I frequently cite how as a one time Republican I can not longer support a party that best represents the worse elements in American society and which is best defined by greed, an utter lack of compassion for the less fortunate, and a desire to subvert the concept of religious freedom for all citizens. It is always encouraging to see that my views on what has happened to the GOP is not some lone aberration. Proving that it's not is a column in Huffington Post by former U.S. Senator from South Dakota, Larry Pressler who is endorsing Barack Obama and who has some less than kind words for the Romney/Ryan ticket. Here are some column excerpts:
As a combat veteran of two tours in Vietnam with twenty-two years of service as a Republican member of the U.S. House and Senate, I endorse President Barack Obama for a second term as our Commander-in-Chief.
As a Vietnam vet, one of the reasons I support President Obama is because he has consistently shown he understands that our commitment to our servicemen and women may begin when they put on their uniform, but that it must never end.
This decision is not easy for any lifelong Republican. In 2008 I voted for Barack Obama, the first time I ever voted for a Democrat, because the Republican Party was drifting toward a dangerous path that put extreme party ideology above national interest. Mitt Romney heads a party remaining on that dangerous path . . . .
What really set me off was Romney's reference to 47% of Americans to be written off -- including any veteran collecting disability like myself, as a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) veteran.
Behind closed doors with his donors, Romney made clear he'd write off half of America -- including service members and veterans -- because, as he said "I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility for their lives." But there's no greater personal responsibility than to wear your country's uniform and defend the rights we all enjoy as Americans. We don't sow division between "us" versus "them." The Commander-in-Chief sets the bar for all to follow and fight for the entire country. Mitt Romney fails that test. As a veteran I feel written off.
Just as revealing is what Romney actually says publicly. As a former Foreign Service Officer, I find it offensive that Romney, Congressman Paul Ryan and their Republican Party are politicizing the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other brave Americans who lost their lives in Libya. Being Commander-in-Chief requires a resolve and steadiness that's immune to politics and fear mongering. Mitt Romney fails that test.
Strategy should drive our military priorities, not party purity. . . . . But today's Republican Party, including Ryan who voted for the deal that would trigger the cuts, is willing to bring our country's defenses to the fiscal cliff -- just so a multimillionaire doesn't have to pay a single extra penny in taxes. And the real lack of leadership? Failing to own up to your role in racking up a record debt from two unpaid wars and two massive unpaid for tax cuts. Mitt Romney leads the party that fails this leadership test.
[J]ust as our troops are returning home after a decade of war, Romney and Ryan might gut by up to 20 percent investments in the Department of Veterans Affairs -- and even suggest privatizing the veterans' health care. Again, they would short change our national security and the education, health care and employment benefits our veterans have earned and deserve just to cut taxes for the wealthiest Americans.
As a life-long Republican, I stand by him [Barack Obama] as he stands by all of us, putting national allegiance ahead of party affiliation. I endorse President Obama for reelection in 2012.
Ouch! I will say that Pressler's revulsion of Romney and his contempt for the 47% is not unique. I have a friend who is a disabled military veteran who has typically voted Republican. Thanks to Romney's comment on the 47% that he views as moochers, this person will not vote for the GOP at the presidential level. They may not vote for Obama, but they assuredly will not vote for Romney/Ryan.
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