What is a Democrat - A Republican? What do they individually stand for? Why not just be a Independent? (Colin Powell, extremist)

[TnHilltopper]

Originally Posted by gentlearts

If you don't declare a party, you can't vote in the primaries. Other than that, a person of any party can vote for whomever they wish.

Actually many states have what are known as open primaries that allow those people registered as independents to vote in either primary. This is done on a state by state basis and you will need to check with your own state to see whether or not you have an open primary.

For instance, in West Virginia if you are a registered independent you can vote in the Republican primary but not the Democratic primary. (although they are attempting to change this as we speak) However in a general election you can vote for whoever you wish.

[subpar77734]

So you are in favor of stealing from the rich and giving the loot to the poor?

[silas777]

Originally Posted by Deacon

What is the difference between a Democrat and a Republican? What is the difference between them? Why not just be an Independent? After all, our Constitution is all about being individual thinkers? Your input will be greatly appreciated.

Because Idependents dont get elected therfore do not accomplish anything! America has a two party political system, like it or no!

[CosmicWizard]

silas wrote:

Because Idependents dont get elected therfore do not accomplish anything! America has a two party political system, like it or no!

You're right! Until we-the-people exercise the wisdom and the courage to write in the names of the candidates WE prefer, the 2 party dictatorship will remain in place.

[ucfjtm]

Originally Posted by ColoWeb

Democrat and Republican Party are all mostly crooks. I am an independent and vote for whom I think is the one to the BEST job, not a party. I voted for Reps, Dems, and Indys.

The problem with a party is that it does not think outside the box and be objective. It is all mostly along party lines. All they do is "by crook" and show nothing but petty bickering.

Many people I know could not understand, if you voted for a Dem here, how can you for doe a Rep there. Again, I vote for the best person, not on party lines. I never get people who go to a poll and just vote all Reps or Dems without knowing nothing about them. To me, this is not a vote, it is a disgrace.

Many vote based on TV ads, which are sponsored by the organizations with the big $$$ and lobbyists. People should take a quiz and pass on the issues/candidates before being allowed to vote.

Best post of the day.
Both parties have been sticking it to the poor & middle class for a long time. Democrats like to "help" by creating government programs, which end up wasting more money than redistributing. That's what happens when wealthy people in power get put into control of a lot of taxpayer money. It's happened countless times in the past and will happen again in the future.
Republicans like to "help" by (historically, not lately) limiting government growth and limiting tax collection.
They both play to their demographic constituencies, but both rarely accomplish a goal different than benefitting big business (and lining their own pockets while they're at it).
However, the primary issue is that both parties and the big businesses behind them have had a corrupt government to control with money for decades. Wasn't it Thomas Jefferson who said this country is doomed the moment it's a two-party system?

Everyone, regardless of liberal, centrist, or conservative, should register as an independent and make *all* politicians EARN your vote. Don't vote for appearance, speeches, war heroism, and promises. Vote for those who aren't afraid to upset a party - those who have earned your vote by standing up against their party and the big businesses with THEIR votes.

I can only hope that people will come to understand that disgruntled whistleblower Democrats and Republicans like Dick Morris and Lou Dobbs are right when they are bashing both parties for robbing the majority of the country. We need independents to become a strong voice for the people instead of polished or resume-stacked heads of the two major parties, and hopefully a third and more central party will emerge.

[DavePautsch]

The ideologies of the parties have gotten so terribly lost due to the venom and partisanship in the world of politics today. Many people have expressed what they believe their parties stand for, but too many times in the past 30 years the politicians have put "winning" over the philosophy of what their party once stood for.

Look back over this thread and examine all the "bashing" that has taken place! We have degenerated to the point of name calling rather than an intelligent discussion about how to address the problems of our country.

Our current candidates seem to be running on 2 qualities - Experience and Change. Both of these are false choices as none of them has the experience needed (they've never BEEN president)...and I'm not sure that neither of them has the capability to usher in a change to the political system that is so bound up in partisanship that we can accomplish very little positive change. It is not the failing of the candidates here, it is the failing of the Congress and the news media, as well as the extremists on both sides.

