An open letter to moderate Republican voters in Arizona
Posted by: Donna
I know. You’re a nice person. Intelligent too. You’re definitely not a racist. You’re not a bigot. You probably didn’t vote for Prop 102 (Arizona’s version of Prop 8) in 2008 because you’re definitely not a homophobe and you find the Bible thumpers’ obsession with homosexuality to be abhorrent. You’re probably at least nominally pro-choice and absolutely pro-contraception and sex ed. You may or may not own a firearm but you support the 2nd Amendment but also support sensible regulation like background checks. There’s a good chance you take a libertarian view on drug policy and other “victimless crime” type things.
You vote Republican on economics for the most part. You want to see the budget balanced and don’t believe in giving able-bodied people handouts. Low taxes let you keep more of your hard earned money and, besides, the private sector is better at handling most things so why keep throwing money at a bloated and inefficient government? You do think the military should be fully funded because a strong national defense is crucial but you also think defense spending could use an overhaul to get rid of all the waste and inefficiency.
You support immigration enforcement because you think people should come here legally but you don’t want to see Hispanic residents, irrespective of legal status, discriminated against or harassed by the police with no probable cause.
Have I got that about right? It’s based on many conversations with many self-described moderate Republicans over many years. I should also note that I am describing many Republican-leaning independent voters as well. I’m going to include them in the class of “moderate Republican voters” because it’s reasonable to do so.
You’re not like Russell Pearce and Joe Arpaio. Whether you find virulent racists like them appalling or don’t think about them much at all, you’re definitely not like them. I mean that sincerely. I personally know a lot of very nice non-bigoted Republican voters.
So why do you help bigots get elected time after time?
And not just Pearce and Arpaio. I can easily rattle off the other names but you know who they are. Surely you’ve noticed that a disturbingly large number of elected Republicans in Arizona have earnestly embraced the Birther conspiracy that President Obama is not a US citizen. You may know that every Republican in the Legislature voted for the infamous “Birther bill” last year. I hope you’ve been following the lawsuit against the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office where it’s been revealed for all the world to see that, yeah, there was some racism going on at the MCSO.
Why don’t you care about this kind of bigotry enough to stop sending these people back to office? Before you deny you bear any responsibility and decry me of accusing you of aiding and abetting such rank bigotry I ask you to consider two things:
1. That no moderate Republican politician could get elected in Arizona without a substantial percentage of votes from rabid right wing bigoted Republican voters.
2. That no rabid right wing bigoted Republican politician could get elected in Arizona without a substantial percentage of votes from moderate Republican voters.
In other words, even if a particular Republican politician never ran by appealing to bigots, that politician has benefited from decades of their party catering to that demographic and getting them to vote R every time. Similarly, even if a particular Republican is a rabid right wing bigot, that politician has benefited from decades of moderate Republican voters being willing to cast a vote for a bigot (or at least someone very willing to pander to them). You guys have what appears to be a symbiotic relationship there.
I would also like all my pro-choice moderate Republican friends to consider how many abortion restrictions have been passed in the last few years: waiting periods, offensive and invasive medically unnecessary procedures, parental notification, “conscience” clauses, complete 20 week bans in several states with some women facing actual criminal charges. Abortion is unavailable in 85% of US counties because of so many restrictions and they are chomping at the bit to overturn Roe v Wade AND Griswold v Connecticut (birth control). Yes, they are pretty much openly after contraception now. Are your tax cuts really worth all that?
You can no longer deny it, moderate Republican voters. You are part of the problem. Luckily, if you want to stop being part of the problem and get real moderates in office, you have that option. It’s called “voting for the Democrats”. I swear, I promise you: I am a big honking liberal and most Democratic politicians in Arizona are not as liberal as I am. You can vote for them. Please do.
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I think moderate (yes,a useful if ambigous term) Republicans also have to remember the GOP majority in the AZ Legislature not only voted lockstep, but that Democrats are frequently completely shut out of any input on bills, which means their constituents, including their Republican ones, are not allowed a voice in the legislature.
Quite frequently the GOP majority also rams through legislation with little or no input from the public, Rep or Dem.
This is your party. You have to own it’s dividing of this country with it’s circumventing and gaming of the intent of Americas and Arizonas democratic
processes.
The “both sides are guilty” is a cop out and you know it. Which party is trying to gut Social Security, cut voting rights, truly restrict a woman and her doctors decisions, reduce social services to less fortunate while assuring the most wealthy become even wealthier?
Diva has a great idea. It’s called the secret ballot. Try reading a candidates position without regard to their party. I think you’ll be surprised how moderate and pragmatic most AZ Democratic politicians are. Probably reminiscent of some prominent GOP politicos of old.
True story, I met the current Mayor of Tempe (who’s a D) at a meet and greet before the election. The guy had a one track mind about bringing new businesses with their jobs to Tempe. He went on and on about infrastructure and community service improvements to entice them.
Sounds like a scary liberal, eh?
I’m a liberal Dem as well, and most Dem politicians are too tame for my taste. This says something about the parties. The GOP has been hijacked by the far right, while the Dems have been hijacked by the center.
Great post. Wonderful idea. Brava!
I’m an Independent but a conservative first. I have no problem with the Arizona state legislature.
Timmys cat, the Democrats have been hijacked by the far left. That’s why they have no power in Arizona.
Why does every Democrat think that their party is in the center ? It is the farthest left it has ever been under Pelosi, Reid, and Obama.
Typical Leftist trick, the redefinition of words . Left field is now center field. Now all of the far left foul balls can tell themselves they are really fair .
‘…Why does every Democrat think that their party is in the center ?….”
Really…?
Give me a break, if you took the time to read the blog, you would’ve understood the point.
