Why Vote Republican??? Please clue me in

College Confidential Community
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<p>Although I respect everyone and their political beliefs, I simply cannot understand why people, especially the working class, vote republican.</p>

<p>In my home state of Missouri and across the nation, this is what Republicans are doing:</p>

<li><p>They are trying to end the school lunch program, which provides free lunch to poor students who can’t afford it. But at the same time, they are pushing No Child Left Behind. If they end the federal lunch program, then many poor children will starve in school. If children starve, how can you expect them to perform well in school? How can children learn if they’re hungry?</p></li>
<li><p>They say that they will impose a ban on abortion; however, nothing has happened yet.</p></li>
<li><p>They’re trying to cut STUDENT LOAN programs.</p></li>
<li><p>They oppose having a voting holiday because they know that it will help poor voters, who typically vote Democratic.</p></li>
<li><p>They pretend to be moral and conservative when many have skeletons in their closet, such as Mark Foley or Jeff Ryan.</p></li>
<li><p>They cut a lot of federal programs that help people.</p></li>
<li><p>They want to give large tax cuts for the wealthy, although the wealthy DO NOT NEED tax cuts. </p></li>
<li><p>They don’t care about the enviroment. Although global warming is a major crisis, Bush is trying to downplay it because he’s in the oil business. </p></li>
<li><p>THEY’VE PLACED OUR COUNTRY IN A ONE TRILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT, although Clinton left a huge $127 billion surplus. Do you know who’s going to pay that deficit–my generation (the young people)? That’s totally unfair.</p></li>
<li><p>They knew that something like 911 could happen, but they chose to ignore it. </p></li>
<li><p>Ever since Bush has taken office, the poverty level in this country has been rising. (I read this is a December 2005 Newsweek)</p></li>
<li><p>Although I admit that the democratic Kathleen Blanco made errors, the response to Katrina was nonetheless exceedingly slow. Federal and national troops should have been sent out faster by Bush.</p></li>
<li><p>They support Abstinence Only Sex Education. Many studies show that teenage pregancy has increased with the abstinence-only sex education mandate. The bottom line is that Absitinence-only sex ed does not work. Teens need to know how to protect themselves.</p></li>
<li><p>And worst of all, THEY HAVE MADE A BIG MESS IN IRAQ. In my International Studies class at WashU, a Iraqi guest speaker told us that things were better when Saddam Hussein was in power. He said that he wished the US never invaded Iraq.</p></li>
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<p>Ok, I hope that no one was offended by this because that’s not my intention. I’m simply trying to find out why anyone, knowing all these things, would vote Republican? What has the GOP done for you that could make you ignore these things? Someone please clue me in because I’m totally lost.</p>

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<p>I would venture to guess that people vote Republican because of homophobia and the abortion issue.</p>

<p>I have a friend who told me 'I voted for bush because he is against abortion. I never even considered the other issues.'</p>

<p>Yeah, no kidding.</p>

<p>Well, I happen to be against abortion too. But after I read about welfare cuts actually INCREASING ABORTION rates among poor women, I decided to vote Democrat because (among many other reasons) that would actually do more to prevent abortion in the long run.</p>

<p>But, I really am open to hearing from Republicans. I think it would be healthy if we could get a RESPECTFUL dialog going, to increase understanding between dems and repubs.</p>

<p>What I don't understand is how they can look at only 2 issues and ignore all the others as if they weren't important. They want to save the lives of the unborn babies, but what about all the children who will inherit a poisoned, war-torn planet? Don't they deserve a chance too?</p>

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<p>Yes, let's have some respectful dialogue because I have love for everyone, even Republicans. </p>

<p>Oh, and sorry, I meant to say Jack Ryan in reason number 5.</p>

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<p>Enough with the Republican bashing threads already! It's getting old. Instead of insulting another person's beliefs (political), why don't you do something more useful, like getting people to register to vote (if you are 18)?</p>

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<p>Instead of insulting another person's beliefs (political), why don't you do something more useful, like getting people to register to vote (if you are 18)? (Didn't have enough time to edit my post) Sorry.</p>

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<p>Hey, stop bashing Republicans. I love Republicans.</p>

<p>I vote for Republicans because they give my family tax cuts by taking away money from social programs and welfare. Although my family makes over $3 million a year, I don't want a cent of it to help poor people. Thanks to Bush, I know that less of my money will help the poor, disabled, and old veterans.</p>

<p>Take from the poorl Give to the rich!--that's the Republican way!!!</p>

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<p>you guys need to grow up. That's why I don't like debating with teenagers. You can't take any political discussions seriously without making really sarcastic comments. </p>

<p>That's why I have heated discussions with some libs on here. (all in good fun of course.)</p>

