ComeOver Here The Water's Fine

[rpannier]

A few weeks ago I saw an article in a conservative publication that said, "Calvin Coolidge had nothing to do with the economic growth of America during the 20's." I thought when I saw that, "What the hell?" Coolidge is a hero to Old Guard Republicans. What happened to the Party? When I grew up, every Republican I knew was interested in Small, Unintrusive Government, Low Taxes (not Zero taxes), Good Honest Government (most I knew were so put off by Nixon, the voted Carter in 76), and they were really uninterested in mixing religion and politics.
What happened to THESE Republicans? And don't kid yourself, they were the majority of the Republican Party since Harding was elected. They have sat by and watched their party become a Theocracy and I don't hear anything from them. I've started a little campaign of mine, that I'd like all DUers to try. I call it Come Over Here The Water's Fine. Invite your moderate Republican friends and co-workers to do like Ariana Huffington and Gen. Wesley Clark...Come and swim in the Democratic Pool...The Water is Just Fine.
What do you think DUers?

[Melodybe]

1. I like it, but then again I haven't even dipped my toes in any repub water

[DoctorWeird]

2. Republicans have just done

such a darn fine job of making the word "democrat" an ugly word. Many religious groups follow Republicans, even though Republicans love to quote books written thousands of years ago but tend to leave the gospels calling for helping the poor, acceptance of outcasts and the condemnation of the rich alone. Minorities, women and even same sex couples are voting Republican even though there's not a snowballs chance in hell the Republicans want to genuinely help them.
Many of the Republicans I know consider themselves moderates, but they still hold the view that while some people who are poor do work hard, most are just living off government handouts. They also honestly believe that the Republicans are moral and the Democrats are scum. I am not sure how to get past this giant stereotype. It's not true, but it's so ingrained that it's hard to get it out of people's minds, like dissecting a tumor out of someone.

[newyawker99]

5. Hi DoctorWeird!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Jane Austin]

3. Kevin Phillips

addresses this in his book "American Dynasty".

He was that old kind of Republican and has nothing but disdain for the new variety, and most especially the super-rich ones like the Bushes.

[shance]

4. He was a real Republican - one who actually believed the philosophy

of self-responsibility AND being of service to others as well.

I would probably still be a Republican if I had not witnessed such incredible hypocrisy and double standards.