democrat or republican

[pvenne]

PLEASE DONT VOTE AND RUN...EXPLAIN/DEFEND YOUR POSITION...I AMEXTREMELY INTERESTED.

well, some posts on here have sparked my interest, and i have always been curious about the answers to this question, but it is inconvenient to ask everyone you meet, so this is the perfect place to lay it all out. please feel free to voice any problems/dislikes of any political party and your reason for having these feelings, and why you hold them to be so true. this, i hope, will spark a lively debate about who is in the right and who is in the wrong, which will likely have no clear cut winner, but i hope will be intellectually stimulating and educational to all involved. please no outright "bashing" of others though, just legitimate reasons for disliking policies and perspectives of either end of the political spectrum......i hope this turns out as interesting as i think it will.

[pvenne]

I am a democrat for reasons of personal and individual choice...and to a lesser extent, because of socialization. my mom is rep, and my dad is dem, so i thought about it and made my own choice. i hope others begin to fuel this discussion/debate soon. look forward to it.

[Viper]

Independant by choice. I believe because not all values held by the two parties are valid for every given situation. Situations change and they alter how we should act and react based on the current analysis. Voting or agreeing just because your parents do or because that issue was correct in the past is, sorry to put it bluntly, but foolish.

Republicans aren't always right. Democrats aren't always right. But, if you vote and act without regard for party lines, then you can increase that level of accuracy.

Being partial to one party limits you to other possibilities and blinds you to possible truths.

[pvenne]

Independant by choice.  I believe because not all values held by the two parties are valid for every given situation.  Situations change and they alter how we should act and react based on the current analysis.  Voting or agreeing just because your parents do or because that issue was correct in the past is, sorry to put it bluntly, but foolish. 

Republicans aren't always right.  Democrats aren't always right.  But, if you vote and act without regard for party lines, then you can increase that level of accuracy.

Being partial to one party limits you to other possibilities and blinds you to possible truths.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

most of your post is correct...but voting a certain way cause your parents do is not foolish, but rather, it fits in line with everything else we learn as children. its like folloowing in the footsteps of your fathers line of work or driving the same brand of car as your mother...believe it or not, the biggest factor in political socialization (how we come to hold the beliefs we do) is parents choice of political party, although this in itself does not "decide" the path one walks as an adult. but you are right, i too believe voting not along party lines but along the lines of what seems correct for a given situation is the best way to go...

however, i find that this way is usually more on the left (though only slightly) of the political center (where independents hang out). so i am wondering if you find yourself siding more often with the left, or with the right, or if you are split about 50-50, or dont really have enough to base your answer on? just curious, because i would consider myself independent except for the fact that i tend to side slightly more with dems, although i do not count voting across party lines as out of the question...if a rep has a better idea, then ill side with him/her any day, same with dems, so essentially i am an independent who has a majority democratic views, if that makes any sense.....i wish more people would be as sensible as you are, then we wouldnt have the ignorance that exists in politics today, imo.

[MR-2]

I find with these sorts of polls, the political parties don't represent actual platforms very well, so it's better to go by ideology.

For instance:

Economic Liberal

Economic Moderate

Economic Conservative

Economic Centrist

Social Liberal

Social Moderate

Social Conservative

Social Centrist

And so on... there are obviously many more things. I'm an independant because my particular views aren't expressed by the major or minor parties very well. That said, I'm still fairly liberal on any scale.

[MJLO]

I'm a centrist I'd have to say,

I vote Libertarian, I like the platform that they run on,

Fiscal Responsibility, Personal Rights. There are things I disagree

with on other issues. I am very much in favor of the pro-gay, pro-choice type thinking. I however feel that other certain liberal ways of thinking, discount personal accountability, and only enable people to behave in certain ways.

[pvenne]

That said, I'm still fairly liberal on any scale.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

so doesnt that make you side more often with the dems, who are liberal in comaprison to conservative republicans?

[pvenne]

I'm a centrist I'd have to say, 

I vote Libertarian, I like the platform that they run on,

Fiscal Responsibility, Personal Rights. There are things I disagree

with on other issues.  I am very much in favor of the pro-gay, pro-choice type thinking. I however feel that other certain liberal ways of thinking,  discount personal accountability, and only enable people to behave in certain ways.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

pro gay marriage im all for...i mean, the people who are against this are just nuts. i am as heterosexual as they come, and i dont like people who act like the sterotypical gay guy, just beacuse it is annoying, but homosexuals dont act like the stereotype of them says they do. i know so many homosexuals that are as normal as the next guy/girl, but are just oriented in a different way as concerns sexual attraction. then, on the other hand, you have plenty of straight guys who act like the sterotypical gay guy and that bugs the hell out of me...so its not like our society would become any less desirable to live in if we allowed gays to marry...they are human too, and this is not the united states of straight america....i could go on and on, but i see no reason too...it is many times too difficult to discuss this topic in mixed company without stepping on anyones toes unintentionally. bottom line: gays should be allowed to do anything that straight people can, there is no difference between the two groups, whatsoever.

