Why are you a Democrat/Republican?

[scandal 951]

I'm a registered Democrat, because I want to be able to vote in the primaries and have it count. If it were not for Primaries I'd be content to be officially Independent.

I do find myself largely agreeing with Democratic positions on many issues: taxes, economic stimulus, the broad social programs: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid. I find myself strongly disagreeing with many Republican positions particularly on social matters: Right to choose, gay marriage, stem cell research, etc.

I also find that many supposed differences between the parties are not really all that different at all - particularly on foreign policy and US militarism. Republican and Democratic administrations both believe in an exceptional America and project American force abroad in roughly equal ways. There is a perception that Republicans are 'hawks' and Democrats are 'doves' - I don't find that to be true in practice.

Finally, on the defeatism and skepticism one hears so much about American politics and the two parties - I understand it, share in it to some extent, but basically I believe in the triumphalism of America and our self-government over these failings. Yes - it's true that both D and R have sold out to big business, to the lobbyists, to the special interests. It's true and we can point to so many examples of our public servants not serving the best interests of the public. But our politics reinvents itself. Our society reinvents itself. Our constitutional limited government sets the rules and every so often we get a populist - an Andrew Jackson or a Williams Jennings Bryant or a Teddy Roosevelt - to come in and shake things up and give us back a certain amount of honest government. Just enough to address the needs of the day and let us move forward the next great step.

I know there are corrupt and dishonest and useless politicians in Washington, of both parties. But I also know that there are good, honest, hardworking men and women of both parties who come to do their part for their constituents. They have ideologies but they are willing to work across the aisle, to pass legislation, to sit on bipartisan committees, and to do good for America. As an example, last fall my state of Illinois sent a Republican, Mark Kirk, to fill Obama's old Senate seat. I didn't vote for him, I voted for the Democrat. But I've been pleased with what I've seen of Kirk so far, and if he keeps it up he'll earn my vote in 6 years for reelection.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Libertarian fallacies have deeply infiltrated today's Republican Party, combined with social conservatism, which has driven the party ever farther to the right. So unless you're a complete RWN who espouses many of the Libertarian fallacies while also, strangely embracing socially conservative views, the Democratic Party is the only alternative.

Edited June 14, 2011 by 8TBVBN

[Darnell 8,479]

maybe need other labels, as well?

conservative democrat, liberal republican, 5th generation democrat, etc etc...

ages past, in the 80's, I became a Republican after my first mil. Seemed to be the thing to do in Texas, lots of money floating around as a nice side benefit. Swam in some interesting circles, yadda yadda.. Was even on the state caucus that put together the nominees for governor one year.

Alas, for me, it was the year that George W was presented as a 'viable' candidate. #### me, George W? Language and money problems, no way he could be a viable candidate, I bailed on principles, walked away.

Thought about becoming a Democrat every primary, but then The Media got more intense, more silliness sweeping in...

I refuse to be affiliated with either party since George W got elected Governor, but I did try, ya? I closely followed every group's plank, trying to see if it aligned with my ideologies 100 percent. I refuse to compromise my ideologies to fit in some larger group, when it's not a 100 percent match.

But I do try, aye? I study each time something comes out, see if it actually aligns with my idelogies. It's not an instant process, as I read, weigh, compare, write a bit.

I do vote, but I remember to give up one year, thinking the silliness was way overboard.

Going forward, if either party aligned itself with my ideologies at 100 percent, sure - I'd jump that way, become a member and get really active. I refuse to compromise, though.

I do find a lot of passion for watching c-span during any senate debate and house committee hearings, but I get more enthralled with watching the rebroadcast of BBCs Prime Minister's Question block, than any other thing that smacks of 'political'.

Edited June 14, 2011 by Darnell

[scandal 951]

maybe need other labels, as well?

conservative democrat, liberal republican, 5th generation democrat, etc etc...

ages past, in the 80's, I became a Republican after my first mil. Seemed to be the thing to do in Texas, lots of money floating around as a nice side benefit. Swam in some interesting circles, yadda yadda.. Was even on the state caucus that put together the nominees for governor one year.

Alas, for me, it was the year that George W was presented as a 'viable' candidate. #### me, George W? Language and money problems, no way he could be a viable candidate, I bailed on principles, walked away.

Thought about becoming a Democrat every primary, but then The Media got more intense, more silliness sweeping in...

