“I didn’t leave the Democrat Party. The party left me.”
– Ronald Reagan, 1962
On September 12th, 1974, I got to attend a Republican fund-raiser dinner in Indianapolis, where Ronald Reagan, the former Governor of California, was the Keynote Speaker. I walked in to that event thinking of myself as a Democrat. Since I grew up in what many would call a Blue Dog Democrat area of Indiana and I was raised by Greatest Generation Democrats, what else could I possibly be? However, due to the disillusionment I and many in my generation experienced over our nation’s failed leadership relative to the Vietnam War, in 1968 and again in 1972, I voted for Richard Nixon, the Republican Candidate for President. Understandably, that left me questioning my alignment with the Democrat Party. That evening, I went home with that questioning answered. As I listened to Governor Reagan express his views, I recognized that they were identical to mine and that I’d had the same experience that he did … I hadn’t left the Democrat Party, it had left me. I went home that evening clearly understanding that I was what would become known as a Reagan Republican.
“If the Republican Party nominates Trump.
I WILL HEAR FROM MY FATHER’S GRAVE
“I DIDN’T LEAVE THE PARTY THE PARTY LEFT ME”
– Michael Reagan, 2016
Though, at times, I have felt like this election season is killing me, I haven’t had to say it from the grave yet but I have been saying the very same thing. Sadly, now, the “if” is gone. Donald Trump is the presumptive presidential nominee of the GOP. My being driven back to the Democrat Party will not be the result of the Republican Party leaving me in this way, however. I will not vote for Trump but neither will I vote for Hillary Clinton, the presumptive presidential nominee of the Democrat Party.
IS IT THE SAME AS VOTING FOR HILLARY?
Of course, there are those who will say, “Not voting for Trump is the same as a vote for Hillary.” That’s ridiculous! If I went out and registered as a Democrat, would my not voting for Hillary be a vote for Trump? No! In fact, since Trump is more likely than any other GOP candidate to lose to her, I think it’s more logical and accurate to say that those who have voted for Trump in the primaries were actually voting for Hillary in the Fall. They are the ones who have set up these circumstances, not those who, in good conscience, can’t vote for either party’s candidate.
PUTTING AMERICA FIRST!
Many Trump supporters are identifying those like me as Cruz supporters. That isn’t the case. And, their manipulative approach to us is to foment fear about the appointment of Supreme Court Justices, the diminishing of 1st and 2nd Amendment Rights, open borders, etc.; all couched in their plea for us to “Put America First.” How arrogant is that to say that those of us who refuse to vote for Clinton or Trump aren’t putting America first?! It IS our way of putting America first and fighting for it in the way we believe we must!
WE CAN DO BETTER!
Regardless of whether Hillary wins or Trump wins, the end result that their supporters have chosen is that the past 8 years are to be extended by another four. We are incredibly distant from the America that the Greatest Generation handed to my generation and from the GOP that Ronald Reagan got me to understand was my party. Rather than continuing to latch on to the next seeming quick fix, I say “Let’s use the next four years to build a viable new party that truly represents Conservative U.S.” Even going into my 70s, I’ll support this with all the time and energy. I can muster. Clinton and Trump are two evils, none the lesser. Their supporters have chosen to support candidates who I and others will not, in good conscience, choose to vote for. They bear the burden of the results of their choices (including their crystal ball view of Justices Trump would appoint, etc.), not us. And I would say to them, “Please don’t continue to try to guilt us into abusing the sacred privilege God has given us in getting to choose who to vote for and whether or not to vote at all.”
I have, now, voted for President 12 times. I’ve experienced some triumphs, some tragedies and all too many choices of the lesser of two evils. In my view, the most triumphant of these were the elections of the best President in my lifetime, Ronald Reagan. For that reason I find it outrageously ridiculous for anyone to favorably compare either of the current presumptive nominees with President Reagan. Consider this as an example:
President Reagan, famously, stood at the Brandenburg Gate and said, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” We all know the overwhelmingly victorious outcome of that statement, delivered with both strength and respect. Now, put Clinton or Trump in that setting. Madam Hillary would have claimed that the wall was put in place because Gorbachev and his predecessors were misogynists and the Donald would have made fun of the port wine stain on his head. Any possible victorious outcome resulting from either of those scenarios would have come at an overwhelming cost in American blood and treasure. Can we not do better than that?! I believe we can but it will require us to find a way for us to regain our greatest strength – i.e. being the America where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. We can only do that through learning to, again, listen to each other instead of just shouting at each other and becoming more and more polarized. I suggest building a viable new party that truly represents Conservative U.S. as a crucial step in attaining that goal.
