Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

You might think this will be a philosophical post. It is not. It is a practical one.

First things first: I'm not partial to the "Two-Party System". As a matter of fact I don't like it at all and I'm appalled at how both parties are run. So why register Republican?

As a fiscal conservative, I feel the GOP has a slight upper hand - at least lip-service wise.

But the fact is I am a Republican because I feel this party is the party where my views are likely to affect the greatest number, even though I am but a minnow in a very large ocean.

When I contact my representatives, I let them know my party affiliation. If they are also Republicans, they can relate. If they are Democrats, well, I don't know what they might think (sorry about the slight - couldn't resist). Regardless of what party, I believe they are still morally obligated to represent me too. My opinion is not invalidated just because someone disagrees.

More importantly, I have a voice in a party that stands a chance in elections. I can run for office as a Republican. I can participate in party functions and propose changes. I can't do that in the Republican party as an independent or some other party.

Right now, I see an influx of socialism in American politics, particularly in the Democratic party. How did that happen? By people with socialist views joining and working from within.

My party is not perfect - far from it. I want to scream some sense into some of these political heads sometimes. But, at least they say they believe in many of the things I believe in and that's a start.

I'm a Republican because I feel I can be more effective working within the party than standing outside looking in.

Andy

+1

I could not have said it better myself!

Like you, I am not a fan of the two party system. In fact, I abhor it. IMHO, each seeker of public office should run on their expressed beliefs and not the platform of a given party. I would love to see the day wherein political parties are eliminated forcing politicians to actually take a stand on their beliefs!