Are there any moderates around here?

[wavydaby 1]

Everyone has to have a lable. Its aggrevating to the n-th degree.

Are you walking down this path in life stuck in a political party even if you only are for 50% of what they stand for???

Is it disgusting to you that the laws are being written that they either fall so far left or so far right, that you only feel like you can half way support it?

Im sick of this disgusting us or them, democrat or republican, all right or all wrong mentality that has stricken this country.

It seems that if you even waiver for a minute to the "other side" (of what ever issue) you have to be a part of the "other group".

I, for one, am going to say it. Republicans have good ideas, Democrats have good ideas, sometimes, both parties have ideas that SUCK. Same goes for what ever "camp" you happen to be in, political or not.

Why does everyone have to sing the "their my party, got to toe the line" on crap you really cant support because its only "they thought of it first, so I cant support them"

ARRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!

@#$!$%)$68

Ok, rant over.

[beachgirl 2]

I couldn't agree with you more, kudos to you for speaking up.

[leatha_g 4]

Amen! It makes it very hard to vote your conscience. I'd prefer multiple choice ISSUES voting. I really don't like backing any particular party as my own opinion falls on both sides and it really bothers me to 'classified' simply because I have views that may lean one way or another.

[anonemouse 1]

There are definitely moderates here. In fact, I would say that the vast majority of the board is comprised of moderates. There are actually very few "true blue" liberals here. I happen to be one of them.

[nataliec 0]

I get around all that by saying I am a liberal Republican or a conservative Democrat. Confuses 'em every time, but it really does describe the way I feel most of the time.

[lisah25 3]

I honestly think most of us are indeed moderates. I think we pick a label like Dem or Rep that we feel closest too, but almost no one I know agrees 100 with either side.

[wavydaby 1]

Why do we need to add subterfuge to how we feel?

"liberal Republican" Why can't we just say, "ya know, I m for XXX issue, but the ZZZ issue, well, Im totally against my party line" .

Most of the time you do, you are pegged as being un-whateverican.

[anonemouse 1]

Why do we need to add subterfuge to how we feel?

"liberal Republican" Why can't we just say, "ya know, I m for XXX issue, but the ZZZ issue, well, Im totally against my party line" .

Most of the time you do, you are pegged as being un-whateverican.

The thing is, though, someone can only be Republican, Democrat, or Independent (for voting purposes). Someone may be a "liberal Republican" or a "conservative Democrat", but as long as they vote Republican or vote Democrat, that's what they are. Democrats think most Republicans are ultra-conservative and Republicans think Democrats are ultra-liberal. It just depends on the party line. Most people are going to vote their party.

[lisah25 3]

The thing is, though, someone can only be Republican, Democrat, or Independent (for voting purposes). Someone may be a "liberal Republican" or a "conservative Democrat", but as long as they vote Republican or vote Democrat, that's what they are. Democrats think most Republicans are ultra-conservative and Republicans think Democrats are ultra-liberal. It just depends on the party line. Most people are going to vote their party.

That's a good point. Candidates identifiy by party, and so when we vote for them, so do we to some extent. I do vote both Dem and Rep, but more Dems.

[anonemouse 1]

I'm kind of thinking as I type, so I'll try to say this in a semi-legible manner (and hopefully not offend anyone).

I think that as long as someone helps vote a certain party in, they are partially responsible for whatever bill or law or "party line" that is passed by that group. So like it or not, you get painted with the same brush as the rest of the members of your party. If, for example, Democrats manage to get a bill passed and signed into law (yeah, right) that states a woman can have an abortion up until the time she goes into labor, most Democrats are going to be painted as "baby killers" by most Republicans. It's just how things work. So, like it or not, if you vote for a certain party, you take partial responsibility for whatever they do, even if it isn't something that you personally agree with.

Once it's done, there isn't any "conservative" or "moderate" or "liberal." There is just "is" ir "isn't."

[leatha_g 4]

Guess I'll just stop voting then, because none of them are right all the time and my bet is that none of them could really care less about how it effects MY life, unfortunately.

[anonemouse 1]

Guess I'll just stop voting then, because none of them are right all the time and my bet is that none of them could really care less about how it effects MY life, unfortunately.

You're probably right. I personally think that no politician is a "great guy." There's too much wheeling and dealing that they've had to do to get to the point they're at. The vast majority don't really care about the average person, they just care about what gets them funding to get reelected. Cynical, but probably true.

[wavydaby 1]

See that is my point. most political party representative toe the party line completely. IF they dont, they run the risk of being "shunned" buy there party.

Gone are the days where the politicians are not sheep for the party.

Why cant we get one that says, "yes I am a xxx, but sometimes the yyy's make good points"

None of them do that anymore. Not the high ranking ones anyway.

[nataliec 0]

Honestly, that's why I think someone like Rudy Guiliani is "inexplicably" doing well in the polls. He has chosen the Republican party, but also clearly supports some rights championed by the Democrats. He probably represents the views of more common person Republicans than the party wants to admit. I am not saying I am pro-Guiliani, I am just using him as an example. Also, another thing I say sometimes is that I am fiscally conservative and socially liberal. I vote for Republican and Democratic candidates about on an equal basis, sometimes not only regarding issues but more importantly how astute, smart, and effective a leader they will be. (Yes, I know Hitler was astute, smart, and effective; you guys know what I mean.)

[DerickM 1]

I ain't no dang moderate! I'm a centrist!

Gun Control: against

Abortion: Pro-Choice

Very Pro-Union

In favor of Gay Marriage

I am a hunter-environmentalist

Support Socialized Health care (to a point)

Want lower taxes and the federal government out of my life

I am in favor of immigration controls

I do NOT support NAFTA or CAFTA

I am sure there are some issues I missed.