Nice!
Vote Libertarian and prepare for economic collapse and civil war!!! Its coming!!! (R) and (D) are the same on the federal level and we need to push these bastards back in their holes where they came from.
Remember our founders! Remember the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Remember it is WE THE PEOPLE!!!
STAND AND FIGHT, WE NEED PATRIOTS!!!
I’m thankful that you got my overarching message, Son. It’s not about comparing Clinton’s and Trump’s weaknesses and determining which one may result in the least damage. What we have been doing hasn’t been working and it’s just getting worse. We must do something different and of course, there will be a cost to it. However, I see it as an investment, not a cost. I may not live to see the gain from that investment but I believe it’s a must in order that our descendants may have a nation as wonderful as we have had.
BTW, I predicted this sort of outcome from the outset of this political season, long before anyone thought Trump would matter. We were supporting Dr. Carson and a beloved friend opposed him because Carson favors universal immunizations for kids. My response was that if we (Conservatives) again pick apart every one of our good candidates for one or two things that don’t line up exactly with our views, we will damage them all again and end up in a circumstance that makes it possible for Hillary to walk right in, the same as we did for Obama.
Gary,
For once in our life times I agree with you 100%! I cannot vote for either of the party nominees. A couple of months ago I was in the county administration building locally and passing by the voter registration office I decided to go in and remove my name from the Republican rolls and declare myself an independent. Now that would not have been a problem in our home state of Indiana but here in Florida we have a “Closed Primary” and thus I could not vote in the Primary. I saw Molly Matlin on TV yesterday and she has now registered as a Libertarian. I will not vote for the egomaniac on the Republican ticket nor will I vote for the constantly lying, money grabbing, phony politico on the Democratic ballot. This country has survived a lot of strife in its’ 240 years I trust it will survive 4 years of either of these “leaders”! Maybe the one good thing is the deadlock in Congress will keep either of these people from getting anything major passed.
Don Anthony
Melbourne, Florida
Dr. Carson is now in charge of picking Trump’s running mate for VP. Dr. Carson, I am sure, is guaranteed a key position in Trump’s Cabinet. To not vote is to allow the election of a federal felon or a confirmed communist to the highest office of our nation.
This election should not be about political party loyalty, it is about survival of our nation, Gary. I have become a PCO in my county. I still consider myself an Independent conservative Christian, “leaning towards” the GOP. I have never voted a straight party ticket except when Ronald Reagan was in office.
The US political system is corrupt and broken. The brokenness has been accelerated since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Totalitarian opportunists, both domestic & foreign, have invaded every level of our government system. This is about globalist totalitarians and Islamist enemies taking America to its knees in evil subjugation.
Look beyond the political and racial divisions to the big picture — Satan’s forces are using Sustainable Development plans and programs to control the Christian-Judaeo society members that established the United States and the United Nations. This is a battle for religious freedom for Christians and other people of good will, and also our individual rights granted by God. It should not be dictated by some worldly, collaborated, political party cobble of control freaks. Evil dresses itself up to look so good!
Both parties have avoided addressing the inevitable consequences of their dysfunctional behavior in Congress over the last three decades. They have granted the President, SCOTUS, and the US Senate dictatorial powers beyond the scope of the US Constitution. They have neutered the US House of Representatives (the former house of We The People.) They have mocked God openly at public events, and they have defied His instructions on marriage, birth, sexual orientation, honesty, and dozens of other subjects explained throughout the Bible. Let God’s will be done.
To not vote is to condone the continuance of the communist/globalist agenda.
