I’ve tried it on some folks who are pretty open-minded.

Much as I voted for and supported the Bush campaigns in 2000 and 2004, I was dismayed by a State of the Union that mentioned “an 8% increase” in some programs, while actual people were being subject to 0% salary increases. Placing $billions in expenditures under “supplementary” or “emergency spending” (like these were unforeseen) bills was obscene.

One RINO left … Arlen Specter … so there is a victory? He spent years trying to solve an asbestos-litigation problem … but John Cornyn (R-TX) shot it down in committee after taking over $1 million in lawyer contributions.

I’m sorry, but there is little credibility left.

Voters for Obama wanted “change.” Voters for Pelosi represent a small district in California that includes most of San Francisco … Pelosi “bought” her leadership position by contributing over half a million dollars to other Democrats in Congress.

I disagree with Specter and others on their “stimulus” vote, but as you point out: Republicans spent too much, too. When we lost our fiscally responsible ways, we lost the populace.

But your comment is typical of this inability to call a spade a spade. Just because the Democrats suck in astronomical terms does not mean that the GOP can suck a lot and then say “hey, we’re not as bad as them.” Frankly, it seems at times like the entirety of the GOP message is “Democrats are bad.” I am all for pointing out how the Democrats are leading us down the road to destruction, but if the GOP does not own up to its mistakes, build credibility with the public, and offer a clear alternative (which is SMALLER government, not “our” type of big government), then there is seriously no point in expending time and money in supporting them.

“Alternatively, you can let the Democrats keep wasting your money. They’ll be happy to.”

See? Easy enough to do.

This party will never become credible in the eyes of the public unless and until we repudiate the spending binge and expansion of government by the GOP during the Bush years. The budget went from $2 trillion to $3+ trillion during those years. The national debt doubled ($5 trillion to $10 trillion) during those years. You cannot, with a straight face, try to pass this off on the Democrat ’06-’08 congress and Bill Clinton. Trust me, I agree that the crap the Democrats are shoving down our throats is maddening, but it is even more maddening to see people trying to do intellectual gymnastics to continue to defend and justify the Bush/GOP spending binge.

I was reminded today of an interesting intellectual exercise that anyone interested in, or involved in, politics should try when it comes to defining their principles. If, with the push of a button, we could eliminate the income tax, the capital gains/dividend tax, social security, medicare, medicaid, the department of education, the department of labor, the department of homeland security, , etc. would you? If not, then you have conceded that there is a higher end than limited, Constitutional government and will always lose to the side that passionately and uncompromisingly wants to grow and expand the size and scope of government indefinitely.

That being said, if we can get rid of the RINOS, we can quickly regain our credibility on this issue.

Whoever can best articulate that message will become the de facto leader of the GOP and create the “big tent” that will win back the independents and conservative leaning Dem’s.