Are there any moderate independents on this board? (global warming, regular, highway)

[wutitiz]

I was an independent until I heard Joe Biden's brilliant advice to fire two shotgun blasts into the air. That's when I became a solid Obama voter.
Vice President Biden's Shotgun Instruction - YouTube

[dsjj251]

Originally Posted by Willsson

I've posted a like question on these forums a couple of times, to very little response. I was asking 'what if' Libertarians gathered enough representation in the House that selection of Speaker would require some sort of coalition. I think that would be a great situation, where neither of the establishment has guaranteed control of either house. Ten percent from each house as Independents would turn government on its own roly poly head. There'd probably be tons of cash fall out of its pockets.

How different would O'care look today if the Speaker had been an Independent?

I would look no different because Democrats still controlled the House at the time, they would have selected a Democratic speaker. I have yet to see why it is people believe a 3rd party is going to change anything when it comes to votes. You can only vote yes or no, Representatives and Senators will still agree with one another enough to vote in a majority either way. Its not like there is going to be a 3rd voting option.

Maybe you simple mean that those people would foster more debate or something like that. What is stopping them from doing that now ?

Originally Posted by Willsson

The Tea Party doesn't hate America, or the United States. The Tea Party opposes large uncontrolled government. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to appease you.

Understand, if there were more 'unaligned' Legislators, they probably would not push for a larger government agenda, unless they were an avowed socialist replacing a democrat. Not likely to happen.

Your idea of what "large government" looks like is not the same as the next person, and the idea of the right sized government is a matter of opinion as well.

[Electric Blue]

From my experience,most independents are more conservative. Most people who call themselves moderate are really liberals.

[BMORE]

Originally Posted by Midpack

I'm not holding my breath, but imagine if a grassroots effort led to moderate independents winning in all open seats one election, such that neither Democrats or Republicans held a majority. What would that do to campaign finance, special interests?

I classify myself as a moderate independent, and in my later life I'd like to run for a congressional seat. I often fight for both sides of the coin, rather than just one.

[Spikett]

Depends on the issue. I'm not a stereotypical anything.

[kovert]

Moderates and Independents better start channeling their inner Connors, if they decide on taking on the political duopoly.

[pnwmdk]

Originally Posted by Midpack

I'm not holding my breath, but imagine if a grassroots effort led to moderate independents winning in all open seats one election, such that neither Democrats or Republicans held a majority. What would that do to campaign finance, special interests?

How do you lead a movement with no ideas, no reason to do anything, and no goals?

[kovert]

Originally Posted by kovert

Moderates and Independents better start channeling their inner Connors, if they decide on taking on the political duopoly.

Sheridan will do as well.

[oberon_1]

Registered democrats will vote for the democrat candidate regardless of his record or his stand on issues. Same with republicans.
What sets independents apart is that we do not cast our votes automatically to a candidate just because he is associated with a political party or group.

[Sonic_Spork]

I tend to think of myself as Libertarian-ish. But I really do consider myself Independent. I can swing in any direction. And I get very annoyed when people think Indi=Libertarian=Republican because that is baloney. The Tea Party has no business using the word Libertarian, they don't know what it means. Because the social issues do matter, and a Libertarian is more liberal on social matters, wanting more freedoms for people to make choices, and less government interference, wheras it's a Republican thing to want a government that preaches such things as drug policy and "one man, one woman." Although some people align R because they feel that the fiscal matters are more significant to them, does not mean that the social issues should be entirely disregarded. And frankly I think that Republican and Democrat politicians are equally parasitical and we need a new class of politicians.

In my past I've voted R, and I've voted D, and in the present I will never vote for either of them again, if there is a third party I can get behind, I will. If not, I just won't vote.

As far as the issues go:

LEFT
gay rights
drug policy
separation of church & state

RIGHT
guns
states' rights
the sanctity of the constitution
death penalty

MIDDLE/NEITHER/UNDECIDED/IT DEPENDS
taxes/"entitlements"
abortion (I am both pro-life and pro-choice. I think it should be an individual right to choose, even though I think it's awful and would never do it personally. I am not the uterus police.)
regulation of business (I don't trust big biz OR big gov.)

Some of these issues, I can see what's broken but I have no idea how it could feasibly be fixed. I don't assume I have all the answers. But I'm pretty sure most politicians don't, either.