pro choice is a trickier situation. it should not be as strict as reagan and bush want it to be (abortion policy that is) and it should not be as liberal as roe v wade set forth. women who are in rape situations etc...fine, but using abortion as a means of birth control is disgusting and inexcusable and one should be ashamed of themselves for being so selfish. life shouldnt be fooled with, but there are obviously circumstances under which this rule of mine has room for flexibility. im especially against the killing of half developed babies, you know, when they drill the hole in their head and collapse their skull....uggh, what person could consent to something like that after carrying it around forever. a woman should have the right to choose, but she should not abuse this right or take advantage of it...she should nonetheless be respectful and keep in miind the life she is carrying. i mean, you dot even have to be an evangelist to see something at least minutely immoral about abortion....but it can serve a useful purpose, so....like i said, it is tricky.

[pvenne]

I find with these sorts of polls, the political parties don't represent actual platforms very well, so it's better to go by ideology.

For instance:

Economic Liberal

Economic Moderate

Economic Conservative

Economic Centrist

Social Liberal

Social Moderate

Social Conservative

Social Centrist

And so on... there are obviously many more things. I'm an independant because my particular views aren't expressed by the major or minor parties very well. That said, I'm still fairly liberal on any scale.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

you make a good point. but the reason i started this poll was because you always hear people bashing other pol. parties and defending their own, and ive always wondered why they have the beliefs they do, not necessarily how those beliefs break down on an issue by issue level...but that would certainly be an interesting poll to read about too.

[pvenne]

I'm a centrist I'd have to say, 

I vote Libertarian, I like the platform that they run on,

Fiscal Responsibility, Personal Rights. There are things I disagree

with on other issues.  I am very much in favor of the pro-gay, pro-choice type thinking. I however feel that other certain liberal ways of thinking,  discount personal accountability, and only enable people to behave in certain ways.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

you should strongly consider not voting libertarian. it is likely always going to be a dem or rep that takes the lead in a pres race, and by voting libertarian (a party that i too like) you are taking away a vote from the major party you might have as a second or third choice (and which has a better chance of winning....just my suggestion...but then again if you know youre in a state that is going to go one way or the other by a large majority, then it really doesnt matter what your individual vote is anyway because of the electoral college.....which, by the way, i am wondering, does anyone here think that the electoral college is a good thing, a bad thing...feel indifferent about it? just curious...

[monsoon]

If there is a 3rd party candidate, then vote for them. The only difference between the Democrats and Republicans is the color of the boot on your neck.

[pvenne]

If there is a 3rd party candidate, then vote for them.  The only difference between the Democrats and Republicans is the color of the boot on your neck.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

you are entitled to your opinion. but for arguments sake, not to say you are wrong, i will present my own opinion on the matter. you are right in that there are many similaritiues b/w the two major political parties in the u.s. -- but this does not mean that there are not major differences between them as well. and if it is more likely the case that one or the other will win most major elections, then wouldnt it make sense to vote for one of the major parties based on those differences? because i see voting for a third party member as taking votes away from the guy/gal who in reality has the best shot. its like the Nader case in 2000. if it werent for him (most who voted for him said they would have rathered gore over bush) then the world would be much different...so its like the nader people screwed themselves to prove a point, rather than working to make systemic and structural changes to out govt that would allow a 3rd party member to actually be significant. this is my view.

[pvenne]

dem/rep different fundamental beliefs

food for thought

[MR-2]

so doesnt that make you side more often with the dems, who are liberal in comaprison to conservative republicans?

The dems on a federal level have moderated substantially in the past 20. The only issue they still seem really liberal on is healthcare/social security. I would probably be more aligned with the Green party, except I quite like nuclear power among other things. Perhaps I'm a socialist :/

[MR-2]

you should strongly consider not voting libertarian.  it is likely always going to be a dem or rep that takes the lead in a pres race, and by voting libertarian (a party that i too like) you are taking away a vote from the major party you might have as a second or third choice (and which has a better chance of winning....just my suggestion...but then again if you know youre in a state that is going to go one way or the other by a large majority, then it really doesnt matter what your individual vote is anyway because of the electoral college.....which, by the way, i am wondering, does anyone here think that the electoral college is a good thing, a bad thing...feel indifferent about it?  just curious...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If I felt as strongly as the previous poster about the similarities of the major party candidates, I would be inclined to vote third party as well. For instance, if we wound up with Hillary vs McCain, I wouldn't bother choosing. Both have things going for them and against them in my opinion. On the other hand, when we get something like the last election, where it was joe average politician vs lucifer, I'd want to vote in the lesser evil to prevent any abhorrent damage to our economy/civil rights/international standing.

