Political Affiliations!

College Confidential Community
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<p>Ok guys...</p>

<p>Let's NOT get into heated arguments that reach the level of disrespect for a fellow poster. </p>

<p>The question is the following:</p>

<p>Do you:</p>

<p>1) support the GOP. Why?</p>

<p>2) support the Democratic party. Why?</p>

<p>3) Believe all politicians in general are corrupt and therefore makes no difference whether they are Blue or Red but you still vote anyway.</p>

<hr>

<p>I'll start. </p>

<p>I support the GOP because I believe they have a much better approach on how to handle the economy. i.e. partial privatization of social security.</p>

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<h1>3</h1>

<p>but i dont think theyre all corrupt
i just think of them as an individual not as a member of a party
like for example even if i was republican i could still support a democrat if i liked what he did better
when you stick to one party i think you lose out on a lot of better options</p>

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<p>Well, I have to admit that I do think that all politicians are corrupt to some degree, but I associate myself with the Democratic party at this point. I keep my mind open, though; there are some Republican principles that I agree with. Overall, though, my set of beliefs match up with the Democratic party's ideology (mainly on social issues).</p>

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<h1>1</h1>

<p>I support the right wing component of the GOP because they know what is right for America and have morals unlike their counterparts. They realize that we are in a long hard war with Islamist and the only way to win is not to withdraw and submit to the will of Allah but rather kill our enemies for good.</p>

<p>They also realize that the moral fabric of our great country is being threatened by left wing nutcases. This is why I support them. Because they are the only ones left in this country with morals.</p>

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<p>1) because god said so</p>

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<h1>1 because I enjoy how the GOP is wasting tons of money on a pointless war in Iraq. I also love how they like to help rich white people get even richer. I also love how they try to teach intelligent design in school because that's what G-D said. I LOVE THE GOP! ALL HAIL GEORGE W. BUSH.</h1>

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<p>C'mon guys, why, WHY can't we have a civilized conversation? Why can't we respect each other's point of view and refrain from been sarcastic? </p>

<p>That was the point of the thread. :( To know why you are affiliated the way you are, not why you are not affiliated with the opposite party. To get a broader understanding. :(</p>

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<p>1 I'd rather have the Rep's in power over the dem's. I don't like Bush but who knows kerry may have been worse.</p>

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<p>I vote for the individual, not the party. However, I definitely consider myself far more left wing, but that doesn't mean I would never vote for a republican. If I liked the GOP candidate better, I would vote for him/her.</p>

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<p>What's a GOP? :p</p>

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<p>Grand Ol' Party!</p>

<p>(said in a Southern accent)</p>

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<p>1 & 3
though i wouldn't vote straight ticket. if i thought a dem would be a better leader for the country (which in this election i'm considering), then i'd vote for the dem.</p>

<p>however, metdeth, you'll never have a good conversation on this topic here (or, most likely, anywhere).</p>

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<p>None. I follow beliefs of both parties. And to me, not all politicians are corrupt. Nutshell explanation.</p>

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<p>there's no difference btwn the dems and the gop they both suck</p>

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<p>^^^ Exactly right.</p>

<p>Do any of you seriously think that if Kerry had been elected, anything would be any different? Do you think if Hillary gets elected it would be different than if McCain got elected? </p>

<p>The ones who control this country are the corporations. Lobbyists pay politicians to get bills passed or rejected based on how that bill benefits their company, not their country.</p>

<p>And don't get on with the economy crap. Take a course in economics, you'll quickly learn the president has little to nothing to do with how well the economy is doing.</p>

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<p>I happened upon this thread quite by accident, but I thought I'd offer you a few words of wisdom. (Don't groan yet...) </p>

<p>I guess what struck me as odd was that a 17 year old had a position on privatization of Social Security. Don't get defensive, but it is an extremely complex problem whose solution economists with PHD's cannot agree upon. I'm not telling you what to believe, mind you, and if, in fact, you are digging deeply into these issues--I applaud you.</p>

<p>But I must suggest that you (and your peers) get a real education. And, by that I mean, get out into your local community and get to know your local politicians--town councilmen, assemblymen, congressman, etc. If that is difficult for you, search them on the web and email them. Do some research first. They (and their staff members) are more than willing to answer your questions. Ask them about their positions on pending legislation (see <a href="http://www.senate.gov%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.senate.gov&lt;/a> or <a href="http://www.house.gov%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.house.gov&lt;/a&gt;) or about issues of concern to you--anything from the draft to educational funding. </p>

<p>Remember elections are more than merely presidential and you may be able to volunteer on a local campaign and get more of an insider's perspective. Sometimes you may "feel" the effects of local politics more than national in your hometowns.</p>

