Why I am a Republican
Summary
As a voter, I use a three-issue test to determine who I should vote for (described below). On the state and national levels, the majority of candidates passing this test have historically been Republican. Therefore, for the sake of consistency, I have chosen to run as a Republican even though I have frequently supported Democratic candidates at the local level.
Political Parties at the Local Level
Calling oneself a Democrat or Republican does not say much about a person’s governing philosophy on the local level in Starkville. In Mississippi, historically, Democratic candidates for municipal and county elections have enjoyed a significant advantage due to voting traditions and a lack of Republican challengers. Over the past decades, however, this advantage has eroded and even disappeared in many areas.
My Political Philosophy
On a personal level, I choose candidates based on philosophy and not party identification. For state and federal elections, I essentially use a three-issue test to determine who I will support:
- Is the candidate pro-life (not just anti-abortion but protective of all innocent human life)?
- Does the candidate support a literal interpretation of the Second Amendment (the right to keep and bear arms)?
- Does the candidate support limited government (is he or she unwilling to encumber honest people with excessive taxation and regulations so they are free to pursue the American dream)?
In my view, those three issues are foundational and inalienable rights of all Americans. As such, they form the underpinnings of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” spoken by our founders in the United States Declaration of Independence.
A Matter of Consistency
As you may know, not many candidates at the state and federal level pass all three parts of this test. Sadly, hardly a single Democratic candidate even makes it past the first point. Because of this discrepancy and due to my past support of Republican candidates who passed this values test, I have chosen to be consistent and align myself with the Republican Party even at the local level. I do, however, recognize that at this level there are many Democratic candidates who could pass my voting test should those issues be relevant.
Conclusion: My Political Party Neutrality
Please know that I do not view people as merely Democrats or Republicans. Instead, I see opportunities to work with others for the betterment of all. I want to facilitate relationships and bring people together to accomplish win-win scenarios that improve our entire community. Why is this my goal? Because I want to make Starkville a better place for everyone.
