Non-Christians: What is your political party and how do you plan to vote in '08?

Question

I am just curious. I turn twenty-one this year and my understanding of politics is limited to the last five years. President Bush's loyalty to his Evangelical base frankly frightens me as a non-christian and after noting each of the democratic candidates' doing lipservice to protestants, I couldn't stand to identify with that party anymore.
My viewpoint in politics is technically moderate (without this religious issue), but I have gone to the Green Party anyways because they are at least honest and forthcoming about their platform and plans for the country.
How do you feel about the current trend in politics that blatantly favors one religion over another?

To those of you who answered, "I do not vote based on religious affiliation," doesn't it bother you that the candidates have chosen their voters by religious affiliation? Don't you feel a bit cheated that you are playing the "voting game" fairly but your candidate of choice is not?

Answer 1

Both main parties in the US have to pander to the Christians. It saddens me that 54% of Americans would not vote for an atheist. When will the mass of these people realise that what the president does in his (or her) personal life and what they personally believe does not matter a jot compared to how they lead and what they do for the country.

The problems with the Greens are:
They are a one platform party. If they got into power, what is their position on foreign policy (specifically per country, not just a general policy) defense, health care, etc.
There is no way that they are going to win, so better to vote for the better of the two main candidates rather than a great no-hoper.


My advice is this. Ignore the TV ads, Ignore the sound bites and highlights. Decide what is important to you and then find out the candidates positions on those matters. (Off their web sites, serious unbiased political analysis programs etc.). If they are a current politician see if you can find their voting or policy record. Pick the candidate that best represents what you want to achieve.

Do not vote Republican or Democrat because they are 'your' party - vote for the person and their policy.


Edit:
Politically I am a Liberal Democrat:
http://www.libdems.org.uk/

I don't get to vote because I am not a citizen. Wasn't there some complaint about taxation without representation a few years back! LOL

Answer 2

I'm voting Democrat as the best way not to vote for a Republican.

I mean, we've had 8 years of the best the GOP had to offer, and our country is in the toilet. And Repubs still pretend to be afraid of Hilary? It's pretty amusing though that the big problem for the GOP at the moment seems to be that they can't find a candidate who's bigoted enough to appeal to the base. Wingnuts attack Romney because he's the wrong brand of Christian lunatic...lol. They really need a pandering weasel like Bush to "energize" the Party.

Answer 3

I just go with the lesser of 2 evils. I'd go with an Independent or the Green Party but they get so little votes. Hopefully more people will get wise and vote for other parties besides the republicans and democrats.

Answer 4

I'm a libertarian and I plan on voting as such in '08, as I do in every election I vote in. The libertarians don't win very much but I always say that you'll never get the ice cream vendor to start carrying flavors other than chocolate or vanilla if everyone keeps ordering only chocolate or vanilla.

Answer 5

I am a proud Pagan, and a very proud Democrat. I fully believe in separation of church and state, which the xtian right has been trying to erode for years. I personally really like John Edwards, and Dennis Kucinich. John Edwards understands the problems of the poor and middle class, and has shown himself to be a good. strong man. Kucinich is very intelligent, and has been against this ghastly war from the onset. I would love to see them on the same ticket. I also like the Green party, as a Pagan they speak to my heart. We need a strong person to start rebuilding the goodwill that Bush has destroyed for our country throughout the world. Then to start concentrating on fixing our broken country, giving us health care and more affordable colleges, helping us be a greener place, and of course ending the chaos in Iraq.

Answer 6

I don't belong to a political party; I vote my conscience.

If a republican best seems to represent my views, I'll vote for the republican. If a democrat best seems to represent my views, I'll vote for the democrat. If a libertarian does, and seems to stand a snowball's chance in hell of winning, I'll vote for him.

I also do not vote in elections I've not researched. For example, last election, there were many uncontested county and city positions -- but technically they still have to be 'voted' in. None of them got my vote because I didn't know them or their policies.

Answer 7

I'm independant, and I'm probably going to throw my vote away on the Libertarian candidate. I know it's pointless, but at least I can sleep at night.

You might want to check out the Libertarians. They're what the Republican party was back before it was eaten alive by Christian hawks. Lincoln-style Republicans, if you will.

Answer 8

I am registered independant. I will pick and chose who I vote on based on similarities in views and thoughts. However, this last years have really tainted me against the "moral right". To be honest, its looking to me like i may be voting for Hilary, I just hope its Hillary/Edwards. :-) That is unless something interesting is revealed in the next months.

I am not for any favoring of "any" religious right, be it xtian or pagan.

Answer 9

I'm a libertarian who usually votes the democratic ticket. I have not yet chosen my candidate for the next election.

Answer 10

I'm a conservative Democrat. I vote my heart no matter the party though. I will not be voting for Hilary, Obama, Romney, McCain, or Giuliani. Beyond that, I do not know yet who I will vote for, or even the party I will vote.