Why are you a republican, democrat, libertarian or of any other party? Not elegantly worded, I know.?

Question

I have always been a democrat, perhaps because my father was always a republican. It was a way to distance myself from him, but I have always thought of the democratic party as being for the little guy. It was the democratic party under FDR which got the country moving in a positive direction, although it was WWII that got us out of the depression. Both parties have their halos and warts, which do you prefer and why?

I did not hate my father(he is dead). It was just that when I became politically aware in the late 1960's and early 70's we found ourselves on the other side of the generational gap. He was pro status quo(pro Nixon). I was not. I love the memory of my father, we just had different political views.

Answer 1

I have so far voted republican in every presidential election, but I don't really consider myself a staunch member of any political party. My first vote was cast for Ronald Reagan. I liked him, the values he stood for, the man he was. I vote based more on a candidate's stand on the issues that matter to me. If that candidate happened to be a democrat or a libertarian, he/she would get my vote. Not very loyal I suppose.
I talked with a fellow in a physician's office the day after Kerry lost. I knew the guy was a democrat because of his bumper stickers. This guy, Tim, is very intelligent, wealthy, he's an entrepreneur, etc. His #1 reason for supporting Kerry: stem cell research. Very personal matter to him. So, at least I'm not alone.
My grandfather was a democrat but changed parties later in life just as my parents did. I am very proud of my 22 year-old son who votes, writes letters to senators and congressmen, etc. He stood in line for 4 hours to vote for John Kerry. Why? Because he hates Dubya. I'm glad he votes whatever the reason!
Next election, who knows? I find myself pretty disgusted with both major parties right now and am hoping the libertarians will put up a good contender.

Answer 2

Democrats led this country through the early years (Jefferson was technicalkly the first Democrat), both World Wars, the depression, and the prosperious pre-Bush era.

The Republicans were in power during the Civil War & Iraq.

To be fair, the Reagan years seemed to be good, and Vietnam should be shared as a failure from both the Democratic & Republican side.

I'm a Democrat; the whole rest of my family are Republicans. I feel alone & scared during election time (just kidding.)

Answer 3

If you call enslavement to social hand-outs "moving in the right direction" then FDR is your man. FDR was a GREAT war manager (by the way, Bush is getting slammed in the media for doing less than what FDR did with respect to individual rights).

I'm Republician b/c most Republicians are conservative. I believe in the Founding Fathers and their vision. I believe in individual rights, not group right. I believe you know what is best for you and your family. Not Washington. I believe in limited government but unlike the Libertarians (whom I respect) I believe there should be drug laws, for example. I'm for earning a living and earning success - but helping out for a time those that need help. I'm against enslaving people to hand-out for their vote. That's not compassion.

But right now all parties are scared and all look alike. All are afraid to take a stand and risk losing in November. ....

Answer 4

I am a democrat because of the values of the democratic party, I think they are for the small guy, they have protected human rights, the environment, and human rights for a long time. This is from Wikipedia but I think it fits my ideals of the democratic party. From Wikipedia: Liberalism is an ideology, philosophical view, and political tradition which holds that liberty is the primary political value.[1] Liberalism has its roots in the Western Enlightenment, but the term now encompasses a diversity of political thought.

Broadly speaking, contemporary liberalism emphasizes individual rights. It seeks a society characterized by freedom of thought for individuals, limitations on power, especially of government and religion, the rule of law, free public education, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy that supports relatively free private enterprise, and a transparent system of government in which the rights of all citizens are protected. [2] In modern society, liberals favor a liberal democracy with open and fair elections, where all citizens have equal rights by law and an equal opportunity to succeed.[3]

Many modern liberals advocate a greater degree of government interference in the free market, often in the form of anti-discrimination laws, civil service examinations, universal education, and progressive taxation. This philosophy frequently extends to a belief that the government should provide for a degree of general welfare, including benefits for the unemployed, housing for the homeless, and medical care for the sick. Such publicly-funded initiatives and interferences in the market are rejected by modern advocates of classical liberalism, which emphasizes free private enterprise, individual property rights and freedom of contract; classical liberals hold that economic inequality, as arising naturally from competition in the free market, does not justify the violation of private property rights.

Liberalism rejected many foundational assumptions which dominated most earlier theories of government, such as the Divine Right of Kings, hereditary status, and established religion. Fundamental human rights that all liberals support include the right to life, liberty, and property. Liberalism has its roots in the Western Enlightenment, but the term now encompasses a diversity of political thought, with adherents spanning a large part of the political spectrum.

A broader use of the term liberalism is in the context of liberal democracy (see also constitutionalism). In this sense of the word, it refers to a democracy in which the powers of government are limited and the rights of citizens are legally defined; this applies to nearly all Western democracies, and therefore is not solely associated with liberal parties.

Answer 5

I'm a Republican. I think Democrats are too idealistic, and they have lost their focus. It's hard to tell what the party stands for anymore, because they have really lost touch with middle America. (IMO)

Answer 6

Hating your dad is a terrible reason to choose a party, and do you think $1 Billion Kerry cares for the little guy? He would have sent more little guys to Iraq. I'm a Socialist, the only party to care about the Working Class

Answer 7

Political parties are merely an ILLUSION, because THIS secret and evil group has been in control of everything for far too long!...
http://www.rense.com/general58/suspre.htm

Answer 8

I look at the person parties mean nothing to me