[ronald_reagan]

I agree that it's funny that once someone embraces a political party, they feel the need to agree with the entire platform, which is what happened in the case of my friend.

Before he "became a Republican" (like it was some sort of religious experience) he had his own views on things and was very moderate. Now he won't stray from anything that's deemed non-Republican, and I had one of the dumbest debates in history with him about immigration.

Its why I respect people like Arlen Spector and Rudy on the republican side, and the blue dog democrats (along with Daniel Patrick Moynihan) on the democrat side. I disagree with them all strongly on many issues... but when people don't waiver or waffle for political gain, its impossible to say that they're wrong.

I like being a rebel. And when people or my party disagree with me, I laugh it off and don't let it get to me.