Americans only please: how many of you consider you belong to a political "side"?

Question

I read some of the messages here and quite a few people seem to get very wound up over political identity, and refer to "the other side" (i.e Republican or Democrat) spreading propoganda etc

It even seems that this polarity takes presidence over even their nationality as an American. How common is this? Is this how you see yourself? Thanks.

ie: are you American 1st and then a Green/dem/republican etc?

haha- no Devora, I'm from a multi-party democratic nation: in my country women got the vote before their sisters in any other nation

sincere thanks! I'm getting a great cross section of answers from people who obviously have thought very deeply about their political system

Answer 1

We have become very polarized over "party" affiliation. There are conservative democrats, as well as liberal republicans. No one can say that they agree 100% with whatever party they are registered to, be it dems, reps, or "third" party affiliations. Look at each candidate, and vote your conscience. All this polarization is ruining our country, and creating unwarranted hatred between otherwise proud, loyal AMERICANS. In my state, some offices run as non-partisan. May the best person win. I think all offices should be run that way, then we, the people, actually will have to think about each candidate, and vote for them on that person's policies. Not a bunch of crap from the political machines, creating Zombies from all sides, following their leaders, right or wrong.

Answer 2

It's weird that there doesn't seem to be any middle ground anymore. Why can't I believe in a woman's right to choose AND be against gun control? I'm registered as a Democrat but only because I vote in the Democratic Primary. It's actually the only way to vote on any local elected officials here. But come November I'll be voting for who I think is better suited to an office than who a party tells me I should vote for. BOTH parties extremes are ludicris and apparently have lost the ability to think. If you think George W. Bush is responsible for everything that goes wrong with your daily life from gas prices to 9/11, I'm sorry to inform you that you are an idiot on the left side. If you think that a gay couple getting married would somehow defile the institution of marriage or affect YOU in any way, shape, or form, then I'm sorry to inform you that you are an idiot on the right side. Just shoot yourselves so the rest of the civilized world won't have to put up with your ignorant nonsense.

Answer 3

I am an American, first and foremost. I have ancestors that come from a dozen nations, including the Sioux Nation.

I am a registered Democrat, but I am a moderate and vote for Republicans nearly as often. I don't think either party can claim any moral, patriotic, or intellectual superiority. I think we would all be better off if they spent as much time solving problems and they spend pointing fingers. I think we would be better off if their first reaction to a problem was to seek an answer instead of finding a way to blame it on the other guy.

Answer 4

The fact is that most people hover around the middle of both parties. I am a fiscal conservation, but a little liberal when it comes to social issues. The reason why I choose the Pubs is that I believe we need some sense of religion to achive social balance. I also believe that the far left are more in line with the socialist views to run a country. I like choice, so I will never support the democrats.

Answer 5

First off being a Democrat or Republican is about being American.. those are our two parties that make up our government.. the reason those two parties argue is because they want different things for their country... at no point does being a Republican or a Democrat take presidence over us being American.... I

Answer 6

I vote republican....never democrat...of course I did vote independent once.......But I hate the democratic way of victimizing every one and everything....I was brought up with self responsibility 1st.
Of course there are few things The Republicans are doing that I find is nothing more than appeasing to those that could be potential voters......I just wish there was someone that would be country 1st.
Another thing that irritates the hell out of me...the hyphenated American....either you are or not an American.

Answer 7

I no longer consider myself a Republican, not because I’ve changed my views in the last few years, but because Republicanism, as represented by the new conservative movement, has morphed into something that appears to me to be twisted by greed, prejudice and a lust for power far beyond anything I could have ever imagined. The word “Republican “ now holds a negative connotation for me now and it frightens me to watch them at work, ala Carl Rove, Pat Robertson, et al. And that’s not to say I’ve become a Democrat. I’m sure I’m not nearly politically correct enough to be a Democrat. I’ve seen enough Silly Season stuff from them to be more embarrassed for them, rather than part of them. I don’t agree with them on all issues, but on the other hand, I don’t agree with much of anything the Bush Administration has done since it’s been in power.
I’m for the things that we all want, including freedom, security, opportunity, care and protection for the sick and the helpless and all the other values that show respect and compassion for all of life, especially that portion of life that occurs beyond the birth canal. These are values shared by all decent people. I don’t agree with policies that put these values at risk whether they come from Democrats, Republicans, Libratarians or whatever.

Answer 8

I think that politics generally is the problem rather than the answer. Or more specifically, politicians are the problem. Generally, I care about humanity.

However, the Bush regime seems to me to be the crystallization of EVERYTHING that is wrong with politics. I am not a democrat but I am fiercely opposed to the present administration. Bush and his cronies are as heartless as Hitler or Stalin were.

The neo-cons and the libs continue to attack each other while the world enters as dark and dangerous a time as it has ever known.

All politics aside, I think torture and unbridled greed need to be shown for what they are and the perpetrators brought to justice.

Answer 9

i am registered as non partisan so i freel vote for who i genuinly believe will do what is best for this country,that said i have never voted for a republican on a national level,at a local level yes. the truth is for all of our fighting and name calling and bashing we are all americans and in times of true national emergency we put our party politics aside and stand together as americans first,like after 9/11....so there hasnt been another attack on us so we are free to go back to wal-mart and taco bell and sit in front of our hdtv with a million channels of satellite t.v and bash the crap out of each other on the net,thats the american way and whether republican or democrat or green or whatever were all damn proud to be this way

Answer 10

America is a very diverse place, and I really think that it might not have been a bad thing if it were two different countries. Perhaps everyone would have been happier if the Civil War was never fought and the Union let the CSA exist with its slavery, "traditional values" etc.... The North would have its vision of a progressive society since it would not have to appease a bunch of whiney southerners (why do you think the US capital moved from NYC/Philly to a new location in the South?) while the conservative southerns could maintain their slave owning, cotton growing theocracy without any "yankee liberals" telling them to join the modern world....