Whether you're a Dem or Con. Why are you a Dem or Con?

Question

Specifically. What has your party done for you personally? I'm not looking for what each party supposedly stands for, only what has YOUR party done for YOU?
If you're a Dem, what has your party done to make your life easier or better? Same with Cons. What have they done to make your life easier or better?

No rants please. Just intelligible answers.

Thank you "pecker_head_bi" for answering without ranting. It seems that everyone else literally can't help themselves.
My main reason for asking that question was just to see how "both" sides actually felt about their own. Yourself being a Democrat, and me being a Republican, I honestly can say that everything you describe about your experiences with Republicans, I have experienced with Democrats.
I believe most of our beliefs are definitely built on demographics. I grew up in a upper middle class household, my father being Democrat, and my stepmother being Independent. My mother herself is also Democrat. My stepmother had the most positive and interactive influence on me in my teen years. So I ended up becoming more of a moderate Republican.
Today I live an upper middle class lifestyle, without the benefit of college, but mostly through my determination to do good.

I always believe in treating others the way I want to be treated, in being fair to all. But most of all I demand that others as well as myself, operate their lives through self respect, dignity, compassion, self reliance and personal responsibility, Mark Foley aside. HA HA.

Answer 1

Hmmm…lets see here…..I’m a third generation Democrat born to the children of Irish immigrants. I grew up what I was told in sociology class to be lower middle class or blue collar. My father was a union man as was his and I followed suit working in industry for over thirty years with union representation gaining wages and benefits that would allow me and my family the opportunity to better ourselves in education and lifestyle. During these years the only political parties that seemed to be on our side where the democratic candidates and elected political powers. I have worked hard for what I have gained and feel that that is what makes this country prosper. I own guns and hunt so don’t tell me I’m against gun ownership. Don’t tell me Clinton gave us NAFTA, that was Bush Sr.’s baby long before Clinton got involved. I attended Cornell University on hard earned money and scholarships and sat right beside fat cat republicans children and I was appalled at some of what was taught to impressionable youth by obviously biased professors. Later in life I founded my own highly successful business providing employment to fifty plus people whom all had the opportunity of advancement and wage earning capability surpassing that of the local unionized industry. Although they never sought membership in any labor union with respect to my company I regularly sat down with them to allow them to air any problems or difficulties that they may have had. I never believed in “corporate greed” and shared with those that worked hard to make the company successful. I believe one should get back in return what they give. I’m not rich per say in monetary wealth but I sleep well at night and am respected by those whom I have worked with in life. I rarely met a business acquaintance that was republican I liked, their flawed philosophies and generally attitude made them for the most part repulsive. The idea that they alone enjoy success off the backs of others and refuse the idea of shared wealth sickens me to this day. I wish I had a nickel for every time I sat at a table feeding some republican food and drinks on my tab, listening to him tell me how I was too generous in compensating my employees. Or telling me the latest scam to avoid taxes and hide my supposed bankroll in some offshore account, but then again that’s what the republicans are all about. I liked the guy that sold me light bulbs much better, a hard working and honest young fellow putting his daughter through Emory University in Atlanta; a very proud father he was. I hope his daughter develops the same ethics as he.I now enjoy retirement and the company I founded continues to be successful as well do the employees. Ask yourself, when is the last time you saw a former republican CEO sharing his time to drive meals on wheels or work in the soup kitchen on Thanksgiving? You ask what the democrats have done for me or given me……compassion, self respect, and dignity.

Answer 2

This is a loaded question. However, it's a challenge to answer and not have it go off in your face, and I LOVE challenges.

I'm more of a liberal Democrat. Why? Because the EXTREME rightwingers (i.e.: Conservative Republicans) have turned the White House, the American Government and this "war" if that's what you want to call it into a pissing contest between them and the Democrats, while completely IGNORING the American public... Even those who have fought and lost a bodily function, lives and/or friends and family over in another Country.

There is no "median" anymore to even judge Democrats or Republicans. You've got liberals and conservatives on both sides. Personally, I think that we should do away completely with political parties. But that's another answer all together.

Democrats have always been, at least in MY lifetime, for a government that's run "by the people, for the people." Let's say a majority of the U.S.A. wanted the official language to be Pig Latin. If we were a TRUE 'democratic' society, there would be an election and public debate on almost EVERY subject matter that came up, and what the citizens said would make a difference. However, that's not how things are done on EITHER side, Dems or Reps, due to the electoral college and the balances of power in the governmental structure.

So basically, I steer clear of Republicans. This is a vast generalization and I do not mean ALL Reps are this way, but they're probably the MOST hypocritical of the 2 parties, ESPECIALLY the really conservative ones. They're the type that would be against abortion under any circumstances, but if their daughter got dateraped, the guy would get off scott clean if he paid for the abortion. That's just the way their cookies crumble, I guess.

