I one of those "unintelligent idiots" that was part of the undecided crowd up until the day before the presidential election. When this board was red hot with posts it surprised me just how much different individuals absolutely identified with one party or another. While I'm a registered Democrat, I don't really think the Democratic party represents me well, but neither does the Republican party. Here is how I stand on many major issues: - Against Abortion - For Gay Marriage - For Gun Control - Against tort reform in how its currently framed - For Government Funded Stem Cell Research - Against the Death Penalty - For national health care plan - For abolishing don't ask/don't tell policy in military and let gays serve while openly admitting their sexual orientation - Agree that we have to promote democracy in Arab countries as part of the war on terrorism. As such I'm okay with the war in Iraq as long as we don't leave until a democratic government is firmly entrenched. - For stricter control of our borders and immigration - Okay with prayer in schools as long as each student is accomodated with respect to their religion (or lack thereof). - For private accounts in social security and removing wage cap on social security tax - For removing preferential tax treatment of religious organizations and clergy - For a radical increase in funding for space exploration even if it requires a tax increase - For the maintenance of the worlds most powerful military. - For expanded oil exploration in ANWAR and the gulf coast. In the end I gritted my teeth and voted for George Bush only because I did not believe that Kerry had the capability to see the war in Iraq to a successful conclusion. However, each day I see aspects of George Bush that I admire and those that I despise. So when people criticize those that are undecided late into the election, I would encourage you to remember that not all of us are living proxies for their party's platform.
I don't believe so Decimon. Most people's views on different topics vary from their chosen parties "mainstream". If they didn't, we would all be automatons. JoAnne I know quite a few Republicans and Democrats with views very different from their party’s platforms. I especially agree with a few of your stances including: - For Gay Marriage (should be civil unions, the government has no business in marriages which are a religious ceremony) - Against tort reform in how it’s currently framed (most of Bush's "tort reform" is based on sound bites and not the full story behind certain lawsuits. I can go on and on about this subject) - For Government Funded Stem Cell Research - For abolishing don't ask/don't tell policy in military and let gays serve while openly admitting their sexual orientation (agree 100% - they used the same argument against blacks and women in the past. It didn't wash then, it doesn't wash now. ) - For expanded oil exploration in ANWAR and the gulf coast. (How else are we supposed to decrease our dependency on the Arab states?) And no, you are not an unintelligent idiot.
Amen to that... and I also think your tax status shouldn't depend on whether you are married or single, straight or gay. If you choose not to be married at all I don't see why you should have to pay more taxes (and I'm engaged, so this isn't just sour grapes).
Strongly seconded! JoAnn, you sound like a thoughtful, intelligent individual who makes decisions based on the issue at hand rather than just blindly following the platform of any particular party. You can always register as an Independent, but that does mean you can't vote in either primary. If you would like to vote in primaries maybe you could ask yourself a different question. In most primary elections which party's candidates 'speak' to you as a whole, not as individual candidates? Whatever your answer, choose that party so that you can vote in primaries. It doesn't mean you're tied to that party's platform, and of course you can still vote for whomever you like in the general elections. Kit
JoAnnP38, you listed my feelings exactly. maybe there should be a 3rd party to reperesent people like us.
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one! Unfortunately, I think the two parties have so enthralled their members that people believe that the the party's view IS their view. So, if someone with our viewpoint should want to run for President, they would be cut down immediately because they don't conform. BTW, I was recently invited to a "Blue"(-state) Party by one of my friends. Everyone believes that just because I believe in granting gays rights that they deserve that I must be a liberal/progresive. You should see their faces if the topics of abortion or the war in Iraq come up
Hi Joann: Same thing here, with some rearranged pluses and minuses. I get very tired of zealots on "my" side of one issue or another hollering "how can you possibly..." at me. [No details, no flames.] Kit's post makes a lot of sense. (One strongly held view of mine: no one who thinks "a lot" is one word should have the franchise. It's bad for the republic.)
Hmmm JoAnn has many good points so instead of going on my soapbox and for the respect of her thread, I will just reply off her topics - Against Abortion - For Gay Marriage - For Gun Control - Against tort reform in how its currently framed - For Government Funded Stem Cell Research - Against the Death Penalty - For national health care plan - For abolishing don't ask/don't tell policy in military and let gays serve while openly admitting their sexual orientation - Agree that we have to promote democracy in Arab countries as part of the war on terrorism. As such I'm okay with the war in Iraq as long as we don't leave until a democratic government is firmly entrenched. - For stricter control of our borders and immigration - Okay with prayer in schools as long as each student is accomodated with respect to their religion (or lack thereof). - For private accounts in social security and removing wage cap on social security tax - For removing preferential tax treatment of religious organizations and clergy - For a radical increase in funding for space exploration even if it requires a tax increase - For the maintenance of the worlds most powerful military. - For expanded oil exploration in ANWAR and the gulf coast.
- Against Abortion me too - For Gay Marriage against theologically; support politically - For Gun Control same here - Against tort reform in how its currently framed support tort reform - For Government Funded Stem Cell Research against - Against the Death Penalty me too - For national health care plan only for children and destitute - For abolishing don't ask/don't tell policy in military and let gays serve while openly admitting their sexual orientation who cares! - Agree that we have to promote democracy in Arab countries as part of the war on terrorism. As such I'm okay with the war in Iraq as long as we don't leave until a democratic government is firmly entrenched. not a bad position - For stricter control of our borders and immigration me too - Okay with prayer in schools as long as each student is accomodated with respect to their religion (or lack thereof). me too - For private accounts in social security and removing wage cap on social security tax me too - For removing preferential tax treatment of religious organizations and clergy only if all non profits were included - For a radical increase in funding for space exploration even if it requires a tax increase no way - For the maintenance of the worlds most powerful military. within reason - For expanded oil exploration in ANWAR and the gulf coast. me too You'd make a good moderate Republican or a Joe Lieberman/Evan Bayh Democrat.
This question is what I pose to my class every semester. Which party speaks to you? Which best defines you? Or you defined by it? I do like the radical spending for space exploration. That means I will have a job for a long while. By the way, Discovery is going up no earlier than May 14 and no later than June 19. The odds on fav is late May. I cannot wait. Most everyone is chomping at the bit to get back to work on the International Space Station.
According to Dick Morris, a political expert and former member of the Clinton administration, 37% of Americans consider themselves Democrats, 37% consider themselves Republicans, and the rest say they are independents. This is the first time in years the Democrats were not the majority party.