Sad day for me as I leave the Republican Party

The time has arrived for me to make this decision.

I lived through 8 years of George Bush trying to make nice with Democrats receiving the shoddiest treatment over and again by those he "befriended" on the liberal side. I took it on the chin along with Bush, hoping that those evil peoples' better nature might take over. No chance - they don't seem to have a better nature.

I put up with RINOs (Republicans in name only) pulling the rug out from under the President's and the Party's feet, time and again, thinking that in the end it would all work out. From the unconstitutional implementation of campaign finance reform, to the horrendous overspending that resulted in huge deficits in spite of the surge in treasury receipts resulting from tax cuts. From the sinking of judicial nominees and diplomatic appointees, to the outrageous criminal pursuits of Tom Delay and Scooter Libby, and the dangerous failure to support America's anti-terrorist fight.

I watched with disbelief as John McCain became the Republican presidential nominee, and finally, I made a tough decision. I would not mark the ballot for McCain. My presidential vote would go blank, but I would vote straight ticket Republican for the representative races, even if I had to hold my nose while doing so.

Then today I watched two Virginia Republicans endorse the Democratic candidate for Senate.

"According to the The Washington Post, Republicans Vince Callahan and John Chichester will officially endorse Democrat Mark Warner for Senate on Monday."

Gentlemen and ladies in the RNC: enough is enough.

If I go on, I will end up cursing you, and I want this to remain a family-oriented blog!

Therefore, I have decided today to bid the GOP a not-so-fond farewell.

I am mad, sad, frustrated, frightened, and depressed that the great launch of conservative ideas launched under Reagan and the 1994 Republican Revolution have come to naught.

Perhaps I can find a political home where these great ideas, coupled with great minds and with great achievers can once again become ascendant.

One thing I am certain of is that the Republican Party is not that place.