What makes you a Republican or Democrat?

[Anonymous]

Or independent, of course.

But I'm curious what are the top reasons you affiliate with a certain political party?

These are your own personal thoughts. Not trying to start a debate on which is better. I'm just feeling a little lost myself on where I stand.

[Anonymous]

This belongs on the political forum

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This belongs on the political forum

{sigh}
Sorry.

Not looking for the views of people who only visit political forums. Didn't realize how exact we have to be here. 'Cause I never see "parenting" things posted in "Off-Topic" either...

Just curious on people's thoughts. That's all.

[Anonymous]

I don't mind this here at all!

For me, I identify and vote as a democrat maily for the social issues - right to choose, funding social programs for the poor, etc.

[Anonymous]

I used to think I was a Democrat but then I realized I was a Libertarian with Scorpio rising.

[Anonymous]

I remember reading something recently about a study that supports the idea that left/right leanings are probably carried in the genes. Can't find the article right now, but here's an older one:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/02/11/politics.genes/index.html

[Anonymous]

I'm an independent. I voted for obama this past election, but I tend to be conservative when it comes to government involvement, which leans me toward republican; and very liberal when it comes to social issues like abortion, gay marriage, etc.

I think there should be government programs for the poor, of course, but I was raised to be a "pick-yourself-by-your-bootstraps" kind of person so I also feel people should be rewarded and incented to work hard etc.

However, I recognize not everyone is starting from the place I started - I went to good schools, was able to go college and not worry about working until I had a degree, etc. So there has to be some help to get people in the right direction.

[Anonymous]

I'm a liberal but I believe child molesters should be breaded and fried-but hey, that's just me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an independent. I voted for obama this past election, but I tend to be conservative when it comes to government involvement, which leans me toward republican; and very liberal when it comes to social issues like abortion, gay marriage, etc.

I think there should be government programs for the poor, of course, but I was raised to be a "pick-yourself-by-your-bootstraps" kind of person so I also feel people should be rewarded and incented to work hard etc.

However, I recognize not everyone is starting from the place I started - I went to good schools, was able to go college and not worry about working until I had a degree, etc. So there has to be some help to get people in the right direction.

Sounds a lot like me.

I used to be solidly democrat but now find myself leaning republican on more issues. Still a registered Dem though, mainly because in Mont County that's the only way to have a meaningful vote in primary elections. In general elections I tend to vote for the candidate, not the party line.

[Anonymous]

I'm an independent. I voted for obama this past election, but I tend to be conservative when it comes to government involvement, which leans me toward republican; and very liberal when it comes to social issues like abortion, gay marriage, etc.

I think there should be government programs for the poor, of course, but I was raised to be a "pick-yourself-by-your-bootstraps" kind of person so I also feel people should be rewarded and incented to work hard etc.

However, I recognize not everyone is starting from the place I started - I went to good schools, was able to go college and not worry about working until I had a degree, etc. So there has to be some help to get people in the right direction.

This pretty much sums me up as well. Except that on social issues I'm pretty oppposed to abortion. But I'm pro gay marriage, anti death penalty, anti war, pro environment, etc.

I'm registered as a democrat and have been for years just so I can vote in primary elections in the highly democratic areas in which I've lived.

[Anonymous]

I'm more Republican than Democrat. Primarily for the anti-big government reasons and I'm also opposed to the welfare state and tax and spend programs. My husband has deployed to the mideast and other hot places, and I have his unique perspective on the war(s) we're fighting and Republicans support our efforts to fight terrorism.

I lean Democratic for abortion, womens' rights, and environmental issues though. I'm also a "pick yourself up by the bootstraps" person like the pp, so I have a hard time with some of the other social issues (long-term welfare).

[Anonymous]

I'm registered as an independent.

I've heard that the bottom line is Republican favors less governmental control while democrats favor more governmental control. But it seems as if those lines have been blurred and now it's more on issues (i.e Republicans want to gov't to gay marriage, abortion...that seems like more gov't control)

I oppose abortion but I'm in favor of gay marriage, pro environment, a lot like the pp. I don't like it when people pre-judge and decide to make their morals into government issues (*cough fundies*)
I'm all for helping people as long as they also try to help themselves.
Not sure how I feel about the healthcare issue. I guess for some countries it works and others it doesn't--depends on how it's implemented and managed. I have some friends from Australia and they said for the most part it has worked out pretty well.

In the past there has been both good and bad democrat and republicans. So yeah, I'm independent because it gives me the chance to examine the issues and decide from there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a liberal but I believe child molesters should be breaded and fried-but hey, that's just me.

I agree. Add rapists to the list, too.

breaded, fried, and fed to cannibals

also a Dem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an independent. I voted for obama this past election, but I tend to be conservative when it comes to government involvement, which leans me toward republican; and very liberal when it comes to social issues like abortion, gay marriage, etc.

I think there should be government programs for the poor, of course, but I was raised to be a "pick-yourself-by-your-bootstraps" kind of person so I also feel people should be rewarded and incented to work hard etc.

However, I recognize not everyone is starting from the place I started - I went to good schools, was able to go college and not worry about working until I had a degree, etc. So there has to be some help to get people in the right direction.

Sounds a lot like me.

I used to be solidly democrat but now find myself leaning republican on more issues. Still a registered Dem though, mainly because in Mont County that's the only way to have a meaningful vote in primary elections. In general elections I tend to vote for the candidate, not the party line.

I made the switch to the Republican Party after Lil' George won. I disliked him from the very beginning, and I wanted to be able to vote in the Republican primaries, where I thought my vote would count more.

[Anonymous]

I live in DC. so I would probably register Dem no matter what my political views were, since the Dem primary is where most elections get decided. In fact, I am a fairly consistent liberal, with some libertarian sympathies. But mostly, I think the labels "liberal" and "conservative" confuse debate, rather than enlightening it. Also, I think we'd be better off if those with liberal tendencies voted more frequently in the Repub primary and vice versa, so the parties would tend more toward the center, rather than the extremes.