Identify Being a Republican

Series Summary

Politics. In some circles is viewed as a four letter word. It brings out the best in some and the worst in most. Deciding what party to belong to is more than just being liberal or conservative. It's not as rigid as the media make it out to be. Sometimes trying to figure out a political identity is tough enough. Some Democrats think conservatively with some issues, as some Republicans think liberally on others. The whole process is draining. That's why there are independents. In this free video series on politics, learn what each political party believes in. Get both perspectives from a Vermont Republican and Democrat on what it means to be a part of each political faction. First, get the Republican viewpoint on such topics as identifying with the Republican viewpoint, the Republican view of Democrats and the importance of running for local political office. From the Democratic viewpoint, learn about environmental justice, how Democrats choose a presidential candidate and identifying with the Democratic Party.

Video Transcript

"Hi I'm Bill Meub. What does it mean to be a Republican. I think one of the best ways to talk about what it means to be a republican is to take people that republicans best identify as the leaders who are republicans. We go back to Abraham Lincoln, we like to talk about Teddy Roosevelt, we like to talk about Eisenhower and we like to talk about Ronald Reagan. And that gives you a real broad perspective of what it means to be a republican. Republicans like to say that they like small government as opposed to big government. They like to say that they don't think that government is the solution to people's problems. They believe that they want to trust and empower the individual to solve their problems. The republican party is a very broad party. I mean I'm a pro choice republican, and yet social conservatism and that piece plays a major part of the republican party. But it's not what is the heart and soul as I see it for what it means to be a republican. Republicans have been very important in the environment. Robert Stafford one of the Vermont's Senators who I admire and had a great deal of regard for, was the author of the clean air act. Teddy Roosevelt, fought very hard for land management. In the state of Vermont Art Gibb and our governor, back at the time back passed act two fifty. Was very involved in the environment. Republicans have been at the heart and soul of environmental issues. But again I think it has to do with how you solve the problem, who solves the problem and that we try to keep as much money in the hands of the individual tax payer as possible. That to me is the heart and soul of why you are a republican."