Why I'm Not a Republican

1) Until the Republican party stops spending like drunken Lottery winners, I will stand off to the side.
A. It amazes me when I hear over and over, from both parties, how we need more money to fund our schools. This rings out from the federal, state, and local levels. Oh my God, ‘IT’S FOR THE CHILDREN!’ Yet every time I drive by a new high school ‘campus’, sprawling literally on acres of land, I ask myself where is the need? Do our children really need multi-million dollar, tri-level, New York City architect inspired facilities? Do our cities need to one up each other in competition for the largest, most beautiful schools in the county? We keep throwing money at the schools and our test scores keep falling. Money is not the answer. We need good quality teachers. We need educational competition. We need leaders who demand efficiency. And mostly, we need parents who instill the lust to learn. Money can't buy that. Children can, and will, learn in a plain square brick box. Many of the great minds of the past should have taught us that. It seems to me, we need new ideas from our leaders, not new tax referendums.
B. Pharmaceudicals for seniors. Per the 2000 US Census, senoirs in this country have the highest net worth of any age group. The median net worth of a household age 35 and under is $7240; 35-44 is $44,275; 45-54 is $83,150; 55 to 64 is $112,048. Here's the kicker, 65-69 year olds have a net worth of $114,050; 70-74 year olds 120,000; and beyond that still $100,100. The richest age group in this country is given another handout? At the risk of being cynical, could it be the size of their voting bloc?
C. There is a Republican in the White House. Both the Senate and the House have a Republican majority. And spending is still out of control! Where are these 'fiscal conservative' leaders?
Per the Washington Times:

' Measured over a 40-year period, the 2002-04 fiscal years account for three of the five years that have experienced the largest percentage increases in inflation-adjusted federal discretionary spending.
While some of the recent spending explosion is related to the fight against terrorism, it is worth noting that inflation-adjusted nondefense discretionary spending during the Bush administration will have risen by more than 25 percent through fiscal 2005.'

As the Democrats move left, it seems they are pulling the Republican party right along with them. Barry Goldwater is spinning in his grave.
2) It would seem the party of 'values and ethics' could use a clearer mirror.
A. The president's Social Security program is a good one...as long as the government forces its citizens to save, this program at least lets us own our own accounts. That's good. This from Investors Business Daily isn't:

'Many Republicans still view Social Security reform as a big risk. For Bush, just getting most of them to sign on may require some heavy salesmanship.'

and,

'Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., another supporter, says there are 125-130 GOP lawmakers who will need "a lot of hand-holding."
"I hear a lot from my colleagues, 'Bush doesn't have to run again. We do. Why don't we kick the can down the road?'" Foley said.'

Seems to me our politicians jobs are more imprortant to them than what is best for their constituency. Where are the 'values and ethics' in that?
B. When there are politicians running under the Republican banner that have no respect for American citizen's property rights, the party's values truly suffer. Should the Grand Old Party be seen as the party of eminant domain abusers?
Richard Irvin, a Republican candidate vying for the seat of mayor in city of Aurora, Illinois, is such an animal. This from the Aurora Beacon News:

'At a recent candidate forum, candidate Richard Irvin answered a question about improving the commercial tax base for the East Aurora School District by saying the unincorporated community on the southeast side of Aurora should be turned into a business district. That would require razing at least some of Moecherville's 325 homes, as well as other nearby Aurora Township houses.'

and,

'"The fact is that Moecherville, Aurora Township, is a blight that sits right in the middle of our city," Irvin said at a forum at Allen Elementary School, which itself is in Moecherville. "We can market that to investors so they will come in and buy Moecherville, tear it down, and we can create a business district in that area."'

First off, this area is not even within the city limits of Aurora. Secondly, and more importantly, his lack of interest in these homeowners property rights is frightening. 'Razing' homes for tax dollars? Where are the local, state, and even national Republicans to reign this nut in? Does the party of 'values' not value the basic rights of American citizens?
In closing, Mr. Bush talks of spreading freedom throughout the world and this is a good thing. But, it would seem to me, there are freedoms right here at home under direct attack from within his very own party. If the Republican party truly wants me and those of my ilk in their fold, I say actions must speak stronger that words. Show me a true belief in the freedom from an overbearing, nanny-state like government. Show me a belief in a government that keeps its hands out of my wallet and off my property. Show me a belief in a government with true ethics, not one in fear of loss of power. Show me these things, then I just might think about it.