Hey all!
Been looking for a forum like this. I'm a real Texan (as opposed to the Maine type), was raised a Repub/Con, hated the Dems because the area I grew up in belonged to a couple of really corrupt Dems (We're talking Tom Delay kind of corrupt) right on up to 1998 when Bush decided to run. I can't tell you how distasteful I find politics these days without using streams of profanity. I had long ago evaluated my positions and found myself more in agreement with the Libertarians and Greens, but there is still no party that truly represents me with its platform. I voted for Gore and Kerry, but only because I had insight into Bush's character that I won't share publicly. Lesser of two evils, eh? (Although I really like Gore for reasons soon to be apparent...)
The best way to think of me is as a Libertarian/Socialist. Doesn't exactly mesh, eh? Best I can do.
My most important issues in order of their value:
The Environment
The Environment
The Environment
Civil Liberties
Border Security
Iraq War
Justice reform
Economic reform

You guys may find yourself in complete agreement with me on some issues, and completely opposed on others, but I'm pretty reasonable until someone gets snarky. Likewise, if I seem out of line, let me know, and we'll work it out as we go.
My SO is also a newbie, and may make an appearance here later. We are very similar in view, but came from opposite directions to get here.
For reasons of continued privacy and security, I won't divulge some things about myself publicly, largely to ensure that our private lives remain such. Her anti Bush bumper sticker causes us enough grief with wing-nuts who think they can fight. (Maybe they think all Libs are unarmed pacifists?) Besides, The White Rose was a secret society, right? LOL....
Look forward to getting to know you all better over time. I've already started posting here and there, and have been reading your posts with interest. Sounds like we are all in agreement about one thing: The US is headed in the wrong direction, and we stand divided with about half of the populace about that issue.
Further, we see that direction as becoming oppressive and dangerous to every principle this country was founded on.
Regardless of our differences, which we can agree to accept in one another, we see a need to unite in our commonalities to oppose the Neo-con menaces. I have been worried my SO and I would need to leave this country to raise our children, and I really don't want to let the bastards win, but I won't expose my children to such a hate filled, ignorant society.

Okay that's about it. Questions?

Welcome.

I love this site because it provides a meeting ground of people who are worthy of representing the American Dream, and seem capable of fulfilling that possibility, because they've got their ears on and their eyes open.

This is, sadly, not a common trait in these dark, Bush-filled days, with the glistening, oily creep of the PNAC tentacle sliding around America's (and the Worlds...) jugular !!!

I dream of the day when a Powerful (Speaks softly and carries a big stick..), intelligent and well-informed, legally moral and truly Democratic shining example of Civilisation stands happily before the World Nations, leading by example and shunning all that is perverted and corrupt in Amerika today, bringing Humanity together towards a valid future.

Its a bloody big job, but it's got to start somewhere, so why not here, where the nihlism of the PNAC Cabal and their sock-puppet Bush stands naked and exposed.....!!

( Yeeugh !! Thats a HORRIBLE mental-image of Dick Cheney in socks and nothing else that just popped into mind...sorry. )

Thats a HORRIBLE mental-image of Dick Cheney in socks and nothing else that just popped into mind...sorry.

Thanks for putting that one in my mind...

Hi! I'm new here as well. I am the aforementioned SO of Captain. (Oh, Captain, my Captain.)

I am the product of card carrying communist atheists on one side of the family and all -'Murikan Christian Republicans on the other. Luckily, my parents were enlightened enough to encourage me to learn to think for myself above all.

It is inspiring to find a forum for envisioning a different future for our country. I have been deeply saddened by the events of the past 6 years. The tenor of American politics has been steadily declining over the past decade at least and now we are reaping the bitter fruits of negative politicking, a floundering public school system and worst of all, voodoo economics. I see the greatest issue facing not only the U.S. but the world as being the quiet subversion of the sovereignty of all governments by the corporate elite. "Free trade" is a nightmarish ploy to force the de facto totalitarianism of the free market on all people everywhere. In my country I feel we essentially have one political party which waves red herrings around to distract the populace from the real threat to our culture - McWorld. Not that the social "culture wars" aren't important or real. I simply feel that the greater threat is from transnational corporations. And there's no escape, anywhere, in any country.

Any way, it's late and my tin foil beanie is slipping off. I look forward to seeing you on the forums!

Peace.

Hey thanks Rousseau, (and hiya, honey!)
That really is a repulsive image, but I can top that...Karl Rove in briefs with sex toys, casting a smouldering gaze over his shoulder at you....

Bleagh! Gotta go lobotomize myself....