I would like to see Republicans understand that litmus tests are stupid and pointless. The Democrats don't have that problem, to their credit...they don't care one bit what your individual position is on something so long as you pull the (D) lever when it counts.
The GOP nauseates me with its cannibalism. I am sick of seeing "inclusion" being a liberal buzzword. It's really okay if someone wants to identify as a Republican but happens to not be a raging fan of Jesus Christ. And yes, you too can be for free markets and a strong national defense if you are someone who would prefer sex with a member of the same gender, not that the party would let you know that.
Focus on issues and not on people. If a gay man votes (D) but shares your position on immigration or on gun control, he probably votes that way because he feels excluded thanks to the religion freaks.
Memo to the GOP religion freaks: The Constitution runs the show, not the Bible. Get over it. Worship all you want, live your life how the Bible tells you, I don't care, but do not attempt to legislate from that perch. Law is for everyone, while religion is for those who choose to follow one of the several available options. Governance is about making the utilitarian decision for those you govern, not failing to act because it runs counter to your personal convictions. Chris Christie fought gay marriage because he's a Catholic. Fail. The Governor does what is in the best interest of the State, not what may or may not determine your admission to Heaven.
The GOP also needs to severely restrict access to TV cameras for those politicians who are undeniable dipshits. The hill to climb for taking back the Senate would have been two or three seats smaller if not for Akin and O'Donnell. You mean to tell me that there's no wealthy GOP donor who maybe just happens to have access to a TV studio? Have you not gotten the memo that the R's are not in control of the media message? You have to, to borrow from Top Gun, "do it better and cleaner than the other guy." Screen testing, people. It's not a hard concept.
I'm not a fan of Democratic politics, but I will give them a ton of credit for having a well-oiled machine. The GOP machine hasn't been oiled in 20 years and it shows.
Quora: How should the GOP improve?
Quora: How should the GOP improve?
Sections highlighted for emphasis (mine).
Re: Quora: How should the GOP improve?
Just my opinion as to why the GOP has a problem:
They let any batshit crazy person represent the party. They have no standards as far as who can claim party ties, and these loudmouths really ruin it for the party.
They come across as hating poor people, or at the minimum, they definitely don't seem like they want to help anybody except themselves.
They get tripped up on just about every social issue. Like Kevin pointed out, there is supposed to be a separation of church and state. Every social stance eliminates voters.
They are perceived as warmongers. I get that they are fiscally conservative when it comes to welfare, which looks "mean" (and in some cases, it is) but seem to have no issue bankrupting the contry with war. If my tax dollars have to go to something, I would rather it help people in this country that really need it, than waste it pissing off the rest of the world.
What they could do to fix the party:
Play to the parties positives - really be fiscally conservative, not just by hating poor people.
More talk of less government in my life, not less government regulating companies that are trying to make as much money as possible. For example, get rid of useless laws that restrict personal freedom for no reason, and actually try to prevent monopolies since that was what the government was supposed to do.
Second amendment stuff is usually ok.
Fix the IRS
Give tax benefits to companies that pay Americans a good wage
Give tax breaks to companies that make stuff here.
They have good points they just have the dumbest loudest morons represent the party.
I will never vote for someone that wants to totally get rid of welfare, or that thinks that our medical system is good as is. Sure Obamacare isn't perfect but they had 6 to 7 years to propose something better. Where is their great plan - oh, instead they read Green Eggs and Ham. Thanks Rand Paul. A guy I almost could have voted for until he decided wasting time was cooler than actually proposing a better way to do things.
This isn't a pass to the Democrats either. The only person I heard was openly happy with President Obama was Dick Cheney. Great...
Christie was electable, but they hate him now because he had the balls to call out everyone for not helping his people after a hurricane.
They let any batshit crazy person represent the party. They have no standards as far as who can claim party ties, and these loudmouths really ruin it for the party.
They come across as hating poor people, or at the minimum, they definitely don't seem like they want to help anybody except themselves.
They get tripped up on just about every social issue. Like Kevin pointed out, there is supposed to be a separation of church and state. Every social stance eliminates voters.
They are perceived as warmongers. I get that they are fiscally conservative when it comes to welfare, which looks "mean" (and in some cases, it is) but seem to have no issue bankrupting the contry with war. If my tax dollars have to go to something, I would rather it help people in this country that really need it, than waste it pissing off the rest of the world.
What they could do to fix the party:
Play to the parties positives - really be fiscally conservative, not just by hating poor people.
More talk of less government in my life, not less government regulating companies that are trying to make as much money as possible. For example, get rid of useless laws that restrict personal freedom for no reason, and actually try to prevent monopolies since that was what the government was supposed to do.
Second amendment stuff is usually ok.
Fix the IRS
Give tax benefits to companies that pay Americans a good wage
Give tax breaks to companies that make stuff here.
They have good points they just have the dumbest loudest morons represent the party.
I will never vote for someone that wants to totally get rid of welfare, or that thinks that our medical system is good as is. Sure Obamacare isn't perfect but they had 6 to 7 years to propose something better. Where is their great plan - oh, instead they read Green Eggs and Ham. Thanks Rand Paul. A guy I almost could have voted for until he decided wasting time was cooler than actually proposing a better way to do things.
This isn't a pass to the Democrats either. The only person I heard was openly happy with President Obama was Dick Cheney. Great...
Christie was electable, but they hate him now because he had the balls to call out everyone for not helping his people after a hurricane.
Re: Quora: How should the GOP improve?
Generally I like Christie. I like his personality. If he could run on a no-nonsense platform, and not just try to pander to the hard right, he could do something with that. But another commenter pointed out something interesting (and suboptimal) about the way the Republican nomination occurs. Basically, the candidates all have to "out right" each other. Which is usually a very dumb show to watch. Then when the people decide that candidate is "right enough" then that candidate has to head toward the center when faced with the Democratic nominee. It seems silly.
Re: Quora: How should the GOP improve?
I totally agree about the primaries. The left does the same thing, and again, that is where most of the stupid things that they say come from. Maybe it is time for an independent to win. They could start their campaign in the middle, and never have to explain away any stupid extremist opinion stated in the primaries. I think we could use a shake up and move past this 2 party system. Honestly, I can never win because I agree with both sides about different things, so no matter what, I can never vote for someone that is 100%.
Re: Quora: How should the GOP improve?
Paraphrased from a Futurama episode:
Candidate A: My opponent has gone too far on this issue.
Candidate B: Well, I say my opponent hasn't gone too far enough.
Ok I remembered slightly off. But they nailed it anyway.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUMdCV-Z7kk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f69PnAUwv-E
Candidate A: My opponent has gone too far on this issue.
Candidate B: Well, I say my opponent hasn't gone too far enough.
Ok I remembered slightly off. But they nailed it anyway.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUMdCV-Z7kk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f69PnAUwv-E