I have a feeling this thread may end up getting the crickets but thought I'd give it a shot anyway. I enjoy this reading this section of Tigerforums because it seems like there are a lot of viewpoints from both sides. I consider myself to be more on the conversative side although others may consider me liberal because I vary depending on the issue. Often, I'll hear one side of a debate (and generally agree) but then flip flop when the other side is presented well. The passion in politics is second to none. Those from one party often think members of the other party are intellectually inferior. Friendships can be strained for simply pointing out that a mass-forwarded e-mail is factually incorrect. Shouldn't the sender want to know if they have sent fabricated information? This hasn't happened to me but have heard numerous similar situations. There are only about a dozen friends/family that I will even discuss any element of politics. Most of the regulars here are known as conservative or liberal. My challenge is to discuss one issue that you agree with from the other side. It can be something big or small. I think this is what therapists often start with for personal disputes and curious if anyone would even consider doing it in the free speech arena.
I voted Democrat for years but changed as I learned more about their views and believed their leadership moved more left. Although I have very conservative views I'm not completely opposed to everything to my left. I'm not totally opposed to abortion but believe the overwhelming majority are attributed to irresponsible conduct not due to incest, rape, or the health of the mother. In those rare cases I believe abortion may be the best alternative. I'm not completely opposed to social programs but believe they should only be available to those with a TRUE need. Any program designed to remedy a "past" issue (e.g.: discimination) should have target goals and and END date which cannot be extended. I don't like anybody telling me I can't defend myself (against a criminal and/or my own goverment) but I don't believe the founding fathers envisioned nuclear weapons, etc. so I'm not opposed to limited background checks, mandatory training, etc. I'm not opposed to "clean" energy but not under the guise of the manmade global warming hoax scare tactic. Anybody can watch black smoke pour from a semi or bus and realize we could do better. We did it with pop tops and plastic so you don't cut you feet on the beach. I don't want to hinder progress...just don't screw up our production while imposing "green" laws. Those are a few where I could meet in the middle.
I understand what you're trying to do here, but at the same time this isn't generally the place that people will hold hands across the isle and sing Kumbaya. Mainly because some peoples' posting methods are more aggressive than others. As was pointed out to me before, that's kind of what this FSA thing is for. Abandon all sensitivity all ye who enter here. That said, I'll play along. I'm registered as an independent, though admittedly I lean to the right on more issues than I do to the left. I've been told I have some libertarian tendencies as well, but I don't really like to categorize. Basically though, I don't believe charity and common sense should be legislated. If someone wants to get knocked up and abort, get addicted to crack and heroin, research the stench of pig chit, wander from state to state sight-seeing, whatever.. I don't care. But when life kicks you in the ass, don't ask for any of my money to help you though it. I got my own problems to deal with. The things I have in life I worked for and earned. And believe me, I've been on the bottom of the pile many times. Anyway, on to my one example: I mentioned in another thread I think a good way to increase revenue and employment, as well as bring corporations back to the United States is to A) Close the tax 'loopholes' people don't like that allow corporations to set up shop outside our country to legally avoid excessive taxation, and B) Lower the corporate income tax rate to about 22-23%, to off-set the loopholes that were closed up. This would make the U.S. a much more competitive place for corporations to set up home-base. Some conservatives wouldn't like my idea because I'm recommending tightening up the tax code. At the same time, some liberals probably wouldn't like my idea because I'm advocating lowering the tax rate for corporations. I tend to think that idea is pretty fairly balanced, seeing as it would cater to both sides of the issue, and create new tax revenue and employment at the same time. The problem is, both sides would probably feel like the other is getting the better end of the deal. I'm sure there are things I overlooked, but you get my drift. Contrary to what many believe, I feel problems can be solved by throwing both sides a bone to shut them up. Obviously, this is a small piece of the puzzle and I don't think this would solve all of our economic woes, but it couldn't hurt.
that is where i am. i am a registered independent, but in oklahoma, i am pretty well disenfranchised until a general election as we do not have open primaries. i try to listen to all sides of an issue. i think a lot of the political problems/congress come from knee jerk reactions of what is a person's party beliefs to either the left or the right. i may not agree with any of em, but i will listen and try to understand why others believe what they do. i know conservatives might consider me liberal, liberals might consider me conservative. but i also believe there are a lot of people like me (and swerved) that are more to the middle and we need a third/moderate party. there are moderates in both parties right now that go with the far left or the far right because the other party is so far away from what they believe. if there were a moderate party that took from the non-extreme of both sides i think more could get accomplished. i was raised to believe that politics is the art of compromise. compromise for the good of many instead of digging in for the good of the few.
Registered Republican, staunch conservative here. I can get behind a number of "liberal" issues when they are approached from a moderate viewpoint. Clean energy for one, which I've already talked about in another thread. I wouldn't call myself an animal rights activist, but I can't stand people who hunt just for a trophy. Why kill a bear or a mountain goat just to stuff it and display it? If you're not going to eat it, don't kill it. And I've spoken to duck hunters who shoot egrets because they didn't see any ducks, and they "had to shoot something." 100% certified idiot, IMO.
I've been a registered independent since the beginning. I vote for candidates on the right and the left since there are few moderates and no moderate party at all. I have positions on both sides as well, being pro-choice and pro-military, pro-guns and pro-environment, etc. I'm a centrist in a few, like foreign policy and immigration. I side with the most right-wingers on gun control, probably. I side with the most left wingers on freedom-of-speech issues.
its hard to say nice things about either party, except for bush foreign policy. for the most part, when one party is wrong, the middle ground between them isnt right, the correct position is opposite, and more extreme than the more correct party. for instance if republicans want to lower taxes, and dems want to raise them, the correct position isnt compromise, but to lower taxes far far more than republicans want. or abortion, democrats are right, but they are lying about their reasoning, and republicans are wrong. and republicans are generally wrong about irrelevant social issues, but the democrats are such *******s about them that i hate them as well. like gay rights, give me a break, who gives a ****. democrats use the issue to pretend they are good people, pat themselves on the back for liking gays, which is stupid because there is no reaso to give a ****. and republicans are just religious loons. and both parties are run by religious kooks who have no ****ing clue about anything.
Do you ever drive down the interstate? I'm assuming so... What do you think of the guy who blows past you? e.g.: Look at that crazy bastard. He's going to kill somebody. He needs a ticket! What do you think of the guy who sits in the fast lane and forces you to pass in the right lane? e.g.: Look at that dumbass bastard. He's going to kill somebody. he needs a ticket! Next time you're out driving take a look around at the other drivers. You'll soon find half meet the first example and half meet the second example. You'll soon realize you're the only driver doing it right. It's essentially the same thing with politics. Everybody wants to be 100% right or force everyone to share or live by their views. There are plenty of people willing to cooperate but there aren't a lot truly willing to collaborate. The two aren't really synonymus. There's little give and take these days with all the media and expert spin doctors. The divide is greater than ever and the lack of respect and tact have been lost even at the position of President. I wish we had national referendums on some issues so we could take them from the politicians. Immigration Reform could've been resolved years ago without all the politics.
