Can someone explain what has happened to the GOP?

[Rouge Rover]

It was hijacked by the Nazi element within it. Today's Republican Party really does resemble the Nazi Party. All the hate and disdain for the least fortunate among us. And the lunatic obsession with starting more wars.

It all started when the Neocons seized control. They're very dangerous people with a Nazi mentality. They want our poor to just die, or even have them locked away in cages. They want them disappeared. And they desperately want to start WWIII. I can't call myself a Republican at this point.

Total bullshit lie about the Nazi Party!
IN FACT! The National Socialist Party was duly elected by the people of Germany over many elections with the NS Party gaining seats in each election until they were the ruling party. Hitler's party did not "hijack" the Government.The German people wanted what Hitler was offering.
Go read a fucking book asshole!

I see Thank You, Agree, Funny, Winner, Informative...where is the "take your own advice" button?

 

[miketx]

Breaking News!
Just seen! Four 18 wheelers arrived at the DNC headquarters. Each truck unloaded sixty pallets of 'Depends'. Not to be opened until election night!

Are you sure it wasn't these?

 

[candycorn]

Also, for the first time in years, seeing the republican voters not giving a hoot about supposed family values....abortion, sanctity of marriage, gays, higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations, tariffs, free trade, war drums, etc like they usually do, while screwing themselves, is sort of refreshing.

When I call Trump supporters morally bankrupt, this is what I'm talking about (in part). The GOP of 2014 of "guns, god, and family" is a thing of the past. They sound like Democrat Light more and more.

Their messiah is no longer Jesus; nor should it have ever been. It'll be fun next year to point that out if Trump gets their nomination.

 

[candycorn]

Sure...and I spend hours replying to Bernie threads telling the Bernie supporters how stupid they are. /sarcasm

You aren't fooling anyone...but keep trying. I wouldn't admit it either.

Are there Bernie threads on the board???

Sure...and I spend hours replying to Bernie threads telling the Bernie supporters how stupid they are. /sarcasm

You aren't fooling anyone...but keep trying. I wouldn't admit it either.

Are there Bernie threads on the board???

A few. Timmy, Jim52 and Billy000 have OPed a couple.

And maybe explain it without the standard hyperbole and partisan BS. Just some honest, solid analysis. Or maybe provide a link to a piece that someone has written that calmly and reasonably explains it.

I think this "Fox News is the enemy" thing is the final straw with me. I'm now completely lost, and I feel like Sandra Bullock in Gravity, floating away from reality with no way to get back.

To wit:

• The aforementioned darling news network is, overnight, the target of at least as much derision as MSNBC
  
• A bombastic New Yorker who is clearly not a conservative is running away with the nomination
• That same candidate can literally say the most ridiculous things and it only makes his support stronger
  
• Suddenly, nationalism & populism clearly have more energy in the party than "conservative values"
• A nihilistic, "I don't care, just blow the whole thing up" attitude seems to completely permeate the party
  
• The slightest nod toward legislative cooperation is simply no longer allowed in public discourse
• The Establishment, whatever that is, appears to be more hated than any Democrat

It's like half the party has just snapped.

Exactly what is the goal here? And does anyone care if this inter-party schism is healed?
.

How can you give an honest answer without being 'partisan'? I'm a little confused by this issue.

To me, adherence to a partisan ideology tends to distort perceptions, and therefore analysis.

Some partisans are able to step back from their ideology and see the big picture without distortion.

I've seen some of that on this thread.
.

Mac, here is probably the real answer, although it may not make you happy!

Should we believe MOST of what our politicians say? How about 1/2? Then think beack to the last few/couple of midterm elections, and what did the GOP run on to get elected?

You see, we are all adults, so if they thought some of it was ok, then tell us. If they could not stop or reverse the course of the country with what we gave them in those races, then tell us.

How much of the constitution are we all privy to, and the number 1 question is......should they have been able to with the power of the purse, and following the same senate voting rules Harry Reid did when the Democrats held the majority, after we listened to them, and gave them what they asked for?

So you see, the people in power have created the "Trump desire," not Trump himself. Had they at least tried to follow through, and a voting trick was pulled to derail their governance, then this would be a whole different debate we are having.

