[Long Cut]

Interesting thread. I'd just like to add something:

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INTENTIONS AND RESULTS!!!

I happen to agree with a large number of "Libertarian" tenets. Were I to vote Libertarian, however, the RESULT would be the nullification of a Republican vote which translates into a net GAIN of one vote for a Dim. After all we've seen of the modern Democrat party since, oh, about 1963 or so; and PARTICULARLY in these past two elections, giving a Dim a vote, through any means at all, is simply too revolting a thought.

Intentions vs. results, folks. Ultimately, we are judged on the latter, not the former. We may intend to vote our conscience, strike a blow for liberty and the Constitution, etc., but if the result, via a Dim victory, is actually a dilution of those worthy goals, then we have been made fools of.

Forget not, once in power the Dims will be the ones writing laws on taxes, spending, immigration, gun control, and trade. It will be THEY who select for us the judges, administrators, attorneys general, top military officers, regulators, and bureaucrats. 'Tis THEY who will write tort law and set education policy.

If the Republicans have been seemingly too eager to compromise with the Dims of late, those who, by their "principled" votes sent more Dims to Washington are partly to blame...compromise would NOT be as necessary with a greater Republican majority. You who complain about "weak-spined" Republicans are, unfortunately, partly to blame.

Think there's no difference? Really? Okay, I'll play your game. Did ANY Republicans accompany the Maggot Boys, Bonior and McDermott, to Baghdad to denounce their own country on the soil of an enemy? Is it Republicans who refuse to consider for confirmation any judges with Conservative, Constitutionalist leanings? Do Republicans wish to eliminate the tax cuts recently passed, or make them permanent? Is it the Republicans who conducted the shamelessly disgusting campaign rally upon a corpse this week? Was it the Republicans who, for 8 years (10 now!) steadfastly defended and protected one of the most apalling excuses for a President our country has ever been saddled with (and who would not have been elected without the interference of a third party, BTW). Do Republicans today hold out their worst failures from past years as "elder statesmen", worthy of Senate terms? Of all the (almost hourly) reports of electioneering shenanigans, have ANY touched a Republican? And lastly (and I could go on, oh yes, my brothers, I could) were any Republicans ever evident marching with those skinwasters at anti-war protests, past AND present?

Anyone who claims not to see a "dime's worth of difference" here doesn't have eyesight worth a penny.

Let's get the RATS out, once and for all. Once that high and worthy cause is done, we can turn our attention to the pursuit of liberty as enshrined in the Constitution. Such a pursuit, however, cannot take place whilst a Donkey blocks the road and refuses to budge.

An America where the two major parties are Libertarian and Republican would be wondrous indeed. First, however, a whole other party, one with a great deal of power still, must be crushed. Together, we all can do so. Apart, we can only wear its chains.

[kayak]

GREAT rant, very effectively pointing out the differences that some just refuse to see!!!

I would like to see it considered for Essay of the Week honors!

[Long Cut]

Check this one out.

[rdb3]

Tell it like it is, soldier!

In the daytime you could't see me with a flashlight.
Coming soon: Tha SYNDICATE.

[Snow Bunny]

WOW ! I LOVE your rant!!!!
Thank you!

[Mo1]

Let's get the RATS out, once and for all. Once that high and worthy cause is done, we can turn our attention to the pursuit of liberty as enshrined in the Constitution. Such a pursuit, however, cannot take place whilst a Donkey blocks the road and refuses to budge.
An America where the two major parties are Libertarian and Republican would be wondrous indeed. First, however, a whole other party, one with a great deal of power still, must be crushed. Together, we all can do so. Apart, we can only wear its chains

BRAVO!!!! ... Well stated ..

United We Stand .. Divided We Fall .. right into the hands of the DemocRATS

We can't let this happen, We can't let The Party of Bill Clinton to continue to destroy this great Nation of ours

[Republic]

The best response EVER to to fence sitters and libertarians. WONDERFUL!!! Way to go!!!! This deserves to be published!

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

THAT is a keeper, my friend. Awesome. I hope you don't mind if I quote you or point some people to this post.

(I am completely serious when I say you should write professionally one day. You're that good.)

[Utah Girl]

Great comments! Thanks for posting them.

[demosthenes the elder]

I said much the same elsewhere.
You said it better.

[bjcintennessee]

Way to go, Long Cut! I wish I'd had your way with words over the past few months when numerous FReepers kept whining and threatening to vote for a third party in a futile attempt to teach the RINO's a lesson.

[justshe]

Another GREAT post, Long Cut. Thanks for the ping. Was gone yesterday--so didn't respond. Glad I didn't miss this one. I copied it and plan on using it when 'necessary'....with full credit to you of course!

[Drammach]

Forget not, once in power the Dims will be the ones writing laws on taxes, spending, immigration, gun control, and trade. It will be THEY who select for us the judges, administrators, attorneys general, top military officers, regulators, and bureaucrats. 'Tis THEY who will write tort law and set education policy. If the Republicans have been seemingly too eager to compromise with the Dims of late, those who, by their "principled" votes sent more Dims to Washington are partly to blame...compromise would NOT be as necessary with a greater Republican majority. You who complain about "weak-spined" Republicans are, unfortunately, partly to blame.

The only difference between the "Road to Hell" as defined by the Democrats or Republicans is that the Republican road is a bit slower and winding.
And republicans are "compromising" america right into a Socialist State.

Either way, we still end up in Hell.

"Weak Spined" is exactly the term I would use for most so-called moderate republicans.
And I am not even "partly" responsible for their votes on gun control, impeachment, free trade, and a dozen other Liberal initiatives that republicans "caved" on.
Scottish Law, my A$$. (That was a republican, remember?)

And how do You figure it's just the GOP that loses votes to Libertarians?
Democrats lose votes just as well, and like it no more.
Your (group's) rationalizations hold no water with me.

As I said in my previous post,
I will vote for TALENT in MO. this one time.
But it is the very LAST vote for a republican unless the party can show ME some principle and backbone.

[Aracelis]

Together, we all can do so. Apart, we can only wear its chains.

Wonderful post...thank you!