[Brickell]

independent that defaults to the democratic party when all else is equal.

[MJLO]

I live in Michigan, my vote for a third party will likely not make a difference in changing Michigans Blue color. I disagree with the notion, that if you vote third party you're helping the opposition. I think that's the very core of thinking that keeps the two party system going. If everyone who wanted to vote third party actually did, It might drastically change the political landscape. The government would have to recognized the other parties, aid them somewhat financially. In turn parties such as green, and libertarian, could then muster up more publicity, which would allow people to become more informed and realize there are other choices. Alas it is a catch 22, because in order to do that, the narrow minded people who are to afraid to try it, don't, and therefore it's stuck in the cycle.

[hood]

I'm a democrat because they are against the republicans. I do beileive that voting for a third party is throwing away your vote, because I'm more concerned about not having a conservative in office than anything else. I wish there were some party that more accuratly portrayed my beleifs, but I'm not sure there is. Maybe Libertarian, but I don't know enough about them to say for sure. Basically, I beleive in having the most personal freedoms possible, any ideas for parties representing that?

[alon504]

I am Republican because I believe in keeping a greater majority of the income I earn as opposed to supporting others with that income. Many issues I lean middle or left, but, when it comes to my hard earned income and the education I slaved over to get to where I am, I have a problem giving it to people that haven't even finished high school.

[pvenne]

I live in Michigan,  my vote for a third party will likely not make a difference in changing Michigans Blue color. I disagree with the notion,  that if you vote third party you're helping the opposition.  I think that's the very core of thinking that keeps the two party system going.  If everyone who wanted to vote third party actually did,  It might drastically change the political landscape.  The government would have to recognized the other parties, aid them somewhat financially.  In turn parties such as green, and libertarian, could then muster up more publicity, which would allow people to become more informed and realize there are other choices.  Alas it is a catch 22, because in order to do that, the narrow minded people who are to afraid to try it, don't, and therefore it's stuck in the cycle.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

well, I agree with you, but when it gets closer to the actual election and becomes overwhelmingly clear that one of the two major parties will win, and then you still vote third party, it is not directly helping the opposition, but it is certainly not harming them as it indriectly harms your second (and more probable of winning) choice. But if 3rd parties could raise more support, Id say go for it.

[pvenne]

I am Republican because I believe in keeping a greater majority of the income I earn as opposed to supporting others with that income.  Many issues I lean middle or left, but, when it comes to my hard earned income and the education I slaved over to get to where I am, I have a problem giving it to people that haven't even finished high school.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

good point, but you should be more concerned with revamping our social welfare system, as clinton the democrat did, not being republican. If you are conservative on issues like that but liberal (left) on other issues, then you sound like clinton...voting rep for that one silly reason hurts a lot of people. republicans let you keep your money, but what is really happening is that they are still dishing out to the needy, so in essence they are running up tremendous debt (not to mention this whole war thing) and as long as taxes stay low, people will pretend that they have more in thier pocket but in reality, the money has to come back out of your pocket in the future to pay off the deficit...so reps try to have their cake and eat it too. dont get me wrong, i dont like taxes either, but I am still for them, if that makes any sense.

[VA2SA 05]

I am Republican because I believe in keeping a greater majority of the income I earn as opposed to supporting others with that income.  Many issues I lean middle or left, but, when it comes to my hard earned income and the education I slaved over to get to where I am, I have a problem giving it to people that haven't even finished high school.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Agree with you on that! I was reading Cali spends 11 Billion dollars on programs for illegals! Im not for welfare at all it makes people lazy and depend on the government, which is what liberals want. They like people to rely on them kinda like a sheltered child, and a mother who doesnt want to let the child go out and fend for themselves in the real world. Im also Republican for moral reasons. But the biggest of them all is I come from very deep routed military family and im currently in ROTC at UTSA studying to become a officer in the U.S Airforce.

[pvenne]

Agree with you on that! I was reading Cali spends 11 Billion dollars on programs for illegals! Im not for welfare at all it makes people lazy and depend on the government, which is what liberals want. They like people to rely on them kinda like a sheltered child, and a mother who doesnt want to let the child go out and fend for themselves in the real world. Im also Republican for moral reasons. But the biggest of them all is I come from very deep routed military family and im currently in ROTC at UTSA studying to become a officer in the U.S Airforce.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