Obama is exerting pressure on policy, that either he is not supposed to have, that the GOP says he does not have, and yet, they do nothing! What good is us voting for change in congress, if they run on stopping the change, then do not even try to? And this has been going on how many cycles now, 3? And they have held both houses of congress since January of 15!

To not understand why the GOP denizens are pissed means that someone actually believes that ALL these people we sent to Washington, did what they said they would do.

Again, what has happened to the GOP was inflicted by its leaders, NOT the rank and file. Their arrogance has given the establishment candidates a rough road to hoe. People are proclaiming how we tried it "their" way, and they did NOTHING, when they had the power in their hands.

So the most obvious question than is------>why should we believe what they say now? We gave them a chance like "good little GOPers," believed in the issues they ran on, and all they did is either show that "they are afraid of Obama," or that "congress is useless." If the latter is the case, why would we put one of them in charge to screw us again?

What is the old saying, "screw me once, shame on you, screw me twice, shame on me!" If we allow them to keep screwing us, we are certainly dumber than the Democrats, because they keep getting their agenda put in, because we allow the establishment to run losers and liars against them, and think we have found a winner! And when we do elect one of their rinos, we wonder why the house falls down!

Remember our heroes, lol.

1. Bush senior, read my lips.

2. Dole, a sour pineapple for sure.

3. Mcain, I want to engage in every war imaginable, then wonder why I lost the election.

4. GW, I fought the Democrats on Fannie and Freddie, let them win the debate, and when the whole house came down I got the blame. Brilliant rino strategy for the rest of our guys him. (but thnx for your service during 9/11, few Presidents could have done better)

5. Romney..........kicked Obama's ass in 1st debate, laid down and died because he thought he had sewn up. Creator of Obamacare formerly known as Romneycare, so could not attack the 1 issue that at the time, Americans were must concerned about.

6. And let us not forget who/whom the RINOs really wanted to put up this time around, JEBSTER! A man who can't form a complete sentence without fumbling over his own words, son of a President who couldn't get re-elected against an Arkansas governor, and brother to the President who couldn't defeat the Democrats on Fannie, then had to watch as we melted down!

Why so much Trump/Cruz? I think I explained it all-)

Actually, I think the reasoning is becoming more clear to me as I'm asking for specifics here.

The two issues that remain for me are (1) I don't think there's any way of knowing that he would actually stick to conservative principles as many conservatives seem to believe he would, and (2) his wild, over-the-top behavior makes me question his judgement. I get that many are fed up with DC, and I include myself in that, but this is one lousy messenger.

But again, I think I understand this more. Thanks for the input.
.

Just real quick; what are you calling Trump's "conservative principles"? I have a problem identifying the policy from the principle. Put another way, the "Lets be afraid of whomever thinks different" is definitely a 2016 conservative principle. However, the wanting to ban people based on religion and wanting to deport gardeners and nannies who are supposedly undermining our economy is something more out of a Aryan Brotherhood manual than a Conservative playbook; or at least I hope so.

Are there others I'm missing?

I realize the "kick ISIS's ass" is not going to happen.

 

[rightwinger]

The GOP has been neutered long ago by career politicians, known as Rinos today....

But Trump is the ultimate Northeast RINO.....he's who you all have pushed out of congress....the social moderate, isn't he???

Trump is literally a RINO....yet points to other candidates and screams.....You are not a real Republican

 

[Toro]

And maybe explain it without the standard hyperbole and partisan BS. Just some honest, solid analysis. Or maybe provide a link to a piece that someone has written that calmly and reasonably explains it.

I think this "Fox News is the enemy" thing is the final straw with me. I'm now completely lost, and I feel like Sandra Bullock in Gravity, floating away from reality with no way to get back.

To wit:

• The aforementioned darling news network is, overnight, the target of at least as much derision as MSNBC
  
• A bombastic New Yorker who is clearly not a conservative is running away with the nomination
• That same candidate can literally say the most ridiculous things and it only makes his support stronger
  
• Suddenly, nationalism & populism clearly have more energy in the party than "conservative values"
• A nihilistic, "I don't care, just blow the whole thing up" attitude seems to completely permeate the party
  
• The slightest nod toward legislative cooperation is simply no longer allowed in public discourse
• The Establishment, whatever that is, appears to be more hated than any Democrat

It's like half the party has just snapped.

