<p>Another thread just got me thinking: What are people's reactions when they find out you are a republican? I'm a friendly guy but it seems like in college when some people find out "you're a <em>gasp</em> republican??" they treat you like a leper or a member of the KKK (off topic: guess what party the only former KKK member in congress belongs to). You would not believe how many stereotypical smug liberal types have called me a "racist" or "warmonger" because I supported McCain.</p>
<p>Yeah I know they're some bad apples on both sides... but why is it in college that being a dem is considered standard (even if you're like Kucinich extreme left) and if you're one of those republicans, even moderate, you are one of the "bad" guys.</p>
<p>I don't want to sound like i'm crazy but I didn't even wear my McCain shirt to class because I had a feeling some of the professors thought that way too.</p>
<p>I don't want to turn this into a political debate... just be interested to hear some stories.</p>
<p>Now that election fever has died down, fewer people are vehement about politics. Liberals dominate most college campuses, but no one’s gonna treat you like a leper. I go to a liberal college in NYC, we’re kind of known for having a very liberal student body, i’ve met Republicans here. No one’s gonna know unless you tell them, it’s not like you’ll be treated any different. People might make jokes but you can tease them right back. And if they call you racist, they’re ■■■■■■■■…that’ll probably only be the occasional nutcase. </p>
<p>I admit going to a very liberal school can be annoying, I’m Independent, fairly Moderate, yet talking to some of my classmates makes me feel Conservative at times lol. i’ve been asked if i’m a republican before…not in a mean way though.</p>
<p>If it’s really seeming like a problem with people around you, just stay away from political discussions, and if anyone asks just say you’re not into politics. When most people talk about politics they just want to have people agree with them.</p>
<p>I wore an Obama shirt to class in the fall to see if I could derail a staunchly libertarian professor, it didn’t work but I had a good debate after class with a Ron Paul supporter who wore a tie to every class.</p>
<p>It’s really not that much of a problem as I apparently made it out to be, and yeah it has not been as bad since the end of the election (with a resurgence since the tea parties), but I still occasionally strike up conversation with someone I don’t know or don’t know very well, who will out of the blue make a joke about “dumb/racist/old/white republicans” or some casual derogatory remark. Believe me I don’t want to sound like PMVD or Lakrosse here or anything, but i’m just pointing out that you NEVER would see someone crack a “dumb democrat” joke, or lump all democrats in with the extreme wings of the party like you see happen to republicans.</p>
<p>I think we’re going to move to a three-party system like England. We’ll have a semi-socialist party, (Labour) a moderate party, (Conservatives) and a libertarian party. (Liberals) The extreme right-wing nationalists will be marginalized, like the British National Party, and the majority of Republicans will join the moderate or libertarian parties.</p>
<p>It’s a sad thing, in these days. People classify themselves by political party, and then hold beliefs of the party, rather than beliefs of their own. Especially this election, people have become more supporters of a party than a principle. </p>
<p>I’m proud to say that I’m unique in my beliefs. I come at every issue with an open mind, and never become attached to a single individual (despite the username). To me, Democrats are idoits, Republicans are idiots, and Southern Libertarians are damn sure idiots. </p>
<p>I wonder if, after this term, people will become fed up with the current party system. Maybe when they realize most Republicans and Democrats are nearly identical in policy, a new party will emerge.</p>
<p>I’m pretty liberal/democraticish and I’ll admit when I find out someone I know is a republican I’m often just like, “why?” It’s kind of weird for me to think of people my age as conservative or what have you. Maybe people have such an extreme reaction because they haven’t learned to accept viewpoints other than their own. Generally it’s not important/doesn’t affect my thoughts unless we’re talking about politics directly.</p>
<p>What exactly is a “Southern Libertarian?” Fate has made me a Southerner and my experiences and beliefs craft me as a Libertarian. Am I an idiot solely because I happen to be both Southern and Libertarian?</p>
So it’s extreme for them to be conservative but you’re not extreme for being liberal? haha ok…if you’re aligning with a party they could easily say you haven’t learned to accept viewpoints other than your own.</p>
<p>“What exactly is a “Southern Libertarian?” Fate has made me a Southerner and my experiences and beliefs craft me as a Libertarian. Am I an idiot solely because I happen to be both Southern and Libertarian?”</p>
<p>No, I was stereotyping intentionally. What I was trying to say (although it did come across as rather offensive) was that anybody who aligns themselves completely with a particular political party or figure is an idiot. The only reason I threw the word Southern in there was becuase I lived in NC at one point, and I remember Ron Paul supporters that lacked the ability to speak fluent english. It was kind of a personal memory thing, and I can understand the confusion.</p>
<p>Lol, not where I was. Of course, I don’t actually assume that all Ron Paul supporters in NC are unable to speak english. It did seem like I meant that though… sorry.</p>
<p>I would agree with you to a point – I’ve met some fellow North Carolinians who haven’t the faintest idea how to properly use our language. Although I have been told more than once that my speech is similar to reading a book aloud …</p>
<p>That they vote for those candidates most of the time. I haven’t found anyone who agrees with the entire platform of the Republican or Democratic parties.</p>
<p>Well, when you register to vote you can check off a political party. I assume people who say they are members of a party registered with that party. All it really means is they share a lot of the beliefs of that political platform and occasionally get mail from them.</p>
<p>“I haven’t found anyone who agrees with the entire platform of the Republican or Democratic parties.”</p>
<p>I guess I don’t see people agreeing with an entire platform so much as I see people’s beliefs changing as the platform does. Make that <em>after</em> the platform does.</p>
<p>I also see a huge number of people who either enthusiastically support every sinlge one of Obama’s actions, or enthusiastically disprove of every single one of Obama’s actions. It’s rather annoying.</p>
<p>Edit: It’s similar to the PC vs Mac or Xbox360 vs PS3 fanboy battles. Actually, that’s what I see the average voter as - a fanboy.</p>
Generally it’s not important/doesn’t affect my thoughts unless we’re talking about politics directly.</p>