Hello, my name is Silverback, and I'm a former Republican...

[silverback]

Who finally decided tonight I'm voting for Obama.

I've never really liked McCain, I was a Republican Liberty Caucus member and Ron Paul supporter, voted for Badnarik in '04 (safe state), and figured my state was in the bag for Obama so I could safely vote fringe again in protest of what the Republican party has become, but it's become abundantly clear to me the paleo/libertarian tradition is completely dead in the R party and McCain/Palin are just too stupid and dishonest to be allowed in a position of power.

That and Obama has impressed me more every time I've seen him speak.

Believe me, I was a hard case, it isn't easy for an Austrian school type to make the leap and vote for a Democrat, but I'm making it because the "conservative" movement is completely bankrupt in every imaginable sense of the word and the nation needs competent leadership.

Just thought I'd share, feels good actually.

[wtmusic]

1. Welcome.

:bounce: :toast: :bounce:

[tom_paine]

2. Hi, Silverback...

:hi:

[Frustratedlady]

3. Welcome to sanity.

You made a good choice! Welcome!

[mrreowwr_kittty]

4. Welcome to DU Silverback!

Interesting name choice, there. Have you noticed that Obama is looking more and more like the alpha male "silverback" than his hapless opponent?

[evlbstrd]

5. This cynical old left wing freak welcomes you.

[EFerrari]

10. Don't scare him, for pete's sake!

[Warpy]

35. Well, he might as well know the worst

Welcome, Silverback.

We don't bite. Really.

[evlbstrd]

45. I'm the worst?

I can live with that.

[Marrah_G]

88. Well you ~are~ an evil bastard !

[hootinholler]

86. Don't bite?!?!

Damn, I'm outta here!

-Hoot

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

55. I promise...

I won't pull faces while he's around. I mean, I promise! ;-)

[liberalmuse]

Awesome!

I love to hear stories like this. I don't know what would bring me to the point of voting Republican, but understand how difficult and rare it is for people to cross parties. I thank you. My daughter thanks you. And my future grandchildren and their children thank you!

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Welcome to DU

[Swamp Rat]

7. good

:)

[WhollyHeretic]

21. I love that pick

:rofl: :thumbsup:

[Swamp Rat]

24. Thanks... you betcha!

:D :hi:

[jgraz]

36. Damn, Swampy, I've missed your stuff

This one is fuckin AWESOME. :rofl:

[flygal]

96. OMG Jesus on a dinosaur - you are killing me!!

:spank: :rofl:

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

100. I love this swamp-art..

You are the best!

[JitterbugPerfume]

108. sometimes you just make my day Swampy

:loveya:

[lapislzi]

113. You have TOTALLY outdone yourself!

Wow. Deserves its own thread.

:toast:

[ColbertWatcher]

34. LOL! Swamp Rat!

Have you read this? (http://www.tvparty.com/xmasrudolph2.html) Especially the part about the girl doll on The Island Of Misfit Toys.

[Swamp Rat]

46. Yes, I read it earlier today.

:D :hi:

[ColbertWatcher]

56. So, what do you think is wrong with the Girl Doll? n/t

[Bozita]

40. No hockey players? I thought Sarah was defending us.

Ooops.

Just occurred to me that you might not have posted the double-secret, militarily strategerific version of the map.

Good work, Swampy.

[Swamp Rat]

42. Leave that to Geraldo

:D

[SalmonChantedEvening]

81. Splashguard(TM) saves the day again!!

:spray:

:hi: :pals:

[Mabus]

93. LOL

Omiflyingspaghettimonster that is hilarious. I don't know what I would do without your art. You've helped me laugh through some very dark times and you're one of the reasons I can't quit DU.

[Blue_In_AK]

64. That's pretty cute, Swampy.

[shadowknows69]

87. OMG that's my new desktop background

Bumbles bounce but Sarah won't get one in the polls tonight.

[bdamomma]

115. that's good swampy!!!!

:hi:

[QueenOfCalifornia]

170. Where have you been????

I haven't seen a Swamp Rat post for ever!

I missed you! :(

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. My dear silverback!

Welcome to DU!

And I'm sure it feels good to share your ideas with like-minded folks!

:hi:

[ChazII]

9. Welcome, Silverback.

Thank you for your post.

[redqueen]

11. Thank you for recognizing the danger of a McCain/Palin administration.

Thank you for putting country first.

:patriot:

[FedUpWithIt All]

12. Welcome to DU Silverback.

:hi:

[TexasObserver]

13. Welcome.

[BuyingThyme]

14. Welcome Silverback!

:hi:

After you vote, the real work begins.

[Dammit Ann]

15. Welcome to DU.

You have officially entered the Libertarian stronghold.

[progressivebydesign]

16. Hi! Welcome! Thanks!!!

I was not initially an Obama supporter, but he totally won me over, too. Though I didn't have to go as far as you did to get on board with Obama.

You're a well-spoken, and thoughtful person! So glad you posted this! :)

[Peacetrain]

17. Welcome to the DU Silverback..

and just in time for Oktoberfest, Willkommen....:hi:

[That Is Quite Enough]

18. Oi, Silverback!

:hi:

[Old and In the Way]

19. Welcome Comrade!

You'll be getting your collective assignment papers soon as we reorganize into the People's Republic of the USA!






:rofl:

[Aristus]

20. Welcome, silverback. I've had the same skeleton in my closet:

I voted Republican up through 1992. I was so impressed by Bill Clinton's handling of the economy, not to mention power-crazed Republicans, that I voted for him in 1996. I haven't voted Republican since. Election 2000 brought out my essentially liberal values, and now I say it loud and proud: I Am A LIBERAL!

If you are a conservative who truly cares about our country, and common-sense things, that's cool. So is my wife. Welcome! :hi: I hope you find your stay here rewarding. B-)

[silverback]

31. Thanks for the welcome everyone!

I can honestly say I've never really been a conservative, more of a libertarian, classical liberal or Jeffersonian Republican, matter of fact I've never had much use for political labels and the older I get the harder it becomes to reduce my entire political philosophy to a word, particularly since those words all seem to mean different things to different people and be tainted by every idiot whose ever used it to describe themself.

I do know I cannot support whatever it is the Republican party is today.

[JitterbugPerfume]

111. I understand that Silverback

Our minds can hold more than ne idea at a time.

[Barrymores Ghost]

190. Wow...how many profiles DO you have?

Impressive. Really.

[Bryn]

22. Welcome to DU

Hope to see more of your posts. I love the way you discuss. While ago there was online test to tell you which candidate matched your views, etc. Mine turned out that #1 was Dennis Krunich and #2(I honestly can't remember) and #3 was Ron Paul!

I am voting for Obama. :hi:

[ClayZ]

23. Glad you have seen the light!

YES WE CAN!

K and R

[Ishoutandscream2]

25. Great to have you here

and I admire your convictions.

[Waiting For Everyman]

26. Hi, and I'm glad for your decision, and that you're here.

Thanks for caring more about our country than the side issues. :patriot:

Every vote matters, even in a "safe state". I'm in one too, but what if everybody thought it was safe at the same time? That thought occurred to me today - that we could get lulled into a false sense of security b/c of that.

[Stellabella]

27. After being raised a republican, and changing my mind

in college (what a stereotype, huh?) the first time I voted Dem was hard. But now I wouldn't dream of voting any other way.

[tandot]

28. Welcome and K & R

[rufus dog]

29. Hi Silverback

Welcome!

[ColbertWatcher]

30. Welcome to DU! n/t

[lostnotforgotten]

32. Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!

eom

[Chichiri]

33. Salutations.

:hi:

[AuntPatsy]

37. Your country thanks you for waking up and realizing that political separation is not the answer

to ensure our country regains it's pride and common sense back....along with all that has been stolen, outright theft of our constitution and our laws of the lands..it really breaks my heart how low we have gotten...and how off track we have found ourselves after so many years of working to ensure we thrived to real greatness, such ideology was so quickly laid to rest the moment the republicans together stold not only the two thousand election but our desire to be better than those we once scoffed at with disdain and regret that freedom and unity was not seen worldwide as a valuable way to thrive.

[Bjorn Against]

38. Welcome, I am a former Libertarian myself

I voted Libertarian in 2000, but after seeing the dark side of "free-trade" and then watching George Bush steal the election I converted. Today I am at the complete opposite end of the spectrum as far as economics go, but when it comes to issues related to civil liberties progressives and libertarians are in agreement far more often than not. The Republican Party has completely trashed the Constitution, and with the current economic crisis proving the failure of the free-market I expect that we will see many other Libertarians moving to our side in the months ahead.

[SidneyCarton]

39. Welcome to our funny little asylum Silverback.

Seriously, it is a pleasure to welcome anyone who has the courage to cross party lines over a question of right and wrong.

[MrsBrady]

41. welcome. we are glad you are here. n/t

[endthewar]

43. As a Ron Paul supporter, you'll be happy to know that Obama believes in "pay-go"

I know that Ron Paul has a lot of appeal because he exposed McCain for the fraud that he is during the Republican primaries, especially on economic issues. Obama's political philosophy in terms of debt is that not all debt is bad, but it is important for us to try to limit debt. For example, he'll cite early childhood education as something that, on the national level according to some studies, yields 7 dollars back for every dollar that you put in.

