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[Bishman]

How did you guys choose what political party you in? Did you just follow what your parents’ political views were or decided as you were in school (high school + college)?

Sometimes I see ppl who don't know a damn thing about politics and hate Bush. It's like in elementary school, where everyone just follows and thinks after one kid.

 

[SteveMeister]

I have voted both Republican and Democrat. I vote for whomever I feel will be best for the country. If you're not sure, read up on each candidate's stance on the issues and vote for the person who thinks closest to the way you do.

There is a "party line"; overall goals and beliefs each party holds dear that supposedly "define" the party, but individual candidates vary in their personal beliefs within each party so you can't always go with that. And that's why I have voted for people in both parties.

 

[Catchpenny]

Well, it's environmental for almost everyone, I'd say...whether it be picking it up from your family, your school, or your job. The important thing is listening to different ideas and continuing to change, refine and develop your beliefs beyond your formative years.

I got most of my early political leanings from my mother and the woman who babysat me. Both are moderate Democrats and pro-feminism. I continued to drift leftward as I read more, and was good friends with a socialist activist, which probably influenced me. Lately I've swung back towards the middle a bit. I read a large variety of blogs now and get much of my news/theory/opinion via the internet, which can be good and bad.

The best way to describe my politics would be fiscally moderate, maybe slightly liberal, and very liberal on social issues. Though I consider myself liberal, I think some libertarians make interesting points, and there are good things to be gleamed from that philosophy. Unfortunately I find that the Libertarian Party, and many self-identified libertarians tend to be either tax abolition cranks, or conservatives that just don't identify with the religious right.

Anyhow, this is a very long-winded way of saying that I'm a Democrat. I'm not totally beholden to the party, and have voted for Republicans over Democrats in a few state elections. I'd also be looking at third party candidates for President (not Nader) if Lieberman or Gephardt had won the Democratic nomination.

 

[Triumph]

Ugh. I don't subscribe to the idea of political parties. That said, I can't recall ever voting for a Republican.

 

[demon]

My parents are pretty die-hard democrat, and I was raised as such. It wasn't until maybe a few years ago or so that I realized they were full of shit, and it's not as simple as "Republicans = evil, Democrats = Saints".

 

[Archaix]

My parents are pretty die-hard democrat, and I was raised as such. It wasn't until maybe a few years ago or so that I realized they were full of shit, and it's not as simple as "Republicans = evil, Democrats = Saints".

Quite correct. It's more along the lines of "Republicans = satan's right hand, Democrats = satan's left hand"

 

[DonasaurusRex]

2 party systems suck

 

[teh_pwn]

Independent. I trust neither political party.

I'm mixed in issues.

Environment and seperation of church and state = Democrat for me
Medicare/Welfare/Social Secure/other rubbish and pro-life = Republican
Foreign affairs = undecided

A lot of issues don't always go to a party. I knew extreme liberals in high school that were pro-life. While I didn't agree with everything they thought about, I thought they were good people and I'd vote for people like that.

I know a big republican that's pro-choice.

 

[Desperado]

.

2 party systems suck

 

[Rorschach]

I don't feel there's a party that represents all my views a hundred percent. I can't blindly follow a party like a lot of people seem to.

 

[Kobun Heat]

I'm mixed in issues.

Environment and seperation of church and state = Democrat for me
Medicare/Welfare/Social Secure/other rubbish and pro-life = Republican

You'll end up Republican yet if those are the only issues you lean leftward on.

 

[Hitokage]

[Cliff Notes version... abridged. This is just one aspect of a fairly long story, and I'm not about to go over everything here.]

I was raised in an ardently mormon and republican family, and by republican I mean my mom's side basically has Rush Limbaugh as her second prophet(my grandpa is on IronKnuckle levels) and my dad being a goldwater republican. However, I eventually figured out that mormonism was utter bullshit, and in the following months I decided to reevaluate my political views as well since my religious views had just received the wrecking ball. I had already come to think, in light of things such as the Microsoft trial, that while a competitive free market is probably the best economic system we have, the market must be regulated if it is to continue being free, because those who participate in it will work to eliminate competition and the influence of consumers when they can... because that's what's in their best interest. Furthermore, after some fact checking, it turns out that most of what Limbaugh and most other republican figureheads said was bullshit as well. On the matter of social issues, I definitely want the religious right to get their filthy hands off the lawbooks.