<p>If you want honest answers from the opposing side, don't make snide comments towards them. Just a hint. I would give you my reasons for voting Republican, but I think your comments are very immature and intolerant.</p>

<p>All Libs preach tolerance, and yet most of the libs on CC are intolerant towards the opposite view. Wow...that's a head scratcher.</p>

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<p>Ok, everyone please stop with the antagonistic comments. Let's try to be respectful. </p>

<p>smurfette2692, I respect your opinion, and I appreciate your response.</p>

<p>But for your information, I am involved with College Democrats at my college. College Democrats at my college help local citizens to register to vote.</p>

<p>But I would really like to understand why you are to the right? I'm not dissing you; I simply want to understand you.</p>

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<p>That's why I have heated discussions with some libs on here. (all in good fun of course.)</p>

<p>If you want honest answers from the opposing side, don't make snide comments towards them. Just a hint. I would give you my reasons for voting Republican, but I think your comments are very immature and intolerant.</p>

<p>All Libs preach tolerance, and yet most of the libs on CC are intolerant towards the opposite view. Wow...that's a head scratcher.</p>

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<p>I think smurfette2692 just engaged in some extremely sophisticated self-parody...</p>

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<p>Why is a request for open discussion considered to be 'bashing'?</p>

<p>Maybe that is the difference between liberals and conservatives - liberals are willing to discuss other ideas and seek understanding.</p>

<p>Please prove me wrong. Be willing to just discuss the topics without getting defensive or attacking those with different views.</p>

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<p>smurfette2692, thanks for your response.</p>

<p>What does everyone else think?</p>

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<p>'...All Libs preach tolerance, and yet most of the libs on CC are intolerant towards the opposite view. Wow...that's a head scratcher...'</p>

<p>If true, that would be a very good point. But liberals tend to be tolerant of most things EXCEPT intolerance! It is not the 'opposite view' that is not tolerated, but the lack of tolerance.</p>

<p>imo, one person's freedoms end where another's begins. We should have tolerance for others' views as long as they are not hurting anyone.</p>

<p>In other words, I am NOT saying that EVERYTHING should be tolerated. Violence should not be tolerated (which is why I'm against abortion) but other religious views should be tolerated. Not necessarily agreed with, but respected (again, as long as they are not hurting anyone, as in the case of religious fanatics).</p>

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<p>I found this online. I think that it's very interesting: <a href="http://www.christianforums.com/t48074%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.christianforums.com/t48074&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>How is asking for understanding thru discussion 'insulting' one's beliefs? What did the OP say that was insulting? I really am trying to understand.</p>

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<p>The OP never said anything insulting. Smurfette2692 just turned on defensive-mode after seeing the title and decided to go after the most radical post instead. ~.~</p>

<p>Hint: If you don't want a "heated" and immature argument, stop only adressing members who are most "heated" and immature.</p>

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<p>Its not the government's job to pay the poor to live. The government should look after the wealthy, and in turn the wealthy will create jobs for the lower classes.</p>

<p>EDIT: Vote McCain '08 he'll fix all the problems the Bush Administration started, and you can keep your gay marriage and your abortion.</p>

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<p>The tagline for that article is from Berkeley...</p>

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<p>"How is asking for understanding thru discussion 'insulting' one's beliefs? What did the OP say that was insulting? I really am trying to understand."</p>

<p>Because we are republicans. We are always right, and we squash anyone who opposes us. We squash the little man who can't defend himself, and we squash the poor person. One day, we will take over the world. And there's nothing that you liberals can do about that.</p>

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<p>My parents are not conservatives and their not liberals either. They don't support Bush, but they don't spew hatred about him and conservatives like some of the people I have met and encountered on CC. </p>

<p>1.) No Child Left Behind had support from both the Democratic and Republican Parties. You can't just point your finger at the Reps for this one. Honestly, I believe that teachers should recieve yearly tests because I've had some teachers who have been teaching for quite a while and don't know what they're teaching, while robbing qualified teachers of potential jobs. This is my opinion only and please don't attack me for it. </p>

<p>2.) I do not believe in abortion, for my personal reasons, unless the woman is in danger. I don't believe that there will be a federal ban because of pro-choice groups and the like. I'm not going to get into the abortion debate because everyone has their own personal beliefs and we had a lengthy thread on it.</p>

<ol>
<li>and 4. I haven't heard of..so I cannot comment on those points.</li>
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<p>5.) I am not condoning Mark Foley's actions, however, to judge an entire party based on one man's actions is really ignorant. (and no...I did not say all Dems were bad because of Clinton's actions so please don't bring that up). There are allegations that the Instant Messages are made up, so I am holding off on commenting on this. And I read an article where the now older, former pages were talking about what he used to do. (It is not known if he had done anything with them, but he denies assaulting them) But if it does come up that he assaulted them, remember this, memories, especially of sexual assualt and abuse may not be entirely accurate. If you over the age of 16 and really interested in this stuff, watch Capturing the Friedmans or at least research the case. </p>

