Monday, November 02, 2009

Politics

Tip O'Neal once said that all politics is local, and there is certainly some truth to that statement.

We've got gubernatoral races in New Jersey and Virginia, and special congressional elections in some other states. Lots of folks are saying that if the Republicans do well in those elections, then maybe the party has turned the corner. Others disagree. Most famously the Associated Press.
For Republicans, an election win of any size Tuesday would be a blessing. But victories in Virginia, New Jersey or elsewhere won't erase enormous obstacles the party faces heading into a 2010 midterm election year when control of Congress and statehouses from coast to coast will be up for grabs.
They're right. The GOP faces enormous obstacles, not the least of which is the disenchantment that lots of us have with our local politicians. Lots of us haven't forgotten the way the Republicans went on a spending spree the last time that they were in charge.

My own Congress-critter, Rodney Alexander, (R-LA) thinks that pork should be spelled PORC, (Projects of Regional Concern). He was booed very nearly off the stage at the last tea party I attended. Personally, I'm voting against Rodney the very next chance I get, along with voting against David Vitter and Mary Landrieu. I'm in a "throw the bums out" mood when it comes to incumbents.

My problem, even though I'm registered Republican, is because I've been too damned lazy to go to the Courthouse and change my affiliation to Independent. If I had to categorize myself, I'd probably say that I'm Conservative. I think most Americans simply want the government to leave them alone to live their lives. I think that 90% of the legislation passed these days is worthless on its face. No one is interested in true reform of any type. It seems to me that what most politicians are interested in is holding on to their office. There aren't any statesmen left.

Yeah, the Republicans have problems and their biggest problem is guys like me who are registered Republican but became disgusted with the whole lot of them.

4 comments:

be603 said...

do you have open primaries? Or would changing to Independant keep you from voting for the better in primary season?

Anonymous said...

Like you, I am Republican by necessity of registration only. If I changed my registration to Independent it would severely curtail my ability to make any meaningful difference in the primary elections.

CU74 - Kansas

Rivrdog said...

In the Second Republic, all primaries will be open...

Anonymous said...

I registered as an Independant. I'm so sick of both the Evil and Stupid parties that I'd cheerfully donate money for rope to hang the lot of them. I still vote, but it's more habit now than any hope of electing anyone to the right of Karl Marx, at least here in the Puget Sound Basin.

Gerry N.