What issues do you "cross the aisle" on?

Question

Most of us are not party line Dems, Reps, Libertarians, etc. Where do you differ from the party you generally associate yourself with?

Answer 1

I am not a member of the Libertarian party, but I closely identify with them. Here are some of the areas where I disagree:

Abortion- As I understand it, the Libertarian position on this issue seems to waver between being pro-choice, or letting each state decide the abortion question for themselves. Personally, I think a good argument can be made that abortion represents a violation of a fundamental 14th amendment right, and therefore requires a Federal response.

National defense- I believe that many libertarians are too restrictive in their beliefs as to when war is a legitimate solution. Although I hate war and think it should be only used as an absolute last resort, I think there are circumstances when a pre-emptive strike are justified. I also believe it is possible for there to be a just war even when the U.S. is not directly threatened, such as when another nation breaks a peace treaty with the U.S. or when they are committing genocide.

Answer 2

I am a republican but I believe in limited gun control. There is no need for cop killer teflon bullets and fully automatic rifles.

I believe in some animal rights. Not going as far as the nuts at PETA but certainly we need to be more humane.

And the republicans SAY they are the party of fiscal conservatism but while they controlled the house and senate spending went way out of control.

I would guess that any politician who get re-elected more than once is pretty corrupt. Only way to stay in.

I am for term limits because Yes I do not trust the "intelligence" of the voters. Most voters are idiots who have no idea what the issues are or where candidates really stand on them.

Get rid of ALL professional lobbyists also. The founding fathers never wanted a system like we have today.

Baron

Answer 3

Gun control seems to be the winner. I cannot imagine why leftists would want to surrender firearms. That said I really think gun control is a political red-herring - essentially meaningless whichever side you are on. But in general if I'm in doubt I go with more liberty rather than less.

I also think that many liberal positions on race are deeply flawed - they start out well but end up going horribly awry.

Finally I agree that Islam is freaking mess. I distrust all religions, but Islam is by far the most f'd-up right now. Although Pope Benny is doing his best not to be scooped on extremism.

What fires me up is simply many American refusal to acknowledge that Christianity is a source of much intolerance and violence in this country. They'll scream about Ahmadinajd, but make excuses for Coulter. It drives me nuts.

Answer 4

On Immigration and the SCHIP program.

I am a Democrat and considered very liberal.

On immigration, I think we are literally being invaded by illegal immigrants and need a complete freeze of the borders... I personally think a lot of Democrats agree with me and this is a bi-partisan issue more than ppl realize. It seems to me to be more regional.. meaning if you live where there are a lot of illegals, you are against it no matter what party you affiliate with - because you see the problem more.

On the SCHIP program I agreed with Bush.. opposed it. Although, I opposed it for a different reason = I didn't agree with only ppl addicted to cigarette nicotine having to pay for it with a 60 cents per pack tax. I felt it if we were going to do it then everybody should share the cost of insuring the children.

I would say gun control because I believe we have a Constitutional right to own a gun; BUT, gun control doesn't apply to your question in that Democrats do not want to take away ppl's guns... that is false propaganda. Democrats just want restrictions on who can own them.

Answer 5

I differ with the "assumed party line" Republican issues on gun control (like the first answerer I don't want them all banned but more control), 'family values', gay marriage, gays in the military, death penalty, church and state, health care.

I don't think the majority of Republicans go down the 'party line' everyone assigns to the party. I'm very pleased to see a Republican candidate like Giulani and I think that's why he's leading.

Answer 6

I'm very anti-socialism but will concede abortion because although I despise it as a means of birth control, I don't want it made illegal. So many cons get hung up on trying to legislate morality- it's wrong. If you don't want government in your life, taxing you to death so dishonest politicians can take a free ride on your money, you can't have it both ways & demand that government has to enforce your view of the Bible....

Socialists gain a great deal of followers on morality issues that we should just concede; let them have the little wars but the most important war is preventing the diesease of socialism to spread.

Answer 7

Liberal here. And I cross the aisle on....

Immigration. We should have closed that flipping border a long time ago. We should be willing to deport a large percentage of illegals. Keep the hard-working illegals who learn English and value America - we need them, and badly - and dump the ones who only create ghettos.

But I blame conservatives for the failure too. Moneyed interests (read "morons") wanted cheap labor. They got it. God help us all.

Answer 8

Gun Control
I control my own just fine, thank you very much!

Answer 9

None of them.

I'm Republican