He didn’t leave his party; his party left him.

[JB3]

Damn, does this point to a long-term Democratic majority?

No. It points to a period of a Democratic majority followed by a period of a Republican majority.

We're witnessing history repeating itself, but with positions reversed.

 

[justapixel]

It's taken a while -- it tool eight years of utter incompetence and fiscal suicide by Reagan, eight years of lawbreaking

Why are you using Reagan's famous quote as your headline if you dont like him?

 

[01solara]

Bruce Bartlett was a domestic policy advisor to Reagan. He's come to hate his party, the Republican Party. He left the GOP and is now an independent. He recently sent an e-mail to various bloggers, and below is an excerpt:



(link for full text)

"I want nothing to do with the GOP." Sad, so sad. I think America needs two parties, but, sadly, the GOP has gone bonkers and isn't much more than a all-white, Southern reactionary regional mini-power. They have the power to say no, it seems, but not the will or confidence to be a loyal opposition. They more closely resemble the Taliban than a viable alternative to Democrats.

Has the GOP become an insane asylum? Does the GOP reflect mainstream values, or extremist ones? What must the Republican Party do to regain the confidence of moderates?

Any former Republicans out there? What are your thoughts? What would it take for you to return to that fold?

You go on and on and on about how much you hated Reagan so why exactly do you suddenly care what his supporters think? Is it maybe because any way to tear down you will capitalize on? You openly supported changing the law in Mass the other day because a dem is governor now. You admitted that you were being hypocritical and supported doing it anyway. You constantly disparage disgruntled Republicans that are leaning Libertarian. These are mostly the same people that loved and voted for Reagan. They want conservative fiscal policy, low taxes and a government that doesn't do for people what they should do for themselves. I am still a Republican but I would vote for a third party candidate with Reagan's ideology in a second.

The two party system is broken and we need another viable alternative. If the Republican party folded tomorrow and was replaced by a vital thriving libertarian party I would not shed a single tear. It's the principles and the policies that matter not the party affiliation. People are angry and frustrated with both parties. If there were a ballot that allowed all members of congress to be removed in one feel swoop if would pass by margins not seen since Reagan annihilated Mondale.

 

[01solara]

That posts consists of a lot of hypotheticals and assumptions and unsubstantiated assertions, solara. I think this Libertarian fling Republicans and conservatives are having is quaint. Queer, but quaint.

It is by no means quaint. There are a significant number of Americans that aren't happy with the choices they have. They are tired of it and are looking for something new to fill the gap. Congressional approval ratings have been in the basement for many years. People are looking for real change and neither party seems to offer the real deal. Both parties are growing more and more polarized and their is a huge gap in the middle that will be filled by something one way or another.

 

[01solara]

1. Why do I care? Because I love America. I wish others did.

2. Replace the corrupt and incompetent GOP with LIEburtarians? Of course you wouldn't mind -- it would be the very same damned thing. LIEburtarians are simply Republicans who are too embarrassed to admit they are Republicans. That is the only, the only difference. Oh, and no charge for my consultation.

You have a standard insult ready for anyone who doesn't see things your way. Good deal, only 20 percent of Americans self identify as liberal. The continued hyperbole of the left will leave you in the same shape you were in after the Iranian debacle under Jimmy Carter. keep it up it works to our advantage.

 

[opinterph]

Oh dear, Alfie, oh dear. What have you done?

It is always refreshing to note when someone is paying attention.

I didn't break the rules as I didn't use "search." You see, it was only a few days ago -- I simply scrolled down.

​

 

[JB3]

Then he would be right, if history repeats itself:

http://www.answers.com/topic/political-parties-in-congress Unless you're some Immortal, six decades SOUNDS long-term.

Look what happened immediately prior to those elections, and the political environment. No such situation will exist for Democrats, and they will be unable to take and hold majorities that large for that long in the present or future. In reality, the current democratic majorities will last about as long as did the last Republican one, if they're lucky.

With the approval of congress at the bottom of the bucket, I wouldn't hold your breath if I were you.