I grew up Republican, both parents were Republicans. The influence was there when I got out of the Marine Corps and registered to vote as a Republican at age 21. I voted to reelect Nixon, most of my friends hated Nixon. The real difference then was there was a degree in intellect in the party that allowed for a certain amount of reason. There were even liberals like George Romney. Over time I noticed a decline in that intellect. During the Clinton Administration I noticed a sharp decline when the house led by Newt Gingrich started to turn the party into partisan zealots. I Voted Ross Perot twice but kind of liked Clinton. I was a McCain Supporter in 2000 but when the party nominated the fake National Guard douche bag Dubya I burned my card and registered independent. The other thing I noticed was when I attended GOP gatherings I couldn’t tell if I had stumbled into a Church tent revival or a Klan meeting. The Intellect of the party had declined to the point of being what it is today, a bunch of dumb ass white fools being led by the nose by a bunch of elite country club types and way to stupid to know it. I now see no redeeming value to the party what so ever and consider it evil not to mention stupid. I despise everything they stand for. In defense of my family and myself for being Republicans, that was decades ago and the GOP was a very different party then and conservative wasn’t a synonym for dumb as dirt.