Exactly what is the goal here? And does anyone care if this inter-party schism is healed?
.

Conservative Ideology AND the Republican Party are means to an end, the interests of the Nation.

That some Conservative Ideology seems to have failed to deliver on that, ie supposedly Free Trade, and the Establishment Republicans have failed to deliver on that, you are seeing a Populist revolt of the Republican voters.

The "nihilism" you think you see is actually desperation, because we don't know if the interests of the country can be served at this late date.

The question is not can the inter-party schism be healed, the question is can we turn this country around from it's path of decline.

Populism is dangerous.

It offers simple solutions to complex problems, and relies on demagoguery and scapegoating of others. It speaks to people in a very dark place.

Some of the worst governments anywhere have been populist or had roots in populism - Chavez, Peron, Mugabe, Hitler to name a few.

Simple answers are sometimes called for.

And we are not scapegoating others. NOr are we operating from a "dark place".

It is when your leading candidate calls Mexican immigrants rapists and proposes banning all Muslims.

That's really bad.

There are much, much better ways to articulate opposition to immigration and terrorism than that.

Because of this and this alone, I will never support Trump.

There is a problem with crime and Third World Immigration. Being honest about that is not demagoguery or scapegoating others.

There is a problem with Muslims becoming radicalized and we don't know how to filter for that. A "temporary" ban is a reasonable response to that. That is not demagoguery or scapegoating others.

If there are "better ways" to articulate opposition to immigrant criminals and terrorism, no one has picked up that ball and ran with it.

Trump has. He is the best option for those issues available at this time.

It is not true that most Mexican immigrants are rapists, drug mules, etc.

Nor is it true that all Muslims are terrorists.

That's demagoguery and scapegoating groups of people.

That is divisive and dangerous.

That Trump said he'd ban American Muslims from entering the country, then walked back from it, shows that he is not thinking this through and reacting emotionally.

The country needs a cool, level-headed President, not one that reacts without thinking.

 

[Conservative65]

Conservative Ideology AND the Republican Party are means to an end, the interests of the Nation.

That some Conservative Ideology seems to have failed to deliver on that, ie supposedly Free Trade, and the Establishment Republicans have failed to deliver on that, you are seeing a Populist revolt of the Republican voters.

The "nihilism" you think you see is actually desperation, because we don't know if the interests of the country can be served at this late date.

The question is not can the inter-party schism be healed, the question is can we turn this country around from it's path of decline.

Populism is dangerous.

It offers simple solutions to complex problems, and relies on demagoguery and scapegoating of others. It speaks to people in a very dark place.

Some of the worst governments anywhere have been populist or had roots in populism - Chavez, Peron, Mugabe, Hitler to name a few.

Simple answers are sometimes called for.

And we are not scapegoating others. NOr are we operating from a "dark place".

It is when your leading candidate calls Mexican immigrants rapists and proposes banning all Muslims.

That's really bad.

There are much, much better ways to articulate opposition to immigration and terrorism than that.

Because of this and this alone, I will never support Trump.

There is a problem with crime and Third World Immigration. Being honest about that is not demagoguery or scapegoating others.

There is a problem with Muslims becoming radicalized and we don't know how to filter for that. A "temporary" ban is a reasonable response to that. That is not demagoguery or scapegoating others.

If there are "better ways" to articulate opposition to immigrant criminals and terrorism, no one has picked up that ball and ran with it.

Trump has. He is the best option for those issues available at this time.

It is not true that most Mexican immigrants are rapists, drug mules, etc.

Nor is it true that all Muslims are terrorists.

That's demagoguery and scapegoating groups of people.

That is divisive and dangerous.

The problem is the government is willing to allow people into this country that the very same government says can't be vetted to determine whether or not they're terrorists.

 

[Toro]

The GOP has been neutered long ago by career politicians, known as Rinos today....

But Trump is the ultimate Northeast RINO.....he's who you all have pushed out of congress....the social moderate, isn't he???

Trump is literally a RINO....yet points to other candidates and screams.....You are not a real Republican

In fairness, that's his supporters doing that, not Trump.

 

[Conservative65]

The GOP has been neutered long ago by career politicians, known as Rinos today....