Basically, I identify more with the Democratic party these days, but I'm not one to believe in party loyalty. On a national level, the GOP is currently controlled by a bunch of hard-righters, christian reconstructionists, and other miscreants... and the Democrats are a more sane bunch these days, despite their weaknesses. I'm rather pragmatic about such things, so I prefer to cast votes that'll actually have a chance of getting me something of what I want... or preventing something I don't. On a more local level, I take things on a case-by-case basis, since partly lines aren't as strict and the balance of power isn't so much of an issue.

 

[Incognito]

i have no qualms broadcasting the fact that i'll be voting for the kerry/edwards ticket. if the slack jawed hillbillies down here don't like that, well they can fuck off.

 

[Dice]

Both are crap. Unfortunately both control our school system so public schools teach kids just to pick a side rather than teach them about the true possibilities of our governmental system.

 

[Hitokage]

Both are crap. Unfortunately both control our school system so public schools teach kids just to pick a side rather than teach them about the true possibilities of our governmental system.

Having taken an American Government class from a public institution, I can say that this statement is bullshit. However, I'm willing to concede that maybe most civics classes are crap, but certainly not all of them.

 

[Hournda]

Even though the 2 party system sucks, what would be a better alternative? In the "winner takes all" style of elections we have (i.e. you only need a plurality of votes to win a position) then if you have 5 equally strong parties running in an election then you only need 21% to win. Of course you could do runoff elections and stuff like that but then you're only getting the first choice of 21% of the people to hold the elected position. If you have a multiparty system (like most of Europe) then you have to deal with coalitons and lots of small radical factions and it can make the government very unstable. So unfortunately the perfect form of government is still elusive yet you have to admit that our American style democracy is probably historically the most successful version of a democratic government ever.

 

[Thaedolus]

I'll side with the GOP more often than not, but I'm pretty much right down the middle on every survey I've taken. I'm a John McCain Republican if anything

 

[way more]

Things seem to go my way a bit more when Democrats are in power, so I side with them.

 

[-=DoAvl=-]

"whoever wins.... "













"... we lose"

 

[aparisi2274]

I registered as a Reublican, but I have voted as both.

 

[Idle Will Kill]

Sometimes I see ppl who don't know a damn thing about politics and hate Bush. It's like in elementary school, where everyone just follows and thinks after one kid.

Why do you need to be politically informed to hate Bush? Can't you just look at the recent events in our country, like the war in Iraq, and decide, "Hey, that war was absolutely unneccessary." Is that not a valid reason to hate Bush? Why must I know all the inner workings of the political system to come to the conclusion that Bush is not a smart man, and I don't think he should be in office?

Yea, I was being an ass there, but I think you get my point. There's just as many people who blindly follow Bush because, say, their parents support Bush. I have a friend who obviously cannot make a decision for himself and believes every single thing his parents believe in.

 

[Idle Will Kill]

And for the topic, I am registered Independant, but I guess I lean more towards Democrat.

 

[Suikoguy]

I used to be more republican, now i'm more democrat.
It comes from> Not sure what
Parents are mostly republican.. so err

I guess over the years i've looked at the issues and it seems I agree with more liberal ideas.

 

[teh_pwn]

"You'll end up Republican yet if those are the only issues you lean leftward on."

Locally, I'd probably lean liberal because the conservatives here try to push putting the ten commandments on government buildings. That's there big issue, and it goes against the constitution in seperation of church and state.


On a national level, I'd vote for Kerry if he doesn't push taking more of my money to cure fatness, which is apparently a disease now (damn, people are lazy). Also, if there's still no evidence of any nuclear tech in Iraq. We should have focused on Bin Laden directly. It's great and all that Hussein is gone, but we could have done that by telling Americans the real reason for taking Hussein out. He did somewhat deserve it for not complying to UN regulations.

If Bush continues blatant attack ads on Kerry, and focuses his homophobic abilities to ban gay marriage, then I might vote Kerry as well.

Now that I think about it, I'm leaning liberal right now. I'm going to keep watching, and decide later.