Also, I see a lot of similarities in foreign policy between Obama and Paul. It's clear to me that the neoconservatives have hijacked the Republican Party, which isn't good for anybody.

[pnwmom]

44. Welcome, Silverback! And thank you for taking this coming election

so seriously.

[Gregorian]

47. You've seen the light. There's no going back.

And I welcome you. It's so refreshing to see this, and believe it or not I could never harbor negativity for what you may have been.

I think you'll find that over time democratic principals (ie, being liberal) are humane and sensible. No spin is necessary. We never ask "What would Satan do?". Because Jesus was a liberal. But that's all for another time. I regret my rambling.

Congratulations.

[morningglory]

48. Welcome! Enjoyed your input. nt

[Marr]

49. I really miss the days when the Republican Party was the sane opposition.

I could listen to some Republican politicians or read Republican writers and see their point. They made valid, supportable arguments and seemed to sincerely believe their ideas represented the best path for the country. I almost always disagreed with them, but it was a matter of interpretation. We both lived in the same world and acknowledged it.

That's not the case anymore. The Republican Party is now the Conservative Movement©. It's a coalition of religious zealots, corporate crooks, and political con-men and it runs on nonsensical slogans and ignorance. It's become a joke.

Anyway, welcome. You may not often agree with consensus opinion around here, but I hope you find that we are at least striving to remain in the "reality-based community".

[TxBlue]

50. Howdy from another former Repub

Turned after getting so sick of bush not long after 911 and figuring out bushco would always do a number on our pocketbook.

I like the Constitution so like R.Paul. Now I really like Kaptur, Kucinich, et al. Real common sense people.

Anyhoo, welcome. Glad you found yourself here.

:toast:

[SammyWinstonJack]

90. bu$h did a number on our 'pocketbook' while governor of Texas which is why I never understood how

any Texan could have voted for him in '00. :shrug:

[kurt_cagle]

51. Austrian School != Republican

I've been a big fan of the Austrian School of Economics for some time, yet I don't see any reason why the Austrian School necessarily favors the Republican side of things more than the Democrats. You cannot get something for nothing - ultimately the ledgers have to balance, and when you push a system too far out of balance, it will collapse. That's what's happening now, in direct contravention of JM Keynes and Milton Friedman.

One thing that I think is beginning to emerge (though whether it has made its way to the congress-critters is somewhat debatable) is that Democrats of today, even the Progressive Democrats of today, are much more fiscally conservative than they were thirty years ago. They recognize that there is a social debt that needs to be paid, but a measure of personal responsibility is also a very necessary component in paying that debt. What's more, they recognize that free market economics must be truly free, and ironically the only way of really insuring that is to insure that business does not get so heavily intertwined with governments that such business can use government to give it significant market advantages.

[silverback]

60. Funny thing...

MN Against Bush replied that free market capitalism failed in this crisis, but I took it as confirmation of everything Mises, Hayek, Rothbard, Paul and others have ever said on the subject.

The problem is that the Republicans have no interest whatsoever in free markets unless market rhetoric benefits the right people. You can't introduce the malinvestment and moral hazard inherent in the fixing of short interest rates by providing an unlimited supply of credit at that rate, really basic stuff, and it goes on, without creating almost unlimited moral responsibility for the public good.

Theirs is an entirely dishonest arguement for markets. By dismissing the misallocation of resources, malinvestment, and moral hazard of intervention as immaterial because it cannot be measured they leave all reason behind.

It's fascism, not market capitalism, that is failing this week. And I don't think McCain is capable of even comprehending what's going on.

[flygal]

98. That is so true

I'm for govt regulation to help the little co's survive. It's getting to be quite a monopoly out there! Welcome.

[dennysp]

52. Hi, Silverback. I'm a DU newbie and former Republican, too.

I was too ashamed to come out of the closet, though, until now. "I was blind, but now I see".

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

65. Welcome Silverback and dennysp!

You'll find that there are many more of you joining us this time around. I hear many stories such as yours. Welcome to the "Big Tent", you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll scream and pull your hair out, but, everyone here loves their country and when push comes to shove, you couldn't have a better gathering of Americans.

[Miss Chybil]

145. Welcome dennysp! nt

[LiberalAndProud]

53. Hi, Silverback.

I've been waiting for some in my extended family to come to realize that their party has long abandoned the values that made them be Republicans in the first place. Your story makes me think that there may still be hope, even for them.

Welcome to DU, and I'm so very pleased that you have decided to vote for Obama.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

54. Well, sir.

Welcome to the fun and good for you. Now, is it possible you could work on making what you got communicable?

Then, would you come around where I live? ;-)

On edit and reflection: You seem like someone with strong ethics and you let them take you where you need to go when you follow them. That is a very intellectually consistent stance. We see too little of either these days, either ethical behavior or intellectual consistancy. It is refreshing to see in someone. I tip my hat.