But Trump is the ultimate Northeast RINO.....he's who you all have pushed out of congress....the social moderate, isn't he???

Trump is literally a RINO....yet points to other candidates and screams.....You are not a real Republican

Trump just pisses you off because you don't like what he has to say but is willing to say it.

 

[Toro]

Populism is dangerous.

It offers simple solutions to complex problems, and relies on demagoguery and scapegoating of others. It speaks to people in a very dark place.

Some of the worst governments anywhere have been populist or had roots in populism - Chavez, Peron, Mugabe, Hitler to name a few.

Simple answers are sometimes called for.

And we are not scapegoating others. NOr are we operating from a "dark place".

It is when your leading candidate calls Mexican immigrants rapists and proposes banning all Muslims.

That's really bad.

There are much, much better ways to articulate opposition to immigration and terrorism than that.

Because of this and this alone, I will never support Trump.

There is a problem with crime and Third World Immigration. Being honest about that is not demagoguery or scapegoating others.

There is a problem with Muslims becoming radicalized and we don't know how to filter for that. A "temporary" ban is a reasonable response to that. That is not demagoguery or scapegoating others.

If there are "better ways" to articulate opposition to immigrant criminals and terrorism, no one has picked up that ball and ran with it.

Trump has. He is the best option for those issues available at this time.

It is not true that most Mexican immigrants are rapists, drug mules, etc.

Nor is it true that all Muslims are terrorists.

That's demagoguery and scapegoating groups of people.

That is divisive and dangerous.

The problem is the government is willing to allow people into this country that the very same government says can't be vetted to determine whether or not they're terrorists.

That's different than saying we should ban all Muslims and create a police state-like agency that will monitor Muslims and create a Muslim database.

 

[Soggy in NOLA]

And maybe explain it without the standard hyperbole and partisan BS. Just some honest, solid analysis. Or maybe provide a link to a piece that someone has written that calmly and reasonably explains it.

I think this "Fox News is the enemy" thing is the final straw with me. I'm now completely lost, and I feel like Sandra Bullock in Gravity, floating away from reality with no way to get back.

To wit:

• The aforementioned darling news network is, overnight, the target of at least as much derision as MSNBC
  
• A bombastic New Yorker who is clearly not a conservative is running away with the nomination
• That same candidate can literally say the most ridiculous things and it only makes his support stronger
  
• Suddenly, nationalism & populism clearly have more energy in the party than "conservative values"
• A nihilistic, "I don't care, just blow the whole thing up" attitude seems to completely permeate the party
  
• The slightest nod toward legislative cooperation is simply no longer allowed in public discourse
• The Establishment, whatever that is, appears to be more hated than any Democrat

It's like half the party has just snapped.

Exactly what is the goal here? And does anyone care if this inter-party schism is healed?
.

Yeah, it's vexing. The GOP has given in to the mistaken notion that people want more of the same, just not as bad as what the left offers. Makes no sense, I know. So, Trump comes along, tells the establishment to fuck off, and its refreshing. After years of Democrat lite, O'Connell, Boehner, Bush, etc., people enjoy watching somebody not pulling punches.

So, we get Trump. Thanks GOP.

 

[Toro]

It is when your leading candidate calls Mexican immigrants rapists and proposes banning all Muslims.

You are a lying sack. Trump clearly said a temporary ban on any more Muslims, and far as Mexico, many many criminals come in from Mexico and are committing horrible crimes daily. And, libtard, they are not immigrants they are illegal aliens.

You're the type of person Trump was referring to when he said he could gun people down and his supporters would support him anyways.

Heck, Trump could shoot you and you'd still support him.

 

[Correll]

Conservative Ideology AND the Republican Party are means to an end, the interests of the Nation.

That some Conservative Ideology seems to have failed to deliver on that, ie supposedly Free Trade, and the Establishment Republicans have failed to deliver on that, you are seeing a Populist revolt of the Republican voters.

The "nihilism" you think you see is actually desperation, because we don't know if the interests of the country can be served at this late date.

The question is not can the inter-party schism be healed, the question is can we turn this country around from it's path of decline.

Populism is dangerous.

It offers simple solutions to complex problems, and relies on demagoguery and scapegoating of others. It speaks to people in a very dark place.

