From A Former Republican Party Supporter

[Michelle2005]

I was a Republican for as long as I could vote. I don't simply mean with just my vote, but with finances and large amounts of time. They most closely matched my Christian values. Yet, my career choice took me outside the USA for many long years. I was able to arrange my furloughs back to the states to coincide with the primaries and sometimes the election itself. There's no way in a few short paragraphs I could possibly share all the reasons (and there are dozens) why I have done a radical about face...and can no longer in good conscience continue to support the Republican Party.

This was not an overnight decision, but one made over the process of these last eight years. Due to the fact of my involvement, there were several occassions I was personally invited to join other RNC members when President Bush would be speaking within my state. I was thrilled...in the beginning.

The time I would get to spend here at home, I began noticing the severe cuts to programs to people that needed it most...some 'gutted' so badly that they were no longer recognizable and for the most basic of necessities. Since I'm not the type to stay quite on such matters I began asking questions of those in my particular circle of friends (ministry)

Just asking questions, caused them to become suspicious of me. No reason given, but the "cold shoulder" nonetheless. Of course, the Republican Party held themselves up are paragons of virture...after all, this is God's party. However, when those that were of high party rank began falling due to sexual scandels, or those that for one reason or another began to question party policy would suddenly disappear off the radar screen (consider the Department of Justice)...it wasn't 'rocket science' to know there were far deeper problems that even I imagined.

Later I hear that VP Cheney announced he is not in the Executive Branch of Governement...I thought surely he must be joking. Oh my...there are so very many things. Yet, I must say the real 'kicker' was when (those within my own circle of friends) told me that I was not a "real Christian" unless I voted Rebublican. Now, Phil Gramm announces that we (US citizens) are a "nation of whiners in the midst of a mental recession".We, currently, are living in an area we refer to as "The Land Time Forgot"...major conservatism. It appears the present administration has not only fallen asleep at the wheel but fiddled while Rome burned!

I still run into those that were within my circle of friends. It's taken me a very long time to get over the fact that those I loved and trusted, now view me as an outsider...yet, there are still things that occur that make me think, perhaps, I'm still not over it. Especially the betrayal of those that I considered closer than family for decades..


These people have been close to me for three decades and my life has always been an open book. They also let me know that they were well aware of some "flaws" within the RNC...yet, due to loyalty would never "crossover". I sat stunned as each one remarked on changes they, too, were well aware of, yet, chose to do nothing. After all no one wants to "rock the boat". This caused an anger to rise up within me, that I hadn't felt since the late 60's & 70's.

This is exactly what I thought: ROCK THE BOAT!! Damn right I'm going to "rock the boat" until everyone of you that aren't holding on securely fall right out. Well..."rock the boat" I did...the only ones left were my husband of two years and myself. If you're wondering "why" I've only been married for two years let me tell you.

I lived outside the USA for almost three decades in service to others...entering into numerous nations across four continents. For almost 25 of those years I was married to an abuser (and, yes, we were both ordained into the ministry). Those in leadership above us were well aware of what was taking place. Yet, like so many others, I knew the abuse was somehow "my fault". "God hates divorce"..."You need to fit yourself into your husbands plans"...plus, 101 other reasons. It was only the mercy and grace of the Lord that the work overseas was successful and is still flourishing.

Once we moved back to the states, the bottom fell out of my life. Due to a quick thinking neighbor and the police I was taken out of that situation. So after almost 25 years of marriage, I was left with the clothes on my back, my briefcase and my new Sheltie puppy...and significant health issues. The physical issues interfere with every area of my life. Over the course of the years there was a fractured eye-socket, broken jaw, broken collar bone, broken ribs and more concussions than I could count, etc., etc., etc. There was a messy divorce and he had assets so well hidden, I got nothing. Jump ahead a bit...

