I am a Republican because...

[GloriaInEleusis]

So many people seem to have a interpretation of Republicans that is no to me at all what we stand for. So, I'm copying this here in hopes that it might educate a few people.

I am a Republican Because...

I BELIEVE the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person's dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored.

I BELIEVE in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.

I BELIEVE free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.

I BELIEVE government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn.

I BELIEVE the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations and that the best government is that which governs least.

I BELIEVE the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people.

I BELIEVE Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.

I BELIEVE Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world.

FINALLY, I believe the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government.

Unintelligent and badly educated are not the same thing.

Who said anything about race, Desi?

Granted but we aren't badly educated either. There are of course good schools and bad, just like here, but I wouldn't say Americans are poorly educated

I didn't say that either! Just that IME they display v little knowledge of or interest in the rest of the world.

I think they are knowledgable about the world. Its only the current events that elude them

Well, there are about 500,000,000 of them after all. Most of the ones I met didn't - maybe I was just unlucky.

It is an widely held assumption that Americans are badly educated. I think it's cynical, for reasons I've previously stated.

It's a big country.

I've just come back from Poland, and I'm still pondering what happened to their monarchy, because I believe they once had one But I've no idea where it went.

Geographically speaking, Poland is only perhaps one or two states away from me, if I lived in America.

Surely the OP should have placed this in the "only joking" threads??

"If you wish to criticize Americans, then you must criticize the human race. "

Because the average American is representative of the human race... how?

Not from an education, income, culture, opportunity, or any other criteria I can think of. Maybe you would like to enlighten us as to how Americans = human race as the six odd billion of us live on this planet at this day and age.

US population is 300 mn, not 500 mn.

I'm sorry, Cote, but I fail to see how my post was in any way controversial.

Perhaps you would care to enlighten me as to what an American is, then? Because as far as I see it, an American can come from anywhere on the globe.

So far, so true. So what's your beef?

Criticising Americans isn't the same as criticising the whole human race at all. And the OP was talking of the Republican Party.

"One of the major reasons the 'Americans' don't travel much is because they have everything they desire on their own, rather vast, doorstep."

Rest of the world does not travel to other countries because they don't have a beach or a ski resort within their own geographical boundaries.

And would you believe, all those tourists don't travel to the US because they don't have ski slopes, gambling towns, etc in their own countries. Nor because US is the greatest city, the greatest nation, nothing like it ever was.

americans have a common culture, not a race

I think what she means is that most Americans see no need to go to France to ski when they have Colorado. Why go to Spain when there are beautful beaches and warmth in Florida. I for one was desperate to experiance other cultures but for alot of Americans they haven't explored all of their own country yet. For the most part you can have whatever sort of vacation you want somewhere within its borders. Thats all she means

I don't have a 'beef' and your post was not controversial. It was just wrong. "Criticising Americans is criticising the human race". Right.

"American" is a citizen of US of A. I am sorry you needed me to define that for you.

Now that I have 'enlightened' you on the definition of an 'American', would you care to answer my question as to how Americans are representative of the human race at large? How does the average American compare with the world average on annual income, opportunity, life expectancy, education, human rights, or opportunity?

This is neither commonsense. Or True. Though I did understand Desi's meaning. And NN does suggest that though USA is made up of people from many nations of the planet, they have been fashioned by the culture, which has many unpleasant facets.

Re the OP, the last 2-3 on her list are risible.

I'm so disapointed!
Don't know many RL republicans who speak openly because everybody makes them feel like they've got some sort of disease.
Am as anti republican as you can get and take exception to a lot of things american but why the systematic bashing?

Also, and this is a genuine question, what's the point of arguing so vehemently if you are not a US citizen and are not going to participate in this election?

I also wanted to respond to something Spokette said way down the post about the Us Government and Foreign aid. You are correct that our Government does notgive as much foreign aid as others but the American people are the most charitable on earth and give more to Charity than any other country on earth.

slim - poss. because the OP chose to raise the issue. Declaring her Republicanism on MN invites it.

No, not many here will be voting. I don't feel "vehement" about it, just a bit bemused at the delusions, that's all.

Feel exactly like you Pan, and would have been more fun letting the discussion develop "freely".
The arguments become sooo predictable when you put a republican on the defensive. We've heard it over and again!
Any way, enjoy your weekend.

It always amuses me that on MN if someone dares to disagree with your viewpoint, it not just a diffrent point of view its a delusion or your not intelligent. Say what you will about Americans but we are not nearly as threatened by other points of view as you seem to be.

ISawSanta - Yes, most Americans are immigrants. So what? Does that mean "If you wish to criticize Americans, then you must criticize the human race." ???

That statement is arguably the silliest excuse for a defense against criticism that I have ever heard, and that is against some competition. We are a young nation, so can't be criticized since our great-grandfathers came from somewhere else.

American = citizen of USA. Not bison hunting native indians dressed in feathers. Fgs.

Is Australia above criticism as well, because, you know, most are immigrants? Or does this exemption apply only to US citizens? Is it OK to criticise Italians because more generations have lived in the same place?

Surely you realize the fallacy of this argument. I hope.