Should I vote Republicans or Democrats?

Question

I mean, I have no time to research every single candidate, should I go by party line, their beliefs?

Answer 1

Look into Libertarianism. We need more people.

Answer 2

Every single candidate?

You aren't voting in every precinct in the country, are you? If so, that's illegal, so knock it off.

You have a week. If you spend 1/2 hour each day, you can do at least some research.

Not every office on your ballot is partisan anyway.

You can leave some votes blank, and vote only for those people and things you have some opinion about.

On the whole, though, party affiliation is a fairly good indicator of the candidate's and incumbent's views on most issues, though there are such things as "Republicans in Democratic clothing" (such as Princess Di-Fi, Senator for California).

In Congressional races, you could view this election as a mandate on "staying the course" with the Bush administration.

In which case, you should vote Democrat.

;-)

I think this question would have been better put in the Polls and Surveys category, as you're asking sheer opinion.

Answer 3

Actually, if you have time to post questions here, you have time to research the candidates. It doesn't take long. There are many places to find out info on the candidates. League of Women Voters offers a wide view into every level of political race in every state and jurisdiction, offering unbiased info on every candidate that responded to their questionnaire.

If you don't have time to do even that, perhaps it's better you don't vote at all. To exercise this right, you have the duty of researching the candidates and issues, IMO.

Answer 4

Never, ever vote party line. Take the time to check out who is running. It looks like this time the Dems get congress from me, but the governor will be republican not sure yet on the other 5 or 6 offices.

Answer 5

MYSTERY, JUST look how republicans behave themselves here in our forum read the questions and answers of shiraz and skerry and crybaby clinton you will see how the republican party runs an election as well as the senate and the house and if you approve of this type of behavior by all means vote republican but if you believe in democracy and freedom to speak your mind with out someone labeling you a tratior or terrorist then i would suggest either democrat or green party or even libertarians ..its your choice dont let someone scare you into a vote....

Answer 6

For this particular mid-term election; I would encourage you and others to vote Democrat. I don't like them very much; but it would send a message to Washington D.C.; that we the people will not suffer their avoidance to handle our business, their corruption, and their inapt ability not to be influence by lobbyist. After the election, perhaps we should work on establishing and elevating a third party, since most Americans tend to be middle of the road moderates.

Answer 7

Depends on where you stand. Republicans are generally conservative, which means they believe the government should stay out of the business of the private citizen as much as possible and the private citizen should be responsible for himself/herself. Democrats are generally liberal, which means they believe in maximum civil liberties and use of government power to effect social change.

Doesn't help much, does it? Try this comparison on for size (and remember it's a generalization -- not all Republicans and Democrats fit this mold):

-- Republicans are pro-life, Democrats are pro-choice
-- Democrats support gay marriage, Republicans don't
-- Republicans will support a war if they believe the cause is just, Democrats as a rule are anti-war
-- Democrats believe in and support animal rights, Republicans don't
-- Republicans believe that one's success is defined primarily by how hard and smart he/she works, Democrats believe the rich get richer while the poor get poorer
-- Democrats support socialized medicine (Federal health care system), Republicans say it would cause more problems than it would fix
-- Republicans support our current system of capitalism, Democrats believe the government should levy much heavier taxes against the rich and redistribute the wealth
-- Democrats are staunch supporters of environmental causes, Republicans are very skeptical of those who say we're destroying the planet
-- Republicans believe in The Bible as the societal standard for ethical and criminal behavior (even though many of them are not very good about obeying it), Democrats believe each individual has the right to determine right and wrong based upon their own feelings and beliefs
-- Democrats believe in rehabilitation of criminals and trying to understand the hardships in their lives that contributed to their criminal activity, Republicans believe the penal system is meant to punish (the idea being if you make prison unpleasant enough, the criminals won't want to return)
-- Republicans generally support tax cuts and believe the extra money citizens get from tax cuts will help bolster the economy through consumer spending, Democrats generally support tax increases and believe the extra revenue generated from increased taxes can be used to improve social programs

Does that help?

Answer 8

i believe we have to vote the democrats into office in this election.it does not matter whether your pro democrat or pro republican.we need a balance of power for anybody to get anything done with any kind of fairness.the recent administration is proof of what happens when one side has all the power.

Answer 9

none of our peps are doing the things we say we want. they are all selling us out to logiest, big money and bribes. its time to fire ever one in office. put new blood in there and let them know that they only have one chance. to govern for the people or they will be gone next election.

Answer 10

If you have time to sit on yahoo questions you have time to do quick research on local politics.