<p>6.) I think the federal programs you are talking about it welfare. Do you know how many people take advantage of the system? I know people who have a lot of money and still get their welfare checks in the mail. There are people also who rip off the system by getting Workers Comp money. Most claim back injuries. Do you know why? Because I can go and hurt my back with something else, and claim that my employer made me lift very heavy boxes and get away with it. (I am female btw) I also know that there are also people who are honest and are down on their luck. I actually think the system needs to be revamped. </p>

<p>8.) Another general misconception made by liberals and of course liberals have to attack Bush's oil ties. I've heard it so many times that it's starting to sound like a broken record. The government a few years back actually paid people money to drive the hybrid cars when they were very new. Conservatives also are for the drilling of ANWR and what the area they would drill, is the size of a postage stamp. I'm not going to get further into details, as I do not want to start any fights. Believe what you want, but it will not affect the wildlife as bad as what Al Gore says. Don't believe everything you hear from these politicians (Conservatives or Liberals), do your own research and make your own decison. I've done plenty of research on this topic and you know the decision I made. </p>

<p>9.) Another misconception I hear ad nauseaum. We've always been in debt and of course it's going to be higher because of our decision to fight the war on terrorism, which had bipartisan support. I keep hearing the same thing about the "surplus" Clinton had, but I never witnessed him attempting to take down the terrorist scum in his eight years. Also, I don't know where this figure keeps coming from since everyone quotes this, but does not cite a government source. </p>

<p>10.) Clinton did hear about threats to this country from Sudan 3 times and chose to do nothing. However, I do not think that 9/11 is entirely Clinton's fault. I think Bush and Clinton are both at fault for not looking at the intel closely. Maybe 9/11 was a wakeup call for all of us who believed that nothing will ever happen to us because we are the most powerful country in the world and that evil doesn't exist. </p>

<p>11.) The poverty level issue. You can't directly blame conservatives for this or Bush for that matter, because many factors lead to poverty. I do believe it is a problem and something should be done. I don't think you should spoon feed people who are down on their luck, but at least offer some assistance. There are plenty of faith based organizations who provide assistance to the poor. What I don't understand is we are spending so much money to help those in Africa (Bono is part of this and I'm glad that instead of shooting his mouth off like Barbara Streisand and Kanye West) when there are poor people in our own backyard. How come Kanye West can insult our President about not caring about black people, but not donate any money to the people in our country? If he honestly cares, why doesn't he stop buying his "bling-bling" and donate that money to a worthy cause? Just a thought.</p>

<p>12.) I do agree with you on the Hurricane Katrina assistance being slow. He should've done more. People donated so much money, and still, still, the city is a mess. What I don't understand is why New Orleans decided to spend so much money on the Mardi Gras parade, instead of dedicating their time and money to rebuild the city? What's more important, a party or rebuilding your city? It's not going to hurt anybody if the parade didn't happen for one year considering the situation.</p>

<p>13.) Can you please cite your source? I don't want to comment on that since I have never heard this statistic. The only thing I will say though is that teen sex is out of control these days. I've read posts where girls are starting to lose their virginity at 12 years old! </p>

<p>14.) I have heard from other troops who had gone there, that the media is distorting the entire thing and actually hindering the process. I have also talked to a congressman who met a soldier in Iraq. The soldier had lost his leg in the war and came back home. Guess what? He wants to go back there. And please don't tell me that none of the Dems supported the war and voted for it. I have numerous quotes from Dems who said Saddam was a threat and needed to be taken out. I don't think sitting at home/school on your computer posting these kind of comments about the war effort is going to make the war any better. Remember, these people <em>chose</em> to serve, no one forced them against their will. Even if you do not support the war, please support our troops and tell them what a good job they are doing. Especially around the holidays, they would appreciate it if you sent them a card saying thank you and have a nice holiday. Some soldiers do not get any mail, and by you doing that, it will make them feel closer to home and boost their morale. </p>

<p>I hope my thoughts help the OP and thank you for not bashing me for my beliefs. I wasn't attacking the OP either since the OP wanted honest answers. It's from the posters like Chrislo23 who really get on my nerves. I don't agree with every single thing Republicans have done, I choose to think for myself on these issues. For the rest of you who came on this thread and proved their immaturity to me, I really don't care what your response is to my post, nor will I respond to your ignorant, hate-filled comments.</p>