I have been on DU for almost nine years now.

[Jarqui]

52. No I was banned - posting ability revoked

To this day, it's never been explained to me. It just happened.

I never met any of them. My folks met Bush I and he was kind of aloof to them. But I did work for a Bush I think tank - on the free trade issue. I refused any compensation - I paid for my own travel - I kind of had to keep my distance some because of how I felt politically. But I felt that since the White House asked, it was the president - not the GOP asking and it was my duty to do my best which I did. They were great debates. In fact, we were eventually successful in convincing them of the heavier downside if they proceeded like Clinton eventually did. As a result, his administration cooled on it. And I'll say this: the group I met with, largely GOP supporters, seemed very sincere in doing what was best for America. I did not feel they were just there to do the bidding of the 1%. There were a couple of pompous assholes but most were good and decent Americans who cared about the country and listened to my concerns - and eventually, the majority seemed to come around to accepting them.

With the present crowd in the GOP, I cannot imagine such a thing would be possible. In the 60s and 70s, I felt that Republicans were largely Americans first. Now, I feel like they're Republicans first.