This is not a current event per se, but it is political so I am curious. Let me preface by saying that I am an independent…I like to be able to pick and chose my issues and how I feel about each one. But, many people are hardcore republican or democrat and I am trying to understand it.
Let me use a real world example to try and explain what I am after. I work with a guy that is Mormon, very republican and conservative. He will rip on democrats any chance he gets and will happily and freely admit he is a republican. However, he has financial problems and uses democratic social programs to stay afloat. His wife’s brother is mentally handicapped and the government subsidizes her parents for his care, he mother also gets social security because she has MS.
So, it is that people want to retain their beliefs and still take all they can get, or what? I guess I don’t understand how people can claim they are republican and use up all the democratic programs. Just like I don’t understand how democrats can get all pissy when taxes go to public assistance programs. There are plenty of examples of this from both sides of the political spectrum but there is no point in making this post 45 pages long, so I just used the example closest to me.
Anyone care to explain?
Picking your political party
I can't. I'm not really a party person. I go with whoever seems like they can get the job done. Democrat.. Republican.. Makes no difference to me. Which is why I laugh when people put me in the 'Bush Bashing' group. I'd have no problem with GW Bush if he wasn't a total fuckup.
But I'd be curious to hear from the party hardliners who will defend over every issue.
But I'd be curious to hear from the party hardliners who will defend over every issue.
Have You Hugged An Iksar Today?
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Midnyte_Ragebringer
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I'm registered Republican, but wish there were no partys. I think we are at a point in this information society where party affiliation is unneccesary.
People should be running on their beliefs. And I believe they can now. Partys came into play to make it easy for voters to dicern the differnce between candidates, because they couldn't get their platform out there to the masses with the abscence of communication devices.
With the internet and 700 tv stations available now, this isn't an issue.
I would like to see both the Republican and Democratic leadership structure fall. They are both corrupted. They direct there people to vote and speak out on issues based on how it will help them maintain or increases their current power base.
Politicians should be in office doing what they feel is best. Truly working with the other congressmen/women from other states to put forth the best for our country as a whole.
This division is counterproductive.
People should be running on their beliefs. And I believe they can now. Partys came into play to make it easy for voters to dicern the differnce between candidates, because they couldn't get their platform out there to the masses with the abscence of communication devices.
With the internet and 700 tv stations available now, this isn't an issue.
I would like to see both the Republican and Democratic leadership structure fall. They are both corrupted. They direct there people to vote and speak out on issues based on how it will help them maintain or increases their current power base.
Politicians should be in office doing what they feel is best. Truly working with the other congressmen/women from other states to put forth the best for our country as a whole.
This division is counterproductive.
I think most party hardliners are a product of their environment and upbringing. Personally, I was raised fairly anti-establishment. My dad hates the government and organized religion and that sort of rubbed off on me. I am Libertarian because neither of the two major parties can fit my needs. There are things I do not agree with the Libertarians on but there are more things I disagree on with the Republicrats.
Here is a good link if you aren't sure what party you belong too. http://www.self-gov.org/quiz.html I sponsored this on my college campus and had about a 100 responses. Most fell in the liberal/libertarian line.
Here is a good link if you aren't sure what party you belong too. http://www.self-gov.org/quiz.html I sponsored this on my college campus and had about a 100 responses. Most fell in the liberal/libertarian line.
Deward
Re: Picking your political party
A few possible reasons.Spankes wrote:Let me use a real world example to try and explain what I am after. I work with a guy that is Mormon, very republican and conservative. He will rip on democrats any chance he gets and will happily and freely admit he is a republican. However, he has financial problems and uses democratic social programs to stay afloat. His wife’s brother is mentally handicapped and the government subsidizes her parents for his care, he mother also gets social security because she has MS.
1.
Even if they disprove of the program the government is providing, the fact is that currently it is providing it. Tax money is collected and being spent on it. Private institutions that might have provided the service at other times are less likely to do so since the government is already there. Maybe they think that it could be better handled another way, but currently the choice has been made which way it is being handled and you work with what you have.
2.
There is a fair amount of variety within the parties. Everyone within them doesn't move in complete ideological lockstep. Someone can think that overall a particular party represents most of their opinions better than the other parties, but still have differences in specific issues.
3.
Hypocrisy.
There are probably others, but those are ones just off the top of my head. I don't any one of them is particularly the only reason. Different reasons probably apply for different people (even for the same person potentially over different issues).
No nation was ever ruined by trade.
– Benjamin Franklin
– Benjamin Franklin
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Adex_Xeda
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I'm a registered republican due to local and state concerns.
I find that on a national level, both parties are more or less the same with just a few notable exceptions such as cloning, abortion (less so these days), and prefered size of government.
I want the extra programs trimmed out of government until my tax burden is 20%.
The Republicans say they want the same but fail to deliver.
The Democrats say they want more taxes and more goverment.
For me, the Republican party is the lesser of two evils.
I find that on a national level, both parties are more or less the same with just a few notable exceptions such as cloning, abortion (less so these days), and prefered size of government.
I want the extra programs trimmed out of government until my tax burden is 20%.
The Republicans say they want the same but fail to deliver.
The Democrats say they want more taxes and more goverment.
For me, the Republican party is the lesser of two evils.
Im a registered libertarian, I would have been independent but i did some research and found out that i agree almost 100% on all libertarian issues, which i found very surprising.
Clint Eastwood,Kurt Russell or Drew Carey for president!!!
(libertarians)
Clint Eastwood,Kurt Russell or Drew Carey for president!!!
(libertarians)
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-zeltharath tauren shaman on wildhammer
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Aaeamdar
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Also Libertarian. Generally vote Republican because I dislike the governament and in my voting lifetime Republicans have generally benn better about that.... until now.
Bush is the worst president we have ever had. The government has swelled to outlandish proportions. Governemnt intrusion in our lives is way up via PATRIOT, Ridge and Ashcroft. Entitlements are way up via Medicare Presciption Benefits, Faith Based Initiative funding, and other general spending increases. Taxes, unbelievably are down - something I would normally think is a good thing, except Bush seems to think that decreasing revenues should accompany massive increases in spending. I don't like new and bigger taxes, but if you are going to spend, you have to pay for it. Otherwise, as Bush is now doing, all you are doing is unfairly burdening some future administration who is going to have to increase revenues while decreasing spending to pay for the stuff Bush was not responsible enough to own up to.
Bush Must Go.
Bush is the worst president we have ever had. The government has swelled to outlandish proportions. Governemnt intrusion in our lives is way up via PATRIOT, Ridge and Ashcroft. Entitlements are way up via Medicare Presciption Benefits, Faith Based Initiative funding, and other general spending increases. Taxes, unbelievably are down - something I would normally think is a good thing, except Bush seems to think that decreasing revenues should accompany massive increases in spending. I don't like new and bigger taxes, but if you are going to spend, you have to pay for it. Otherwise, as Bush is now doing, all you are doing is unfairly burdening some future administration who is going to have to increase revenues while decreasing spending to pay for the stuff Bush was not responsible enough to own up to.
Bush Must Go.
