ah Muck...the gop is "kowtowing to evangelicals" the same way the dems are catering to their radical liberal factions...Primaries are like that - and both parties tend to move closer to the middle after they are over. Doing so does not mean that either the radical right or radical left are the dominant factions in either party.
Here's where we agree: a party cannot be rudderless, drifting aimlessly in the sea of values.
The core values of the Republican Party are not represented well in most of our party's national figures...I think this is why so many are dissatisfied, or at least not excited, about the candidates...guess that's why the term RINO has come about...
Some would say that the party's 2004 platform reflects the values. Others say that the platform is merely the outward demonstration of those values. (http://www.gop.com/media/2004platform.pdf)
Others use the "I'm a Republican because..." which states:
I Believe... The proper function of government is to do for the people those things that have to be done but cannot be done, or cannot be done as well, by individuals, and that the most effective government is government closest to the people.
I Believe... Good government is based upon the individual and that each person's ability, dignity, freedom, and responsibility must be honored and recognized.
I Believe... The free enterprise and the encouragement of individual initiative and incentive have given this nation an economic system second to none.
I Believe... Sound money management should be our goal.
I Believe... In equal right, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, age, sex or national origin.
I Believe... We must retain those principles of the past worth retaining, yet always be receptive to new ideas with an outlook broad enough to accommodate thoughtful change and varying points of view.
I Believe... That Americans value and should preserve their feeling of national strength and pride, and at the same time share with people everywhere a desire for peace and freedom and the extension of human rights throughout the world.
What I was taught and believe - Core Republican Party Values: Limited government, limited taxation, adherence to the Constitutional powers enumerated for the three branches of government, individual responsibility, 'a hand up versus a hand out," the power of the individual versus the power of the government. I also believe in the "10 Cannots" which was attributed to Lincoln, but was actually written by Rev. William J. H. Boetcker in 1916:
*You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence."
* You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
* You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
* You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
* You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
* You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
* You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatreds.
* You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
* You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
* You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.
Personally, I'm a conservative and the GOP has always been the party that best relected my values...although I find myself, like so many others, questioning the party's national leadership when it comes to our suppposedly shared conservative perspectives. Leaders I like and think represent many of the traditional GOP core values: Tom Tancredo, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, Chuck Muth, Star Parker, Thomas Sowell, Harry R. Jackson, Jr., Walter Williams, Richard M. Ebeling, Edwin J. Feulner...
Can you explain for me the core values of the Democrat Party?