But I'm never going to end up aligning myself with a party. I'll always be independent.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

Speaking as a white man from the suburbs of Texas, I can honostly say I can not vote for the republicans at this point in time. They control the state, keeping it stagnet because they don't feel threatened to come up with new ideas besides how to rid the few remaining Democratic strongholds in the cities by cutting the voting districts in the most ridiculus manners.

Granted, I am more liberal, so I probably would be more of a Democrat anywhere else as well.

 

[samus4ever]

Republican.

 

[Socreges]

Republican.

Haha, I knew it. Remember this:

Christ what Reagen did was bad. What every party Republican, Democrat has done is bad. I'm not a member of either party. I'm a green party member. Don't think i'm some neo-conservative trying to slam Clinton. I'm just trying to state a point that Clinton/Bush/Dubya/Nixion have all LIED to the american public and then kept on lying eventhough they have been caught. Please, dont' make me out to be the bad person. I really don't want this argument. I feel for everyone who has lost a person in Iraq. It was an illegal war. I just feel like you are trying to make me out as some neo-con, and it just really isn't me. Please, can we end this! Can't we all be friends?

 

[Alcibiades]

I posted this in a Nader-related thread, here is a summary of how I think on some issues:


I like Nader because:

-against corporate welfare (like bailing out the airlines after 9/11)
-against the government regulating adult's consensual behavior
-against tax shelters for corporations
-stong support for the environment (animals and rainforests) and supports Kyoto
-supports better vehicle and fuel regulation (pollution and safety-related)
-supports affirmative action
-would genuinely support renewable energy

I like Bush because:

-I'm against abortion
-I support the war on terror
-I support flat-tax system (not that he does, but he is a tax-cutter)
-I support the State of Israel's right to exist
-sympathetic to the toils of Mexican immigrants (having lived on the border while he was governor of Texas)
-doesn't render to much control of US policy/affairs to the UN

I DON'T like Kerry because:

-the way he would steal Dean's speeches and methods outright without any guilt
-his flip-flopping makes me wary of anything he says, especially if it's a totally different position than he had before
-could't stop mentioning Vietnam during the primaries...
-I don't support partial-birth abortions

so basically, this is just a small example, my views on different issues lie all over the map (for example, I don't like Ralph Nader's support of a woman's right to choose), but basically I average everything out and basically, Kerry was a douchebag during the primaries, I doubt that has changed now that he isn't going up against Dean... I'm sure I agree with something genuinely with Kerry, but I don't know if he is something I particulary like leading our country...

I agree with Kerry on Israel, and I actually hate Bush's bumbling on the envinroment with the same "it would hurt our economy" line instead of working towards some innovative, new solution. I know Nader is a super-taxer and his idea of government would probably execute in a lazy, fat fashion with tons of beauracracy, but I do like him taking on both parties...

My support for Ralph Nader is more of an admitted protest vote because I think the environment should be a major issue (as can be seen in The Day After Tomorrow) and I'm a fan of his consumer-advocate ways. Actually, if Kerry were to make a big deal out of the environment, commit to Kyoto 100% (or rather, find an innovative solution that wouldn't cripple our economy, but definitely make a stand on the issue), and say that he can guarantee using Alaska's oil temporarily as we work to cut our dependence on foreign oil by 10-15% under him, maybe by giving MAJOR incentives to hybrid manufacturers or something, I'd vote for him in a heart-beat, but basically I see him as the same as Bush on this issue, any difference is negligable that I don't notice it...

It's not a black and white world, and it's not a Kerry/Bush world, or a Democrat/Republican world, I think Bill Clinton did a good job as President (with the exception of the terror issue), I'm usually a big supporter of Democrats (in fact my whole town is basically a Democratic strong-hold in a Mexican community), I always vote in the Democratic primary (so I guess I'm technically a registered Democrat), but I just call it as I see it...

I was making a point about how I would support Nader's run, although I don't agree with him on some fiscal issues, I wouldn't mind seeing a 3rd party presence in the US to bring up issues the two parties won't (like corporate welfare)...

 

[samus4ever]

Haha, I knew it. Remember this:

yeah, good times.