Your vote is your prerogative and right as an American citizen, but to encourage people not to vote is insuring the election outcome will be more of the same degeneration of America’s moral fabric. To give up is one thing, to advertise it as a viable election option on a national blogsite is something else. Please consider my response to this posting. I understand that you are disappointed. Don’t let your disappointment and emotions leave you immobilized. Reference: Revelation 3:1-6.
Your Brother in Christ,
Al
Thanks for your comment, Al. I’m sorry that you missed my overarching message. It’s not about comparing Clinton’s and Trump’s weaknesses and determining which one may result in the least damage. What we have been doing hasn’t been working and it’s just getting worse. We must do something different and of course, there will be a cost to it. However, I see it as an investment, not a cost. I may not live to see the gain from that investment but I believe it’s a must in order that our descendants may have a nation as wonderful as we have had. BTW, I too am a Republican PCO in my county and I predicted this sort of outcome from the outset of this political season, long before anyone thought Trump would matter. We were supporting Dr. Carson and a beloved friend opposed him because Carson favors universal immunizations for kids. My response was that if we (Conservatives) again pick apart every one of our good candidates for one or two things that don’t line up exactly with our views, we will damage them all again and end up in a circumstance that makes it possible for Hillary to walk right in, the same as we did for Obama. Ta da!
I, also, meant to say; we agree that the U.S. Political system is corrupt and broken. We just have different views of how to fix it. You’re willing to go with a guy who, now, says he is pro-life. I’m not and I would remind you that Hitler claimed to be Christian. Finally, possibly the biggest part of my overarching message that you missed is that I’ve given up and that I’m encouraging others to do so. It was very unfair of you to say that. To the contrary, I’ve decided to put my resources into a different solution and I’m encouraging others to do likewise. The next four years are lost. My hope is that, by staying away in droves this year, I and those like me will kick off a new and worthwhile movement that will be taken seriously as a result and thus, will bear fruit much sooner.
I’ve got to jump in here guys. Let me state right off the top, that I too am Conservative, Republican & Christian and I do vote in accordance with my faith and the Word of God. You both have something of value to state. However, I must agree with Mr. Peffley “to encourage people not to vote is insuring the election outcome will be more of the same degeneration of America’s moral fabric.” AND further that to advertise it as a viable election option on a national blogsite is in my own opinion, absurd and irresponsible.
Mr. Wiram, I feel your article got off on the wrong foot with the heading: TWO EVILS, NONE THE LESSOR. You invoke this ideal that we are called to measure. I’m confident both of you men are familiar with the Word of God on this. All of us sin and fall short, so the scales cannot be paraded out when we are dealing with political office. We cannot conjure that any man could measure up to God’s standard without painting a comparison and contrast. Therefore, let’s adjust the perspective in your conversation a bit. Investing in building a new party for the next four years is really misleading. We will NOT survive four years without everyone participating now. Four years of whom? With Hillary, we’re talking eight years; eight years more of the Clinton Machine.
Eight years of a woman who wanted to be the President of the World Bank. Eight years of a woman who when Haiti suffered their massive earthquake ushered in her brother Tony Rodham to sit on the board of a new foundation set up by the Clinton Foundation to oversee the mining of one of the largest unmined gold ever unearthed; all in the name of “relief efforts” under Bill’s administration. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2983112/Hillary-Clinton-s-brother-landed-lucrative-gold-mining-permit-Haiti-Bill-Clinton-helped-country-recover-earthquake-devastation.html
There is already talk of Hillary appointing B. Hussein Obama to the SCOTUS and the President himself seeking to be Secretary General of the United Nations. http://dcgazette.com/2016/new-report-shows-obama-secretly-campaigning-to-be-secretary-general-of-u-n-act-as-worlds-president/
The repercussions of a President-Elect Hillary is this continuation that you both speak of.