In this case the “Moderate GOPers” (Az Chamber of Commerce types or AzCoC) are in fact, condoning bigotry as well as attacks on womens rights, cuts to educaion, guns on campus, the infamous “birther” conspiracy, and several other issues important to Az residents, by NOT condemning or voicing concerns against Tea-Party kooks, and their assinine bills.
Does this sound like they ..the moderate Repulicans are being “centrists”..to you..?
Why did they not join with their “Hispanic” counterparts, the Az-Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, comprised of both moderate Dems and GOP members and publically condemn most of the “Kooks” and thier loony and bigoted bills..
In fact, the AzCoC, not only parted ways with the Hispanics, they also had members actually ..’vote’… for some of these bills, as these bills surely could not have passed without support of the “moderates” or those GOP members who this blog post is referencing..
You point of the Dems being “farthest left” than at any other time in history– is paled in comparision to the fact the entire GOP has condoned this States far right lunacy and prejudices to occur, as well as continue to make Az the… “meth lab of democracy”… for the rest of the nation to know —what NOT to do.. …
Regards,
Truth
I knew there was a phrase for it.
False Balance-
Today, false balance is used to describe a perceived or real media bias, where journalists present an issue as being more balanced between opposing viewpoints than the evidence actually supports. Journalists may present evidence and arguments out of proportion to the actual evidence for each side, or may even actually suppress information which would establish one side’s claims as baseless.
EEESH!
Liberals love to say any conservative that believes in strict enforcement of our immigration laws is somehow a racist or a bigot. Illegals don’t belong in our country. There is a legal way to come here.
mike slater, my letter isn’t directed at you. I know you’re going to vote proudly for a bigot every chance you get..
Brovo! I am done plugging my nose and voting for big spending, social conservatives! They have gone too far. I have NEVER voted based on social issues — always fiscal issues. NOT any more! Forced vaginal probes anyone? Tell your boss why your are on the pill?!!!! And ms — how about forced rectal probes before you get insurance coverage for you Viagra? Sounds fair to me!!!!!
Paula, don’t need Viagra, but thanks for asking. BTW, when are you running for the state legislature again? I’m sure Bodo would vote for you.
Remember CJ from the blogs? I got to meet her at lunch last week. Nice lady. I even bought her a beer.
Truth08 ,
Disagreeing with you does not make Tea Party people kooks. They have always peacefully demonstrated their views . Unlike the smelly hippies who camped out and despoiled so many public spaces last year .
And lets talk of cuts to education . In that heaven of what you believe in, California, they are cutting education so’s they can build a high speed choo choo .
Only a far out leftist can believe that government living within it’s means and not taxing job creators into bankruptcy is far right . Then again, in Obamamerica today I suppose it is .
Anyway, by this time next year things will be far different . Your side or my side will win . The current stalemate cannot last . I believe you will not be happy .
Your letter fit me to a T. I am without a doubt a republican moderate. Liberal on all social issues and a fiscal conservative. However I will still vote Romney in the fall not because he is my ideal candidate, but because Democratic fiscal policies are so abhorrent and endanger the future generations of our country that I really have no choice. Nominate a more centrist candidate and I would vote Democrat. I agree that the Republican Party is too far to the right for my taste but I also disagree that the Democratic party is in the center. I can’t remember in the history of the party three more left leaning people than the top three in the party now of Obama, Pelosi and Reid. Untill you replace those three your party will never be considered the center by anyone outside the “dedicated souls” of the Democratic Party.
“..Disagreeing with you does not make Tea Party people kooks…”
Agreed..
Its the “crackpot” laws that attack minorites, women, education, and middle class Arizonans.. that makes them and you….”kooks”..
“…They have always peacefully demonstrated their views . Unlike the smelly hippies who camped out and despoiled so many public spaces last year …”
Surely, you jest….lol…(sorry still laughing)
You mean like Public Urinator and avid Tea-Party faithful like ..
Buffalo Rick Gallenear..?
http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bastard/2008/07/alleged_public_urinator_buffal.php
Or ..Hobbit Lady-Anna Gaines..?
http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bastard/2009/01/hobbit_lady_anna_gaines_in_cou.php
Or…you must be referring to..disgraced-bigoted former Senator Russell Pearce….?
http://veracitystew.com/2011/03/22/arizona-senate-president-to-tea-party-youre-not-us-citizens/
“Peaceful” in the same context with “Tea-Party”…is an oxymoron.
“…lets talk of cuts to education…”
Lets..
GOP in control of the State of Arizona –cut k-12 over 183 million, and University and colleges over 273 million…
http://www.blogforarizona.com/blog/2011/04/gop-sucker-punches-arizona-with-more-massive-cuts-to-schools.html
This came after the passage of voter backed Prop-100 to boost educational funding.. Go figure..?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_Proposition_100_(2010)
The “kooks” or GOP in this case, sees or smells money and they decide to “fleece” it for themselves and screw the rest of the State..
like…
Private Prisons, Private Charter Schools, Private Water Companies.. Az Dept of Water Resourses-Replenishment Districts or AZGRD (yeah we know about you too) ..all from State tax coffers—got to keep them profiteers happy,,don’t you know..?
Whats that you were saying about the opposing views (or left side of the aisle) off the wall laws..?
Regards,
Truth
Considering how Bill Clinton brought us a surplus, George Bush eradicated it and brought a deficit, and most of Obama’s supposed profligate “spending” is the continuation of Bush policies (wars, tax cuts, Medicare Part D, etc.), you don’t even have a fiscal leg to stand on here. Oh, and you know that Romney’s plan will blow a hole in the deficit and raise most non-rich people’s taxes, right?
But anyway, have fun voting for Romney, along with the bigots.