 

[maharg]

Even though the 2 party system sucks, what would be a better alternative? In the "winner takes all" style of elections we have (i.e. you only need a plurality of votes to win a position) then if you have 5 equally strong parties running in an election then you only need 21% to win.

However, that party that won 21% of the vote now needs to convince another 29% of the leglative body to vote with it on anything to pass (or, were it the US in question, another 54% to pass a constitutional amendment). This means compromise, just like all social interactions tend to. It seems to me that this is the most natural way of doing things, if anything. If 100% of the population agrees with 40% of one party's policies and 20% of the other party's policies, that's 60% of what no one believes becoming the mandate of the government. A contrived example, to be sure, but it's what happens when only two parties are valid.

So unfortunately the perfect form of government is still elusive yet you have to admit that our American style democracy is probably historically the most successful version of a democratic government ever.

How do you figure? For one thing, the american system has not *always* been two party, and the two party system is not encoded into your system, it just ended up happening. I believe there were viable third party alternatives until about the civil war. There have been other democracies that have lasted about that long, if not longer (Rome was essentially democratic for a couple hundred years, even, afaik, though I'm not sure if or how they had political parties at all). I think given the relative recency of modern democracy makes it anything but something one has to admit.

I think, though, that more important than the difficult to prove, but apparently unquestionably easy to admit, question of whether it is better is that of how exactly it is more successful to begin with. Is success measured in stability (in which case, is it measured in stability of the government as a whole or stability of government policy?), or is it measured in terms of how well it effectively represents its people? While you may have an argument for the former, I think the later is a tenuous claim at best.

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

Even though the 2 party system sucks, what would be a better alternative? In the "winner takes all" style of elections we have (i.e. you only need a plurality of votes to win a position) then if you have 5 equally strong parties running in an election then you only need 21% to win. Of course you could do runoff elections and stuff like that but then you're only getting the first choice of 21% of the people to hold the elected position.

You make it SOUND bad, but... couldn't one say that a two-party system is like having instant run-off voting as you described above, except without the three other choices? Just because you'll end up with a higher percentage of the population voting for the winner with fewer viable choices doesn't mean those voters would have preferred picking them if there were more choices.

Basically, I identify more with the Democratic party these days, but I'm not one to believe in party loyalty.

Word. I guess I'm a liberal-at-large.

I like Bush because:
-I support the State of Israel's right to exist

I DON'T like Kerry because:
-his flip-flopping makes me wary of anything he says, especially if it's a totally different position than he had before

A few clarifications, perhaps. Do any candidates (expected to get >0.01% of the vote) not support the right of Israel to exist? Also, which Kerry flip-flops are you referring to? Many of the examples I hear are overblown and seem no more than what most politicians do.

Now, to the original point.

How did you guys choose what political party you in? Did you just follow what your parents’ political views were or decided as you were in school (high school + college)?

I never paid much attention to politics unti the 2000 election. However, my stances on things had probably been most affected by discussions with friends in high school, and watching things like The Awful Truth. Once I compared my thoughts on things to established groups, though, it was pretty clear that a pro-environment, pro-progressive taxation, pro-gay rights, atheist like myself was pretty clearly in Democrat/Green territory. The one major thing usually associated with those groups I just can't wrap my mind around is abortion, but one big issue isn't exactly going to make me want to flip all my other issues and support someone further "right".

 

[Kettch]

Green. I certainly didn't follow my parents, though I suppose having to sit through listening to Rush Limbaugh every day would probably do that to anyone.

I originally affiliated myself with the democratic party before I overcame the voting age a couple years ago. Unfortunately, the actual party is moving backwards, and its politicians rarely stand up for what they believe in. The Republican Party was quickly eliminated long ago after a look through their platform, which I disagree with about 99% of.

In the end though, it comes down to the actual candidates. Their proposed policies and their past actions are what cause me to vote for them. I haven't yet decided on who I'll vote for this year, but it certainly won't be for Bush or Kerry as I don't want either in office.

 

[kitchenmotors]

Sometimes I see ppl who don't know a damn thing about politics and hate Bush. It's like in elementary school, where everyone just follows and thinks after one kid.

