for the most part any thought or decision throughout congress a majority of senators and house members today speak along party lines. there are some exeptions but for the most part they do seperate.. that being said is it a mindset or is it a party agenda.. along with do you think most people that express their beliefs do you think they truely agree with what they are saying...every large group I have been involved there is always multiple views and opinions but it doesnt look that way in the political arena.. So why do you think that is?
also if you dont agree with this assessment what makes you see other wise?
2007-01-12 15:25:40 · 5 answers · asked by CaptainObvious 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
To move up in party ranks, politicians toe the party line. If one is a Republican, he must align himself with a neoconservative ideology. If one is a Democrat, he must align himself with a liberal ideology. The next question is how is the party agenda decided? It comes from the way to get the votes from the typical constituents. We need a third major party to break up the voter blocks, so the individual politicians will think more independently of party lines. The problem it is difficult to get elected as a third party candidate. We as voters need to have the courage to demand a major third party, or fourth party for that matter, and the politicians need to have the courage to run as third or fourth party candidate. Our thinking independently isn't going to change the fact, most of the time, we have only option of voting for a liberal or neoconservative.
2007-01-12 16:50:43 · answer #1 · answered by robling_dwrdesign 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't get anything passed in Congress with the majority if not all of you party voting for it and althought an individual Congressmen might now agree with his parties legislation voting against the party line make you look like your trying to hurt you party and when you want a peice of your legislation to get approved the other members of your party might not vote for it if you didn't vote the their legislation. If everybody in a party started giving a bunch of different opinions on legislation nothing would ever get passed.
2007-01-12 15:37:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with your assessment. The reason they don't separate is because right now both parties are going after the golden prize. The White House. They must stay as close to their party lines as possible.
2007-01-12 15:31:45 · answer #3 · answered by wondermom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you would have to decide that on an individual basis. Like Joe Lieberman, when he was a democrat, frequently disagreed with his party. I personally am a republican but I don't have a problem with discussing my views that differ from the party. To me that is being intellectually honest. Then you have the politicians (on both sides) who are all about power. They will stay within their party's platform unless it benefits them not to.
2007-01-12 15:37:33 · answer #4 · answered by Cinner 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are asking what I think you are asking, there is a lot of "to get along go along" spirit among members of both parties. A congressman who bucks the leadership of his party won't get plum committee assignments & they know it. They also know that their bill won't get much suport.
2007-01-12 15:36:38 · answer #5 · answered by yupchagee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