What makes you a Republican or Democrat? (Iraq, parade, Reagan)

[Davart]

Originally Posted by silas777

Well Davart, one of three things is going to happen to who ever you vote for, 1) they will sit on the republican side of the aisle,2) they will sit on the democrat side of the aisle,3) they wont be elected. Like it or not your vote one way or another will determine which of the TWO partys are in control!

Well I didn't say I was going to throw my vote away on some fringe third party or not cast it at all, I have my preferences, which doesn't include Billery.

[DCNative]

Neither. Both parties suck.

[bily4]

Similar to Toninole, I grew up in a very conservative Catholic family that voted Republican always. It made elections very easy. As I have grown up, lived in other countries, and began to appreciate the complexity of life and understand there are always valid sides to the most heated issues, I saw that litmus test voting is a cop out. I have voted Republican and Democrat. I try to look at the person in each election and decide who the best leader would be for us. What kills me though is the hypocrisy of many Republicans. They love God, but hate illegal aliens - and don't try to sell it is just because they are "lawbreakers", check out the immigration link to read the racist ranting going on. They hate gays as an abomination, but even when their own religious pastors turn out to be gay or enjoy prostitutes that does not phase them.They are against abortion, but once the baby is born that baby is on its own, as they cannot put up with public assistance to help those in need. They are against government spending, unless it is to support a ridiculous war that has caused incredible pain and suffering and ruined our reputation in the eyes of the world. They don't understand that the rich elite in their party are laughing at the rank and file because none of the Republican financial policies are geared to help the middle or lower classes in our society. All of that bothers me.

[Aqualung]

Both parties are hopelessly corrupt. Democrats have issues like the war on poverty. Republicans have the war on drugs and terror. They're all poorly defined endless wars that are used to manipulate the people more than they are used to actually accomplish their stated goal. These "wars" will never accomplish anything positive. Are we going to bomb the capital of drugs? Fire artillery shells at terror? Seize the airports of poverty?

Both parties are controlled by special interests. Sure, they look different on the surface, but in the end, they're both sending us to the same place. We're well on our way toward an authoritarian corporate state.

[silas777]

Originally Posted by bily4

Similar to Toninole, I grew up in a very conservative Catholic family that voted Republican always. It made elections very easy. As I have grown up, lived in other countries, and began to appreciate the complexity of life and understand there are always valid sides to the most heated issues, I saw that litmus test voting is a cop out. I have voted Republican and Democrat. I try to look at the person in each election and decide who the best leader would be for us. What kills me though is the hypocrisy of many Republicans. They love God, but hate illegal aliens - and don't try to sell it is just because they are "lawbreakers", check out the immigration link to read the racist ranting going on. They hate gays as an abomination, but even when their own religious pastors turn out to be gay or enjoy prostitutes that does not phase them.They are against abortion, but once the baby is born that baby is on its own, as they cannot put up with public assistance to help those in need. They are against government spending, unless it is to support a ridiculous war that has caused incredible pain and suffering and ruined our reputation in the eyes of the world. They don't understand that the rich elite in their party are laughing at the rank and file because none of the Republican financial policies are geared to help the middle or lower classes in our society. All of that bothers me.

well bily you should stop listening to all that nonsense and dont let it bother you. I dont hate homosexuals, I just want them to shut up and get out of my face, keep it in your bedroom and I wont come a knockin! I dont hate Illegal aliens I love common sense. If my pastor was enjoying prostitutes or homos he wouldnt be my pastor anymore! And as far as that pathetic lame ass bullsh*t liberal talking points crap about conservatives not caring about babys once their born, your head would fall out of your as* if you knew how much money I & and a whole lot of other conservatives give yearly to pregnancy centers adoption centers homes for unwed mothers, food banks, childrens hospitals and on and on you see I believe in getting the most for my money and giving directly to those who need it instead of some giant bloated federal bueracracy that ends up giving pennies on the dollar to the people it is supposed to help! You might want to educate yourself and stop being a leftist tool!

[bily4]

Silas, thank you for your informed response. I expected nothing less.

[Toninole]

Originally Posted by silas777

well bily you should stop listening to all that nonsense and dont let it bother you. I dont hate homosexuals, I just want them to shut up and get out of my face, keep it in your bedroom and I wont come a knockin! I dont hate Illegal aliens I love common sense. If my pastor was enjoying prostitutes or homos he wouldnt be my pastor anymore! And as far as that pathetic lame ass bullsh*t liberal talking points crap about conservatives not caring about babys once their born, your head would fall out of your as* if you knew how much money I & and a whole lot of other conservatives give yearly to pregnancy centers adoption centers homes for unwed mothers, food banks, childrens hospitals and on and on you see I believe in getting the most for my money and giving directly to those who need it instead of some giant bloated federal bueracracy that ends up giving pennies on the dollar to the people it is supposed to help! You might want to educate yourself and stop being a leftist tool!

Hi Silas:
Just want to say that we can probably keep this more civil than that. I'm glad to hear you don't hate homosexuals, support pregnant mothers (do you adopt?) and give your money freely to these more than worthy causes. I'm just wondering though, if you believe that everyone does as you do.

I understand you would rather give your money straight to the worthy causes, but I believe many of those charities probably receive government funding (ever hear of faith based initiatives?).

It is clear we disagree on many subjects, but resorting to name calling is probably beneath you. A reasoned argument goes a long way.

[Toninole]

Originally Posted by Davart

Currently neither side is worth taking ... both are out of touch with the people.

A VERY interesting point - so where are the people at? What are the issues that you feel "the people" want help with that both sides are ignoring?

[Toninole]

Originally Posted by Aqualung

Both parties are hopelessly corrupt. Democrats have issues like the war on poverty. Republicans have the war on drugs and terror. They're all poorly defined endless wars that are used to manipulate the people more than they are used to actually accomplish their stated goal. These "wars" will never accomplish anything positive. Are we going to bomb the capital of drugs? Fire artillery shells at terror? Seize the airports of poverty?

Both parties are controlled by special interests. Sure, they look different on the surface, but in the end, they're both sending us to the same place. We're well on our way toward an authoritarian corporate state.

I think throwing your hands up in the air and saying both sides are crooks is the easy way out. It lets you NOT get involved with either party and absolves you of any responsibility. There are bad guys on both sides - no doubt - but the vast majority of people seeking office are doing it for the right reasons. I work with these people on their campaigns year after year and I can promise you it isn't as "glory" oriented as one might believe.

I think you are SPOT ON with regard to the "wars"!!!! I couldn't agree more. I think if both sides keep telling us we have something to fear it keeps us pinned to the wall. The "war" on drugs hasn't worked and won't. I believe Afganistan is a prime example of our inability to wage "war" on drugs with their yearly bumper crops of heroin in a country WE OCCUPY! The "war" on terror is so silly. Yes, there are people who are trying to terrorize us and they aren't all radical islamists. Our government does a pretty bang up job of trying to keep us terrorized and fearful. I wouldn't know where to start with examples, but they abound.

The "war" on povery is also silly. This one is probably the most silly because this is something we can take clear and concise steps toward fixing - who needs a "war" on it?

[killer2021]

Originally a republican (not anymore though). I want LESS federal government, less taxes, less regulations, less war, less big government spending. However, both parties seem to do nothing of that sort.

Honestly, we need a revolution and let this old obsolete system collapse on itself and rebuild a new government that reinforces the constitution. If we just had followed the ORIGINAL constitution none of this BS would have happened.