Here’s the thing, Mr. Wiram: You stated, “we can do better.” Really? The GOP has sat back for eight long years of our current President with plenty of time to forge a path, groom and prime a candidate to prop up in front of the American people. What have they done with the past eight years? Where is this golden child? The fact that Trump stepped up and much like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in my opinon says something about citizenry. Mr. Trump was not my first choice as I supported Ted Cruz and Carly Fiorina. But what we cannot endure is continuing to allow the Establishment to thrive. I am 53 years old, the last generation of baby-boomers. My father fought in WWII with the Marines. Let’s face some hard facts here. An Era is coming to a close. Every person in my generation are burying their parents. My father is 93 and his ways are so out-of-touch, so irrelevant in many ways I cannot even articulate here. It is time for change. The Establishment has to be brought down. If anyone can achieve this, I believe it may just be Mr. Trump. It certainly will not be Hillary Clinton. Let’s make that crystal clear. I want to draw some attention to a profound statement you Mr. Wiram are leaning upon. “…being the America where the whole is greater than the sum of it’s parts?” Let’s take a closer look at those parts. Here, is where I believe you are misappropriating a tenant which simply is no longer the algorithm in play. Let’s talk about those “parts.” Twenty-five years ago, what was merely a handful and today a viable bunch of folks set out to create organizations whose sole purpose was intent on electing LGBT leaders to office; there are many. In fact, they boast that 22% of all Americans are represented by an openly LGBT elected official. Let’s be clear, I don’t need to articulate what agenda the LGBT will pursue. We’re experiencing it now, and they have numbers, and those numbers are growing. Bear in mind where we are in history, let’s talk about the Vietnam War era of radical student protests. Remember all those movements in the sixties? Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) were 250K students strong across the U.S. And the Weather Underground, whose number one agenda was to blow up Federal buildings. All these anti-government, Draft card burning radicals are of what age today in 2016? Their children are how old? How do you suppose growing up in those households looked like? Do you estimate that we have propagated more disengaged anti-government radicals? Non-Christian, flag waving Patriots? These children I believe are now birthing our Millennials. Now let’s go back to your algorithm of the whole not being the sum of all it’s parts. I submit to you that these parts are broken. It’s like a beautiful pie, delicately wafting steam through it’s perfectly flaky crust top; only it’s full of maggots. The divide between our own civilization of old Establishment Cronies and today’s youth could not be broader. We are lacking a bridge between those two paradigms. Whom do you think will bridge those two worlds. We are at a time in history with the largest senior citizen population vs. the largest population of youth. Can a bridge even achieve a pathway to unity?
On the other point here you two are bantering about. To sit out this election and NOT cast a vote altogether because you don’t care for your choices AND to advertise or much worse advocate for others to follow your lead is simply careless. These last eight years of Obama are a reflection of that strategy. And look what happened. Everyone stayed home and didn’t vote for two terms of President. Do you even look at the statistics themselves and see how pathetic the turnout becomes at the polls? Never mind the number of folks, young and old who are not even registered to vote. What we will gain here in a national forum is an opportunity to stir the conversation, and to motivate others to realize that they too have a voice; as I am raising mine. It’s the voice, the vote itself that matters. Fast forward eight years. What does that look like gentlemen? From my perspective, it looks like a one-world government and a cashless society. We’re already there. So now, what does the Word of God say we should be busy with at this time? You are absolutely correct, “This is a battle for religious freedom for Christians,” indeed. But also “other people of good will?” Please tell me you’re trying to sound politically correct here. There are none good. Who are you fooling. What’s at hand here is II Chronicles 7:14 God has certainly been mocked in public places and Mankind has once again disregarded the Word of God. But before you sort laundry, let’s have a deep hard look at ourselves and begin there; myself included. By all means, VOTE it is your God appointed duty as a “citizen.” And please, I beg you—as much as D.C. has the “Establishment;” so has the church their own. The church needs to step up and stop continuing the missteps that have contributed to this whole mess. We are bleeding full of hypocrisy. We are judgmental and uncompassionate. There are our own aisles for which we need to have our hand outstretched across. The times of religious persecution are upon us.
You addressed countless preconceived notions. I won’t waste my time or anyone else’s responding to every point in your rant but here’s one example: I didn’t say I don’t intend to vote nor did I encourage anyone else to not vote. I only said I won’t vote for either of the Two Evils, None The Lesser.
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