On a discussion board I frequent the question was asked, “If the Democrats were not about gun control would you still vote Republican? In other words if the Democratic party blackballed all of their gun control advocates and publicly humiliate them would you vote Democrat?”
I can’t vote democrat every because of the blatant intelectual dishonesty a majority of their leaders display. Stuff like Howard Dean wanting to do away with the electoral college.
One thing that pisses me off about Dem talking points to no end is the “tax cuts for the rich” canard. Yes, the rich did get tax cuts, but no democrat I have heard will ever say why that is bad and will definatlely never tell you what the result of the tax cuts were. The whole thing is to drum up support among ignorant or stupid poor people who think the rich keep them down.
“The rich” pay 90+% off all income taxes and as a result of the Bush tax cuts tax revenues are higher than they would have been under previous tax law. Those facts are completely lost on Democrats and is representative of a larger issue. Unscrupulous pandering with extreme disregard for the facts is what turns me off, and that happens on far more issues than the one above.
I got into a discussion with a local Democrat about why he wanted universal healthcare. His position was that healthcare was a right and should be provided to everyone. I didn’t chastize him for his position, but pointed out the negative effects, such as Walter Reed and VA hospitals and other shortcoming and dangers such a the government having an interest in keeping people healthy and the slippery slope of banning smoking and trans fats. All of that stuff was completely lost on him and he doesn’t care as long as everyone receives healthcare.
Now, I am not saying all democrats are like that, but that really isn’t the point I am making. The point is that Democrat’s positions are have shaky foundations.
A don’t think I am being an apologist for republicans. This current crop is contemptable and I loathe a great deal of their actions, from the top down.
Also, I apply this thinking to National level politics. At the local level there are probably a great deal of outstanding democrats. Abe Lopez, a local judge, comes to mind who was very good at what he did.