Don't even start with that argument because the same could be said for the other side.
It's easy to point fingers, just like in elementry school!

 

[Doth Togo]

Libertarian.

 

[Escape Goat]

I'm a gay republican omg wtf! I'm a self loather.

Actually, I guess I'm more inclined to be libertarian than anything else. Labels suck.

 

[Ristamar]

As soon as I was able to vote, I registered as Independent.

 

[human5892]

As soon as I was able to vote, I registered as Independent.

Same here.

As for where my views came from...honestly, nowhere that I can think of besides myself. Certainly not from my parents (my mom has no interest in politics, and my dad is a very moderate Democrat), nor from my friends (except for my girlfriend, whom I met long after I had registered to vote for the first time, I don't really have any who are terribly involved in politics).

Although I am a registered independent, I certainly lean left-ward in many issues.

 

[Screaming_Gremlin]

I would consider myself more of a Libertarian then anything else.

 

[Dan]

As soon as I was able to vote, I registered as Independent.

What? I thought the only way to be a registered Independent is to have formerly been a Democrat or Republican and then switch. If you never register to be a Democrat or Republican you're simply unaffiliated.

 

[human5892]

What? I thought the only way to be a registered Independent is to have formerly been a Democrat or Republican and then switch. If you never register to be a Democrat or Republican you're simply unaffiliated.

In my state and county (PA, Bucks) you can register as Independent without any prior registration. I've got a registration card to prove it.

 

[Ristamar]

I'm also representin' in Pennsylvania (York County).

 

[carbonbased]

I'm registered Republican, although I'm really tempted to vote Libertarian this coming November. The only major point of conflict I have with their platform involves open borders and foreign affairs, but other than that I agree with their views almost 100%.

 

[MaddenNFL64]

Although I feel I can be open minded on issues, theres no way in hell i'm voting for a Republican.

So, a Dem I guess .

 

[Dan]

In my state and county (PA, Bucks) you can register as Independent without any prior registration. I've got a registration card to prove it.

Huh, okay. I wasn't aware you could do that.

 

[Matlock]

Registered Republican.

 

[Drinky Crow]

I WANNA BE ON THE SIDE WITH THE BIGGEST BADASSES, I'M A DISAFFECTED MALE TEEN WHO GOT PICKED ON IN HIGH SCHOOL. REBEL AGAINST THE STATUS QUO, YEAH, AND ESPECIALLY MTV-STYLE POLITICAL CORRECTNESS!

GO BUSH, FUCK UP DEM PUSSY LIBRULS! VIVA LA FOUNTAINHEAD!

 

[Ryck]

I have voted both Republican and Democrat. I vote for whomever I feel will be best for the country. If you're not sure, read up on each candidate's stance on the issues and vote for the person who thinks closest to the way you do.

There is a "party line"; overall goals and beliefs each party holds dear that supposedly "define" the party, but individual candidates vary in their personal beliefs within each party so you can't always go with that. And that's why I have voted for people in both parties.

Exactly also......."Quite correct. It's more along the lines of "Republicans = satan's right hand, Democrats = satan's left hand""

 

[Matlock]

I WANNA BE ON THE SIDE WITH THE BIGGEST BADASSES,

They didn't have a checkbox for "communist."

 

[BigGreenMat]

Efralope, I don't necessarily agree with the way you doled out who holds what stance on what issue. The only thing that really looked right was that Kerry totally did take over a lot of Dean's message and since Dean didn't win I think that is a positive thing. However, some of your other listings seemed really influenced by media and different parties framing and defining tactics. Such as the Partial Birth Abortion stances. Oh and so you know John Kerry is very progressive on the environment and has for a long time delineated a strong plan to cut emissions and move our country to 20% use of green, renewable energy sources. You should do some reading about environmental policies of each candidate. Kerry really impressed me in that aspect.

 

[Fragamemnon]

Registered Dem. Parents were long-time Southern Democrats that stuck with the party after Goldwater and Nixon took over race-baiting from Wallace's Dixiecrats. Sticking with the party of your parents was easy for me.

Nowadays I'm probably more socialist than they are. I still affiliate with the Democratic party because they better represent me while still retaining the chance to win in the regions that I live in. Pragamatism is important to me.