I changed my registration from Republican to Democrat today...(rant)

[LiveWire]

So its official, I'm a...liberal...sorta. Hey, I still like shooting guns OK? I just cant stand the Bush admin anymore. So it was time for a change. Plus I didn't want to be one of the hundreds of thousands of disenfranchised college students like last election. It's amazing what a few years and some education can do to a person to make them change their ways. After 9/11 I was gung-ho just like the rest of the country. However, in hindsight, I knew I should have question at least some of my admins actions (considering they sent a few of my friends off to Iraq to find "WMDs"). My friend in Iraq says that if the people in Iraq wont kill you, the weather and the Sand Spiders will.

Even though my friends were in Iraq, I still had some shred of hope that the admin that I supported had some sort of integrity. And as the month wore on, and the "huge tax cut" I was promised never materialized in my paychecks, I started losing faith. I wasn't alone either. My friends and I would sit next to the TV, glued to the screen in hopes that the names of the dead wouldn't be a certain Lance Corporal we all knew. It never happened, but I'm sure it happened to many other groups of friends all over the country.

Then gas prices rose. And rose. And rose some more. Being a driver for my company, and also not being reimbursed for gas, I was forced to quit my job when the cost of gas outweighed the wages and tips i earned in a shift. I thought this was a war for oil? WE won it right? So where are my old gas prices? Yay! I'm a statistic...

I saw the scandals of Enron, Tyco, and Global Crossing come. I saw them disappear just as quickly too. The only person that seemed to be caught in all of this was Martha Stewert, and she only stole 30 grand compared to the millions stolen by unrepentant CEOs of said companies. Complete families' lives were destroyed, and these people probably wont even see jail time. And the fact that no one in this admin cares (take into the fact that they might have been in on it) just makes me sick.

I still held on to some shred of evidence, some hope at the end of the tunnel that my President wasn't the crook everyone was saying he was. Then I saw Fahrenheit 9/11. I have never had such a great experience with an audience. The booing, laughing, and crying...all seemed perfect. I have also never seen such corruption. Most of the things I saw in that movie I had NEVER seen on CNN/Fox/MSNBC. The "seven minutes", "the Bin laden family evacuation" and others. I sat next to people young and old, from all different races creeds and monetary backgrounds. And I had never felt so accepted. So alive with energy. I really wish I could talk to Mr. Moore, just to tell him how that movie affected me. But this will do in its place.

If this country has to come down the "selecting" a president again, I'm not sure what will happen. This has been the most dividing issue in this country since the civil rights movement, or worse, the Civil War. All I know is this: the beginning age for the draft is 20, and I'm at the top of the list.

[Gryffindor_Bookworm]

1. Welcome home.

:hug:

[enigmatic]

2. Good for you!

Welcome aboard..

[noahmijo]

3. Welcome brother join the club!

I converted earlier this year for pretty much the same reasons.

BTW it is BULLSHIT that you cannot be liberal and a gun owner. I own freakin assault rifles and I am a proud gun nut, but the thing is I don't oppose our current gun laws and I support closing gun show loopholes especially out here in AZ.

Being a liberal means being tolerant and open to ideas and discussion I learned this when I made the switch. Don't EVER let anyone define who you are or what you believe in.

[VolcanoJen]

4. Welcome Home, LiveWire!

I'm glad you found your way, and I'm glad you found our little community!!

:toast:

This would be a great article for the front page... nominated!!

[LiveWire]

5. This site has a front page?

i didnt know...

[VolcanoJen]

7. I KNOW! I go straight to the forums, too!

BUT... click this:

www.democraticunderground.com

That's where you'll find the weekly Top 10 Conservative Idiots, Bob Boudelang, Ask Auntie Pinko, Campaign Underground, Hate Mail, and other fun features, along with links to the Best of the DU Message Boards, as nominated by DUers.

:-)

[LiveWire]

8. I dont think this post if good enough to be nominated

Im just speaking my mind...

[VolcanoJen]

9. Too late now... and yes, it is good enough to show the world.

:-)

Don't hate me if it shows up, ok?

[oasis]

11. I second the nomination. Great story.

[LiveWire]

15. I'm not going to ever hate you. I'm just being humble...

[Leilani]

6. Welcome!

Hey, Hillary Clinton was a Goldwater Girl in 1964.