[eridani]

57. I worked with Libertarians against forfeiture laws in my state

Had the sense not to bring up universal health care though. Single issue stuff required narrow focus.

[Wheezy]

58. former republican here, too

I voted for Clinton's second term in 96, but sadly voted for Bush in 2000 because I didn't understand Gore.
Now, I can't imagine going back to the republican side of things -- I got educated and actually started caring...for me, that made the difference.

Happy to have you here. Welcome.

[EC]

59. Never understood Libertarians voting for Repubs to begin with

since they are all about shredding the Constitution and Dems are for enforcing it...you guys are much closer to the Democratic party than you think...

Congrats on seeing some light...

[tavalon]

61. Welcome aboard, but I do hope you understand that we are the way left whackos here

I hope you can find common ground, but if not, don't feel bad, most of us can't find common ground on most days.

[Lugnut]

62. Welcome to DU, silverback!

:hi: I know Senator Obama will appreciate your vote.

[Blue_In_AK]

63. Welcome, Silverback.

[roguevalley]

66. welcome, silverback. there is always room here.

[Undercurrent]

67. Good for you,

and thank you for being a thoughtful voter.

I agree with your assessment of the Republican party. If you are a Ron Paul type I'm sure you have done a lot of reading, and discussing his positions. They closely reflect the philosophy of the old Republican party. I have friends in their 70s, and 80s who are old fashioned conservatives - Ike and all - and they are just sick at what the old GOP has morphed into. They are voting for Obama too.

[d_b]

68. Welcome, Republican friends

+1 for the few, sane Republicans left.

[TooRaLoo]

69. Welcome, and thank you!

[BrklynLiberal]

139. Great campaign poster!!! Love it!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[debriefed]

70. Polls show Obama will win convincingly

You are on the winning side now. Welcome.

[Lochloosa]

71. And welcome to you debriefed

:toast:

[earth mom]

72. Obama is more to the right and not the left, so I'm not surprised.

I'd bet there are a lot like you on this board these days, so don't pat yourself on the back too much. :eyes:

[SammyWinstonJack]

102. ...

:evilgrin:

[MadrasT]

73. Welcome to DU, silverback!

:hi:

[immoderate]

74. Welcome, and I hope you get future satisfaction from your choice.

Long ago, I was a conservative Republican for reasons that made intellectual sense to me. But when I got to voting age, Democrats made practical sense. You and the country are better off for this.

Also DU is so cool. :)

--IMM

[Hubert Flottz]

75. Wow a Silverback bailing on the Chimp...

Jane Goodall and I are both proud of you!

[beac]

76. Hello, welcome to DU and

THANK YOU for joining! Thoughtful, informed voters like you make this a great place. :)

[Blue Gardener]

77. Thank you

And welcome to DU!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

78. Welcome to DU, silverback!

:hi:

[alphafemale]

79. That's great! And welcome. nt

[Kip Humphrey]

80. Welcome to the progressive perspective. /nt

[SalmonChantedEvening]

82. Welcome to DU silverback!

:toast:

[mmonk]

83. Welcome.

Well you probably have realized neo-conservative is not conservative.

[MsLeopard]

84. Welcome to the party

And we will be partying hard on Nov 4-5! :hi:

[TuxedoKat]

85. Welcome!

Glad to have you with us.

[shadowknows69]

89. Welcome to DU silverback

You're making the right choice this election.

[1awake]

91. Welcome Silverback

Ex-Republican here as well. I started having my doubts back in late 2000, early 2001. I don't like to think about it much because when I look at Bush's.. and basically every republican method/plan all I see is corruption. The Republican brand has been tainted, and the name conservative has been twisted. They now stand for some disgusting form of financial fascism that's been wrapped in a pretty paper with a bow, with the flag draped over it.

You may not agree with a number of the people here on many issues. But as a fellow ex-republican, trust me that you made the right choice. DU has some really good people, and while I may not agree with some of them on specific things, I truly respect and admire most here.


Obama for President!


~1awake

[harun]

92. Welcome. Another paleo here. Went Dem when the Repub's went full on Imperialist Corpo Fascist.

[Munchy]

94. We've all had a similar journey.... welcome to sanity

[SammyWinstonJack]

103. Not all of us. Never was a republican and never voted for one ,either.

Have always voted for Democratic candidates and always will.

[Beausoleil]

95. Great post!

Welcome!

:hi:

[ProfessorGAC]

97. Welcome. I Like You And I Don't Like You

I've published papers on the subject of Austrian school economics. These, as you may guess, are intended to debunk the entire philosophy because the data show that nothing actually happens the way the Austrians said it did.

