Tired of the current state of the GOP? Really want to work for change?
Join the republican party.
I'm not kidding, not even a little bit.
Change your voter registration and declare for the republicans on your party affiliation. I have.
There are monthly meetings of the local party. I'm going to start attending.
You can still vote any way you please on election day. You don't even have to tell anyone else how you've voted. That's why it's called a "secret ballot". No one is allowed to force you to reveal who you voted for either.
Between elections, you can make your voice heard within your local branches of the party. You can be a voice for adherence to the Constitution. You can work for limiting the influence of religious groups. That's one of the more egregious areas that needs addressing. It's also one thing nearly all of us can agree upon.
Perhaps if we all quit bitching about how awful they are, and actually start working to change the party from the inside, we could actually get something done.
What we're doing now simply is not working.
I, for one, spent several decades as an Independent. It did no good at all.
Perhaps a change in tactics is necessary to effect change.
It's time to put up, or shut up.
Bitching isn't working. Apathy has only made things worse.
Time to get off our collective asses and DO something.
7
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Here in my home state , Ohio , you are registered with whatever party's primary you last voted in. So like , if you request a Republican ballot to vote with , then you are a registered Republican , if you choose a Democratic ballot you are a Democrat , etc . We don't register with any party when we go to register to vote . So if you never have voted in a primary election , then you are still officially non-affiliated . I personally would have two problems with voting in a primary election as a Republican . For one I imagine that I would have a difficult time deciding which candidate is least objectionable , and I would feel caught in the middle of two inner party factions , the libertarians [en.m.wikipedia.org] , and the moderates [en.m.wikipedia.org] . My personal political point of view basically coincides with the Democratic Freedom Caucus [en.m.wikipedia.org] , as far as the two major parties go . The other thing would be that if I were to switch over to the Republican party , which the rest of my household is aligned with , being Christian right , I would fear that they would see it as my capitulating under personal pressure , and would then try to push me into voting the way they would want me to , viewing me as being vulnerable to their influence .
Marmion
Level 6
May 28, 2018
0
Everyone has to do whatever they feel they must.
I don't really care about what other people think, or have to say, about me.
I can't control their perceptions and I no longer bother to try. they're going
to believe whatever they please. I can't let any of that stop me from doing whatever I feel is right.
I spent 35 years as an Independent, and have primarily been a moderate centrist. I don't like extremes. It's why I left the republicans behind in the
first place. I've never felt the need to be a democrat.
I'm going back to the GOP because they're doing the most harm to our nation, and I have an obligation to work for change.
Others can believe as they please. It won't change what I know is right,
and it has no bearing on how I choose to conduct my life.
We all have to do as we see fit.
The problem would be spending time with those obnoxious people...
Buddha
Level 8
May 28, 2018
1
While I'm sure it's not always going to be the most pleasant of experiences, I think dealing with people on a face-to-face, one-on-one basis, is one of the best ways to find common ground. It's also a really good way to offer differing perspectives without mass response. I've found that when I deal with most people, on an individual basis, it's easier to persuade them to consider alternate points of view. Talk to a group, you're likely to be shouted down. Talk to an individual, work to find common ground, and go from there. It's definitely not a sprint, but a marathon.
@Buddha It's a slog, for sure. Although, trying to get through to those who aren't interested in participating is much more difficult. I can only do so much. What's funny is that those who have been telling me (and I don't necessarily mean anyone here) that I'm wasting my time, aren't doing ANYTHING at all. So, what's it to be? Make the effort to connect with those who are currently causing the most harm, or try to reach the ones who do nothing because of their own apathy? I've chosen my path. Whether anyone believes I've got a snowball's chance in hell, or not. There are other people who could also be making an effort as well. Whether they do, or not, is up to them. I'm tired of just bitching about the situation. I need to DO something.
I’ve been doing the same within the Democratic Party ..for decades. Attempting to make them more relevant to the majority. So, I’d ‘man the booth’ at local county fairs for the Democrats … but who were about the only folks I had anything in common with..? The damn Republicans! I’d wander over and laugh with them, they’d sit alongside me in my booth. Freaked some fair-goers out!
I’d tell them from time to time ..at least we care enough to act. Even miss (some) of them…
Yes, join them! If I hadn’t ‘re-upped’ with the D’s in my new location, I’d have definitely checked out the R’s … ‘ell, I’d originally registered as one.. The best part is giving voice to your concerns. ...I’d hate to envision you out planting ‘trump or pence’ signs if & when the time comes, though 
Varn
Level 8
May 28, 2018
1
Thank you, Varn! While I definitely have issues with the democrats, which are fairly numerous, it just feels like the republicans are currently doing the most harm to all of us, and that has to stop.
Don't worry about me putting up signs for 45 or his little Pence. No one could ever make me to do that! I intend to be honest about not supporting him, as well as everything else.
Varn:
@KKGator ...I’m just wanting to shake your hand while hugging you and patting you on the back while grinning.. I had a longtime friend in Oregon just lose in the Republican primary having run ‘as a republican’ with (likely) the same thoughts and intentions as you. Very interesting feedback from her ‘Democratic friends’ ...best summarized as silence.. But desperate times require desperate measures. Keep us posted!
Well I do like what you say but I do believe in remaining a progressive even by title. It is who I am. I agree with changing minds and have attended both a republican and a democrat local meeting, The democrats were very old people and not too progressive in their thoughts, The republicans indeed believe they are being attacked by non religious people and that their country, not ours, their country is under attack by a liberal agenda.
It does no good to even attempt to discuss with right wingers, They just refuse to wake up.
EMC2
Level 8
May 28, 2018
2
Varn:
I think in a lot of cases they’re incapable of waking up.. They lack the depth of education required to do so. I respect your desire to ‘remain progressive by title’ … we’d likely have some satisfying conversations & laughs sitting alongside each other in the Dem’s booth.. if next door to the Bernie booth
There's no way I could EVER pretend to be a republican. All of their decisions are "me first". I just don't think that way.
JeffMesser
Level 8
May 28, 2018
0
That's just it. I'm not "pretending" to be a republican. I joined the party to
make change and stop a lot of what they're doing that is hurting people.
GOP is too far gone for me. I worked for John McCain during the Primary in 1999, in Manchester, NH. We all worked hard and believed this would make a difference. And we won. Then the campaign moved down South and all the bullshit commenced. We got W. We got 9/11. We got Iraq. We got financial collapse and the Big Recession. And John, of course, changed, which saddened me. Ultimately we got Chump in WH. Nope. The GOP left me a while back. No more.
jggrow
Level 3
May 28, 2018
1
My wife says, "Good idea to know the enemy from within, but another benefit is that by registering as a Fake Pub, we'd increase the apparent Republican population in each district; thus, giving false hope and screwing with their gerrymandering. When we vote otherwise, they loose." IMO it is a superb tactic, but the idea of sitting among such people is repulsive.
EdEarl
Level 8
May 28, 2018
2
Sorry but no. I didn't agree with them before this admin. and I'm really not up for changing them back. I'd rather they implode.
In fact, I'd like to see both sides implode totally and have EVERYONE claim independent and vote their conscience instead of their party just because it's their party.
AmyLF
Level 7
May 28, 2018
1
Well, that's not likely to happen anytime soon.
I realize not everyone is going to agree with my approach, and that's fine.
However, what I'd LIKE to see happen, and what's probably going to happen, are two different things.
I spent 35 years as an Independent and voting my conscience.
It didn't do a damned bit of good. Since we're not going to see the
end of the two-party system any time soon, I'm choosing to change tactics.
Whether you're "up for" changing them back or not, is entirely up to you.
I can't continue to just keep bitching and doing nothing constructive to effect change.
@KKGator.... I don't think I could pull it off....Also, there is plenty to do.....get out the vote...support progressive candidates....get involved with community organizing...work to undo racism....raise money to keep Planned Parenthood alive......maybe you have some area that interests you.
@mary25y ALL of it! Just because the GOP has "ideas" they're promoting now, doesn't mean those ideas can't be changed. Seeing as how they were actually changed to what they are now. They can be changed again.
That's what I intend to work toward. I always keep in mind that the opposite of "progressive" is a negative. Gotta fight the negatives.
If it means literally having to try to be a dissenting voice in a room full of born agains and 2nd amendment nutters, that’s gonna be a hard pass. I have no desire to give myself an aneurysm
WallyWorld
Level 5
May 28, 2018
2
Understandable. I'm under no delusions how hard it's going to be.
Not everyone is going to be able to handle it.
I live for the fight. I'm going in. If I give myself an aneurysm, so be it.
I have thought the same thing. I've also considered joining the NRA for the same reason, bit I refuse to support terrorists.
I have a coupon for a free annual NRA membership, if anyone wants it.
JimG
Level 8
May 28, 2018
3
Yeah. I wouldn't join the NRA, either, even for free.
I think you can support the 2nd Amendment without supporting the NRA.
One has nothing to do with the other.
@KKGator The NRA was great in the 80s. It's amazing how far they've drifted into batshit insane territory.
Varn:
@Unfoldingchaos Almost joined myself back then … and still got the guns to prove it ~
That's a creative solution, and it might work. Unfortunately, one would have to be surrounded by Christians and sociopaths each month during the party meeting. The thought gives me the creeps, as if someone dumped a bag full of cockroaches on my head.
EdEarl
Level 8
May 28, 2018
3
I'm not looking forward to certain aspects of this, but it's worth doing.
At least for me, anyway.
Varn:
..best laugh of the day 
..thanks ~
That is an interesting concept there. I do agree with working from the inside to change things. Just be careful that one of those fellow republicans who do not agree with your point of view leaves his gun at home.
Jolanta
Level 9
May 28, 2018
4
I'm not afraid of them. I refuse to be afraid of them.
Perhaps it is THEY who should be afraid of ME.
Perhaps the best strategy when attending a Republican Local meeting is to be honest, as Daryl Davis did. See:
It is important to assuage the fear of conservatives, they may investigate you, don't give them a reason to be suspicious. I'd not vote or interfere with their procedures in any way, just focus on trying to understand why they are as they are with special interest on things that might make a difference. When they ask for your opinion, be prepared. I think this idea is a really good one. Unfortunately, I'm furiuos with fundamentalist Christians; cannot imagine myself in one of those meetings and being able to keep my mouth shut. It would be very bad to feed their fear.
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