Are you tired of being a Democrat (or whatever Party affiliation you choose)? This dawned on me when I jumped all over FranchiseBlade for an infringement upon Republican "sanctity" while over-looking a far worse faux pas by someone more likely to vote the way I do. I'm sick of having to defend Republicans and I'm equally sick of being on the lookout for Democratic pratfalls Neither Party is really great. I have to choose sides and so I become numb to the frailties of the side I choose and I become prone to hyper-criticism of the side I don't choose (be they Democrat or Llibertarian, or Green Party...) As a not-so-great American once said, "Can't we all just get along?" That's not as ridiculous as it sounded at the time. Who here can feel my pain?
I hear ya. I don't like to align myself with any groups. (except for the Rockets) "I'm a loner Dottie, a rebel." --Pee Wee Herman "I claim to have no formal alliance with any country or religion. The world is my oyster." -- Johnny Lydon "Clinging to things is the root of all suffering." -- Buddha
Since I've always been more of a "live and let live" in most social areas, many of the current Republicans crusades downright scare me. It's hard to defend a lot of what is going on, in my opinion.
I'm tired of being a Democrat too giddyup. I'm never going to accomplish anything if I'm always up to the minute on what the Note/TNR/Slate/NYTimes, etc. are saying about Washington. Here's a thought giddyup, if we see each other wasting time in a political thread, we should try to get each other back on track on more important things. If you see me, just remind me that there are soil fertility or phytochemistry journals that I could read right now (or maybe I could finally break open Potter 5, or try to sneak one past the goalie, or get on my bike). You give me the heads up on what you should be doing and I'll repay the favor.
Only once in my life did I ever associate myself with one party and that was quite a while back. Often, I find local races much more interesting and influential than the national races and party politics rarely play into local races. In those instances, you just vote for whoever you think will do the best job as it should be. Besides, the Libertarians and Greens are fringe groups for the most part and the GOP and Dems have long ago sold their souls to the monied interests that exist in DC. I figure I'll just keep trying to vote for whoever I think will do the best job. Unfotunately, those people usually aren't running for office.
The two party system is super isn't it? I understand what you mean when you say your tired of defending one party, because that often leaves little room to describe the problems of the party you support. I'm a Demo and without a doubt the party has major issues they need to fix. I support many Repub. views, but I haven't had much of a chance lately to really express the ideas I agree with from the right. I guess the firestorm in the middle east and issues with the war right now are so controlling they leave little time to discuss much else. Personally i've been stuck on the adminstration's policies on the war and the WMD issues, but I would blast a Demo administration the same if I felt they were lying on such a grand scale. We really need a powerful 3rd party to shake things up, one that doesn't disappear after the major election cycles.
I used to be very active in local democratic politics when I was in college. I also worked for local campaign headquarters for national candidates, but I started not liking the candidates and even the college young democrats were subject to political games within their organization. If I had stayed as a democrat I would definitely want out now. The dems today, especially congressional ones have no backbone, and signed away our freedoms with the Patriot acts. Add to this the fact that both dems and republicans have kept third parties from debates, and the system doesn't right the way it is. If I like a candidate who's democratic I will still vote for them, and the same goes for Republicans. I've never in my life, voted a straight party ticket. I'm not sure how to help bring about change, but I wish it could be done.
Here is an interesting article about the two party system. http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/7970/jefpco20.htm
http://www.lp.org It doesn't take a majority. Just enough for the Federal matching funds kick in, and it's a whole new ball game.
Here is a quote from the Jefferson article: "The Malaysian parliament called suddenly for elections before the end of the year, because with the new year, many younger people who were less favorably inclined toward the government would become qualified to vote. Thus the real purpose of the elections was made manifest: not that government would reflect the will of the people, but that the people's will might be frustrated and its full expression prevented. It would be easy to say, "Well of course! The party leadership was looking out for their own interests!" But that is the point. In a true democracy, government should be organized in such a fashion as to look out for the interests of the people, not of the political parties. Man this sums up the redistricting fight going on in Texas. The Dems had gerrymandered the districts for themselves and now the Reps want to change it to their advantage. The people really getting screwed by this are the people of Houston. We get our population split into tiny pieces that share representation with vast rural areas. Our urban and ethnic concerns get relegated to the back burner. Jeep
I'm still liable to be riled up about any certain issue, but I would appreciate a figurative 2x4 to the head if I am just being too partisan. You directive to me should be "Pick up the phone...." of "Go play with your kids..."
