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What Republicans used to be like
Nov. 6th, 2012 08:30 amI briefly caught an interview with Richard Tisei the other night. For folks outside of the MA area, he's the Republican with a solid chance to beat John Tierney and become the first Republican member of the House from MA in a few years (he also doesn't represent me, so I haven't followed the race as closely as I might have). He was talking about his support for Question 2 and Question 3 on the MA ballot. Those measures specifically support the right for assisted suicide and medical marijuana. Not exactly issues embraced by the non-libertarian side of the Republican party (Tisei's also gay, which totally gives folks like Michelle Bachman and Mike Huckabee the willies, of course).
I don't agree with all of Tisei's views, but I do fondly remember a time when Republicans like him weren't so uncommon. I grew up with Bill Green as my congressman, and even volunteered for him one year ('84, when he was running against future Anne Coulter ex Andrew Stein). He'd be drummed out of the party in a heartbeat today, in a world in which people like Richard Lugar or Mitch Daniels are dismissed as "Republican in Name Only" for solidly conservative views.
It's not that I'd ever vote for folks like that, but I really do wish I lived in a time where my choices were between someone I agreed with more and someone I agreed with less, instead of between someone I agree with somewhat, and someone who scares the ever-loving crap out of me.
(See also, Overton Window.)
Anyway, I voted. You should vote too, if you live in the US and are registered. Even if your national vote doesn't matter, there are local elections where it might well make a difference. Also, I hear they give you stickers in some places (Watertown, MA isn't one of them), and stickers are fun. My vote was mostly straight Democratic, with the exception of the Governor's Council, where the Democratic incumbent is insane and the independent has acted like an ass on various forums (and I don't trust anyone who dismisses the presumption of innocence). So wrote myself in there. And "yes" to all six ballot items, of course.
I don't agree with all of Tisei's views, but I do fondly remember a time when Republicans like him weren't so uncommon. I grew up with Bill Green as my congressman, and even volunteered for him one year ('84, when he was running against future Anne Coulter ex Andrew Stein). He'd be drummed out of the party in a heartbeat today, in a world in which people like Richard Lugar or Mitch Daniels are dismissed as "Republican in Name Only" for solidly conservative views.
It's not that I'd ever vote for folks like that, but I really do wish I lived in a time where my choices were between someone I agreed with more and someone I agreed with less, instead of between someone I agree with somewhat, and someone who scares the ever-loving crap out of me.
(See also, Overton Window.)
Anyway, I voted. You should vote too, if you live in the US and are registered. Even if your national vote doesn't matter, there are local elections where it might well make a difference. Also, I hear they give you stickers in some places (Watertown, MA isn't one of them), and stickers are fun. My vote was mostly straight Democratic, with the exception of the Governor's Council, where the Democratic incumbent is insane and the independent has acted like an ass on various forums (and I don't trust anyone who dismisses the presumption of innocence). So wrote myself in there. And "yes" to all six ballot items, of course.