For myself, I wish they would stop all the campaign ads that are not issue oriented (who cares about all the "gotcha" b&$*#!%.

[Huckleberry3911948]

good question. because geese fly better in a group and in formation than solo.

[CosmicWizard]

As we ( republicans, independents, and democrats ) walk into the voting booth this November, let us remember this story:

James was in the fertilized egg business. He had several hundred young layers (hens), called 'pullets,' and ten roosters to fertilize the eggs.

He kept records, and any rooster not performing went into the soup pot and was replaced. This took a lot of time, so he bought some tiny bells and attached them to his roosters.

Each bell had a different tone, so he could tell from a distance, which rooster was performing. Now, he could sit on the porch and fill out an efficiency report by just listening to the bells.

James's favorite rooster, old Butch, was a very fine specimen, but this morning he noticed old Butch's bell hadn't rung at all!

When he went to investigate, he saw the other roosters were busy chasing pullets, bells-a-ringing, but the pullets, hearing the roosters coming, could run for cover.

To James's amazement, old Butch had his bell in his beak, so it couldn't ring.. He'd sneak up on a pullet, do his job and walk on to the next one.

James was so proud of old Butch, he entered him in the Renfrew County Fair and he became an overnight sensation among the judges. The result was the judges not only awarded old Butch the No Bell Piece Prize but they also awarded him the Pulletsurprise as well.

Clearly old Butch was a politician in the making. Who else but a politician could figure out how to win two of the most highly coveted awards on our planet by being the best at sneaking up on the populace and screwing them when they weren't paying attention.

Vote carefully this year...the bells are not always audible...

[Pookie]

Hahahaha...that's a great one, CosmicWizard!

[whatever you want]

Originally Posted by california_is_superior

Who are Democrats/Liberals

Virtually every step forward in our history has been a liberal initiative taken over conservative opposition: civil rights, Social Security, Medicare, rural electrification, the establishment of a minimum wage, guaranteed bank deposits, the Federal Reserve, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Park Service, the National School Lunch Program, the Voting Rights Act, collective bargaining, the Pure Food and Drug Act, and federal aid to education, including the land-grant colleges, to name just a few. Many of these innovations were eventually embraced by conservatives only after it became clear that they had overwhelming public approval for the simple reason that almost every American benefited from them. Every one of these liberal efforts strengthened our democracy and our quality of life. Democrats/liberals are the party of the people as its history attests.

Democrats/liberals exhort job training and retraining programs, both public and private, while Republicans/neocons cut funding. These are indispensable in an era when trade and technology bring rapid change to the job market, and these programs need constant retooling and reexamination.

Cutting education in the Information Age is like cutting defense at the height of the Cold War. The cold hard truth is that many students who are unable to go to college will end up on welfare, on the street, or in jail if they aren’t subsequently taught skills now in demand.

Democrats/liberals think low wages are a problem. Republicans/Neocons think low wages are a solution.

JFK said “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.”

Some of the democrats’ achievements:
GI Bills
Earned Income Tax Credit
Americorps
Peace Corps
Head Start
FEMA
Human Genome Project
Clean Water Act
Medicaid Medicare
Brady Law
Ban on CFCs
Direct Student Loans
WIC
Social Security
Meals on Wheels

Who are Reps/Neocons?

Conservatives curse the middle and working poor class and refer to them as useless to the economy. It is the labor performed by poor as well as middle-class persons that makes possible this nation’s productivity and wealth, including job opportunities. Where would Wal Mart be without the middle and working poor class? Not on the Dow.

Republicans unclear philosophy claims the rich will work harder if given more breaks and the poor will work harder if given fewer breaks.

Republicans have and will continue to cut programs that help parents with children get food stamps, provide breakfasts and lunches for low-income schoolchildren, nutrition for poor pregnant women and infants and the Medicaid program which offers healthcare for millions of ill and disabled children. They want to eradicate proven programs like the Family Leave Act, Head Start, childcare, earned-income tax credits and affordable housing for low-paid workers.

POST OF THE DAY IMO!!!