It's weird...I've always felt frustrated and happy at the same time for exactly the opposite reason, giddy. I've felt happy to not be tied to any one party, and as such having the freedom to look at each issue without taking party politics into it...and as such I am, as many in here have been surprised to learn, all over the place in terms of Republican and Democrat... But the frustration has stemmed from an ackowledgment of probably my greatest weakness in this area: a hard time with offering realistic and implementable solutions. One thing about having a party is a sense, I assume, of being able to envision your ideals in action...but I never get that, and often remain little more than a sideline critic. For example...going into a major election, what do I do? I am against abortion...ok, Republican. But wait, I am against the death penalty...Democrat it is...hang on, I am against affirmative action, although not for the usual Republican reasons...etc...See what I mean? So, as an advocate without party, I have the luxury of being able to point out the flaws in a particular party's position on things while remaining abvoe the fray when that same party comes under fire for other issues...The fact that I never automatically support a certain party's stance is something I am proud of, and when I see others in here doing that, it lessens their credibility in y eyes...but on the other hand, I never have to defend a party...I never am able to look at the sum total of a party's policies, choose one, and then defend that party as a whole in oreder to assure myself of getting those policies enacted, albeit while sacrificing other issues. I see the problem as more to do with the ridiculous limitations of the two party system than with my own academic attitude towards these issues, but I have to admit that there are times I feel like an armchair quarterback watching others actually play the game. There was a time when many friends and associates wanted me to get involved in politics, and it was an easy pass for me, as I had no party affiliation, nor could I reconcile one...but I have often wondered if that too wasn't at least partially a convenient means of staying out of the fray. I wouldn't give up my freedom to take each issue as it comes...and I doubt I'd be able to...but there is something to be said, I think, for those who look at the whole political landscape, pick a party out of an earnest and deeply considered judgement of priorities, and then kick in. Sadly, however, I think that all too often it works in reverse...that party affiliation shapes political attitudes rather than the reverse...and I defintely see, in here and elsewhere, a blindness and kneejerk reactionism that is the worst symptom of the 2 party system. I think Americans growm up in an environment of Republican vs. Democrat ideals, and often take one or the other largely as a whole without measuring the grays between, let alone the possibilites outside either political school of thought. Giddy...I have rarely agreed with you on much in here, but I swear to God, just by making this post, you have given me hope for us all. Your ability to see your own entrenchment and want to pull out of it is a lot harder than it is for someone like myself who never got dug in in the first place, and I applaud you. Thank you, and PEACE JAG
Staying "above the fray" as an "armchair quarterback" is fine, but you would be far more effective as a citizen if you picked one party, and then attempted to change those parts of the party with which you disagree. The Log Cabin Republicans are a perfect example of homosexual citizens who are attempting to change the Republican Party from the inside out. I attend Republican functions, and write many emails to Republican politicians, expressing many views not associated with the GOP. I am against the death penalty, the senseless Drug War, Tort Reform, and most far right Christian influenced legislation- but that doesn't stop me from sticking my chest out and declaring myself a Republican. Get your nose out of the air and jump into the fray- you might change something.
Both sides have some good points, and the two party system has worked well for us. But there is a difference..this is they way I heard it.. A Republican and a Democrat were walking down the street when they came to a homeless person. The Republican gave the homeless guy his business card and told him to come to his business for a job. He then took twenty dollars out of his pocket and gave them to the homeless fellow. The Democrat was impressed, and when they came upon another homeless guy he decided to help. He walked over to the homeless person and gave him directions to the welfare office. He then reached into the Republicans pocket and got out 20 dollars.. He kept 15 for administrative fees and gave the homeless guy a fiver.
very well put. me, i don't associate with any one political party, although i am definately more liberal. i look at the issues and stances at hand and make my choices regardless of party affiliation. but you bring up some very valid points.
Lets see.. You aren't sure if you are a Republican or Democrat You aren't sure if you are liberal or conservative You aren't sure if you are an actor or teacher You aren't sure if you are a Raptor or a Rocket fan You aren't sure if you are Canadian or American Now you are not sure what this thread is about..sounds pretty consistent to me.
1) I am neither. 2) I am neither. 3) I used to be one, and might again, and am currently the other. 4) I am both. 5) I am both. 6) I was trying to be polite. Now I won't. You missed the point of this thread.
I am definately more liberal... and I can't stand some of the Republican leaders, but lately I've been really dissapointed with the democratic party because there are no leaders. Now that Clinton is gone, the party is relatively voiceless and the "leaders" are afraid to stand up to create their own issues. It seems like the two parties are the same these days anyways... But I'm glad for the two party system (a creation of our electoral system), it keeps stability whereas some of the European democraces have problems due to the many parties.
