Joining

No real news to report.  I've done a little bit of research and I'm interested in the Republican Liberty Caucus.  This seems to be the Goldwater/Paul wing of the Republican party.  I've read through their Statement of Principles and can buy into most of it.

I do, however, have some reservation about becoming a big "R" Republican again.  I've been fairly comfortable the last several years not being a member of any political party.  I'm just not sure I can move forward and be able to affect change without joining.

I'm also a bit concerned about my ability to actually do anything with the RLC here is south Alabama.  The state chapter is in Birmingham and I don't think there is a local group.  I don't know if I'm ready to be a leader at this point and try and start anything here in Mobile.  I'm much more comfortable joining an existing group.  I'll keep looking.

 -JJA

Meet the New Boss - Same as the Old Boss

I'm dusting off my virtual soapbox because I am politically frustrated and I don't know what to do about it. It seems like both major parties are arguing about the degree to which they want to continue bad policies, rather than looking for fresh ideas and leading the country in accepting them.

I didn't vote for either Romney or Obama because when it came right down do it, on civil liberties and foreign policy there was no significant difference in their positions. As for the economy, to the extent that a president has the power to affect it, we would have just been trading one type of crony capitalism for another.

I've thought about formally joining the Libertarian party, but we have to face the fact that third party candidates will rarely be taken seriously and will win politically even less often.  I'm leaning toward finding a liberty oriented group (one focused on less government and more freedoms) and trying to make a difference there.  Maybe it will be within the Republican party or maybe it'll be a non-partisan organization, I'm not really sure what my options are at the moment.  I just know I want to do more than just complain.

If anyone has ideas or suggestions, I'm definitely open to them.

 -JJA