Why aren't more people Independents?

Question

Basically I'm a center left Independent, who shares some views with the GOP, but some more with the DNC.

But I find myself gagging at the thought of affilliating with one party or another, or seeing people in support their party 100% right or wrong. It's embarrassing to see such ignorant partisan nonsense.

I ask the GOP and the Dems here, those who strongly support their party anyway...aren't you embarrassed to defend your party when it does stupid things?

Wouldn't it be more respectful to say "yes, my party screwed up, you're right'? Or do you honestly believe your party is always right and millions of Americans just don't know any better generally needing the leadership of your party to lead the rest of us like children?

Answer 1

My lady, I bow to your intelligence with much thanks. I too am an independent.

:-)

Answer 2

The reason I typically vote a straight Democratic ticket is because I feel like the Republicans have been so bad, that anyone who is likely to fall in line with the rest of them or to identify with them ideologically isn't good for the country. And while I don't agree with everything every Democrat says, if I had to choose between completely supporting the DNC or supporting the DNC just enough to let my support be shown but not enough to get the GOP out of power, I be completely 100% Democrat.

But I do think its stupid the way people are so partisan that they see nothing else. That's what I think is so bad about Ann Coulter. She is constantly talking about how bad liberals are and how they are responsible for all of the countries woes and are stupid and down-right treasonous and see absolutely no wrong in anything an administration as incompetent and scandal ridden as the Bush administration.

Answer 3

I sincerely do not want to come off as a cynic, but I honestly think that conforming to a specific party (notably Republican or Democrat) may give people a sense of unity, power, and belonging. If people can find a party they share common, broad values and ideas with, they may rather follow the agenda of that party instead of thinking critically about how the country should be run. Many people find adhering to their individual beliefs, ideals, and values to be a foreign, strange concept. Not to mention, unless you're registered under a specific party, you cannot nominate a person to run for President. I'm not quite sure how everything else works, but I'm sure many people feel that they can more or less identify with a major party.

Answer 4

I completely agree with you. For a while, I considered myself Liberal, but now I see myself as more of a Moderate with what I call 'Liberal tendencies'. Both parties screw up, and I find myself to see both sides of the argument. Actually, the majority of the country is Moderate or Independent. As history has shown, a third party candidate is unable to gain many votes because of our two party system. Therefore, people feel like they have to side with the Republicans or the Democrats because they know a candidate who is an Independent won't gain the proper funding to continue to campaign.

Answer 5

in the beginning, you contradict your very own element on your question. Being an independant ability you're no longer affiliated to every physique occasion. in the journey that your chum merely looked on the libertarian occasion that would make him a libertarian. It sounds to me that your chum is familiar with precisely what he's doing. removing republicans in our government is the main needed ingredient we are able to do for our u . s .'s destiny and he's familiar with that balloting for a libertarian candidate will accomplish no longer something.

Answer 6

Because in some states if you don't declare a party you can't vote in the primaries.

The state I live in, California, is one of them (although this year the Dems are letting independants vote in the primary.)

Answer 7

If you did a scientific poll, about 55-60% of Americans' values are in line with Republicans. The big problem has been that Democrats are beholden to the leftists and the Republicans have forgotten who they are.

Answer 8

No need for it in America. If a Independent has a great platform people will support him/her with what ever party they are in, in the first place.

Answer 9

More and more people ARE becoming independent, coming in from both directions.

I am a contrarian- vote them out of office after one term- most of the gold-digging and looting happens after the first term. We should be very cautious about leaving people at the wheel for too long where so many temptations exist.

Answer 10

Actually I believe that most people, including myself are independent moderates. Its just that in forums like this you hear so much noise from the insane partisans. And partisanship appeals to people who can't think for themselves.

Answer 11

I'm a Libertarian. Partisan politics is disgusting and it seems people are more loyal to their party than to their country.