I think that it is important for me to state what my family is like because of the fact that most people would tend to identify Republicans or Conservatives with 'Rich' people.  This is a major fallacy and one that the Democrats want you to believe.  I am far from rich.  Like I stated before I am from a hard working middle class family on Long Island.  My family is also staunchly Democrat as most of them are in Labor Unions.  I even started out as a Democrat myself.  I became a member of the Republican party because I did not feel that the Democratic party was headed in the right direction and they no longer represented my views.  The Democrats would have you believe that the Republicans are for the 'Rich', however, they are the one's that want to take more money our of your wallets in order to pay for their big governmental programs while Republicans are constantly seeking to lower taxes and reduce big government.  It is misconceptions like these that lead towards hatred and resentment on behalf of members of the Democratic Party.  It is difficult being a Conservative Republican in today's society because of the Democrats who villify us every time we try and do something to better people.  In the Northeast in particular it is very difficult to be a Republican, especially in New York, these areas are known to be hotbeds for the Democratic Party.  They control everything from television, to radio, and newspapers.  With all of this at their disposal they can spread the views of their party as well as villify the views of others (which I will expose later on in The Media Bias).

Why did I become a Republican

  I was actually a Democrat for most of my life.  I switched because as I became older, better educated, more aware of current events and issues I realized that the Democrats and the Liberals in particular were destoying much of what this country is about and I became tired of it all.  The Republicans were a better fit for me because of many of my views.  Conservatives stand for Faith, Family, Freedom amongst other things, but it is these core values which drew me more and more in line with them as the Liberals became more and more intent on destroying those values and the values which has mad this country what it is today.  Democrats began to thrive on hate, fear, and class warfare in particular in order to achieve their goals and this clearly is not the American way.  The strength of this nation lies within the individual and that each person's freedom must be honored.  I believe in the right to keep and bear arms for the protection of my family, myself and others.  I believe in capital punishment for those that committ the most vile, violent, and barbaric of acts.  I am strongly pro-life.  I believe in equal rights and opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.  I believe that a government that works best is a government that has to govern the least.  Government should be close to the people but not so close that it intrudes on our everyday lives and freedoms.  I think that the government should practice fiscal responsibility and allow it's citizens to keep more of the money that they earn.  We must keep and value the principles which have made us strong but we must also develop new ideas for new and challenging times.  These are some of the values and principles that I share with Conservatives and Republicans.  I am not saying that all Democrats and Liberals are bad people, however, I am saying that if we continue to listen to their ideas and values then America will certainly fall on very tough times indeed.  There are still things that I might agree with Democrats on, however, my views now lean mainly lead towards the Conservative side.  

I am a Republican because...

I believe the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person's dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored. I believe in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability. I believe in free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity. I believe government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn. I believe the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations and that the best government is that which governs least. I believe the most effective, responsible and responsive government is the government closest to the people. I believe Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times. I believe Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world. Finally, I believe the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government.

Author: Haley Barbour, Former RNC Chairman

The possible backlash (The backlash I initially faced from family and others)

  I did actually recieve some backlash by switching political parties.  I mean after all my family is mostly Democrat, however, once they saw that I was educated in my decision and that I did not do it blindly many in the family came to terms and respected my decision.  I still recieve some animosity from my parents when it comes to certain issues, however, I explain to them about many of the issues which concern me and the Republican party and I think that they actually agree with me on some of them.  So if I can get some Liberals to turn their heads and actually listen to my Conservative view points then I think that in the end it is worth getting the word out.