Take action. Get involved. Find out why things didn't go the way you wanted them to, and work on changing things.

Personally myself, I plan to get as many people as I can to see the differences between the Democratic and Republican platforms. Only thru educating people can we really make a difference. That's my plan, anyway

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

I just posted this in another thread, and I think it applies here too...

Maybe we need to focus less on differences, and more on unity.....

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I'm the kind of woman when my feet hit the floor in each morning, the devil says "Oh crap, she's up."

Kelliii, I like the unity idea, but, for election purposes (2012) I think we need to educate people. It's not enough just to vote....know WHAT you are voting on.

I do hope for unity during the next four years. I can't imagine people being so angry and disappointed that it colors the next four years of their life. But, if you're not happy with the election results, rather than get angry, put that energy into changing things.

I wonder, too, if the Republican ticket had won would the Democrats be so "gracious"?? I know one poster here is STILL spouting hate for the Republicans Get over it already, your dang ticket won, happy happy joy joy.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

Education is the key. Getting the information out about the issues. Find a grassroots organization that you agree with and stay on top of current issues.

Also become more involved fighting against bills in Congress. If you do not agree with something express (call, email) it to your Representatives and Senators. Locally beome more involved..write letters to your newspaper editors, etc.
On the flip side if you agree with bills, etc express that also to your Representatives and Senators.

I think that for election purposes in 2012, the focus should be on the reform of the Repulican Party. I'm presonally jumping on the train and looking forward to taking it back to what it is supposed to be. And I think it is a little too soon to say what is going to be needed in 2012.....I think the bigger focus should be what should be done to get back on track before 2010 and worry about Congress first

As far as "gracious" goes -- well, that is hard to say -- and when it comes to one peorson being sassy, well my father used to always say "consider the source."

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I'm the kind of woman when my feet hit the floor in each morning, the devil says "Oh crap, she's up."

Exactly. Being part of the process is where we all need to be. Those people in DC are there to represent us...and the only way to get what we want to to get involved and be vocal about the changes you want to see.

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I'm the kind of woman when my feet hit the floor in each morning, the devil says "Oh crap, she's up."

Scoot over, I'll ride Now, what exactly is the Republican party supposed to be?? I'm not being snarky, I really mean that. I hear all this "the base" of the party. What is that??? I thought the Republicans stood for personal responsibility to better yourself, and less government involvement.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

I used to be a Young Republican and we wanted less government intrusion, personal responsiblity and there was very little talk about "God being a Republican" or pro life. It was, to me about personal responsibility and that included being responsible for my own body.

Yes, I think the Republican Party started getting muddled up when they started believing that their base was the Christian conservatives. They need to work on getting back to the principles of smaller, less intrusive government.

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"No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"
- George Orwell Animal Farm

Amen, exactly.

Clarifying what it means to be a Republican, or a Democrat is a useful function. Unfortunately, labels confuse the issue. Wouldn't it be nice if we could all simply be Americans? Shouldn't it be possible to combine the best ideas of both parties into a platform to benefit the entire nation?Obviously, the answer would be yes to both questions. Incidentally, both ideas have been advanced by the Republican John McCain and the current commitment of Obama to try and make that happen.

What needs clarification more than anything else is whether or not Americans will ever see the bigger picture.

But, to answer the question:
Republicans should be the party of fiscal responsibility -- but, the fact is that the three largest deficits were generated under Republican Presidents. Republicans believe that government is accountable for maintaining sound money and a responsible economy. Individual rights, liberties and properties are continually eroded when citizens are oppressed by excessive taxation, inflation, government waste and over-regulation.

Republicans are for smaller government. But, not one single Republican administration in the history of the country has ever shrunk the size of government. By definition "smaller" might be an unrealistic task for either party, and maybe the word should be to "leaner"....or at the very least, define what they mean by "smaller."

Republicans want to get the government off of the backs of Americans. We are kinda left to make decisions on our own. -- the government activities should be limited to those things which people cannot do at all, or cannot do so well for themselves. Government doesn't legislate matters of a personal nature....meaning, they would stay out of my bedroom, my doctors office, and most importantly, my vagina....they also don't listen to my phone calls or read my mail. They don't ask me who I pray to or where I go to church, because that is the last thing they need to get involoved with - unless of course someone tries to take away my right to pray or go to a church, temple, wiccan bonfire, or whatever -- Rebulican's don't rate the importance of religions, they protect all of them. Where they do belong is in my kitchen, medicine cabinate, and making sure that no one steals my ATM pin number and get's away with it.

Republicans believe that those who cannot provide for themselves should be assisted by both government and society, but that every effort should be made to help them become self-supporting, productive citizens with pride in their independence.

That's just a few. In both parties, the lines get blurry and sometimes they really both want the same things...they just say it in different words. What it comes down to in a nutshell is the definition started to change back in 1964 and suddenly the word "conservitive" started to get tied to religion +politics, and not just politics on it's own.

Hope a little of that helps.

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I'm the kind of woman when my feet hit the floor in each morning, the devil says "Oh crap, she's up."

dsapointed is an understatment

OMG..after eight years of bashing you expect unity?

It just plain isn't going to happen!