I've been curious about this for a while. Most of us can be grouped into idealogical "camps" based on posts made over the years, but with the exception of a few, most are not necessarily purists. One area where I diverge from my own self-identified idealogical "camp" is I am not against the death penalty and ususally a defender and supporter of law enforcement. I don't want this to become a debate about the differing topics, or have to defend your position, but just a little information to give each of us some perspective about us that may not be always evident. Where do you differ from the party line?
A few places. For instance, as you, I am not philosophically opposed to the death penalty. However, I can't see myself splitting a ticket as I did in my younger years because there is no way I can justify enabling the current GOP in any fashion.
Same for me. I'm actually ok with the death penalty. Actually, I wouldn't mind it being expanded in some cases. That alone is no where near enough for me to vote republican.
Party line is more "partisan" that I would like, but philosophically or politically speaking I am an outlier relative to others with similar views in that I support the death penalty and gun rights.
I'm against the death penalty. I generally support gay rights (that seems to diverge from both party lines). I was against the War in Iraq (waffled some, but was against it). I now think we should come home from Afghanistan. I think our military budget is too large. I think we have way too many troops deployed overseas. I think the Department of Homeland Security should be dismantled. If a Bush program that more Democrats voted for than Republicans counts, I was always against TARP.
Besides the obvious (tea bag movement, etc.), I've never had a problem with gay marriage. What in the world is so horrible about two gay people wanting to get married? It's a helluva lot better for society than two straight people (with kids) wanting to get divorced. I'm pretty liberal when it comes to gun control. I've also changed my opinion about the War in Iraq over the last 4 years or so. Oh, and I was always FOR the bailouts (since one in particular saved my job...)
i guess i would say gun rights, but i honestly don't that too many people want to get rid of guns, but wouldn't mind them regulated and made safer. i'm certainly not anti-hunting or anything like that. i'm also don't really care about animal rights all that much. i don't want dogs testing make-up for us or anything like that, but i'm gonna eat steak, wear leather chaps for my lady and am fine with them testing drugs on animals.
I'm a pro-business type. I generally support free trade agreements (though fair ones), not a big union fan, and support market-based solutions to problems whereever possible. I don't believe in propping up industries in order to keep jobs unless the industry is self-sustainable - I feel like it's fighting a losing battle, otherwise. And I'm a big supporter of reforming/rebuilding SS/Medicare/Medicaid and more generally a budget-hawk, though I'd suggest neither party is actually for that type of stuff.
Although I tend to vote for Democrats, I'm fairly moderate. For instance, I think social security should be scaled back or eliminated because I don't believe in government sponsored retirement based on age. There is no reason why somebody that can work should just stop working. I'm also very skeptical of unions. Although I think there needs to be some check against big business, I think unions are more harmful than useful in many cases.
I guess I wasn't really clear in my OP. I didn't mean diverging specifically from Democratic or Republican party lines, but more broadly from your general idealogical niche, which could include Dems or Repubs, liberal or conservative, fascist or socialist, redneck or long hair, etc. In my young college days, after a series of raise-your-hand-if-you-believe questions, I had a professor surprised that I supported the death penalty. When I asked why he was surprised, he said something to the effect of "a young socialist like you could hurt your bonafides with a stance like that." Cracked me up. He was once a very high ranking officer in the NSA and was as straight up military spook as they come, but we hit it off well and he actually helped me get my first post-grad job. We were the odd couple (no homo). Interesting responses so far.
It's not so much about party lines as it is appearance. Would it hurt to elect a bald president in the age of televised presidential debates? Which is why I will vote for Bill White.
Ah, then, I'm generally libertarian, but I believe strongly in public schools. I think they should be controlled locally, and maybe even divorced from government control like Sweden is moving toward, but every kid should absolutely have their school paid for. I don't think prostitution should be legalized, because of its concurrence with slavery and human trafficking. And while I think there is some room for privitizing natural monopolies like water and roads, I think it's dangerous, and we should tread lightly in that direction.
I think drugs should be legalized, most at least. None of the highly addictive drugs, people should be able to make up their own decisions concerning their health and lives. maybe abortion I still haven't been satisfied with any arguments on when life actually begins, or when you consider it a life. I definitely don't like the argument that they are doing the baby a favor by not raising it through the system or in poverty. I am against the death penalty, but I don't think our current prison system is effective. They should have to pay time, the time of their natural life. I'd rather die than sit in a prison for 70 years. I don't think its the governments job to uphold morals, they should protect and enforce the laws that keep us safe. Instead of banning drugs, put more effort and budget into law enforcement, clean up neighborhoods and crime and let the people ruin their own lives. You're (government) not making anything better by throwing criminals in with criminals and continually cycling them through a system that only perpetuates the gang and crime activity affiliated with drugs. Make them legal and you take away a big chunk of what gang activity and crime is related to. I'm just thinking aloud now sorry
i'm all over the map actually. I support the death penalty (assuming irrefutable DNA evidence), but favor some forms of gun control. i'm passionate about gay rights, but against abortion, in the latter case not because god (or some facsimile thereof) told me so, but because of what you can see with your own eyes via ultrasound. i am an old school atlanticist, but dismissive of old europe. i believe there's a role for government, but we need to stop mortgaging our children's future. and, in the wake of 9/11, i believe a forward strategy of freedom is the only way to truly defend our country against the new threats we face. oh, and i believe, for every drop of rain that falls... Spoiler a flower grows