No problem with rethinking.

People who NEVER change, have not learned anything.

[xxqqqzme]

17. Hey, I was a Goldwater girl also.

When I told my homeroom teacher why I would B absent 4 the day, she looked at me & said "Big Deal!". It wasn't until years later that I understood why that lovely black lady reacted so harshly.

Great post and hope U stay around. I love hearing stories of conversion from the dark side. Sounds like your change was gradual and reasoned. It will probably hold cuz your path was studied and determined. Congrats.

[Piperay]

24. I was a "Nixon girl"

they bussed us in when Nixon spoke and we wore red, white and blue, straw hats and satin sashes that actually said "Nixon Girl" on them, what did I know I was young, sigh. :shrug:

[aquart]

10. Martha Stewart's a Democrat. Like you.

They were trying to frighten rich Dems away from contributing. That's why she was prosecuted on a charge no one had even heard of before.

Did she engage in insider trading? Who knows. That wasn't one of the charges.

Welcome to a party that's nothing like the Republicans told you it would be. Me, I'm willing to debate guns and I'm partial to the death penalty, although the folks I want killed hardly ever even go to jail, let alone visit Old Sparky. Still, I keep the hope alive.

[The Traveler]

12. You're in the right place

and not alone w.r.t the gun thing. I own serveral. Unlike Charlton Heston, I do not keep them loaded. And all my teenagers have martial arts training.

Liberalism does not necessarily imply advocacy of gun control (though many liberals do so advocate), nor does it imply advocacy of disarmament (thought many of us are pacifists, and do so advocate). There is a pretty wide spectrum of views on these matters with the Democratic Party. We like to argue about this stuff. Its a productive argument, methinks.

You are in the right place ... you have clearly given these matters considerable thought, and thus found where it is appropriate for you to stand. Welcome, friend.

[DemonFighterLives]

13. Welcome

All it takes is an open mind. B*sh wouldn't make a pimple on a real presidents as*. Nice story!

[AP]

14. For whom would you have voted in the primaries had you registered earlier?

[LiveWire]

16. Probably Howard Dean

Until he went crazy...Then probably Wesley Clark.

[ngGale]

21. A very warn welcome "LiveWire," you have found a...

home and are among friends. I also think your rant should be on the front page. We love to hear the process of free thought. You are up on all the issues, you will be happy here. Sometimes we debate, but one thing is for sure, we respect each other's opinion.

Howard Dean was very loved here, the media did a number on him. We all love Wes Clark too. Tomorrow, Clark is going to be with Edwards at UNC-Wilmington, N.C. Going to be a very good day for our side.

Oh, I do have to mention Martha Stewart, that was a real set up. They never got her for insider trading, they couldn't prove it. So, they did the next best thing. When she said, "I didn't do anything wrong," the got her for Obstruction of Justice and Perjury. Typical, when the big boys don't have a case. She wasn't allowed to tell the jury the charges stemmed from saying I'm innocent. Actually, she IS a big Dem and a powerful woman, they just wanted to bring her down.

Meanwhile, old Halliburton and Enron, etc., still getting away with everything. Probably none of the big wigs will ever serve a day in jail. That's just the way it goes with this administration.

You made a good choice, we are all here to give you support and debate any question you may have.

Welcome home "LiveWire."

[xfundy]

22. Dean never went "crazy."

That was the corporate-owned, for-profit, pro-Bush "librul media" cranking the monkey.

[LiveWire]

23. Ok, I'll take your word for it...

I still really liked him, we are all crazy in our own ways. And I want a president who can scream like a crazy man(a good deterent to terrorism)...its too bad that whole campaign went south...

[DieboldMustDie]

18. Excuse me while I go slaughter the fatted calf.

;)

[ContinentalOp]

19. Welcome! And stick to your guns :)

In the grand scheme of things your guns are irrelevant so I hope that's not really the one thing keeping you from calling yourself a "liberal." We won't take your guns away, honest. :)

[Piperay]

20. CONGRATULATIONS

and WELCOME to the Democratic Party! :hi: I used to be a Republican too but it never was a really good 'fit'. I feel like I really belong in the Democratic Party even though I tend to be more of a moderate than liberal.