I refuse to be affiliated with either party since George W got elected Governor, but I did try, ya? I closely followed every group's plank, trying to see if it aligned with my ideologies 100 percent. I refuse to compromise my ideologies to fit in some larger group, when it's not a 100 percent match.

But I do try, aye? I study each time something comes out, see if it actually aligns with my idelogies. It's not an instant process, as I read, weigh, compare, write a bit.

I do vote, but I remember to give up one year, thinking the silliness was way overboard.

Going forward, if either party aligned itself with my ideologies at 100 percent, sure - I'd jump that way, become a member and get really active. I refuse to compromise, though.

I do find a lot of passion for watching c-span during any senate debate and house committee hearings, but I get more enthralled with watching the rebroadcast of BBCs Prime Minister's Question block, than any other thing that smacks of 'political'.

Respectable stance. But ..... the perfect is the enemy of the good.

[웃 910]

From what I see on TV I like the personalities of Republicans more. They seem slightly better to "have a beer with".

But, on most issues I now consider myself a Democrat. Not sure when I realized it but probably over a year ago.

Republicans = anti-gay, anti-abortion, anti-muslim, pro-war, pro-spending and big government (they claim not to be but they are), tax cuts for the exact people that do not need them (the mega rich), global warming deniers, anti-science, anti-stem cell research, anti-drug (decriminalization, legalization), and they are overly religious....

And for some reason I will probably still vote for a Republican in 2012

Edited June 14, 2011 by Lord Infamous

[scandal 951]

From what I see on TV I like the personalities of Republicans more. They seem slightly better to "have a beer with".

But, on most issues I now consider myself a Democrat. Not sure when I realized it but probably over a year ago.

Republicans = anti-gay, anti-abortion, anti-muslim, pro-war, pro-spending and big government (they claim not to be but they are), tax cuts for the exact people that do not need them (the mega rich), global warming deniers, anti-science, anti-stem cell research, anti-drug (decriminalization, legalization), and they are overly religious....

And for some reason I will probably still vote for a Republican in 2012

If it makes you feel better, Democrats are equally head-up-their-azz regarding war on drugs (decriminalization, legalization). Neither party has a monopoly on stupid when it comes to drugs.

Good post LI. And good thread!

[Ban Hammer 13,491]

more middle of the road conservative, the extreme ends of both parties make me cringe.

Edited June 14, 2011 by charles!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

more middle of the road conservative, the extreme ends of both parties make me cringe.

You're just here for the free pizza.

[Darnell 8,479]

Respectable stance. But ..... the perfect is the enemy of the good.

I'm ok with that, as it isn't interfering with my social calendar

I not strive for perfect, just refuse to compromise..

Some __TRUE__ Randite Candidate pops up? I'll pay more attention, as I think I really lean that way, more than any other label.

[Ban Hammer 13,491]

You're just here for the free pizza.

and that's a bad thing?

[scandal 951]

You're just here for the free pizza.

I thought it was for the Timbits?

Me, I'm here for the sheep.

[Ban Hammer 13,491]

I thought it was for the Timbits?

Me, I'm here for the sheep.

timbits pizza

[_Simpson_ 250]

Is there 1 or a few particular reasons you align with a certain party? What is your number 1 issue?

Abortion. My money.

I used to be a flaming Republican. Now, I hate both parties equally coz they're full of stupid people who get the media attention.

If only you could take your Muslim blinders off you would see that stupid doesn't rule the day.

Sustainability. It's not represented much in either party but one side of the aisle seems to be closer to it than the other.

Ah the right, spot on!

Democrat, people over abstract ideas.

People ...they pulled a quick one on you. Never forget, its not about you.

Edited June 14, 2011 by _Simpson_

[Sofiyya 1,687]

If only you could take your Muslim blinders off you would see that stupid doesn't rule the day.

I need to be non-Muslim to see the "truth"? Now I know I was right to leave the GOP.

Thanks.

[_Simpson_ 250]

I need to be non-Muslim to see the "truth"? Now I know I was right to leave the GOP.

Thanks.

What? We hate Muslims? Do you recall the lengths we went too as a country in making sure we didn't offend Muslims after 9/11? Personally I'm sick of it, go ahead and be butt hurt. I believe that the west has tried a lot harder to find common ground than Islam.

Edited June 14, 2011 by _Simpson_