I quit the GOP

Today I officially become an independent.

Granted, I have never been that fervent of a Republican (except during my “Rush Limbaugh” phase, which was quite a while ago – I was also listening to country music at the time, so I know I was not in my right mind). But I have been growing more and more dissatisfied with the GOP, basically ever since they controlled both the executive and congressional branch. I liked them way more when they only had the Congress.

So what finally tipped me out of the party? Two stories in today’s Seattle Times:

“Greenspan skewers Bush, lavishes praise on Clinton” (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003885603_fedbook15.html)

This article basically confirms that Republicans, when in power, can waste money with the best of them.

"Hague takes blame for erroneous claim that she has a college degree"
(http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003885542_hague15m.html)

This article hit me for a different reason. When I read in the article that this councilwoman (who had arrested for DUI and speaking “rudely and profanely” to the arresting officers) was a Republican, I responded with a little surprise – isn’t that how those Democrats act? But then I examined the ludicrousness of my surprise: What in my 15 years of political observation has given me any reason to believe that “we” are more moral than “them”?

My political theory is beginning to resemble Rich Mullin’s:

“The Republicans are all evil and the Democrats are all idiots. Looks like another year I am not voting.” (Rough quote from a concert I attended years ago.)

I am still conservative in my fiscal and theological views and I am against socialism because of its massive and willful naiveté regarding man’s sinful (i.e. lazy) nature. And yes, I will continue to vote. And yes, I will probably vote for Republicans more often than not, I just have no desire to be called a Republican any longer.
Maybe some other time I will publish my thoughts on the church and politics, but for the time being you can just read “Blinded by Might” by Cal Thomas and Ed Dobson (http://www.amazon.com/Blinded-Might-Cal-Thomas/dp/0310226503).