<p>Many young people start out in life with their parents' belief system. They are influenced by their community, religion, ancestry, etc. (Then, of course, there are those who rebel and simply go against the grain.) The fact is, in HS, or even in college, you still do not know who or what you will become, or in what you truly believe, because you simply haven't had the full scope of life experience.</p>

<p>You're young. </p>

<p>Ask a lot of questions. </p>

<p>Do not accept the status quo.</p>

<p>Be open-minded. </p>

<p>People are quite different across the US and around the world. Remember that there are just as many moral relativists as there are absolutists. Neither wants the other to decide what is right for them.</p>

<p>Also, there are just as many hypocrites and just as many decent human beings who truly care in both parties. (There are more than just two parties in this country, but people rarely consider this.) There are just as many hypocrites in the religious arena. There was recently one minister of a very large congregation who often railed venomously against homosexuals. As it turns out, he was forced to resign in disgrace when it was discovered that he was a homosexual pedophile abusing his congregants' kids. Remember even people who claim to represent God are not God, and they are fallible.</p>

<p>I raised my daughter in a certain fashion, but when she came of age I gave her choices. I also availed her of resources and varied opportunities to make those decisions. We no longer agree on everything, and that is as it should be. </p>

<p>Try getting your "information" from non-partisan sources. Conventional media outlets (career expertise speaking here) are constrained by the politics of economics.</p>

<p>Some suggestions:</p>

<p>One of my favorite progressive magazines is Washington Monthly. Just as likely to bash dems as reps. </p>

<p>Check it out at <a href="http://www.washingtonmonthly.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.washingtonmonthly.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Subscribe to <a href="http://www.truthout.org%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.truthout.org&lt;/a> if you are so inclined.</p>

<p>Watch "NOW" or "Bill Moyers Journal" on PBS.</p>

<p>Assess the freedom of speech issues at your colleges of choice at </p>

<p><a href="http://www.thefire.org%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.thefire.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>The point is that there is a wealth of info out there, and much work to be done. Don't allow yourselves to be spoon fed, deceived and manipulated.
The future is yours for the taking.</p>

<p>We might achieve a political rapprochement in this country if the youth learn some empathy and learn to put themselves in the other person's shoes before they make a rush to judgment. </p>

<p>Honestly, you guys are all in this together. </p>

<p>Best of luck to you.</p>

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<p>Well said and uplifting. </p>

<p>I'm sad to say, though, I don't believe in my generation. </p>

<p>I have a slight feeling we're going to be the ones who just screw everything up. Our parents had a big role in it too, I guess.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the comment. </p>

<p>I feel that a huge part of my generation is focusing on social issues.For example, I know alot of ignorant students in my HS who say things like: "I am voting for the Dems because of abortion. Let a woman do what she wishes dude! Then, I am moving to Canada...." (As if Canada was Utopia, what they fail to understand, is that every government in this planet has faults.)</p>

<p>And stupid things in general.</p>

<p>I consider social issues extremely important, but the economy has more importance in my watch. </p>

<p>I understand that there is alot of sides to a political issue- every political issue in fact. They are super complex and that's why politicians never seem to agree. </p>

<p>Thanks for the links. I do try to be as informed as possible. </p>

<p>For UnleashedFury,</p>

<p>Politics has everything to do with the economy. Imagine, what would happen if a law was passed that deported 10 million illegal immigrants (this is an example please don't get heated) ? What would happen with the cheap labor of the corporations?</p>

<p>Truth is, a situation like that, would have a huge gigantic impact on our economy. Politicians took that decision. </p>

<p>However, I am not naive enough as to think that if indeed we had another President, we would live in Utopia. We wouldn't. If the adored Bill Clinton got to be President again, he wouldn't be able to fix everything, give everyone health care, more education, etc. There won't ever be a President that makes everyone happy.</p>

<p>In short, I think politics are extremely important because although every issue is super complex, there is a relative short panorama of things you could do. But since politicians differ within that panorama, it is important to find out their positions- clear positions. Clearly shown by their voting for or against it previously. Not just words. </p>

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<p>Although I think that the converse could be argued as well, I personally think that social policies are at the root of a country's success/failure (I don't necessarily mean something as specific as abortion, I mean a broad collection of policies- like social welfare). A politician's stance on social issues overlaps into economic ones; a politician forms his economic policies based on his opinions on the best possible social environment. For example, the Democratic party (generally) embraces progressivism. A progressivist candidate, due to his/her social policies, would most likely support universal health care. A person's opinions on social institutions influence his/her economic beliefs.</p>

<p>Like I mentioned above, someone could obviously argue that the opposite is true- economic beliefs shape social ones. The above is simply my opinion.</p>

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<p>GOP 4 life (mostly because of views on taxes, gun control, abortion, and AA)</p>