Record High- 42% of Americans Identify as Independents" Republican identification lowest in at least 25 years

[ishii]

That’s why I vote third party.

The only thing going for the Democrats is they accuse Republicans of trying to take welfare away. Both parties want welfare in one form or another.

Which makes you wonder why anyone would vote for either party?

Neither of you think the pro-life efforts and victories by Republican state legislatures represents an important difference between the two parties ?

 

[ARSpade]

I think there ARE well meaning and sincere politicians on both sides but they seem to be swept up into beltway fever and lose many of their convictions.

There’s one or two, but on the whole there isn’t a person inside the beltway that really cares about anybody outside the beltway. Unless you can give them money (one way or another, through bribes, insider trading, kickbacks, or donations) or invite them to fancy parties with movie stars.

Those of you not inside I-495 cannot comprehend how well this area has been doing during the whole recession/recovery bit. You’re getting screwed and it is all so some politician/staffer/contractor/lobbiest/head of a non profit (they’re all the same really) can drop $300 on dinner in Old Town Alexandria before going home to their $1m house.

They don’t care about you, but they’re really good at marketing and they’re all very good liars.

 

[ComputerGeek25]

Neither of you think the pro-life efforts and victories by Republican state legislatures represents an important difference between the two parties ?

It depends on the candidates running. I think the GOP does have a better record on abortion and will generally vote for them when necessary.

I was pointing out that liberal Catholics complain about the GOP, and still vote for the Democrats, who are guilty of many of the same things. Doesn’t that fit the bill of being hypocritical?

 

[Cricket2]

ComputerGeek: I am right there with you, though I never thought of putting my own name down. Maybe next time I will.

This country has been being sold to the lowest bidder for a long long time. It is time that stopped and we started taking care of our own infrastructure again, employing our own people here and keeping factories open here instead of shipping everything overseas so we can get away with ravaging the planet due to lax environmental controls, laws and practices and pay slave labor costs for workers.

Yep, I will vote for you or myself the next time. Sounds good to me.

 

[RJB]

I am truly becoming dissatisfied with the direction our country is moving in. I am a registered Republican, but I am beginning to seriously consider voting Independent.

 

[pnewton]

I think there ARE well meaning and sincere politicians on both sides but they seem to be swept up into beltway fever and lose many of their convictions.

To be fair, I think the same will eventual prove to be true for third party candidates who get in, or for Tea Party candidates if they stay around. I like to look for politicians that can really hold the line on their moral beliefs in the atmosphere of DC. Ron Paul comes to mind as an example.

 

[ishii]

It depends on the candidates running. I think the GOP does have a better record on abortion and will generally vote for them when necessary.

I was pointing out that liberal Catholics complain about the GOP, and still vote for the Democrats, who are guilty of many of the same things. Doesn’t that fit the bill of being hypocritical?

Well thank you for clarifying. From your post it sounded like you believed both parties to be in the pocket of big business and therefore you voted 3rd party.

Ishii

 

[ishii]

To be fair, I think the same will eventual prove to be true for third party candidates who get in, or for Tea Party candidates if they stay around. I like to look for politicians that can really hold the line on their moral beliefs in the atmosphere of DC. Ron Paul comes to mind as an example.

I’m not sure Ron Paul is a valid example. He doesn’t really have much power - in fact, he gets a lot of mileage from being the maverick who doesn’t kowtow to either party establishments. See how a 3rd party acts if it gets real power - that will show you what power does.

Ishii

 

[ProVobis]

To be fair, I think the same will eventual prove to be true for third party candidates who get in, or for Tea Party candidates if they stay around. I like to look for politicians that can really hold the line on their moral beliefs in the atmosphere of DC. Ron Paul comes to mind as an example.

I’m partial to him myself. He certainly has brought a lot of important isssues to the forefront, though he himself has little power to do much about it.

 

[ishii]

I’m partial to him myself. He certainly has brought a lot of important isssues to the forefront, though he himself has little power to do much about it.

I look at Ron Paul a little bit differently. He is in a safe Congressional District which allows him to not really have to worry about reelection and gives him the luxury of being able to say whatever he wants. He is apparently content to receive single-digit support in nationwide elections and so he can say whatever he wants. I have more respect for people who have to build coalitions to get elected so they can actually do something and make a difference for example Ronald Reagan. So no I do not have a whole lot of respect for Ron Paul.

 

[LisaA]

I look at Ron Paul a little bit differently. He is in a safe Congressional District which allows him to not really have to worry about reelection and gives him the luxury of being able to say whatever he wants. He is apparently content to receive single-digit support in nationwide elections and so he can say whatever he wants. I have more respect for people who have to build coalitions to get elected so they can actually do something and make a difference for example Ronald Reagan. So no I do not have a whole lot of respect for Ron Paul.

Excellent point. It’s perhaps fun to follow a maverick but the reality is that Ron Paul never accomplished anything on his agenda…auditing if not closing the Fed was his perennial rallying cry. He seemed to generate a near frenzy among his followers and instead of focusing on the best for the country, the best for the party (that he joined and unjoined and rejoined) he insisted on the dog and pony show to accompany his every appearance. Others, particularly the third party candidates who’ve been spoilers in close elections also draw my complete disgust, particularly those “planted” by the opposition.

There is a difference between blindly following the party line and following the Buckley mantra…the most Conservative candidate who CAN BE ELECTED. This tilting at windmills with off the reservation wierdo candidates or those who are such purists they can’t vote for a Romney because he’s not perfect have helped significantly in re electing Obama. And those people are more to be criticized because they felt their ‘principles’ were more important than our countries future.

Lisa

 

[gamewell45]

I’ve been a life-long independent my entire life. It’s highly unlikely at this stage of my life that I would ever join any political party since I have never agreed with their platforms and agenda’s. Most of the time i’m so disgusted that at the state and federal level I’ve written my name in since I know that while i don’t know much about running this country or state, I’m honest which I believe goes a long way with the American people.

 

[Tampa_Dave]

I was a registered Republican until last year. The November 2012 election results left me so dismayed I totally gave up on future political involvement. I do not vote, contribute to political parties, follow politically-based news shows, or involve myself in anything political. I live in calm waters with no regrets.

 

[adawgj]

I was a registered Republican until last year. The November 2012 election results left me so dismayed I totally gave up on future political involvement. I do not vote, contribute to political parties, follow politically-based news shows, or involve myself in anything political. I live in calm waters with no regrets.

I now what you mean, but that doesn’t mean you should just give up voting. It is one of the few hard earned rights that people have in this country. However you do not regret your actions then God be with you.

 

[adawgj]

I think in the next elections in 2016 will be interesting if Jesse Ventura will run for president. I will probably not vote for him, but he could possibly be like Ross Perot in the 1992 elections.

 

[Jeanne_S]

I think in the next elections in 2016 will be interesting if Jesse Ventura will run for president. I will probably not vote for him, but he could possibly be like Ross Perot in the 1992 elections.

 

[ishii]

I think in the next elections in 2016 will be interesting if Jesse Ventura will run for president. I will probably not vote for him, but he could possibly be like Ross Perot in the 1992 elections.

Jesse Ventura - the guy who described the Catholic Church as a “predator” , and a felonious organization like the mafia and needing to be prosecuted under the RICO statutes - that guy? He is also believes in just about every conspiracy out there. There are words to describe folks like that but I won’t here because I don’t want anyone to feel “insulted.” I highly doubt Jesse Ventura (if he ran in 2016) would have the effect Ross Perot did in the 1992 elections. He’s in the Bill Maher camp - militantly anti-Catholic and hostile to religion. God help us if anyone like that ever gets elected president. (no, I don’t think Obama is in that category. At least I hope he isn’t).

Ishii

 

[ishii]

I was a registered Republican until last year. The November 2012 election results left me so dismayed I totally gave up on future political involvement. I do not vote, contribute to political parties, follow politically-based news shows, or involve myself in anything political. I live in calm waters with no regrets.

I can understand your sentiment. However, I would hope that you also understand that there are key differences between the parties - particularly at the state level as shown by the pro-life victories in various states due to Republican state legislatures.

Ishii

 

[Jeanne_S]

I can understand your sentiment. However, I would hope that you also understand that there are key differences between the parties - particularly at the state level as shown by the pro-life victories in various states due to Republican state legislatures.

Ishii

This baffles me,that Conservatives can win on the local/state level,ie: Scott Walker,John Kaschich,both from liberal,union driven states,yet on national level we lose

 

[GaryTaylor]

Jesse Ventura - the guy who described the Catholic Church as a “predator” , and a felonious organization like the mafia and needing to be prosecuted under the RICO statutes - that guy? He is also believes in just about every conspiracy out there. There are words to describe folks like that but I won’t here because I don’t want anyone to feel “insulted.”