So, i don't like your Austrian school affiliation. I just can't! LOL!

But, welcome and i'm glad to know that somebody who hasn't been a long time liberal realizes what's going on.
The Professor

[marions ghost]

99. You Rock silverback, and a

:toast: to all former Republicans here at DU.

Thanks for making yourself visible, silverback. As you can see you have plenty of company among former Republicans here in rejection of what the GOP now has become.

You are in a unique position to help the ostriches among your conservative friends and relatives see the truth of the fraud of current "Republican values."

If you have any friends who are wavering but just can't go Dem, ask them to PLEASE abstain. It is not the time to blindly support the home team. Not voting for bad candidates is honorable, and still sends a message that needs to be heard by the Powers That Be.

It takes guts to be visible as an ex-R voter in this election, silverback. :thumbsup: :patriot:

[lonestarnot]

101. That's nice.

:hi:

[Juan_de_la_Dem]

104. One day at a time........Welcome

[NNN0LHI]

105. You have came to the right place brother .. sister?

Welcome and good to have you here with us. We are going to need you.

Don

[K8-EEE]

106. Hi there

Welcome to DU!

[Canuckistanian]

107. Welcome!

Yup, the party of Goldwater is looooong gone.

[Taverner]

109. Welcome aboard!

Did you say you went to school in Austria?

[MadinMo]

110. Wonderful to hear your story, Silverback! And Welcome!

[codjh9]

112. Your intro sounds like an AA meeting intro - so glad you made it through the Repub 12-step

program! :^)

[bdamomma]

114. welcome to the light and to DU, Silverback!!!

you will not be disappointed by your choice. who would want Sarah Palin as next President?? scary thought.:hi:

[StopTheNeoCons]

116. AWESOME POST, GREAT STORY, WELCOME WINNER!

[deaniac21]

117. Former Aryan republicans are crossing over to Obama every day!

[blm]

118. I hear you - I'm an Open Government Democrat, and would never vote for a closed government lawmaker

no matter what party - not again. The candidate who respects the citizen enough to allow them access to the truth is the candidate who gets my vote and enthusiastic support.

There is nothing wrong with this country that an open government mindset by an open government administration and congress couldn't fix.

[DemReadingDU]

119. Welcome

Welcome back!

You've been here since 2004, hope you post more!

:hi:

[DS1]

120. I can't stop laughing at your name

:eyes:

[librechik]

121. welcome to the room, 800 lb gorilla

:hi:

[southernleftylady]

122. Welcome how do you feel about Palin?

Just wondering what your thoughts of McSames VP pick :)

[silverback]

123. Palin...

I like that she's very pro-second amendment.

Other than that I can't think of a single nice thing to say about her, she doesn't seem qualified, I'm pretty sure I've got more than 50 IQ points on her, and I just can't take a young-earth creationist seriously.

[FatDave]

133. "I just can't take a young-earth creationist seriously."

Few can, Silverback, few can.

Welcome to DU and (I hope) to the party.

[barbiegeek]

156. I am a second amendment supporting Democrat

So it makes me happy to see you! :)

[Barrymores Ghost]

171. Just curious...could you define your "second-amendment support" in terms of its breadth and depth?

As a life-long gun owner who believes whole-heartedly in the federal AWB, required trigger-locks for households with children under 18, mandatory waiting periods and background checks for handgun purchases, a minimum ownership age of 21, full licensing and permitting requirements and mandatory gun and hunter safety training, I be most interested to hear your interpretation of the 2nd Amendment.

[silverback]

183. OK...

I'd be against all of those things. Gun safety should probably be a HS requirement though, no matter what laws are passed there's still going to be nearly as many guns as people in this country.

I can't imagine how any lifelong gunowner could favor the AWB when it was such a poorly written clusterfuck of a law that it actually made non-compliant rifles cheaper and compliant rifles more expensive, among other things. The AWB also sold more military style semi automatics than all other factors combined since people started talking about it. Right now, tens of thousands of people are buying whatever they think might get banned since it's becoming obvious Obama will win.

People whose unsecured firearms result in harm to a child can already be charged with criminal negligence, which is what it is.

I believe the second amendment extends to all discriminate small arms, you can't put the genie back in the bottle, and just look at what trying has cost us politically.

Does that answer your question or do I need to go into the whole legal arguement regarding original intent or the philosophical arguement for the inherent rights of mankind?

[Barrymores Ghost]

186. Actually, I'd LOVE to hear the legal basis for how...

...you've extrapolated the above from your reading and subsequent interpretation of the "original intent" of the 2nd Amendment. Please do me a favor, though, and spare me a rote recitation or paraphrased regurgitation of 18-Century parchment minus any framing within the context of modern-day America, since I can pick up a copy of Locke or Jefferson or Mason and read it myself (and HAVE). With rights come responsibilities -- not only to our individual selves, but also to one other. Certain responsibilities need to be delineated within a legal context for the sake of a civilized and safe society, and there is no Constitutional proviso that backs your claim. Read Robert Cottrol sometime.

