Kansas Crimson

OK, I lied, there's one republican with a sense of shame.

I’m the Longest-Serving Republican in the Iowa Legislature, and I’m Switching Parties

There are times when you have to follow the dictates of your conscience. For me, that time has come.

I was first elected to the Iowa legislature in 1978, when I was still in my late 20s. I served for seven terms in the House and another three terms in the Senate. I worked on passing nonpartisan redistricting legislation, creating REAP (a program enhancing and protecting Iowa’s natural resources), developing sentencing-reform legislation, protecting the elderly from abuse, and floor-managing one of the toughest drunk-driving laws in the nation.

...But after 24 years in the legislature, I made the decision to return to Jones County to serve as a county supervisor. My four children were in or approaching their teenage years, and I felt I was needed at home. I had missed some important moments in my children’s lives—school concerts, parent-teacher conferences, sport events—and wished to make up for the time I had lost. And with college expenses on the horizon, I also needed to put more time into my law practice.

Fifteen years later, after my kids were grown and I retired from my law practice, I decided to return to the state capitol. I wasn’t quite ready for retirement and felt that I had more to contribute. What I found, however, was very different from the legislative body I had once served in.

The legislature is considerably more partisan and regimented than it used to be. I believe the increased partisanship often stands in the way of good legislation, and I’m also deeply concerned by the growing influence that big money exerts on the legislative process.

...I might have limped along—attempting to work within my caucus for what I felt was best for the people I represent—if it hadn’t been for another factor. With the 2020 presidential election looming on the horizon, I felt, as a Republican, that I needed to be able to support the standard-bearer of the party. Unfortunately, that is something I’m unable to do.

I believe that it is just a matter of time before our country pays a heavy price for President Donald Trump’s reckless spending and shortsighted financial policies; his erratic, destabilizing foreign policy; and his disdain and disregard for environmental concerns.

Furthermore, he sets a poor example for the nation and our children. He delivers personal insults, often in a crude and juvenile fashion, to those who disagree with him, and is a bully at a time when we’re attempting to discourage bullying, on- and offline.

In addition, he frequently disregards the truth and displays a willingness to ridicule or marginalize people for their appearance, ethnicity, and disability.

I believe that his actions have coarsened political discourse, contributing to unprecedented polarization and creating a breeding ground for hateful rhetoric and actions.

[...]

I think we may need a Leawood ruling on this.

I think she comes off as too intellectual.

The times, they are achangin’.

except they’re not, really

Well, the biggest difference may be that if that tape of Reagan had surfaced during his campaign or presidency, he may have actually suffered consequences.

Or maybe not, because Southern Strategy

chiknbut wrote: ↑Tue Jul 30, 2019 4:59 pm

Nevermind

If not anything else, the Repubs are consistent.

At least in more modern times.

In the bigger picture of the party, they kinda took things in a different direction than that whole party of Lincoln thing.

The party of Nixon and Raegan.

ousdahl wrote: ↑Tue Jul 30, 2019 5:54 pm Well, the biggest difference may be that if that tape of Reagan had surfaced during his campaign or presidency, he may have actually suffered consequences.

Or maybe not, because Southern Strategy

Liar!

DC told us there is/was no such thing as the Southern Strategy!

A bunch of times!

seems as good of a thread as any...

https://www.vox.com/2019/7/31/20748839/ ... ump-racism

TraditionKU wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 5:06 pm seems as good of a thread as any...

https://www.vox.com/2019/7/31/20748839/ ... ump-racism

Dont they have some pedophiles they need to transfer to a fresh community of victims?

The Best Liars, eh, people.

RIP Joe Wilson, a real American patriot who was vilified endlessly by "patriotic", "conservative" republicans, for exposing their lies. Another "patriotic" "conservative" republican in the GWB administration outed his wife Valerie Plame, a former covert CIA operative.