Posted on 03/17/2002 1:36:37 PM PST by Sabertooth
For the past 10 years, I voted Republican, rain or shine. I was a single-issue voter.
My only concern was that the candidate be a Republican.
Why?
Because I don't like what the Democrat Party has done to America.
This year, another issue arises that concerns me greatly… so much so, that I might not be voting Republican this November. I'll maintain my GOP registration, but my vote is suddenly in play, where it hadn't been for 10 years.
That issue is: Illegal Immigration, and Federal Amnesties for Illegals.
Some agree, and some don't… that's fine. In any event, I've been active and vehement on the Illegal threads, to the displeasure of not a few. I've been called a few names, and that's to be expected (goes with being a Republican, no?) Among them are "racist," "xenophobe," "libertarian," "Buchananite," "knee-jerk," etc… And…
"Single-issue voter."
As though that's somehow damning. I was a single-issue voter beore, but now it's just a different issue. What bothers some is that it's a different single issue than theirs. Further, I don't really understand those who use this term in the pejorative… Is there no issue, position, or policy on which the GOP could lose your vote? Is there no circumstance under which you would part ways?
Your right to vote is your currency in the Political Economy. If your support is never in doubt, what is the incentive of politicians to listen to you? Do you continue to patronize restaurants with good food and bad service? Or do you let your wallet do the talking?
If so, then why should politics be any different?
How do you feel when arrogant party functionaries mock you, asking "Do you want Hillary?" or "You gonna vote Democrat?" or some other such demagoguery? Are we nothing but pawns?
Or do moments arise when notice must be loudly given to our "leaders," who serve at our pleasure, that there will be an electoral price paid for failing to heed the will of the American People?
So what's the choice now? The Stupid Party, or the Evil Party?
You are not voting for Simon for governor? Geez, we have something in common!
Btw, Bush is not on the ballot.
Now there's a dream.
Frankly, I think a lot of Republicans enjoy being in the undemanding but still cushy position of minority party politician.
It's a lot easier being in 2nd place.
If voting for Republicans doesn't solve the problem, why should I reward them further?
Let me ask you again:
"Is there no issue, position, or policy on which the GOP could lose your vote? Is there no circumstance under which you would part ways "
You never go back.
Maybe some folks see the holocaust of a million innocents as a larger priority than who gets in or stays out of our borders. Not saying your issue is irrelevent but, if you don't like the single issues others find important, don't come crying if some consider your issue something not worth getting worked up about.
It used to be Abortion and Gun Control, in that order but now Immigration is a hot button issue for me too.
I voted for Bush and there is a lot to like about him, but am extremely disappointed in his lack of action on the core issues. I sometimes think it is the fanatics who really do get things done.
A single-issue voter is someone who lets one issue be the litmus test governing whether someone gets his/her vote. Like the solid 1/3 of the country which is so "pro-choice" that they would vote for Charles Manson if he only said he was "pro-choice".
Party loyalists are not so bad, and are to be expected in a healthy democratic system. Single-issue voters, by contrast, do not a healthy electorate make.
No skin off my nose if you decide to stop voting 100% Republican - in fact it's probably a healthy thing - but don't do it because you have decided to become a single-issue voter. Instead, evaluate each race on a case-by-case basis. Would you vote for a Charles Manson just because you liked his immigration policy?
Like I said, single-issue voting is generally not healthy.
Last time I saw Republicans with a spine was 1988.
Agreed, and that's not my expectation. I've voted many times for Republicans with whom I disagreed on many issues. Two of those votes were for George HW Bush and George W Bush.
But not this November, not if the Issue is Illegals and Amnesty.
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