Here's a point you will not sway me on: simple sanity informs me that something made for the expressed purpose of rending flesh and bone asunder from a distance and at a rapid rate should not be sold over the counter like cough syrup to anyone with the cash in hand. Safety courses should be required of anyone who owns a ballistic weapon of any sort or who seeks to possess one -- and I've yet to hear a rationalization otherwise that made any sense. I doubt you would fare any better than your predecessors in this respect. Were it mandated that I register my .410 or 12-gauge or my .22 pump-action or my .30-.30 Long Tom or my .308, I would happily do so. I don't own a handgun (apart from an old, Colt Navy cap-and-ball), but if I did, I'd feel that that open-carry or conceal-carry permitting, after obtaining a safe-handling endorsement, was just as acceptable.

Sorry, but the tendency for knee-jerk reaction by some paranoiacs or contrarian impulse-buyers to stock up on something they'll have no practical use for just because it might be taken off the shelf is proof enough for me that background checks are necessary. With the exception of your remark about the AWB being poorly-written, which I'll grant you, the rest of your second paragraph makes its case based upon the resignation that "they're going to do it anyway, so there's no point in legislating against it." So, let's say we model our entire society around that philosophy; I'd be curious to see how long it takes to descend into total anarchy. Sorry if this seems simplistic to you...I guess I'm just an uncomplicated kind of guy.

As for guns in households with children, let's go back to your "genie-in-the-bottle" analogy. It would seem a bit more challenging to stuff the blood and brain matter back into a seven-year-old's head once it's all been blown across the dining room wall and ceiling, wouldn't it? But your action-and-outcome scenario is very interesting: this way, a parent can mourn the loss of his/her kid (or the next-door neighbor's) from inside a jail cell. Terrific. Me, I'd rather err on the side of proactive caution in this case. I'm rather puzzled by your take, if not completely appalled by it.

I'm not worried about what "it has cost us politically," thank you very much. I know in my heart and head what I feel is right and prudent, and I think we'll do just fine in November -- the issue of gun control notwithstanding. And, like I tell everyone, if anyone is going to come for your guns, friend, it won't be the Democrats.

Peace.

[Barrymores Ghost]

187. P.S. Thanks for speaking for barbiegeek...

...but, do you presume she doesn't have the capacity to elucidate her own opinion?

[OHDEM]

124. Welcome silverback!

Your opening sounded like your giving testimony at a Republicans annonymous meeting!

Nice to meet you!

My husband is an ex-Repub, too. He is pretty much a fiscal conservative, but fairly liberal on social issues. Bush's nomination alone was enough for him to jump ship! Now after 2 terms of this horrible President, an activist wife and 2 sons, he'll never go back!

Great to have you on board for REAL change in the USA! Would love to hear some of your views on the issues. I bet we agree on a lot.

[AnarchoFreeThinker]

125. kicked and recccccccccccccccccccccc'd

[Raster]

126. Welcome! You are among friends!

Wake Up America!:kick:We Can Do Better!

[FLAprogressive]

127. Welcome to DU! nt

[Javaman]

128. Dude!!! you are so welcome here!! :)

We got a big tent! :)

[myrna minx]

129. Welcome to the big tent.

:hi: We're glad you're here.

[lpbk2713]

130. Glad you came to your senses.

Welcome to DU.

[JFN1]

131. Welcome!!

I enjoyed reading about your journey - and would enjoy knowing more!

:toast:

[A HERETIC I AM]

132. Kindly take the following quiz;

1) Properly spell and use in a sentence a synonym for "Idiot" (Hint: Think Bugs Bunny, but slightly different)

2) The "1" key is interchangeable for what punctuation mark?

3) Fill in the blank/multiple choice;
"I hate George W. Bush _____________.
a) "With every fiber of my being"
b) "To pieces"
c) "As much as I hate Broccoli"
d) "When he governs"
e) All of the above.

4) When added together, the sum of my fingers and toes exceeds;
a)7
b)11
c)9, but only slightly
d) 3, but only slightly, due to a tragic gardening accident.

5) There is no question 5

6) Fill in the blank/multiple choice;
"When aroused, I usually ____________
a) "Sing Yankee Doodle Dandy"
b) "Faint"
c) "Tell everyone I can"
d) "Call the Paramedics"

7) Person you would most like to see strung up on the highest yardarm;
a) Dubya
b) Cheney
c) A HERETIC I AM
d) "What the fuck is a "Yardarm", anyway?"

