Republican Columnist in NC re-registering as unaffiliated

[struggle4progress]

A grand old party, while it lasted

Rick Martinez, Correspondent

Before the day is done, I'll make my way down to the Orange County Board of Elections and become an unaffiliated voter. That will bring to a close my 34 years as a Republican. Like Ronald Reagan when he left the Democratic Party, I'm not abandoning the Republican ideals of self-reliance, fiscal responsibility and limited government. It's the party has abandoned those principles and waved goodbye to me. <snip>

When it comes to being a fiscal burden to the American taxpayer, there is no greater drain than Republicans.

Under the credit-card economics of today's GOP, the debt we're passing down to our children and grandchildren grows by about $1 billion a day. They talk big about controlling government spending, but they rarely do it. It was a Republican-controlled Congress that raised the national debt ceiling last month to $9 trillion, so it could bust another budget. <snip>

Republicans can no longer claim there's a fiscal difference between themselves and Democrats except for one -- Republicans cost us more. <snip>

http://www.newsobserver.com/567/story/427666.html


He's a rather conservative Hispanic, and I don't agree with him about much. But I think his head is about to explode ...

[smoochpooch]

1. I can tolerate fiscal conservatives;

they're predictable. Social conservatives and hawks make me sick.

[Bozita]

7. Couldn't agree more --- Welcome to DU

[Oversea Visitor]

2. I think its exploded ( his head)

Republician are people too...... sad day their party got bushwhacked
It can happen to the Democratic Party too
So keep your eyes wide open

[Erika]

3. Frist has already said he'll hit gays, abortion rights, and flag

burning to get the religious fanatics out for the GOP.

Yes. The GOP is dead other than a theocratic voice. No fiscal responsibility, etc.

[Old and In the Way]

4. "ideals of self-reliance, fiscal responsibility and limited government."

So basically, Rick, you got sold a marketing idea. I've yet to see the Republican Party ever accomplish anything, except take care of their corporate friends.

[struggle4progress]

5. It's true that Ricky drinks a lotta koolaid.

[dweller]

6. go 3rd party Ricky.

i'd love to see the vitriol dealt over there for a change ...


dp

[Hissyspit]

8. No reason he can't register Democrat. n/t

[struggle4progress]

10. I'd rather not have him at MY precinct meetings.

[marions ghost]

9. In the article

Martinez makes some interesting comments about immigration :

-------------
For nearly two decades, North Carolina and much of the nation turned its back on border-state citizens who pleaded for help with illegal immigration and for better border enforcement. The scope and complexity of the problem we now face is a direct result of that neglect.

Unfortunately, Republicans who scream about the need to waste billions on a border fence have created a false public policy choice -- either guest-worker program or enforcement. The truth is we need both, and I doubt Republicans or Democrats have the courage to deliver a comprehensive, long-term commitment.

[AX10]

11. Fiscal Conservatives are not a problem. That is a good thing.

It's the social reactionaries that are scary.

[XanaDUer]

12. It took him 34 years to figure out that they are full of shit?

Woo-freaking-hoo-although kudos for him for demoralizing any other 'Pukes into not voting for them anymore.

[struggle4progress]

13. Exactamundo.

[Mz Pip]

14. My father was an old time conservative Republican

I can only imagine how he would view Bush. I certainly have no problem with fiscal conservatism. It's not like the liberals like big deficits.

But this is not what we have now. THis is not my father's Republican Party. Not by a long shot.

I'm surprised that there aren't more jumping ship. THen again, maybe they are - just not as publicly as this guy.

Mz Pip
:dem: