Some people are independents because:
1. They want to appear neutral and void political arguments.
2. They're too conservative for the Republican Party.
3. They're too liberal for the Democrat Party.
4. They're socialists, neo-anarchists, etc.
5. They haven't taken the time to see if their ideals match with one of America's third parties.
6. And yes, some are true moderates.
Why are the terms independents and moderates used interchangeably when discussing politics?
2007-07-12 05:27:34 · 14 answers · asked by Chad 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
I am an indepedent because I don't believe in the two party system. and 6., far from 1.
2007-07-12 05:31:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason is simple--some people don't understand the difference between the two. Most moderates think of being moderate as a solution to extremism. But in fact, if you are intentionally trying to be moderate, then in fact you are just serving two groups of extremists rather than one. The idea that there are just two sides to an issue is absurd anyway. So by being moderate you are simply abdigating your responsibility to make an informed choice and instead just choosing the middle of two essentially arbitrary sides. Whereas, independents believe, the reactionary thrust of the Republican Party and the visionlessness of the Democratic Party have left a political void and refuse to take sides.
2007-07-12 06:03:50 · answer #2 · answered by Liberal City 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question. I think the duopoly the two major parties have and the media system that reports on government activities don't like to see all of the shades of gray in the political spectrum, much less address their viewpoints.
There is an assumption (that you can hear often said) that 1/3 of Americans are Dems, 1/3 are Repubs, and 1/3 are "swing voters," which implies they are in the middle of the road somewhere. To do that is an injustice to political opinion.
2007-07-12 05:39:45 · answer #3 · answered by Frank 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The two party system in America reflects basic philosophies about how we should be governed, or perhaps I should say how little we should be governed, and how government relates to the citizenry. Democrats feel that the citizens are not capable of taking care of themselves and need government to act as their parents/benefactors, at the expense of those who are self sufficient and don't want government meddling in their lives. The problem with independants is that they seem to either have not thought much about those philosophies, or they cannot make a decision about how they view civic life. One either has convictions or not. Coasting through life like a leaf in a stream is not contributing to society, it's just being non committal.
2007-07-12 05:39:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
How to win an election, using three major groups divided roughly into thirds. Get more than half of the people in two of the three groups, along with a minority of the remaining group to agree with you. You win.
2007-07-12 05:44:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Independent here and none of what you posted describes me. I am an Independent because I don't want to be tied to a belief system or candidate. I like having choices.
2007-07-12 05:38:01 · answer #6 · answered by gone 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it has to do with how vicious and rabid the mainstream discourse has gotten over the years. It is therefore often assumed that independents (and many have) have turned from the mainstream in disgust. And that therefore, they are people not willing to participate in random mudslinging.
2007-07-12 05:47:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The two major parties use the term out of ignorance. Plain and simple. They seem to feel that EVERYONE can be fitted into a nice neat package of a Liberal or Conservative.
2007-07-12 05:34:51 · answer #8 · answered by mymadsky 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
most independents I know think the left is a threat to the
common rights we all share..
and blast the right for selling out
and spending too much money on pork barrel patronage
2007-07-12 05:41:29 · answer #9 · answered by UMD Terps 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you ought to sweep up on your political vocabulary. people who declare they're "self sufficient" are in many situations mendacity. The self sufficient social gathering is an severe good-wing fringe social gathering who % to impose a Taliban-form government. the fabulous term for people who do not belong to any social gathering is "Unaffiliated."
2016-12-14 06:43:32 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because most people assume that if they were heavily in favor of one party or the other, they would be members of that party.
2007-07-12 05:32:55 · answer #11 · answered by Adam C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