I frequent a variety of investment boards that discuss commodity, currency and stock trading.
Many of the members of the board have Libertarian leanings, but would probably describe themselves as Republican.
For years I've read thousands of Pro-Bush/Anti-Clinton/Anti-Democratic postings mixed in with investing information.
Lately, I'm seeing a new development.
I'm starting to see a sharp increase in the number of posts that are filled with fury and a sense of betrayal against President Bush and the GOP. Post's like this one:
"I used to be a Republican. I used to think there was a difference bewteen Repubs and Democrats. I used to really admire Rush and Sean Hannity. I used to think Newt Gingrich would make a great president. I used to believe that these people were loan voices of truth in a sea of liberal gobbledygook.
I am all better now."
That's just one quote. Over the past week, I've seen more self-described Republicans talk about their disgust and contempt with the GOP
and the Republican Noise Machine.
I am really depressed at how stupid and gullible I once was.
[Yesterday], I tuned in to Sean Hannity ... [and] I was reminded of the Nazi/Goebbels idea that if you repeat a lie often enough, it will become the truth.
One poster -- sounding like a DailyKos regular -- talked about feeling significant buyer's remorse for voting for Bush:
They've bankrupted the country, robbed the poor to give to the rich, and sent our kids to die in pointless wars. Some innocent blood is on my hands. Some widows are poorer because of what I did. My country is literally bankrupt.
He also went on to summarize a comment I've seen frequently from disenchanted Republicans. They feel deeply betrayed:
Being a social conservative, I fell for Bush's "family" values. Now I see that as total garbage, a ploy by Bush ... If Bush ever believed in traditional values he couldn't have done what he has done.
Also, my over-zealous dislike for the Clintons led me to not thinking clearly.
One poster with the GOP for 25 years said that this administration has made him question what Republican leaders say about others, especially with the debacle in Iraq and now, with the drum beat rising against Iran:
Reagan brought me to Republican side. [But with George W Bush] I have never used so many 4 letter words on another human being period.
Luckily I learned after first time I voted the arrogant SOB into office. Biggest mistake of my life...
Used to be a gungho patriot, now I am seeing logic in Castro, Chavez and even Saddam.
With polls showing that most Americans think Bush is failing his second term, it appears that the GOP is doing a good job of pissing off some self-described GOP voters who have been an important part of the base.