Answer 3

I'm actually a Libertarian, all issues considered, but there are rarely any Libertarians to vote for in the final elections. I tend toward conservativism because for most people, that's what is going to lead you to a better life and provide more for your family: fiscal discipline, avoiding drugs and alcohol, stay in school, put intentional and habitual lawbreakers in jail and keep them there, government should secure a country's borders because that's one of the most basic and ancient purposes of having an organized government. Another reason I vote conservative is because of the faulty reasoning behind many Democratic policies. For instance, constant attempts to tax big business and raise the minimum wage briefly improve things, but big business will always raise prices to make up for the increased expense of paying those wages, so the little guy still loses. Do I think big business should be given tons of tax breaks and back-door government contracts? Only enough to keep Americans employed here, and not have the businesses look overseas for their labor force. Do I support the "trickle down economic theory"? No, rich folks stay rich because they don't let much trickle down, and they've got the capital and know the right people to start businesses and employ people (and starting businesses and employing people helps everyone). If you tax the hell out of them, they'll just stop hiring and find another way to make money elsewhere. Democrats are also out there lobbying to give illegal immigrants and felons voting privileges. So criminals are the hottest new demographic group for the Democratic strategists?

Answer 4

I am first of all- disabled, have a college degree, went to public schools prior to USC, have volunteered with many government organizations, and I have been raised in the political arena of DC- many of these things influence my political mind. My grandparents all were Republicans, and my parents were Democrats. This has made me think of more than one point of view politically speaking. I am not someone who follows their parents in the exact walk. However- I am very close. This is due to my agreeing with the Democrats when it comes to the issues about which I have been most concerned.

When I began voting at the age of 18- my biggest concern was education. The Democrats seem to be the most open to giving financial support to education- especially public schools. The Republicans would rather give the money to the private schools (often religious) which also often have the financial funding of which the public schools are in dire need.

The next concern which grew on my mind was health care due to my disability. Regan's term destroyed so much for those in need of health care, that I have a very hard time supporting Republicans on this issue. So many more Republicans are friends with Pharmacological lobbyists that I see them ignoring the nation at whole for a minor group to grow financially large. Steney Hoyer and other Democrats fought greatly to prevent the attack on Social Security and Medicaid recently, but the Republican side seemed to be more concerned about the amount of profits than the elderly being able to receive their needed care.

If I were into large businesses, had high wealth, wanted to own every gun possible, never wanted to pay taxes- or have any benefits, I could understand becoming a Republican, but I am not for these things. The Democratic Party is also full of many persons who seem to make too many handshakes with lobbyists and less with their people- but they still seem the lesser of the two evils.

Answer 5

I call myself a libertarian, but unfortunately the Libertarian Party is a collection of misfits, so I have to choose the less of the two evils. The Republican Party (not Conservative Party???) doesn't adhere to a Marxist economic doctrine like the Democrats do. But the Republicans have come to support corporate welfare, big government and many of the same things the Democrats support. The main deciding factor is the 2nd Amendment, Republicans support it, Democrats oppose it. I don't trust anybody who automatically assumes I am a danger just because I own a gun.

Answer 6

I don't claim to be either party. I think they are both corrupt and self serving for the most part. My beliefs are, for the most part, conservative. As for why, I was raised by a conservative. I follow in my Dad's footsteps because my lifestyle fits in with most traditional conservative beliefs. For example, I am against strict gun control, out of control welfare programs, and big government. Neither side has done anything noticeable to make my life easier (nowadays all they do is fight with each other), another reason I am a conservative, I believe that is up to me to do, not the government.

Answer 7

I am a democrat yes, but honestly I think both parties have done one thing or another that personally helps me and another thing that hurts me. I am a democrat because I have to choose one. But neither are perfect, they both have their good points and they both have their bad. I chose democrat because I do believe that those that we as Americans have a responsibility to help those that are less fortunate than ourselves. I believe that the a government should not make laws and processes that make businesses bigger and richer while crippling the average American. There should be a balance between helping businesses and the average American. I think the democrats do not have a perfect platform on this, but I believe theirs in more in line with the people.

Answer 8

Right now I'm a Dem since the Republicans have been running our country into the ground for the past 6+ years. In 2016 when President Pelosi sends troops to the Arctic to save baby polar bears maybe I'll consider voting for a Republican.

I'm not a Con because I'm assuming you mean a convict and convicted felons can't vote. Although many Republicans have been convicted lately so I can see how you might refer to them as "Con's.

Answer 9

I think people are stupid voting becouse they are on some party line. That why the dictator is president now becouse people felt like it unamerican not to vote for him.
But seriously if elections were truly not rigged then people should vote on the person not the party. But I dont believe bush really won either of his 2 terms. and as a result of this america is not the free and respected country it use to be.

Answer 10

i am a conservative because
i know what is ...is
i believe there is nothing wrong, illegal or immoral about giving me back more of what i legitmately earn, its mine not the xxx governments and ill help the economy by spending it and paying my bills
government does NOT create jobs small business does and taxing at confiscatory rates doesnt foster the growth of business
i believe lying under oath to a federal grand jury REGARDLESS of subject is still lying and should be punishable by jail time not an apology.
i believe the best government is a lassiez fare govt and we dont need a bi partisan commission for absolutely everythng.
i belive if you want to come to this country become a citizen and learn the language
try to get a democrat to believe in those principles.
fat chance
my party does and thats why im there.