there are those types of liberals, and no one likes them, not even them. But please dont make generalizations: i consider myself a liberal (and not in the negative sense, just in comparison to conservatives) and I am in no way lazy, or any of the other things youve mentioned..I am harder working than anyone I know. My dad was a marine and he is a liberal democrat too. I feel like being a liberal (again, not in the negative way) is the compassionate thing to do. you have to help those not capable of helping themselves, because even though hard work and luck tend to go hand in hand, sometimes they dont...and it is for when this happens that we need a safety net. do you agree with any of this? I am trying to present my views so that they will make sense to someone who otherwise would disagree with me. I have a crew-cut, Im in shape, intelligent, attending college and plan on being an attorney. I do not have long hair and wear hole-filled cords, or tie-dye or flannel shirts, and I do not eat yogurt and let my body waste away on psychadelic drugs, and my parents are both hard working, I am from the upper middle class, and everything else about my lifestyle screams conservative. but it is my compassion for seeing to it that others are looked after that makes me liberal on many issues. I think no matter where you are in the social sense, it is important ot realize that you stand on the shoulders of those beneath you and to give them a break every now and then is the right thing to do (even if some people take advantage of this and slip through the cracks and loopholes thereby getting a free rise, it is worth it for all those who truly need assistance). after all, if we dont help eachother, then where would any of us be? helping those in need and believing in a strong and hard work ethic dont have to be separate things. in fact, servin gin the military shows that these two things go hand in hand. I hate lazy people who take advantage too, but them aside, we need social safety nets for th elosers in society (there are always winners and therefore are always losers in a capitalistic society). when I present a liberal's point of view from this angle, would you agree with me?

[rusthebuss]

What is it with you and coming up with these polls that start heated debates. I'm republican because I'm choosing the lesser of two evils. And I appreciate you calling me nuts. Also, I don't like lazy people living off of what others earn. And that comment that was made about liberals isn't generalizing anything just the truth. I'm also prolife. You made it you take care of it and take some resposiblility for your actions. I don't totally agree with republicans either and see some of the libertarian views like the point of getting rid of the income tax and moving it to the sales tax. Getting rid of that damn IRS and its big ugly head. I think its more powerful than the FBI at times. I don't like so much govt. control and view it as communism pushing out its ugly head. I believe also that welfare is being abused 90% of the time.

[pvenne]

What is it with you and coming up with these polls that start heated debates. I'm republican because I'm choosing the lesser of two evils. And I appreciate you calling me nuts. Also, I don't like lazy people living off of what others earn. And that comment that was made about liberals isn't generalizing anything just the truth. I'm also prolife. You made it you take care of it and take some resposiblility for your actions. I don't totally agree with republicans either and see some of the libertarian views like the point of getting rid of the income tax and moving it to the sales tax. Getting rid of that damn IRS and its big ugly head. I think its more powerful than the FBI at times. I don't like so much govt. control and view it as communism pushing out its ugly head. I believe also that welfare is being abused 90% of the time.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Russ: I intentionally start polls for the reason of bringing up heated and controversial topics because it is more interesting to talk about this stuff due to all of the passion behind everyone's posts.

When did I call you nuts? I dont think I did and if I really did than forgive me.

And you can't say what is and what is not the truth, because I just showed you that I am liberal but don't fit the negative stereotype usually attached to anyone progressive.

I am prolife as well (with some exceptions) because it just isn't acceptable as a means for birth control and abortion is far too over abused for my likes.

And I dont like lazy people either, but you have to realize that even if it is 99% abused, welfare helps those out who are not lazy but are just dealt crappy conditions in life...and America is less liberal than most euro countries, so its not like we're some big lazy country with nothing going for us. You have to make a system for those who just cant cut it. and if people abuse it...so what? its not everyone abusing it, it is only a small segment of society, and guess what? in the end they are doing themselves more harm than good because you cant stay on welfare for more than 5 years total now (i think clinton changed this) and if you abuse it than youre screwed later in life. but honestly, whats a few bucks outta your pocket that could be helping someone else, even if you do think theyre abusing the system....because the truth is, even though it might look like they are stealingyour money and should be working, these people are never going to be as fortunate as you because they come from poor backgrounds and are undereducated, giving them some of your salary, even if they dont deserve it, is the Christian thing to do, many would argue. look out for your fellow brother in mankind, especially when he/she is not educated or well mannered enough to do it for themselves. its like lending a thousand bucks to a nephew who doesnt deserve it and you know will never pay you back...eventually he will get whats coming to him in life, but you make sure youre not the one to deliver it to him. compassion is what is essential to have in life...and its not like tis your neighbors who are comletely capable of keeping their jobs yet seek your wallet when your not looking...these people you think take advantage of you dont see it that way, they are discouraged workers and some are lazy, but they will never ever have the quality of life that you or I have (assuming ours is similar), so i say just let them have their welfare, how much is this really "cheating " people like you and me anyway? but it gives them enough sense of worth to exist. howabout the depression? that was not a good thing, and economic assistance form the government played a big part in stepping in...just because its not the depression today doesnt mean that we wont need the welfare system for legitimate reaosns in the future for some crisis or another. If you are Chrisitan, ask yourself WWJD