Political party planks

[salty blues]

It seems there are lots of folks who vote for politicians based on the candidates' looks & personalities rather than party platform. For instance, I will always support conservatives & Republicans based on the party planks of pro-life, right to bear arms, lower taxes, strong military, etc.
I bring this issue up because I believe a lot of people form opinions about politicians and vote without really even knowing what they stand for. I know this is true because I was once this way myself. Then I started educating myself about what the parties ideals are.
This problem is evidenced for example when you see some young person swooning about how "great for the country" Obama would be because he is young and articulate and so forth. However, in reality many know little of Obama's record and I suppose they don't care to know.
My own father, who is 87 years old, has voted Democrat all his life. He does this largely because of that party's historically pro-labor union stance. My father will tell you he does not believe that abortion is right yet he continues to vote for Democrats who support abortion rights. It is very frustrating when I try to dicuss politics with him.

 

[ric maniac]

I agree. I was talking to my friends about polotics, and one of them said they want obama. I asked him why and he said "he seems smart" to me this means nothing, except that he can make himself look good.

 

[sigmachris]

Originally Posted by salty blues
http:///forum/post/2460683
My own father, who is 87 years old, has voted Democrat all his life. He does this largely because of that parties' historically pro-labor union stance. My father will tell you he does not believe that abortion is right yet he continues to vote for Democrats who support abortion rights. It is very frustrating when I try to dicuss politics with him.
You are right that people don't educate themselves, but I would find that a minority of the people beliefs would fall exactly within one parties planks as you put. While probably most of the person's views are inline with the parties, it is asking a lot for the party to agree on everything. Heck look at McCain who will likely win your nomination, he is getting slapped around for not being conservative enough. I think this will give the Republicans their best chance to win if they put up someone more moderate.
I am no expert by any means, but it is disapointing when American Idol can get nearly as many voters as our Presidential election.

 

[m0nk]

Originally Posted by salty blues
http:///forum/post/2460683
It seems there are lots of folks who vote for politicians based on the candidates' looks & personalities rather than party platform. For instance, I will always support conservatives & Republicans based on the party planks of pro-life, right to bear arms, lower taxes, strong military, etc.
I bring this issue up because I believe a lot of people form opinions about politicians and vote without really even knowing what they stand for. I know this is true because I was once this way myself. Then I started educating myself about what the parties ideals are.
This problem is evidenced for example when you see some young person swooning about how "great for the country" Obama would be because he is young and articulate and so forth. However, in reality many know little of Obama's record and I suppose they don't care to know.
My own father, who is 87 years old, has voted Democrat all his life. He does this largely because of that parties' historically pro-labor union stance. My father will tell you he does not believe that abortion is right yet he continues to vote for Democrats who support abortion rights. It is very frustrating when I try to dicuss politics with him.
There are certain party platforms that I personally don't care for on either side, so I regularly switch "sides" based on the hot topic of the moment. I don't like most of the conservative points because they want to legislate away civil rights, but I don't like the liberal side of most of those points because they feel we need to legislate protection for and propagandize those rights. I'd rather if everyone just did what they wanted as long as they don't push their agenda on others. So, I've gone from an independent, to democrat, to republican (where I currently remain), though I'm swaying independent. I left the democratic party because of their stupidity of late, and because I'm just sick of certain propaganda being shoved in my face constantly by my parents. They're about as liberal as they come, and my step-mom got some Activist of the Year award from some group somewhere because of her gay-rights activism. That's all well and good, and I have nothing against the gay population (I believe they should have the same civil rights as everyone else), but at times I have to ask my parents to cut the gay-propaganda back around my son. I'm not a believer that it's "genetic" or whatever and I don't want him confused or anything. (hope this comment doesn't set off a firestorm, just noting a concern of mine, nothing more)

 

[darthtang aw]

I was taling to a guy yesterday. He is about 29. He asked who I would most likely be voting for in the election and I said McCain most likely. He looked me dead in the face and said who is that? He said he only knew of Hilary and Obama.......
And you wonder why people have no faith in our voting system.

 

[reefraff]

Originally Posted by m0nk
http:///forum/post/2460988
There are certain party platforms that I personally don't care for on either side, so I regularly switch "sides" based on the hot topic of the moment. I don't like most of the conservative points because they want to legislate away civil rights, but I don't like the liberal side of most of those points because they feel we need to legislate protection for and propagandize those rights. I'd rather if everyone just did what they wanted as long as they don't push their agenda on others. So, I've gone from an independent, to democrat, to republican (where I currently remain), though I'm swaying independent. I left the democratic party because of their stupidity of late, and because I'm just sick of certain propaganda being shoved in my face constantly by my parents. They're about as liberal as they come, and my step-mom got some Activist of the Year award from some group somewhere because of her gay-rights activism. That's all well and good, and I have nothing against the gay population (I believe they should have the same civil rights as everyone else), but at times I have to ask my parents to cut the gay-propaganda back around my son. I'm not a believer that it's "genetic" or whatever and I don't want him confused or anything. (hope this comment doesn't set off a firestorm, just noting a concern of mine, nothing more)
Just wondering which civil rights the Republicans were trying to legislate away?
As far as the propaganda around your kids I couldn't agree more. I taught my kid that if you do or don't agree with a person's lifestyle doesn't make you any better or worse than them. Just live and let live.

