Republicanish? Not so much...

This is a type of post I have not previously written a lot of in the past. It is a political post. I write them from time to time, and when I do I usually get quite a bit of positive feedback and some negative, and that is always welcome, too! So here we go:

I have not really talked about my personal political beliefs very often, at least not on this blog and not on twitter or facebook. However, as you can see I am a card carrying member of the South Carolina Republican Party. This runs pretty deep. I was a delegate for our county in the last major election. As a matter of fact my very first baby bracelet? It was a sterling silver elephant. I was born a republican. I have been a republican. Well, that is until the past little while.

My family and I have always discussed current events and politics. It was dinner conversation growing up and wine and cheese conversations now that I am an adult. My brother was always a staunch democrat and I, a pretty strong republican.  Over the past few years, however, we have both started coming closer together in our beliefs. I began questioning whether or not I was truly "republican" or not. I called myself "republicanish". Don't get me wrong, I have NEVER, not one time, voted a straight ticket. I do not vote for someone simply because there is an "R" beside their name. I have voted for a few Democrats over the years. However, predominantly I felt most closely aligned with the beliefs and views of republicans.

I have engaged in a number of conversations with Julio, whom, if you have ever read his blog, you will know is the furthest thing from a republican! Actually he used to be, believe it or not, but is no where close to being a republican these days. We have had so many conversations where he will point out some crazy thing some republican or republican group has said. I have, for quite some time, maintained that the squeaky wheels get the grease, the crazies get the news and that the things he is quoting and reading are nothing more than fringe groups. That the majority of republicans do not feel the way these crazy people do.  However, I have to say I am beginning to think these fringe groups are taking over the mainstream more and more.

I awoke this morning to find an email from the website Conservative.SC. I get a ton of political emails, mainly because of my membership in the Dorchester County Republican Party. I tend to ignore the vast majority of them, however, this one caught my attention. It was about a blog entitled: When Did Homosexual Parenting Become Mainstream?. I decided to check it out. 

I don't think I had ever visited this website before and I do believe there may be some useful information on it. However, I was quite astounded by this post and by the comments that followed it.  Most of you know my brother is gay. He is the best uncle you could ever imagine. He kept my kids all yesterday afternoon while I was away at a meeting for work. I came  home to find he had bathed them and they were getting ready to eat dinner. They were happy and had had a great day with their uncle. I cannot wait until my brother has kids. He will make the most amazing dad. His parenting abilities have absolutely nothing to do with his homosexuality. Nothing. 

The comments on this blog consisted of the following:

I personally think it is outrageously disgusting. Our law makers are to blame for allowing this filth to get into the class rooms, they will pander to the Homosexual's for a vote.

Perversion is not mainstream, but the media would have you believe that it is.

I would like to see the perverts sent to Mexico along with the illeagle aliens and Obama

The "perverts" these comments are referring to? Homosexuals. I am appalled. The intolerance that I have begun to see in the republican party is what concerns me most. I have always believed myself to be very open minded, loving and to have very strong Christian beliefs. I was taught we are not to judge. That is God's job, not mine. I was taught to be loving. To "love one another" as it were. I have seen the republican party, which I was always told was closely aligned with the religious right become more intolerant, more judgmental and more prejudiced in its beliefs.

It is for this reason I no longer consider myself a Republican. Does this mean I won't vote for another Republican? Not at all. I just find myself wanting to be associated with this group of people less and less. Now, don't get me wrong, I think they have as much a right to speak their beliefs as anyone else, I just do not wish to be associated with it anymore.

I truly do not know "what" I am anymore. Am I a democrat? Oh I am just not ready to go there. Trust me, just saying I am no longer a Republican is a huge deal. It has been part of my identity since, well, I was a baby. Oh, and the proof? Here is my baby bracelet I was referring to earlier (sorry, it definitely needs some polishing!):

Is it Ego or Something More?

It's been awhile so clearly the other day was the day for another, shall we say, heated debate between Julio and I (let me just say, we both love these tete a tetes).

It all started innocently enough, as it usually does. We have been discussing Nikki Haley, a republican candidate for Governor in SC.  In the past two weeks she has been accused of sleeping with two different men while she was married.  She has emphatically denied these reports, however, has not filed any slander lawsuits nor spent much time discussing them. Mind you the primary election is upon us. I say it is kind of convenient for this to come out now. Her latest accuser actually works (or worked, as he was fired the day this came out) for our Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer who is also running in the SC primary for Governor against Haley.


SC ranks 50th in terms of women in public office. Only 8.8% of the legislature is female. Therefore I said I felt Haley had worked too long and too hard to get where she was to throw it all away on a fling, a one night stand. This wasn't what sparked the biggest part of our debate however.