Some of the worst governments anywhere have been populist or had roots in populism - Chavez, Peron, Mugabe, Hitler to name a few.

Simple answers are sometimes called for.

And we are not scapegoating others. NOr are we operating from a "dark place".

It is when your leading candidate calls Mexican immigrants rapists and proposes banning all Muslims.

That's really bad.

There are much, much better ways to articulate opposition to immigration and terrorism than that.

Because of this and this alone, I will never support Trump.

There is a problem with crime and Third World Immigration. Being honest about that is not demagoguery or scapegoating others.

There is a problem with Muslims becoming radicalized and we don't know how to filter for that. A "temporary" ban is a reasonable response to that. That is not demagoguery or scapegoating others.

If there are "better ways" to articulate opposition to immigrant criminals and terrorism, no one has picked up that ball and ran with it.

Trump has. He is the best option for those issues available at this time.

It is not true that most Mexican immigrants are rapists, drug mules, etc.

Nor is it true that all Muslims are terrorists.

That's demagoguery and scapegoating groups of people.

That is divisive and dangerous.

That Trump said he'd ban American Muslims from entering the country, then walked back from it, shows that he is not thinking this through and reacting emotionally.

The country needs a cool, level-headed President, not one that reacts without thinking.

THat fact that a majority of Mexican immigrants are NOT rapists or drug mules does not reduce the number of those that ARE, or address the harm they do to Americans.

The fact that the majority of musilms are NOT terrorist does not reduce the danger from those that are.

These are real problems and it is NOT demagoguery not scapegoating to address them.

THis country needs a president that is not afraid to address crime by illegal immigrants and muslim terrorism because it is Politically INcorrect to do so.

 

[Freewill]

Trump, pure and simple, is the anti-vote. I was all for Rubio until he wimped out and skipped the budget vote. He couldn't man up and show his colors, screw the dreamer.

Kasich would be next but he has a snowballs chance in hell.

Kruz might be the most conservative but there is just something about his look that does not appeal to me. Yeah, superficial, but I can't help it.

No other candidate has a snowballs chance so why bother.

TPP is why I am no longer a Republican so the primary doesn't really have anything for me.

On the democrat side, there is lying Mrs. Bosnia Clinton. That isn't even a viable pick for dog catcher. If she were elected dog catcher I am sure the cats of the world would have a problem.

Of course one could support socialist Sanders. What is he, 100 years old?

So with that to pick from why would you be surprised that the ultimate in protest vote would be selected. I think I can speak for most people, at least on the right, we are tired of the political BS. Even if Trump would be the worst, a message will be sent.

 

[rightwinger]

The GOP has been neutered long ago by career politicians, known as Rinos today....

But Trump is the ultimate Northeast RINO.....he's who you all have pushed out of congress....the social moderate, isn't he???

Trump is literally a RINO....yet points to other candidates and screams.....You are not a real Republican

Trump just pisses you off because you don't like what he has to say but is willing to say it.

Trump is willing to say anything that will get him headlines the next day

 

[Freewill]

It is when your leading candidate calls Mexican immigrants rapists and proposes banning all Muslims.

You are a lying sack. Trump clearly said a temporary ban on any more Muslims, and far as Mexico, many many criminals come in from Mexico and are committing horrible crimes daily. And, libtard, they are not immigrants they are illegal aliens.

You're the type of person Trump was referring to when he said he could gun people down and his supporters would support him anyways.

Heck, Trump could shoot you and you'd still support him.

Hell Mrs Clinton was in charge when four of our men will killed, and she is still supported.

Mrs. Bosnia Clinton outright LIES to all of us about sniper fire and yet still has support. THAT is exactly what Trump was talking about, i think most didn't see the irony.

 

[Toro]

And maybe explain it without the standard hyperbole and partisan BS. Just some honest, solid analysis. Or maybe provide a link to a piece that someone has written that calmly and reasonably explains it.

I think this "Fox News is the enemy" thing is the final straw with me. I'm now completely lost, and I feel like Sandra Bullock in Gravity, floating away from reality with no way to get back.