[Crunchy Frog]

25. Congratulations and welcome aboard!

It seems like lots of Republicans are making the switch. I know an older gentleman who had been a registered Republican all his life, several decades, who just recently re-registered as a Democrat because he hates Bush so much.

I'm sure that at your age it will be a much easier transition.:)

Thank you for the inspiring story and, if you don't mind, I'm going to nominate this for the home page as well.:hi:

[Warren DeMontague]

26. Right On!

& Welcome!

:hi:

[bushwakker]

27. Welcome to the REAL Big Tent

stay for a long time. Oh and it's Democratic Party, not Democrat Party.

[JDPriestly]

28. Bushwakker, you stole my line.

But, I know you didn't mean to, so I'm going to say it anyway: Welcome to the big tent. The Democratic Party listens and learns. Nothing is written in stone, so say what you think, keep an open mind, and we'll keep our minds open too. Thanks for the post.

[bushwakker]

48. great minds.....

[John_H]

29. Smart kid. Welcome to America.

[Ramsey]

30. A convert myself

Well, I converted many years ago, but from another former member of the dark side, welcome to DU and the Democratic Party!!

[connecticut yankee]

31. Welcome, LiveWire

Tell all your friends. Tell the world!!!

:toast:

Hey -- this is my 100th post!

[wicket]

32. Welcome to the party!

And don't worry about liking to shoot guns, I do too, and it doesn't make us any less of a Dem. Thank-you for posting this, a very heart-warming story! :)

[VOX]

33. Hey, LiveWire -- welcome, home, brother!

Good work in thinking the facts through for yourself. If everyone made the effort you have, our country might finally get its priorities straightened out.

And there's no need to give up your hardware. Many of us liberals like to squeeze off a few rounds now and then -- but into paper targets of course. :)

Many thanks for your insightful post -- looking forward to more.

All best to you -- :toast:

[michigandem2]

34. Welcome!!!

That was a great post and I am glad the movie moved you and that you paid attention..if so many others would just research instead of taking the media at face value...then this would be a whole different election...

GOOD FOR YOU!!!!

[Christof]

35. I'm glad you saw the light.

Welcome. :)

[npincus]

36. Welcome to the light side!

We need more like you!

[npincus]

37. Welcome to the light side!

We need more like you!

[npincus]

38. Welcome to the light side!

We need more like you!

[tandot]

39. Hi, LiveWire

welcome to DU :hi:

Great post!!!

[catbert836]

40. Thank you

You've proved my thesis that many more than just liberal Democrats are disgusted with President Moron. You have my eternal gratitude.

[AspenRose]

41. This is why I'm mystified that this young person "gets it"

and other people, supposedly more worldly and educated, are so clueless.

You're to be commended for your intellectual honesty and being so wise, so young.

[BiggJawn]

42. Welcome Aboard!

Glad you're Home at Last!

BTW, I like shooting, too.

[Soth]

43. Vilkommen, Bienvenue!

You seem to be among many converts here, so welcome aboard. I'm a convert myself.

(Guns are cool. So is safety. So are Democrats.)

[LynnTheDem]

44. Welcome home!

And btw, my hubby and I also love shooting. Target shooting only, not live critters, but we love it!

And we were born Democrats. :D

Kudos to you for having so much honesty and integrity!

[sadiesworld]

45. Hi LiveWire!

You should send an e-mail to MM and let him know how big an effect F9/11 had on you. I think you're in for an extended education here at DU about the so-called-liberal-media.

Welcome aboard :hi:

[in_cog_ni_to]

46. You'll like it here. It's a "comfortable" place to be!

(The Democratic Party and DU)

The Democratic Party welcomes you and I welcome you to DU! :hi:

Nice to have you here.

I also supported Howard Dean UNTIL Wes Clark entered the race. I couldn't believe how incredible the man was....I HAD to work for Wes Clark. Too bad HIS campaign went South too. I'm still heartbroken.

[Uzybone]

47. Welcome...

you have made a wise choice!

[Name removed]

49. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[misterphelps]

50. You obviously think too much for a republican

Good on you. Try to convert your friends

[Noodleboy13]

51. Welcome. Come on in....

the water's fine.:hi:

[LiveWire]

52. Thank you all

I cant believe the support I've recieved. You all are truly amazing and make me feel right at home. It is a 100 times more support than I ever got when I registered Republican!