I said that if these men that are in public office and having affairs could just keep their pants zipped then we would not be having this conversation. I said, uh oh here it comes, that it all boils down to ego. That sex for men is all about their egos. Okay. So I should have said for most men, or for some men, or maybe for just this type of man. The type of man that likes the attention of being in public office, of being elected, of being "in charge".


I feel that it is a lot about ego for a politician. It is that ego that got him elected, enabled him to stand in front of a large crowd, bask in the masses chanting his name and cheering for him. It is also that ego that quite often makes him think he can cheat and get away with it.  However, after talking with some folks, namely Julio and my Mom, I have changed my mind a bit.

I still think ego has a lot to do with it, however, I can see where other factors can play into it as well. Take for example this latest accusation against Nikki Haley.  Larry Marchant claims at a convention in 2008 he and Haley had a sexual encounter. Now, in talking with my Mom she makes a very good point. These conventions are filled with people of the same intellect, having very passionate and intellectual debates. That can be quite stimulating. Add a little alcohol, which is always in large supply at any convention, and things quite often can, and do happen. 


Now I am not saying Haley is guilty. I am still holding out hope that she is just too smart of a woman and too dedicated to her family to do such a thing. However, I can now see where maybe ego isn't quite as big a part. I still think it plays a large role, just maybe not as simplistic as I was making it.


Haley has said if she is elected Governor and proof is produced that she had an affair she will resign.  I guess we will see what the voters of SC think today. Should be interesting.

The State of South Carolina Politics

South Carolina seems to like to keep the comedians full of jokes these days.  One local radio host says that our politicians are an "economic stimulus plan for talk show hosts." I, unfortunately must agree.

We are home to Congressman Joe Wilson whose outburst, "You Lie!" was the two words heard 'round the world. My family has known Joe and his family since before I was born. When I had a paper due on the Declaration of Independence Joe had his office send me a HUGE box of anything and everything imaginable on the D of I. He is the epitome of decorum. This "situation" he found himself in the middle of is so outside of his personality it is amazing. When I first heard about this, I was sure they must be mistaken. Had Joe simply sat quietly through the speech and then presented his side as the "republican rebuttal" to the reporters after the speech it would have gone over so much better. However, I don't know if it would have received anywhere near the attention. I don't agree with his method, however, I do think he had a point.  I am proud to see he behaved himself last night during the State of the Union. Of course, we all joked and wondered if someone had duct taped him to keep him under control. Don't you know President Obama must have glared towards him a time or two?

Then we have our "Luv Gov" as a friend of mine likes to refer to him. Our Governor Mark Sanford who flew off to Argentina after losing his security detail to spend time with his "soul mate". Thanks to the Governor "hiking on the Appalachian Trail" has taken on a new meaning.  

Of course this leads me to our latest headline grabbing politician. Our illustrious Lt. Governor Andre Baur, who this past week compared welfare recipients to stray animals. And the rest of the country wonders why we did not want to impeach Governor Sanford? I give you exhibit A. Trust me the alternative was much, much worse. If you think we are in the headlines a lot now, you should see what would happen if we had a Governor "do you know who I am" Baur. Baur has had his share of bad publicity, speeding tickets, a plane crash and his latest comments about welfare. 

John Stewart has had a great time with this latest saying:

“It’s not always easy to fill a half hour comedy program with three minutes of comedy, that’s why we are especially grateful to those frequent contributors, those who give more than their fair share,” Stewart said during his show Monday night. “Like the state of South Carolina, whose elected representatives yell ‘you lie!’ at the President, whose governors use taxpayer funds to fly to Argentina to see their mistress and whose ordinary citizens get arrested for having sex with a horse.”

“The same horse … on two separate occasions,” Stewart notes.

If you haven't had a chance to see Stewart's 3 minute video from the Daily Show about South Carolina then you must click here. It is so funny and well worth your three minutes. Seriously take a look...Stewart calls South Carolina politics the gift that keeps on giving. 

While I do love South Carolina, I must admit, we have had more than our fair share of media attention for our elected leaders. If you think these are the only three examples, I invite you to google: Roland Corning (busted for having sex in a cemetery. With an 18 year old exotic dancer), Rusty DePass (my Godfather, actually), Earle Morris, and Charles Sharpe. Of course there was also Operation Lost Trust and I won't even mention that although he serves in NC John Edwards  was actually born in SC. Hmmm, is there something in the water?  I know there is corruption everywhere, we in SC just seem to want to air all our dirty laundry at the same time. 


Hey at least it's giving John Stewart (and the rest of the country) some good laughs!