 

[m0nk]

Originally Posted by reefraff
http:///forum/post/2461196
Just wondering which civil rights the Republicans were trying to legislate away?
As far as the propaganda around your kids I couldn't agree more. I taught my kid that if you do or don't agree with a person's lifestyle doesn't make you any better or worse than them. Just live and let live.
Well, I don't think we need a constitutional amendment or law of any kind to ban gay marriage, let them get married and do what they do, but let the free market decide if gay marriages should get the same benefits that all other married couples get. We don't need a law in favor of it either.
Also, although I don't believe in it personally, I don't think there should be a law banning abortion. Again, let the market decide if someone can or can't get one. Basically, there shouldn't be special clinics or anything to do this, there should be doctors who elect to perform this and doctors that don't.
Those are two items that I'm fairly liberal on, I guess, but I just don't believe in the uber conservative stuff on the far right. I'm all for small government, but you can't have a small government and then try to legislate this sort of stuff.

 

[m0nk]

Originally Posted by reefraff
http:///forum/post/2461196
Just wondering which civil rights the Republicans were trying to legislate away?
As far as the propaganda around your kids I couldn't agree more. I taught my kid that if you do or don't agree with a person's lifestyle doesn't make you any better or worse than them. Just live and let live.
Oh, and I do really like your point there, that's exactly what I think people should be doing/saying. There shouldn't need to be "sides".
I think I'm a McCain guy, though some of what Ron Paul says makes sense, I'm just not sure I like all the libertarianism....heh. I really don't want to see Huckabee in office because I don't think we need someone who leads from the bible - especially since I'm not a Christian (not that there's anything wrong with Christians or their beliefs, I just don't believe the same thing).

 

[mfp1016]

Originally Posted by m0nk
http:///forum/post/2461247
Well, I don't think we need a constitutional amendment or law of any kind to ban gay marriage, let them get married and do what they do, but let the free market decide if gay marriages should get the same benefits that all other married couples get. We don't need a law in favor of it either.
Also, although I don't believe in it personally, I don't think there should be a law banning abortion. Again, let the market decide if someone can or can't get one. Basically, there shouldn't be special clinics or anything to do this, there should be doctors who elect to perform this and doctors that don't.
Those are two items that I'm fairly liberal on, I guess, but I just don't believe in the uber conservative stuff on the far right. I'm all for small government, but you can't have a small government and then try to legislate this sort of stuff.
For most of us on the far right, essentially Christians, abortion is not even in the same category as gay marriage. To most Christians, pro-choice is like saying pro-murder.
I agree with you on gay marriage, but disagree with you about abortion.

 

[reefraff]

I don't think aborton should be outlawed. I do think that a minor should at a minumum have to inform her parents before she has one. I think there should be a waiting period before a non medical abortion can be perform and I think the person getting the abortion should be provided with material agreed on by both sides that shows the available alternatives to abortion, Adoption, financial assistance etc.
I am a Christian but I am also a realist. At this point in time we cannot pass a right to life amendment. Even if public opinion favored an all out ban I am not sure it would be the right thing to do. Some people are not fit to be mothers to the point where their drug and alcohol use during the pregnancy damages the baby. I don't think I want to pollute the gene pool with the child of someone who would put getting high above the welfare of their child.

 

[itom37]

Originally Posted by salty blues
http:///forum/post/2460683
My father will tell you he does not believe that abortion is right yet he continues to vote for Democrats who support abortion rights. It is very frustrating when I try to dicuss politics with him.
I'd imagine it's rare to find someone whose personal beliefs align entirely with their "party planks". It's simply a matter of which issues are more important to you.

 

[reefraff]

My mom was anti abortion, anti gay rights period, pro military and a life time party line Democrat. I mean she would have voted for Satan himself if there was a D after his name. Never could figure that one out. If you are strict anti abortion and gay rights and still vote Democrat?

 

[itom37]

Originally Posted by reefraff
http:///forum/post/2461462
My mom was anti abortion, anti gay rights period, pro military and a life time party line Democrat. I mean she would have voted for Satan himself if there was a D after his name. Never could figure that one out. If you are strict anti abortion and gay rights and still vote Democrat?

It's a throwback to the time when the south was mostly democratic. Abortion and gay-rights were non-issues then, and the democratic party appealed to many people who now it seems would abhor it.