He lost me at Sheila Jackson Lee. I have more choice words for her than "feisty".


13 posted on 06/26/2006 9:40:07 AM PDT by mtbopfuyn (I think the border is kind of an artificial barrier - San Antonio councilwoman Patti Radle)
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To: EveningStar
Nice article, except for this!

Most bureaucrats that I know work hard, don't get paid a lot, and try to do their jobs as well as they can.

14 posted on 06/26/2006 9:40:54 AM PDT by somemoreequalthanothers (All for the betterment of "the state", comrade)
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To: EveningStar
Ben Stein seems like a really nice guy, but he's wrong about one thing: I am a Republican and I do hate. I hate anyone trying to destroy this country. I might not do anything awful to them, but if anything awful happens to them I won't turn a hair. Sorry to be the downer here, but I feel this republic is in danger of being murdered, and I can't help but hate the killers.
15 posted on 06/26/2006 9:41:12 AM PDT by A_perfect_lady
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To: EveningStar
The real Republicans are not about Iraq or the ABM. They are about loving their neighbors and wanting to pass on the same great America they knew as children to their grandchildren.

Of all the "Steins" I like the best ~ such as "Ein" { not "Franken" } ~
Ben's by far the one my heart forever will be thankin' .

16 posted on 06/26/2006 9:41:12 AM PDT by b9 ("the [evil Marxist liberal socialist Democrat Party] alternative is unthinkable" ~ Jim Robinson)
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To: EveningStar

Great article by a great guy. Not too sure I would include McCain in that group at the end.


17 posted on 06/26/2006 9:41:44 AM PDT by mortal19440
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To: Lazamataz

My man! Indeed, the GOP does not define conservatism.


18 posted on 06/26/2006 9:43:52 AM PDT by dhuffman@awod.com (The conspiracy of ignorance masquerades as common sense.)
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To: EveningStar
Ben lost me with his May 7th opinion piece. Excerpt:

Whatever rationale there may have been in 2001 for lowering their taxes is long gone. It's time for them — us, because it includes me — to pay their (our) share.

It's not about oil. It's about fairness.

19 posted on 06/26/2006 9:44:33 AM PDT by edpc (What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly - Thomas Paine from American Crisis)
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To: EveningStar
Karl is probably as important as any human being on this planet except Mr. Bush. He is a world-class political figure. Yet he helps wash the dishes. He helps keep the house clean. He walks the dogs. I have never heard him say one mean word about anyone on the other side. Not once. He is probably the most humble human in a position of high authority I have ever met.

Third when dinner was over, I told Karl I knew he has a lot of work to do and we would call a cab. "Nonsense," he said, "I'll drive you home." And with that, he got into his modest car and drove Alex and me home. (We actually had him drop us at the Barnes & Noble on M Street.)

Now, this is a great man. A great and well-grounded man.

Rove is a nice reason for being Republican, but so is having people like Ben Stein in the party... So many good people...

20 posted on 06/26/2006 9:44:43 AM PDT by GOPJ ( NY Times editors have the right to publish and the US has the right to arrest them for treason.)
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