Thank you all for your posts, and for making my little thread go on fire! Hear more from me soon.

LiveWire

[Sugarbleus]

53. Oh, Welcome, welcome dear friend........

GREAT bio. Thanks for sharing your experience; it's very encouraging.

[LearnedHand]

54. Beautiful rant, LiveWire!

And welcome to DU! I actually read your post FROM the front page; way to go! Far as I'm concerned, you can rant any ol' time you want.

Oh, and :yourock:

[obiwan]

55. Good move, LiveWire! Welcome to the REAL WORLD.

We like rational, thinking people here.

[DaveSZ]

56. I believe in the freedom to own guns too

I also believe in protecting the environment and having allies left in the world.

Welcome btw.

[SoonerShankle]

57. Michael Moore likes to shoot guns too --

In Bowling for Columbine he tells us he's a member of the NRA.... And we all know just how liberal he is. It goes to show that folks of all beliefs and backgrounds are welcome in the Democratic Party.

Plus...Michael Moore will be releasing the transcript to F9/11 including transcripts to footage edited out of the movie. He plans to release it as a companion piece to the DVD of F9/11. He also is releasing a book in November that is a compilation of letters written by American servicemen and women in Iraq to him. Check out his website for more info ( www.michaelmoore.com ).

Plus the "seven minutes" is more like "twenty-seven minutes". Bush hang around the school for an extra 20 minutes for photo-ops. I would love to see the footage of that....

Welcome to the Democratic Party, but more importantly, remember that Bush's agenda transcends party lines. So as voters, our job to oust him must transcend party lines as well....

:toast:

[DaveSZ]

58. I don't understand why hunters would vote Bush anyways

He's giving away all out national forests to mining, drilling, and timber interests:


http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/08/25/ed.col.beagle.0825.html


The list of public lands abuses by the current administration is long. It ranges from trying to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (designated by GOP President Dwight Eisenhower) to clear-cutting the Tongass National Forest in Alaska to opening of public lands along the Rocky Mountain front to oil and gas development, to stopping the reintroduction of the grizzly bear in central Idaho to the dismantling of the U.S. Forest Service roadless rule. Hunters and anglers are taking note of a party leadership and president who have absolutely no idea what wild, public land means to the American sports- man.

Take, for example, the Forest Service's roadless rule. After countless town hall meetings and accepting a record 2.5 million public comments over a three-year period, 90 percent of which favored protection, the current presidential administration has gutted this popular and fiscally conservative administrative rule. Promoting the "strenuous life'' in the tradition of Roosevelt? Absolutely not. Ignoring direct democracy? No question.

Under the mantra of allowing "input" from the states, the current administration has given the management responsibilities of more than 58 million acres of our publicly owned and roadless heritage to the states for their retention. All Americans own these lands, not just the residents in which these lands are located.

-snip-

Mike Beagle is a Republican and chairman of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. He lives in the Rogue River basin in Southwestern Oregon.

-more

[The White Tree]

59. Thats a great article

Thanks for posting it. I printed it out and am going to use it to try to enlighten a certain hunter I know.:9

[calimary]

60. Welcome to LiveWire - AND the other recent arrivals in this thread, alone!

Stories like this cheer me up after hearing the blathering and drooling over Rudy Giuliani and John McCain tonight. I am still fearful about the upcoming bush bump from this sham show in NYC. They're playing SO hard to people's emotions that you know they'll lure some new folks in.

And then I read your testimonial, and I feel some encouragement. You say the support you're getting here is a delight? Well, YOU have given some support back to ME. And I'm GRATEFUL!!! It tells me there's hope.

[Tight_rope]

61. Welcome to DU LiveWire

[tXr]

62. Another ex-Republican here...

Indeed, I'm almost ashamed to say that I WAS a lifelong Republican. However, the last four years have opened my eyes to what the Republican party really represents, and I can not, in good conscience, support such a greedy, heartless, uncaring, and rapacious (of people and environment alike) organization. I WILL be voting for Kerry.

[slinkerwink]

63. great thread!

[DinahMoeHum]

64. Pull up a chair and get yourself a virtual drink in the Lounge. . .

BTW, I don't mind guns - as long as it's for sport shooting (paper and clay targets)


:evilgrin: