Why are you what you are, politically?

[CTU2fan]

I mean, not what is it about your political philosophy that appeals to you, rather what is it about you that draws you to a particular political view.

I guess for me it comes down to, you know when you were a kid and somebody (Mom or Dad probably) told you "life isn't fair". That always bothered me. I mean, why not? Why isn't it fair? Shouldn't we try to make it fair, or at least more fair, rather than just accepting the unfairness? Then I realized the root of the unfairness was in most cases economic, and Marxism was an obvious choice. The philosophy, not the bastardization practiced by various self-proclaimed "communist" dictators throughout the years.

So what is it that makes you a conservative, a liberal, an anarchist, a libertarian, a social democrat, a pure free-market capitalist...let's hear it.

 

[phillyfan26]

I'm an independent because it's stupid to align with one party, in my opinion, unless you agree with everything it stands for. If not, then don't align with them. It's amazing how many people will not just stick up for their own views. If you are a republican or democrat, your personalized views get drowned out by your party.

 

[U2democrat]

As a child, the issue I understood and cared for most was the environment, which led me to the Democratic party...same goes with women's issues. As I've grown and confronted more issues like poverty, the care for people in general, I have stuck with being a proud liberal.

 

[coemgen]

I'm an independent because it's stupid to align with one party, in my opinion, unless you agree with everything it stands for. If not, then don't align with them. It's amazing how many people will not just stick up for their own views. If you are a republican or democrat, your personalized views get drowned out by your party.

This is me, too.

 

[MsPurrl]

Same people, different faces . . . .

 

[Canadiens1131]

Being raised in Canada, my outlook on politics has been shaped by bland, drawn-out, boring debates about many things meaning jack in the grand scheme of things.

Still, I guess I envy the fact that Canada and the UK have a Prime Minister's Questions period. There's something satisfying about a political system that provides a defined weekly opportunity for naysayers to berate the country's leader directly. It's the kind of intellectual sparring I wish dubya could have been a part of during the Iraq War.

 

[CTU2fan]

I'm an independent because it's stupid to align with one party, in my opinion, unless you agree with everything it stands for. If not, then don't align with them. It's amazing how many people will not just stick up for their own views. If you are a republican or democrat, your personalized views get drowned out by your party.

Hijacking my own thread...

I really wish the Reps & Dems had platforms, rigid platforms. If a politician didn't support the platform, see ya, run as an independent. Would never happen of course, both parties want to be as big as possible, who cares if they don't stand for anything, at least everybody's getting paid. But wouldn't it be nice? Nowadays, even if you're a "traditional" Dem or Rep chances are even if "your" guy wins you don't agree with a good portion of his politics.

 

[A_Wanderer]

Libertarian on the basis that personal freedoms are generally a good thing and guaranteeing them is a good end.

 

[Liesje]

Women's issues and equal rights in general. Those are tops on my personal platform.

 

[Pearl]

I'm a moderate because I don't believe either side is definitely right while the other is evil or dumb. I don't believe every issue is black and white; I believe there is a lot of gray area.

I also don't trust politicians very much, and I disagree with a two party system. I think American politics would be better if there were three or four parties to choose from. I know we do have more, like the Green party, Libertarian and so on, but I wish those parties had a higher status in politics, just as the Republican and Democrats do.

 

[Bono's shades]

I think I truly knew I was a liberal when I was about 17 and the 1984 Presidential election was approaching and I found myself arguing about politics all the time with my mom, my dad and my boyfriend - conservatives all. Like others have stated, fairness and equality are a big thing with me, and I began to realize that conservative philosophy doesn't mesh with that.

 

[popsadie]

I define myself as conservative socially and liberal fiscally. I believe that government should have some power on both social issues and fiscal issues. I suppose I see myself as a moderate democrat because the issues I care about most, social welfare and education are typically democratic platforms. That being said, I do advocate moderate censorship and making abortion much less available...both typically conservative beliefs.

 

[LPU2]

I'm a traditional liberal democrat with libertarian tendencies. Easily, the biggest influence on my beliefs has been the Holy Bible and being raised a Christian.

Now I like low taxes, small governent, federalism. And I even understand the theory behind supply-side economics.

That said, I just don't know how anyone can read the Bible and feel comfortable about republican policies on immigration, war, poverty, taxes, education, healthcare, etc.

Yeah, I know, all this begs the question, "well what about gay marriage and abortion"?

My answer is that if you can read the entire Bible and come away thinking that God's biggest message is about abortion and gay marriage? Then you're reading a different Bible than the one I read.

 

[U2isthebest]

I'm a traditional liberal democrat with libertarian tendencies. Easily, the biggest influence on my beliefs has been the Holy Bible and being raised a Christian.

Now I like low taxes, small governent, federalism. And I even understand the theory behind supply-side economics.

That said, I just don't know how anyone can read the Bible and feel comfortable about republican policies on immigration, war, poverty, taxes, education, healthcare, etc.

Yeah, I know, all this begs the question, "well what about gay marriage and abortion"?

My answer is that if you can read the entire Bible and come away thinking that God's biggest message is about abortion and gay marriage? Then you're reading a different Bible than the one I read.

Did you just look inside my brain?

It's nice to meet you, I'm Brittany. It seems we share very similar political and faith beliefs.

Btw, those last 2 sentences.....

 

[LPU2]

Did you just look inside my brain?

It's nice to meet you, I'm Brittany. It seems we share very similar political and faith beliefs.

Btw, those last 2 sentences.....

Nice to meet you, Brittany! And thanks for the nice words. I promise I did not look inside your brain, but it sounds like a place of love and logic.

 

[the iron horse]

Libertarian

http://www.lp.org/

 

[deep]

My answer is that if you can read the entire Bible and come away thinking that God's biggest message is about abortion and gay marriage? Then you're reading a different Bible than the one I read.

People tend to find what they are looking for.

 

[phillyfan26]

I must ask those of you who are Republican or Democratic: Do you agree with everything your party stands for, and if not, why do you associate yourself with a group who you (at least partially) disagree with?

 

[INDY500]

Librarian

http://www.ala.org/

 

[deep]

I must ask those of you who are Republican or Democratic: Do you agree with everything your party stands for, and if not, why do you associate yourself with a group who you (at least partially) disagree with?

I don't label myself anything


I weigh each vote

I only vote for Republicans or Democrates

I am registered in a party

that way I have some influence in selecting the most reasonable person in the primary

that person has a one in two chance of being elected

I always vote

Local representatives

I get one vote for each of my seven city council members

I get one vote for a state assembly person

I get one vote for a state senator

I get one vote for U S Congress

All of my local Representatives are Republican

State wide offices
I get one vote for our state Governor (Arnold)

I get one vote for several other state wide officers , Lt Governor, Treasurer, AG, Ins Comm, Secretary of Ed, etc.

I get one vote for each of my U S Senators

Most all of the State wide offices are held by Democrats

 

[indra]

I must ask those of you who are Republican or Democratic: Do you agree with everything your party stands for, and if not, why do you associate yourself with a group who you (at least partially) disagree with?

You are very young, aren't you?

It's not a matter of voting for the best person or even the best party. It's a matter of voting for the person and the party which will fuck up the country (world, state, county, city, school board, whatever) the least. No single person, let alone a politician, is going to agree with me on everything (but what a fantastic person he/she would be if he/she did exist! ). So I try to vote for the least bad of a rotten bunch.

I think that makes me a cynic politically. Hell, I think that makes me a cynic overall too.

 

[absintheminded]

My friend's parents left guns around the house. The eight year old shot his older brother and killed him instantly.
That's the main reason I want to be more strict with guns.

I am pro choice.

I believe in better health care for the poor and the elderly.

I believe I am a Democrat in that respect.

It depends on the circumstances, definitely. I am not against all Republicans just because I'm a democrat, I like to see all the sides.

 

[hardyharhar]

You are very young, aren't you?

It's not a matter of voting for the best person or even the best party. It's a matter of voting for the person and the party which will fuck up the country (world, state, county, city, school board, whatever) the least. No single person, let alone a politician, is going to agree with me on everything (but what a fantastic person he/she would be if he/she did exist! ). So I try to vote for the least bad of a rotten bunch.

I think that makes me a cynic politically. Hell, I think that makes me a cynic overall too.

Actually sounds optimistic to me indra. Your trying to vote for the person you think may help. I'll tell you what cynicism is. Some of my friends think the only way there is ever going to be real change is for things to get as screwed up as they possibly can. Therefore, they always vote for the biggest nut case they can find. I'm sure Bush got their votes.

 

[tiny dancer]

I chose to become a democrat, because I care about the little people, and not big government that caters to the wealthy. I 'm all for equal rights and women's issues, and the poor and the disadvanged.

 

[financeguy]

Old school conservative, pro-small business, pro-entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship, pro-family.

Pro-the right to enjoy alcohol and tobacco.

Pro-public transport, Pro-anti trust law

Pro-public money for family planning, anti-legalised abortion on demand

Sceptical of big business, multinationals.

Sceptical of socialism, globalism, multiculturalism and all the other accursed 'isms.

 

[phillyfan26]

You are very young, aren't you?

It's not a matter of voting for the best person or even the best party. It's a matter of voting for the person and the party which will fuck up the country (world, state, county, city, school board, whatever) the least. No single person, let alone a politician, is going to agree with me on everything (but what a fantastic person he/she would be if he/she did exist! ). So I try to vote for the least bad of a rotten bunch.

I think that makes me a cynic politically. Hell, I think that makes me a cynic overall too.

But can't you choose that without commiting to a party? That's my policy, look at it evenly and determine the best. I don't understand why being a Republican or Democrat matters if you vote that way.

 

[anitram]

Having been very poor...what Oprah would call "po" - I have very strong views regarding social programs and social safety nets. It is strange transitioning from below the lower classes (ie. homelessness) to upper middle class in about 15 years, so I got to see both sides of the same coin. Most of my views are based on that.

So, very leftist when it comes to social issues like healthcare and education, probably just left of centre economically.

 

[hardyharhar]

But can't you choose that without commiting to a party? That's my policy, look at it evenly and determine the best. I don't understand why being a Republican or Democrat matters if you vote that way.

A good policy I believe Phillyfan26. I'm registered Democrat but I now look for the person I feel is thinking intelligently and independently. I've liked what I've heard from Ron Paul, I wouldn't have a problem voting for him. And it might help if more people registered as independents. Shake up this two party monopoly.

 

[U2DMfan]

Take care of police and fire and the poorest of the poor.
Have a big huge army that will ensure the national defense of all the citizens of my country.

In other words, take care of the people in the most primal of positions. From national disasters, thieves, murders, rapists, outbreaks of fire to poverty that sentences death, education systems that are beyond useless and establish those that are above standars for any country in the world/.

Fucking forget about triviality of passages on stone monuments, leave manners of women's reproductive systems up to the women that house them, fund science that saves lives, rebuke non-Christian, non-humanic execution penalties that kill prisoners that are contrite and remorseful (life is fine), let two men marry, let two women marry and consecrate but be forced to perform the 'act' on video (c'mon, I can't be all serious) a flat income tax rate, a national initiative for ethanol or whatever else will lead us from the oilfields of saudi arabia, and a system that truly ackowledges personal rights and freedoms. Legalize a plant that grows from the ground that the Hebrew God made, for God's sake. That God or any other, making trees illegal sounds fucking stupid as well.
No quotas, no affirmative action but the highest penalties for true, unabashed discrimination in the workplace. Yes, jail time.

What makes me what I am?
I am all of the above, I'm a conservative or liberal because I don't trust authority absolutely and because I didn't wake up or never expect to reside in utopia. I have supported Pat Buchanan and John Kerry, John McCain and Bill Clinton. I AM TOLD I'm a Republican because I want the fucking borders closed and I want to hun terrorists and I'm a Democrat because I want to end the illegal war we waged and I care about the poor and abyssmal healthcare. Truth is, I'm very moderate, social liberal, basically conservative foerign policy and moderate fiscal. I admire Bill Clinton more than any other political figure in my life. I am an American and I proud of bringing all the rest of the world the best and worst of everything. Without us, you'd have yourselves.

 

[AnnRKeyintheUSA]

You are very young, aren't you?

It's not a matter of voting for the best person or even the best party. It's a matter of voting for the person and the party which will fuck up the country (world, state, county, city, school board, whatever) the least. No single person, let alone a politician, is going to agree with me on everything (but what a fantastic person he/she would be if he/she did exist! ). So I try to vote for the least bad of a rotten bunch.

I think that makes me a cynic politically. Hell, I think that makes me a cynic overall too.

I can't do that, because I don't believe there is a 'best.' They are all liars, and they will tell you what you want to hear and target certain demographics to get voted in. The platforms and stands on issues they advertise mean nothing, because once they're in they will do as they please. I have no confidence in any of them. I honestly don't believe you can trust any of them.

I laugh when I see political commercials, even local ones. They play ominous sounding music and speak in a harsh tone when telling about the rival, then the music immediately turns cheerful and upbeat, as does the narration. It's a JOKE! It's selling you the candidate as a product- but once it breaks after you've bought it, as all the cave-in dems have done in congress, you don't get a refund. You are stuck with them, they get the money, power and glory and we sit around complaining. I will not send any of these glorified actors to represent me, because I don't believe they do.

So you might say 'well if you don't vote for the good guy the bad guy will win.' But you don't get it, to me they are ALL 'the bad guy'. It's also insignificant, because none of them really do the right thing. If anyone was honest enough to do that, he/she would never get the financial backing to even attempt to run.