As an adult who has had to come to terms with the fact that her parents (because they identified as Democrats) had to compromise and ultimately sell out on the principles upon which they raised me in order to continue to throw support behind the Democrat party, I heartily applaud you for your convictions. Even though I was an adult when I discovered that they were now defending things antithetical to my up upbringing, my heart sank as I watched my dear parents twist and turn to present contorted arguments that enabled them to ride the Democrat party rapids that carried them ever leftward.
Once I realized what my parents had had to embrace in order to justify their allegiance to the Democrat party, I decided that it would be prudent of me to separate myself from the Republican party -- a party with which I mostly identified and in which had great hopes of finding conservative candidates to represent me. It occurred to me that there could come a time when the Republican party could become just as flaky as the Democrat party, so from that point forward, I identified as a conservative. To the degree that the Republican party was aligned with true conservatism, I'd work toward that end with Republicans. Now that the term "conservative" has become so watered down in this election cycle, I have put a finer point on my political philosophy; I am now a Constitutional conservative. I pray that some segment of the Republican party doesn't come along and bastardize the meaning of that term, although I rather suspect some shmegegge will before long. Jaded? Me?
As an adult, I had observed the progression of events that took my parents from ones who taught me principles and values to two strangers who were willing to set those values aside for political expedience (and, at times, face-saving). Had I still been in my formative years when this move to the left occurred, I would have been quite confused. My foundation would have surely been shaken. Your children are truly blessed that you have chosen to reflect a trait of the Heavenly Father Who says, "I am the Lord. I change not."
A political party is a tool.
Conservatism...or, for that matter, Liberalism...these are political philosophies, or groups of philosophies based on certain precepts.
I vote Republican because up until the last twelve years, Republicans have been closer to my beliefs than has the other party. But in the twenty years they've promoted, relentlessly, mush-moderates who would easily fit into EITHER party - who are running for the office because they want the job. Because they want power and the trappings of power.
In the end, one picks the best choice. Even if things are so bad that a meaningless protest vote is the best choice.
And as chaotic as the situation is, it's not beyond the realm that I could vote Democrat again. If it were Zell Miller versus Donnie Lord Trumpy...I'd vote the D in a New York minute.
However, I doubt that EITHER party is going to back serious people who love their nation, again, for a long time in the future.
