Republican, Democrat, or Independent? January 24, 2016
Posted by Chris Mark in Industry News, Uncategorized.Tags: 2nd amendment, Chris Mark, national review, Republican, sarah palin
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I wrote an open letter to Sarah Palin two days ago and it has since generated almost 400,000 views. While most of the comments have been polite and even somewhat spirited at times there are a few folks who have taken to name calling and insults. For likely the first time in my life I was called a Democratic Socialist for not supporting Sarah Palin! Here is my view. I am an American. I vote on issues but consider myself a Republican. I am socially more liberal than most in the party but fiscally conservative and am an ardent supporter of the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution.
I believe our system has become so divisive that debate and discourse have given away to name calling and insults. My letter to Mrs. Palin was intended to shed light on a serious condition. I would have written the same letter to a Democrat. In fact, you can see my latest post is one in which I comment on Michelle Obama. I believe that our leaders should be held accountable. I have written articles for the National Review and been interviewed on NewsMax. I suspect most would classify me as a Republican
Global Security, Privacy, & Risk Management 
Thank you for your well thought-out, articulate views. I read both your letter to Palin and that about Michele Obama. I was impressed that there is actually an American out there that can think intellectually, not emotionally in this political process we are so fortunate to be part of. I look forward to reading more of your writings.
Thank you again.
Thank you for your well thought-out, articulate views. I read both your letter to Palin and that about Michele Obama. It is rare to find an American that can think intellectually and not emotionally in this political process we are so fortunate to be part of. I look forward to reading your future posts.
Thank you again.
Did you go to high school in College Station?
I did..proud 1988 graduate!…
I’ve been a democrat, and remember a time when my family members who were republicans were decent Americans whom I respected, but often disagreed with (holidays were insane debates.) They were members of the NRA who liked ot hunt, and two were sheriffs. They were sane individuals who believed in the Constitution and separation of church and state. The biggest disagreement was usually the form that the government might take in doing this or that. My Grandfather believed that poor children should be cared for, period, but how they should be cared for was the debate. They all would have said take care of our veterans. They all would have said take care of our roads, bridges, schools, etc. The law officers woudl be horrified at the actions of the current police, and frankly, where I live I am not likely to call on one, because of the police brutality here toward teens and blacks. I feel like our world has gone crazy.
I don’t recognize this country anymore and think our government is on its way to over, which is a sad and frightening thing. When I look at the candidates through the eyes of what I think the parties SHOULD be, I see a left-wing democrat (Bernie Sanders), a second democrat (O’Mally) a Republican (Clinton), and frankly, a lotta nutcases who want to tear down our country. I don’t understand why the Republicans have allowed this takeover of their party by people who have little respect for our constitution, and who are basically obstructionists. Maybe there is a sane one in the bunch, but I haven’t had the stomach to listen to the antics of their debates, which have been so filled with hate. Our country has lost its mind to fear mongers and hate speechers. It is so so sad.
I remember a time when I might have — maybe — voted for a Republican. I have friends who are unhappy Republicans and voted for Obama — twice — though he was not quite a good fit.
I feel the same!
Being a military family (USMC, Retired), it is so hard to understand why so many of our brothers and sisters remain Republicans when it is exceedingly clear that, while the GOP certainly supports National Defense (weapons contracts, etc.), they in no way, shape, or form support the actual human beings that wear the uniform.
Veterans are considered a disposable asset; a group to be lulled with lapel pins and blessings, patriotic speeches and flag waving demonstrations (which they pay the likes of the NFL millions upon millions of dollars to produce) while they manipulate every ‘cost saving’ method they can devise to cut the pay and benefits of service members and their families.
Every once in a while, one of them actually let’s the truth slip out, as Senator Coburn did in 2014 with his filibuster of the Clay Hunt SAV Act to prevent Veteran Suicide, by saying ““I’m going to be rejecting this bill because it just throws money and doesn’t solve the real problem,”
The Clay Hunt SAV Act would have required independent reviews of the Veterans Affairs Department’s suicide prevention program, incentivized civilian psychiatrists to work with veterans, and created a program to help returning service members adjust to life after war.
Tom Coburn retired shortly after his block of the bill, still a supporter of the $2 trillion Iraq war.
The massive cost of the program he derided as ‘too expensive’? $22 million annually.
The bill would have cost in one year what America spent every 210 MINUTES in Iraq – The same amount we spent 6.85 times a day, every day, of every week, of every month, from March 2003 – August 2010…