To wit:

• The aforementioned darling news network is, overnight, the target of at least as much derision as MSNBC
  
• A bombastic New Yorker who is clearly not a conservative is running away with the nomination
• That same candidate can literally say the most ridiculous things and it only makes his support stronger
  
• Suddenly, nationalism & populism clearly have more energy in the party than "conservative values"
• A nihilistic, "I don't care, just blow the whole thing up" attitude seems to completely permeate the party
  
• The slightest nod toward legislative cooperation is simply no longer allowed in public discourse
• The Establishment, whatever that is, appears to be more hated than any Democrat

It's like half the party has just snapped.

Exactly what is the goal here? And does anyone care if this inter-party schism is healed?
.

Conservative Ideology AND the Republican Party are means to an end, the interests of the Nation.

That some Conservative Ideology seems to have failed to deliver on that, ie supposedly Free Trade, and the Establishment Republicans have failed to deliver on that, you are seeing a Populist revolt of the Republican voters.

The "nihilism" you think you see is actually desperation, because we don't know if the interests of the country can be served at this late date.

The question is not can the inter-party schism be healed, the question is can we turn this country around from it's path of decline.

Populism is dangerous.

It offers simple solutions to complex problems, and relies on demagoguery and scapegoating of others. It speaks to people in a very dark place.

Some of the worst governments anywhere have been populist or had roots in populism - Chavez, Peron, Mugabe, Hitler to name a few.

Simple answers are sometimes called for.

And we are not scapegoating others. NOr are we operating from a "dark place".

It is when your leading candidate calls Mexican immigrants rapists and proposes banning all Muslims.

That's really bad.

There are much, much better ways to articulate opposition to immigration and terrorism than that.

Because of this and this alone, I will never support Trump.

Was it banning all Muslims or banning until they get thoroughly vetted? He is against illegals, not immigrants. He has the back of US citizens.

He said ban all Muslims, including American Muslims. He backtracked on American Muslims a few days later.

He said until we knew what was going on, not about being vetted.

 

[Jackson]

Conservative Ideology AND the Republican Party are means to an end, the interests of the Nation.

That some Conservative Ideology seems to have failed to deliver on that, ie supposedly Free Trade, and the Establishment Republicans have failed to deliver on that, you are seeing a Populist revolt of the Republican voters.

The "nihilism" you think you see is actually desperation, because we don't know if the interests of the country can be served at this late date.

The question is not can the inter-party schism be healed, the question is can we turn this country around from it's path of decline.

Populism is dangerous.

It offers simple solutions to complex problems, and relies on demagoguery and scapegoating of others. It speaks to people in a very dark place.

Some of the worst governments anywhere have been populist or had roots in populism - Chavez, Peron, Mugabe, Hitler to name a few.

Simple answers are sometimes called for.

And we are not scapegoating others. NOr are we operating from a "dark place".

It is when your leading candidate calls Mexican immigrants rapists and proposes banning all Muslims.

That's really bad.

There are much, much better ways to articulate opposition to immigration and terrorism than that.

Because of this and this alone, I will never support Trump.

Was it banning all Muslims or banning until they get thoroughly vetted? He is against illegals, not immigrants. He has the back of US citizens.

He said ban all Muslims, including American Muslims. He backtracked on American Muslims a few days later.

He said until we knew what was going on, not about being vetted.

Okay...."until we knew what was going on" can be translated as vetting.

 

[Soggy in NOLA]

KARL ROVE happened to the GOP.

 

[Toro]

It is when your leading candidate calls Mexican immigrants rapists and proposes banning all Muslims.

You are a lying sack. Trump clearly said a temporary ban on any more Muslims, and far as Mexico, many many criminals come in from Mexico and are committing horrible crimes daily. And, libtard, they are not immigrants they are illegal aliens.

You're the type of person Trump was referring to when he said he could gun people down and his supporters would support him anyways.

Heck, Trump could shoot you and you'd still support him.

Hell Mrs Clinton was in charge when four of our men will killed, and she is still supported.

Mrs. Bosnia Clinton outright LIES to all of us about sniper fire and yet still has support. THAT is exactly what Trump was talking about, i think most didn't see the irony.

I'm tired of the Clintons and want them to go away. But I don't live in the right-wing media echo chamber either, where every single thing Hillary and the Democrats do is a crime.

I will probably vote for any other Republican other than Trump, and probably not for Cruz. I'll vote for Hillary if Trump is the nominee and probably for the Libertarian candidate if it's Cruz.