The more you know?

Question

It seems to me that the more you know, the less you affiliate with any one party...in fact, people have told me the point of having parties is to help voters who aren't very informed on the issuesor the candidates. That being said, how many of you still affiliate with a party? How many of you vote for candidates? With the amount of info in this forum, I believe that many of us are more informed than the average voter...

Answer 1

It would be nice to have all your ideology and issues supported in one party, elect that party, and then allow them to govern.

I feel what I do is somewhat micro-managing my vote, but it's necessary. As they say, Politics is Local and if I didn't vote as I do, the issues that I feel are so important in community development might go unattended.

I am part of the political equation and I just can't leave it undone for someone else to do. Civic responsibility makes a Democracy work.

Answer 2

I would kinda hope that I am LESS informed than the average voter, since I always seem to focus on what facts I DON'T have. But yes, most of us here follow politics more closely.

There is something intellectually lazy about voting the "straight party line." Almost as though one is being led, and not thinking independently.

But I will repeat my occasional refrain that I believe the MOST important vote a senator or congressperson casts is for party leadership, and that is ALWAYS done 100% on party lines. Certainly we'd all agree that it makes a big difference (in several areas) whether, say Nancy Pelosi or Tom Delay is in the leadership of the house, or Ted Kennedy or Trent Lott is in a majority in the Senate (although the filibuster rule gives the senate minority more power than the house minority).

So if you pick candidates "on the issues," this is certainly a big one.

I personally tend to vote one party (Rep) for national elections and another (Dem) for local elections. (The Republicans are particularly weak in my state. Jim McGreevey was even at my house once! No jokes, please. And the issues are different at different levels of government.) I have crossed party lines, but rarely in my life.

I know it's a badge of honor to say I don't vote the party line, but I usually DO vote that way, for the reasons I mentioned.

I have occasionally voted third party too.

There are always exceptions.

PS Truth be told, there are times that I wouldn't mind if the "other" party had 40% of the seats in congress, and maybe even the leadership two years out of ten, to get a mix of ideas and keep everyone on their toes. I am VERY concerned about the statements and actions of the Democrats these days, though. My vitriol will no doubt sneak out somewhere today. :)

Answer 3

It's funny but in most democracies, people identify more with the party and less with the candidates. Maybe that is a better way. A party should represent a philosophy of governing. A mindset with with to approach problems. If you vote for a candidate, you are voting for a personality - it's a popularity contest and who knows what you will get.

I think that is why we end up with elections with wishy washy candidates who are picked to be likable and electable. And the parties have moved away from representing philosopical approaches and instead focus on particular touchstone issues that don't really fit into any real logical approach to governing.

Answer 4

I am registered to no political party, though I consider myself a progressive independent. I lean left, but have many centrist views. I can't stand talking points and smear campaigns (guilty parties on both sides of the aisle), nor can I tolerate people that spin things to make it seem their way is the only way, and do not allow for consideration of other viewpoints.

This is the first presidential election that I will actually vote for a candidate instead of against one. I've done lots of research, and based my opinions on that. I've only become "political" since 2004 in preparation for those elections and decided, because of the outcome, that for the sake of the future I want to help leave for my son, I should become active.

Answer 5

I agree, MOST of the people are more informed, but some are here just to spout the party line or bad mouth the other party. Since my rebirth as a Libertarian I find it amusing the name calling and talking points often written exactly as you would find them on either party's website. I fight it disheartening so many are closed to any view but their own parties. Open up your minds people, the Dem's' and repub's' don't have a lock on ideas. Think for yourself, check out whats out here in cyberspace. Use this tool to educate yourself. You just might be surprised that there are other viable ideas that neither major party has even considered.

Answer 6

I consider myself a conservative first and a republican second. the parties are so much alike that Rep and Dems are interchangable. The only thing is that a Dem will stand beside another Dem but a Rep will throw another Rep under the bus. This being said it goes for good times and bad.

Answer 7

I am a registered Independent. I wish I could be... nothing, you know? I look at issues and candidates, not parties.

Answer 8

Depends on where the information is sourced.

If someone only relies on one source then usually the information is one sided. That's why I like to reach out to various modalities.

Answer 9

I do not. Issues are usually more important to me than candidates, as there is rarely a candidate I truly like and trust.

Answer 10

The point is we all never really get what we want. It is choosing between the lesser of two evils and that is usually the Democrats.