I seriously can't come up with one issue that the religious left have tried to push that is based solely on their beliefs. I am not being sarcastic, I just can't think of one. If you can please tell me. I am willing to listen.
I don't vote Republican because of the religious nuts on the left. I vote Republican because it's the party that most suits my ideas. No one can agree with a party 100% and if they say they do they have a problem. I didn't say the religious left pushes a religious agenda on us, I said they use religion to push their agenda just as much as the religious right by telling their followers that god wants them to vote for their candidate. Then they belittle the right for doing it when in fact, as I stated, most of them go right along with the religious beliefs of the right. It's just one little sneaky trick they've turned into a weapon. They can use religion, and at the same time decry the right for doing the same. I guess they can have their cake and eat it too when it comes to using religion politically.
I don't agree with the Democrats 100% either. Just as you say the reason that you vote Republican is the reason I almost always vote Dem. They suit my ideas more. If I understand you right what you are saying is that the left uses religion to win elections? I think that might be true in some areas. Like the south. Not so much on a national level. However with the nation being primarily Christian then I am sure they almost have to play to that voting majority. My point is that the Democrats never (not in my voting life) try to pass a law or rewrite our Constitution based on their religious beliefs. That is a MAJOR issue for me. So they get my vote 9 times out of 10. The religious right has way too much control over the Republican party for me to support them. When and if they clean it up then I would consider taking them more seriously.
The President has been very clear on his religious beliefs, yet he has also stated that it is only his belief and he has recognized others as just as valid. He has even spoken of those with no religion favorably. I can't recall a Republican President or candidate that has ever done the same. I remember reading in horror as Bush declared that God spoke to him on whether or not to go to war with Iraq. I really honestly don't care what a candidate believes in his personal life. If they can separate their personal beliefs from their service to ALL Americans it is really none of my business.
So to me, the economic issues are not the biggy. Both parties will spend our money for their own reasons. Both parties will lie to us. But the Republican party will continue to try and make all American's live under the rule of Christianity and that I will not vote for or support.