Which political party are you affiliated with or do you identify as? And, do you vote the party line?
Democrat
Republican
Libertarian
Green
Independent
Other
Huh? You mean I'm supposed to care?
Which political party are you affiliated with or do you identify as? And, do you vote the party line?
He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche





hmmm, your poll lists democrat, libertarian and green party, but does not mention conservative or independent (or liberal) !
I view those as politican lines of thought, rather than actual parties. I thought to simplify it by merely going with the big four, though I "doh"ed by forgetting a slot for Independent.
He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche
Okay, the poll is fixed now but I reset the results, so feel free to vote again.
He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche
I'm with Lilith on this one. I'm not affiliated with a specific party. I pay attention to the views of the candidates and where they stand on the important issues. I voted for Kerry in the primary. I've had quite enough of G.W.
Socially liberal, fiscally conservative here. I toe no party line.
He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche
Any room on the poll for anarchists?? God save the queen...oh wait, that's another country......
"Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
"And do the cats give a shit? No, they do not. Why? Because they're cats."-from The Onion
Originally Posted by Mia M




Thank you, Lilith, you took the words right out of my mouth!Originally Posted by Lilith link=board=1;threadid=7105;start=msg80509#msg80509 date=1078361367





I say boot out every single politician at the end of his first term ! Our founding fathers had the right idea that politicians should primarily be ordinary people with ordinary professions, who volunteer a few years to public service before returning to their chosen profession and private lives.
Instead we have evolved the role of politician into a career in itself, with the primary motivation changing from selfless public service to doing anything necessary to get re-elected. IMHO this change is the root of everything which has changed for the worse in this country, which began around 100 years ago with Tammany Hall and which has been accelerating ever since to today's "lifers" Strom Thurmond and Ted Kennedy ! We might as well have a Monarchy (well with the Kennedy family maybe we already do !)
I am a genetic-Republican. My great-great grandfather was one of the founders of the Republican party and an ardent abolishionist.
As such I am more loyal to the core principles than the personalities of the party.
Originally Posted by Melonie link=board=1;threadid=7105;start=msg80597#msg80597 date=1078369242
I'll drink to that!





I agree Melonie. Politics is nothing more than a career. And the majortiy of the candidates are independently wealthy so the salary means nothing. Just the perks.
Politicians are just individuals who can be bribed by fat cats to work in their best interest, not in what is best for the masses.
I would never vote Republican. Their conservative values suck. I am a Democrat as they are the best of the evils, but if our younger popluation could gain enough strength to organize a liberal party who could actually have a chance of winning in office my affiliation would move to their party.
That's pretty much how many define libertarian.Originally Posted by Lilith link=board=1;threadid=7105;start=msg80509#msg80509 date=1078361367
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Melonie, I completely agree to term limits but would give them 6 years to allow for "institutional experience" at how procedures are done.
I think you also need something which I think is more important. Setting districts should be done by a computer program rather than comittees who stack the deck for their side. 8 or 10 simple rules and a computer can generate simple, compact, un-gerrymandered districts starting at the corners of the state. I have lived in the same house for 13 years and have been in 3 Congressional districts as they shuffle my town around





I vote with my brain, not with any party affiliation.
Lena
Convenient, as I am a Libertarian.Originally Posted by Pumpkin Pie link=board=1;threadid=7105;start=msg80637#msg80637 date=1078372754
He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche



Does it really make a difference? Huge, U.S. based, MultiNational Corporations make all the decisions anyway. Politicians are just puppets dangling from the hands of the huge multinationals. Corporate profit is the deciding factor in all of our laws, wars, elections, ect. It no longer matters what party an individual is representing. Turn off your tv, forget about presidents and elections, and live your life as happily as you can. These corrupt politicians will reap what they sow, why even prescribe to their BS. It's all negative, depressing news, but the magic is, if you turn it off, it isn't even happening. And that is the truth, try it and see.





Ah, if only this were actually true! Unfortunately, these things eventually have impacts on everyone's real lives. Refusing to watch these things develop and leaving the decisions to the 'activists' only means that eventually you'll be very surprised when your taxes are raised, when your take home paycheck is cut, when a major 'edifice' in your city disappears in a huge explosion, and when you're drafted to go fight in the Middle East the day after that explosion.It's all negative, depressing news, but the magic is, if you turn it off, it isn't even happening. And that is the truth, try it and see.
If you're a student of history, you might want to re-read the chapter on the 1930's !





When someone asks me if I'm a Republican or a Democrat, conservative or liberal, I tell them I'm a radical.
I think one of the biggest problems we need to face is the fact that corporations don't have to abide by the same set of rules as ordinary citizens.
And what rules do they not abide by that you feel that they should?Originally Posted by Susan Wayward link=board=1;threadid=7105;start=msg80758#msg80758 date=1078413501
Personally, I get more upset with politicians passing laws that all of us must obey while exempting themselves from having to. For example, the US Congress has exempted itself from having to comply with the following laws:
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 -- Protects against discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, religious affiliation.
Americans with Disabilities Act -- Protects against discrimination based on disability. Has subjected employers to burdensome architectural renovations and hiring.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act -- Protects against age discrimination. Does not apply to House. Applies to Senate through internal rules.
Occupation Safety and Health Act -- Sets minimum health and safety standards in the workplace.
Fair Labor Standards Act -- Requires employers to pay minimum wage, time and a half, and overtime. Amendments in 1989 covered House employees. Senate is exempt.
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 -- Requires federal agencies to submit affirmative action plans for the disabled to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
National Labor Relations Act -- Proscribes unfair labor practices, gives workers right to form unions, requires employers to bargain. Congress is exempt.
Freedom of Information Act -- Provides public access to government documents. Congress is exempt, although it does publish floor and committee proceedings.
Privacy Act -- Protects individual employees at agencies subject to the act. Congress is exempt.
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If I want to move to Kansas City, Kansas City does not buy me property upon which to put my house, offer to pay my utilities (including the installation) for one year, waive my property taxes and build a school one block away for my family's convenience. All in exchange for the promise that I will seriously consider staying in Kansas City for three years.Originally Posted by Pumpkin Pie link=board=1;threadid=7105;start=msg80775#msg80775 date=1078417087
Almost every state in the union bemoans the difficulty of supplying (decent schools, subsidized state health care, affordable daycare programs for the working poor). Yet not a one seems to have any difficulty ponying up $400 million every time some already-rich pro ball team owner announces that he needs a new stadium (paid for by the citizens) or he'll leave and take his team with him.
He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche
But this isn't the fault of corporations. It's again the fault of politicians. And most corporations don't get such perks. Only the big ones that can move. And if a corporation cannot move, the politicians never offer this stuff. Also, there almost always is a time limit on such deals. The politicians hoping that once the corporation is settled in, it won't then move away.Originally Posted by Lilith link=board=1;threadid=7105;start=msg80836#msg80836 date=1078429584
Personally, I'm opposed to this as well. I don't consider it corporate welfare (which on principle I also oppose), but bribing corporations by politicians. "I'll pay you to move out of that city and into mine." How many professional sports teams have hopped around the nation because politicians dangle these carrots out in front of them? Pathetic. I do not blame the corporations for taking such bribes as they're to look out for what's in best for their investors (the biggest block of individual stockholders being widows). I do blame the politicians and the politicians in Washington DC can put an end to this with one law.
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We weren't blaming the corporations (though it does nothing to engender an affection for them) but rather the politicians who somehow thought that this would be an effective use for taxpayer's income. Pandering to corporations (or entities, for that matter) is blatant pork. Pork, at it's core, is the bald illustration that the politician views corporations, lobbyists, entities, hell anyone to be of greater importance than his own constituents, but none being of greater importance than himself.
I spit on pork-barrel politicians. P-too
He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche




I would be a libertarian, as i hold many of their beliefs (as stated, socially liberal, fiscally conservative). However, i'm not allowed to be a libertarian, because i refuse to take an oath that i would only use peaceful means to gain power/spread the knowlege of the libertarian party. I KNOW that in order for us to truly effect change, it must be through large scale violence(revolution). Most people vote republican or democrat, which just contiues to fuel and grow the governments power over the citizens. Libertarians will never be an elected majority(hell, they hardly ever get ellected for any possitions). Therefor, revolution is needed.
Everyone always calls me a psycho for my beliefs. I've been told that im un-american and should move to cuba. i'm clearly against communism, whereas the people accusing me of it are much more fiscally liberal than i. Also, these people tend to think they're so patriotic because they would never considder overthrowing the government. Well true, they may hold this country dear, but they do not love AMERICA. america was founded on revolution. little old un-american me is much more patriotic in my hatred of this country, because i want to rid the citizens of the corrupted governing mass which strayed from its intended purpose of caring for the citizens, into caring about the perpetuation of itself.
I give it 60 years before there is a revolution(which will be squashed). but soon after, the government having killed many of its citizens in battle(and having grown so large) will find it unable to support itself on the work of the remaining citizens. within 100 years the mighty american empire will crumble.
so doesn't really matter wether bush or kerry wins, they both will lead to the same outcome.
unlike ryan, i dont think you can just sit back and blindly accept it. i dont follow presidential elections that much since its pointless(im from massachusets, kerry is going to win my state. town/state elections are more important to me. I'm just waiting for the right moment to mobilize my troops(small, but growing) against the oppressors.
oh, side note. to anyone who says, "this is the best country in the world. why dont you try living somewhere else!" i know some of you are thinking this now. but listen, just because something is "the best" doesn't mean its good or right. yes, we may live in a better country(have more rights/freedoms/opportunitys than say haiti), but that doesn't mean it can't use improvement. and theres no reason that improvemant cant mean drastic change(overthrow).
My views are mainly libertarian, with a strong dose of practicality thrown in - I tend to favor what works (unlike our government.) I used to work for a guy who accused me of being socially liberal and fiscally conservative, which to him meant that I favored government social programs but didn't want to pay for them. In fact I'm opposed to most federal government programs because in most cases there's a cheaper and more effective solution to the problem.
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