It always amazes me how many individuals I am close friends with, can see eye to eye on almost everything we discuss, yet when they tell me their political affiliation it surprises me. I am the product of a die hard republican in my father, and a die hard democrat in my mother (Who are now divorced of course) . So naturally, I grew up hating utterly hating politics and all the heated conversations that resulted from them. I've always stood by the statement that they are all crooks! Even as an adult I still don't give two shites about politics and I can usually find something negative and positive about every politician across the entire political arena. I was having beers with three of my buddies, all military veterans, one a democrat, one republican, and one libertarian. And although we see most things exactly the same way, when it comes to politics, things tend to be different. There is really no point to this rant, but it was on my mind and it amazes me how people with similar backgrounds and experience sway one way or another in terms of their political affiliation.
My religious background leads me to some conservative social policies, but my academic studies (at conservative Christian schools, no less!) have ironically led me to some more moderate fiscal policies. I do, however, tend more toward the conservative side, with a heavy focus on sustainability. It's one reason why I hate deficit spending. I don't necessarily have a problem with social programs, though, or a reasonably progressive income tax structure. I just believe that we should ensure that our budget is balanced in the process. If that means we must reduce benefits to ensure sustainability, then we must do what is necessary.
I have no political viewpoints, and it's often entertaining for me to speak with people that do. Liberals without exception think I'm conservative while Libertarians and Conservatives without exception think I'm Liberal (That's right! I've been called a RepubliCON, a DemaCRAP, a LiberTARDian, a CONservative, a LiberTARD and even a Teabagger). Entertaining because it demonstrates to me just how polarizing politics is, if someone else doesn't think exactly how you do, then that person MUST be one of THEM. "Them" who? Well, obviously the less moral, less intelligent, clouded thinking, corrupt (insert political persuasion here) who are ALWAYS wrong, ALWAYS bad for the country, ALWAYS anti-American and ALWAYS looking for their own selfish gain. It's even more entertaining because many people can't separate personal beliefs from political beliefs. Yes, I think abortion is wrong, no that does not make me a pro-lifer. Yes, I am against owning guns (except for the specific purpose of hunting), no that does not mean I'm for stricter gun control nor against the second amendment. If there is anything I am against it's anyone who thinks that he or she knows what is "best for the country" when nearly all of this country's success has come through pure, dumb, unpredictable, luck while nearly all of this country's failures have come through people who think that they can predict what no one in the past has ever been able to.
I feel ya! I am the exact same way. I do not consider myself a republican or a democrat. I agree with you about abortion, it's not for me but I don't look down upon those who it is for. Now the guns part...well my husband carries and I really don't care one way or the other. I can shoot but it's not something I seek out. Hunting is ridiculous to me honestly unless you use that meat to sustain your family and with all the animals that are killed on our behalf anymore whats the point....Keep in mind that I come from KY where camouflage is the state color...or should be...lmao and I am still against hunting
I'm unenrolled, meaning I don't belong to any political party. I've voted for Republicans, Democrats (usually only at the state level) and Independents, although I almost always go Republican in national elections. I'm very conservative on some issues (second amendment, illegal aliens) and liberal on others (marijuana legalization, gay civil unions). When it comes down to it, I vote the candidate and their stance on the issues, the letter after their name is irrelavant to me.