8) Cats are___________
a) Wonderful creatures
b) The best pets ever
c) A waste of decent carbon.
d) perfectly serviceable doorstops if properly preserved.

[Kurovski]

134. K&R

Thank you. :-)

[slackmaster]

135. Welcome, silverback!

Don't fling shit at people and you'll get along fine. ;-)

[ddeclue]

136. printf('hello world!\r\n');

:)

[Shine]

137. Welcome aboard, Silverback.

:toast: There are many, many Republicans who feel the same way you do this time 'round.

[tpsbmam]

138. Welcome, Silverback!

You're not alone on Obama. I'm a Dem and he had to win me over. Win me over he did!

[BrklynLiberal]

140. Welcome aboard Silverback. You will find many likeminded folks here.

[Seen the light]

141. YAHOO!

Fellow Republican myself buddy!

[Miss Chybil]

142. Welcome and thanks! nt

[Laelth]

143. Welcome to DU!

:dem:

-Laelth

[vanderBeth]

144. You're very welcome here.

[bamacrat]

146. So are you the 400 pound Gorilla in the room?

Welcome to DU, and by gorilla I mean brave intelligent people like yourself who have seen the truth and are fed up with the lies and downright dumbassedness (not a word I know) of the puke party. Im sure there are many others like you, many of which will keep their dissaproval a secret until the election, when hopefully Obama will dominate. Thanks to the people like you, and all of us at DU.

[C_U_L8R]

147. So glad you made it !!!

WELCOME !!!

[YellowRubberDuckie]

148. Welcome!

Glad to have you about!
Duckie

[BlueJac]

149. Good on you....

welcome

[An Intellectual]

150. What the hell? A radical free-marketist is getting showered with praise?

Silverback, be honest; do you support a minimum wage?

[redqueen]

155. Oooh that reminds me...

thanks.

[An Intellectual]

158. Care to elaborate? :)

[redqueen]

163. Heh... well I was just now writing an OP, but I changed my mind.

I was thinking that all these systems we have in place to supplement low-wage workers' incomes -- food stamps, housing grants, etc. -- are inefficient at best... and they also seem like redundant systems, all addressing the symptom and not the cause (low wages). And all of this is necessary even with a minimum wage in place.

So I was thinking, what if we did away with the minimum wage, and allowed employers to pay whatever they thought a job was worth. Then instead of supplementing the minimum-wage earners with several different types of assistance, we could just revamp welfare to supplement those workers' incomes. No huge bureaucracy to oversee financial assistance only for food, or for housing... but just a cash payment that goes directly to the worker (lower overhead?) and allows that person to live a decent life.

What do you think? Do you think this would create many jobs?

[silverback]

184. Minimum wage...

I don't really have a problem with a minimum wage, and I do support progressive taxation, I also support eliminating the cap on the payroll tax.

These sort of questions are always if/then though, considering the status quo a lot of things I find less than ideal would be improvements.

Yeah, I'm a radical free marketist, but I've always recognized that government intervention in that free market creates moral responsibility in direct proportion to moral hazard.

If you want to know the real deep down truth I think we need fundamental monetary reform before we can get anywhere near economic justice, I could write a book on that subject.

[yardwork]

151. Welcome! Barack Obama is a remarkable leader.

I look forward to President Obama's terms as president.

[Alcibiades]

152. The Republican Party has insulted its base

With the gimmicky selection of Palin. I am old enough to remember what serious conservatives were like: they had principles, and could make the argument that they would govern responsibly. For them, ideology has become everything. Tax cuts are the answer to every economic problem, and military force is the answer to every foreign policy issue. To see Pat Buchanan make no apologies for Palin last night was insulting: it's Stalinesque the way they parrot the party line.

Welcome. I don't expect you to stay with the party long, though I hope you'll consider it. Maybe you and enough others like you will stay just long enough to convince the Republicans that they at least have to conduct themselves as if they were adults. This time, it's about the incompetence.

[barbiegeek]

153. Hi! It has been sad watching the Reps. belittle the Libertarian tradition

It was hard, watching the Repub. primary debates, seeing how the Libertarians were treated. I found it, really rather shocking, how dismissive and hateful they were to your belief systems and Ron Paul. I felt, I was watching them intentionally kick you guys out.

Your welcome here. :)

[alfredo]

154. Welcome to DU, from a guy who thinks Kucinich is too

conservative for my tastes. He makes up for it with the courage to speak up, to put his butt on the line for us.

I voted for Nixon, but I got over it. (LBJ's handling of the war pissed me off)

[happygoluckytoyou]

157. Hi Silverback... welcome to the party of TOUGH CAUSES, because GOP = CHEAP LABOR and nothing more!

[lisainmilo]

159. Welcome Silverback!

I think you will truly find that the people here are here because they are authentically putting their love for this country first!

