It was this kind of attitude that always kept me wary of Democrats. For too many years, it seemed to be the party of too many people telling me I had to not drink, not smoke, wear organic fabrics made by overpaid workers, not eat certain foods and only drive an underpowered car with a plethora of safety features.
Lately though the paternalistic attitude seems to have shifted to the Republicans. You can't drink or smoke because it disrupts our families. You can only wear 'Merican fabrics made by 'Merican workers (or their overseas subsidiaries).'
At least with them I can still drive the car of my choice, but after seven years of them controlling the White House, I can't afford to.
Unfortunately, the "them" there is me. I registered as a Republican during the California gubernatorial recall in 2003 . I had been an Independent, but with the closed primary system in place the only way to have a voice in the selection of Gray Davis' successor was to vote in the Republican primary.
I never voted for Bush, and at this point certainly can't see voting for McCain. &
I still want fiscally sound government, but I want a government that respects personal rights and individual decisions. All the rights, from the right of Habeas Corpus if the government accuses me of terrorism, to the right to be free of eavesdropping on the phone and in my e-mail, to yes, the right to sip a cold and refreshing beverage on the beach without some do-gooder, badge or not, demanding to sniff my drink and see if my juice is with or without the additive of my choice.
California's closed primary system creates an incentive to stay registered with one of the larger parties, and hopes (dreams, fantasies maybe) of the party returning to its roots may be delusional but are still there. The opportunity to participate in primaries where fiscal conservatives still interested in individual responsibility are running will probably keep me registered as a Republican. &
That said, I've recently become very interested in Bob Barr's campaign as presidential candidate of the Libertarian Party. Maybe I will be able to vote my conscience in November after all.
-Citizen Voices blogger Chuck Hartley is an attorney who lives in Escondido.