Never in my wildest imagination did I expect (or want) to find anyone else...but I did. He is the greatest treasure of my life. We are both, originally, from the same place (Detroit), we went to the same school, although due to it's size didn't know each other, but our siblings knew one another. All our grandparents are buried in the same cemetary, we both lived in the same states, but at different times. Our goals and aspirations are the same. Then to top it all off, we met here...far from where we are originally from. My whole family just loves him. Everything I had accomplished overseas he was doing here in the USA in poverty stricken areas.

Now when I get asked who do we support in the upcoming election...again, it's not "rocket science". We support the best choice afforded our nation (in our opinion) within the last three decades...Senator Barack H. Obama.

I did an entire post on "Politics & Religion"...in a day or so, I'll post it here. The administrator of this site (Tanya) was a great source of encouragment after she'd read it on my other site. By the way...I'm no PC whiz...so bear with me as I navigate my way through all this :)

Michelle

[Michelle2005]

My hubby just took a look at this post. I thought he'd never stop laughing when he saw the photo of the horse's a@@. Truthfully, that not only represents my "former" political affiliation, but the way I felt for allowing myself for being duped for so long.

[Tanya]

You know whats sad Michelle? And you know im not a republican, but seeing so many republicans leave the party over bush's tactics and policies...its almost like he has re-created the republican brand. When in reality, your still a republican, its just that the party needs to go back to its core values..real republicans need to take over and bring it back to what it was. In the end, thru out the differences in the parties..I feel like we all have the same goal...a better country....

[Michelle2005]

Absolutely correct in the fact we all want a better nation. Yet, everything that I once held dear, has been completely gutted. It's almost as if the entire RNC needs to start from scratch! I mean get rid of 'em all. There were ones that tried to stand up to "the powers that be", but cowered out and hid under the opinion of others...then just got booted out. Of course, there were plausible "reasons" given for their quick departure. Personally, I view VP Cheney as more dangerous than Bush. This is someone who's political career I've watched closely for over two decades...it was like watching a snowball roll down hill...continually picking up speed.

The #1 thing I do not understand, is how so many people can be swept up in all the lies, deceipt and manipulation to begin believing so many outrageous claims as true. One that is the utmost in stupidity was when Senator & Mrs. Obama did the 'fist bump'...suddenly, people were wondering if it was some kind of "terrorist sign". When we heard this on the news, we both shook our heads in disbelief.

I can just imagine how different things would have turned out if we would have 'cowered' when we were getting beaten, harassed and threatened by the "powers that be" (decades ago) while in Mississippi.

Thanks again...for creating such a great site!

Michelle.

Tanya said:

You know whats sad Michelle? And you know im not a republican, but seeing so many republicans leave the party over bush's tactics and policies...its almost like he has re-created the republican brand. When in reality, your still a republican, its just that the party needs to go back to its core values..real republicans need to take over and bring it back to what it was. In the end, thru out the differences in the parties..I feel like we all have the same goal...a better country....

[Michelle2005]

Tanya,

I had shut my PC down, but couldn't shake something you'd said, "......its almost like he has re-created the republican brand"
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This is more true than most may realize. The Bush administration has, indeed, turned the Republicans into a "brand". Just like anything else that's 'branded'...many don't take stock of the quality, sturdiness, character of the people behind the 'brand', the ability to function as promised to the public....etc., etc., etc. I use this example as if it were a new product hitting the market for the first time. Most want the latest, newest, easiest, the shiniest thing on the store shelves. Couple that with the fact that the "powers that be" are living within their own little comfort zones, oblivious to what is taking place outside their own four walls. This was never made so clear as when he heard Bush say the things he did after Hurricane Katrina...OMG! Talk about a total disconnect....plus, there are too many recent examples to list in this forum...but you are a well informed lady, so I'm confident you know exactly what I'm referring to.

Michelle

Tanya said:

You know whats sad Michelle? And you know im not a republican, but seeing so many republicans leave the party over bush's tactics and policies...its almost like he has re-created the republican brand. When in reality, your still a republican, its just that the party needs to go back to its core values..real republicans need to take over and bring it back to what it was. In the end, thru out the differences in the parties..I feel like we all have the same goal...a better country....