[MountainMamma]

160. Me too! Hi and Welcome

to DU Silverback. I made the switch way back at the second term of Reagan. I got a good look at what the US was about from Central America just before Iran-Contra hearings. I have never been sorry for my switch as I saw things in a new way and still see them that way. Am glad to be alive to see this historic thing happening and to be a part of it. It feels good doesn't it?

[madmom]

161. Welcome Silverbach, I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay!

[man4allcats]

162. Welcome aboard!

We're always happy to add yet another thinking person to our ranks. :hi:

[Barrymores Ghost]

164. So, you're a four-year Republican lurker who's finally been drawn to the light?

Okay. Since I agree with pretty much your entire screed against the GOP, I guess I'll accept that.

Enjoy your stay.

[silverback]

185. I've been unhappy with the GOP for a long time...

Like I said I voted for Badnarik in a state Kerry carried easily in '04, and a lot of my posts over the years here had to do with Ron Paul and why I thought his candidacy was important.

Even a year ago I was considering an Obama vote as I saw the Republican party belittle everything I liked about it, and posted as much.

I think if you look at my posting history you'll agree I'm no troll.

[Barrymores Ghost]

189. You'll have to link me to something more conclusive...

...than what's made available through the DU search engine...your support of a quack (albeit a Constitutionalist quack) like Ron Paul notwithstanding.

I never called you a "troll," and I won't. But you'll excuse me if, given the posting history that's available to me, we are compelled to agree to disagree with each other about what we supposedly should "agree" upon.

Wow, I managed to squeeze five prepositions into one sentence.

[scytherius]

165. Don't feel bad, I . . .

I voted for Goldwater, Nixon (twice), Bush I, Regean (twice) and Bush II (once). I can only hope that I live long enough to atone for those sins. lol Welcome aboard!

[No Passaran]

166. I was a former Republican also

Welcome

[nam78_two]

167. Error: you can only recommend threads which were started in the past 24 hours

:(
Oh well-a hearty welcome to you :hug:.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

168. Shit, Howdy!

I wish I could hug you, ya big gorilla!

You give me hope. If you are ever in my neck of the woods - I will buy you a Margarita.

[9thkvius]

169. Another ex-Republican says hello

Glad to have you with us, friend.

[JNelson6563]

172. Hello and welcome!

Good for you for thinking your way out of the paradigm you always knew. A difficult task to be sure. Glad ya made it!

:hi: :toast:

Julie

[RedLetterRev]

173. Welcome, Silverback

I've sort of watched in horror from the sidelines as the Republican Party got hijacked and got weirder by the second since the days of Nixon. I'm sort of an old-fashioned, hell-raisin' NC Regulator type, myself and the Democratic Party has always been tolerant enough to take me in :) Somebody has to take up for the little guy. I was raised in Appalachia, some of the poorest of the poor. My grandfolks were strong Democrats because they always remembered who made sure that there was a decent job they could get to put food on the table to keep us kids up. I had a good education and made the most of it, thanks to Democratic principles. While I don't always agree plank-for-plank with the Democratic Party, it suits me better than any alternative; especially when I examine the voting records of folks from other parties. (thomas.loc.gov exposes a lot of uncomfortable truths that alternative candidates would wish to continue to obfuscate -- if more people would just look.)

The Democratic Party isn't perfect, it doesn't claim to be, but it's the most viable alternative we've got for getting our suffering nation and Constitution back from the brink. You have my deepest appreciation for your vote for Obama/Biden and for any Progressive Congressional candidate you can help put into office. The latter is even more important than the Oval because they've got the real power to undo the damage done in the last 30 years.

:toast:

[Imagevision]

174. The "conservative" movement is completely bankrupt-yah, it would be time to consider alternatives

[cabbage08]

175. Welcome to DU and Kicked and reccomended

[Joey Liberal]

176. Welcome back from the dark side! n/t

[Westegg]

177. Excellent! Thanks for your post, my friend.

[sellitman]

178. Welcome to DU

Your story isn't one we haven't seen before. We welcome you though.

[dudewheresmycountry]

179. Hell ya......

it feels good when one makes the right decisions.... I suggest you grab your partner and do a two step. it's party time....

[StClone]

180. Enlightenment!

Let there be light.

[blue sky at night]

181. welcome and thanks for posting...

we keep hearing more and more stories just like this....but it only makes sense; the shape this country is in now after almost 30 years of this kind of thinking is forcing people to wake up and become alive again. I do mean that 30 years, b i l l c l i n t o n was a republican in every sense of the word.

[JerseygirlCT]

182. Well, welcome Silverback, and

good to hear!

[Barrymores Ghost]

188. ...

.