How would/will you vote?

Question

Yes, its a political question, but I'm interested in the views of the folks here....

Which party will you vote for - and what is it about their platform that speaks to you.....

I realize this isn't an American forum - and I apologize for the exclusionary nature of the question. So, please, American or not - jump in. If you could vote - who would you vote for and why?

It would be great if the answers could be provided with explanations about your party of choice, rather than bashing the opposition....

Answer 1

I consider myself an Independent, as I prefer to always view the issue over the political party, and to be truthful, I consider the parties to be detrimental to true political growth... anyway, I feel I'm simply choosing the better of evils in this election, in voting Obama. Although I don't see Obama as having the level of conviction it will take to invoke lasting "change," I feel he will get the ball rolling in the right direction.

The issues I am most concerned with are 1st health care reform. 2nd the weakening economy. 3rd environmental reform. 4th foreign affairs.

Answer 2

Obama all the way. I agree with his position on almost every issue, and I admire his practical idealism.

Answer 3

I would vote for Obama. McCain is one of the "good Republicans," but he's lost some of his approval from me since he started pandering to right-wing reactionaries.

Answer 4

I am a democrat, but was registered Green for the last number of years. Philosophically, the reasons I am liberal are:

1. I believe in a meritocracy, which requires a level playing field. A meritocracy does not work if the rich are born at the finish line. I believe in equal opportunity, not equal outcome.

2. I am socially libertarian, in support of reproductive rights, relationship freedom, sexual freedom, legalization of harmless drugs and prostitution, the right to bear arms, etc.

3. I do, however, not believe in the "Invisible Hand." This is like saying that My Little Pony is going to make sure corporations don't merge into one global conglomerate, ending the valuable market force of competition, and overshadowing all sovereign nation states in the process. I believe in checks and balances when it comes to power. Absolute power absolutely corrupts. Also, the word "corporation" is not part of Adam Smith's theory. I believe in a free market, but the market cannot remain free unless we prevent the accumulation of power in the hands of the powerful.

4. I believe in the proliferation of small business as the driver of innovation and competition.

5. I believe in using words to resolve conflict and resorting to violence only as a last resort.

6. I believe in compassion, interconnectedness, interdependence, and the notion that we are only as strong as our weakest link.

7. I believe in protecting the environment on which we depend for our very existence. I *know for certain* that our economy is a subset of, and completely dependent on, our environment and not vice versa, therefore what is good for the environment is good for the business of tomorrow and today.

8. I believe that we have an obligation to leave the world a better, and not worse, place for future generations.

9. I don't believe in no-bid, cost-plus contracts.

10. I am deeply and authentically spiritual, but not religious. I am appalled by the hypocrisy and justification of downright evil that is present in the religious "right."

Specifically, I will vote for Obama because he has integrity, the ability to think deeply and change his opinions based on new evidence, he is respectful and conciliatory rather than hot headed and ego driven. He has insight into the culture with which we are at war. I take Militant Islam as a very serious threat (as a woman) and I want someone who actually understands the enemy protecting me. We cannot win against an enemy we do not understand. He is familiar with the constitution and will protect and uphold it rather than shred it for his own financial gain, and power. Etc. Etc. Ad Infinitum.

Answer 5

I'm voting for Barack Obama of the Democratic Party because out of all the candidates, he most reflects my ideals.

The most important issue to me is healthcare. Nobody in this country should be uninsured and premiums are too high. Obama has promised to make healthcare a priority should he win the election. Though I'm for nationalized health care and he's not, I think his plan for solving the healthcare crisis is a solid one.

I'm also voting for him because I trust Obama as a politician and a man of character. I'm from Illinois, and I've been following his career since he came into our State Senate. I believe he cares about people, especially the lower and middle class.

I think there should be a time-table for bringing our troops home from Iraq. My cousin is serving over there, and I'd like to see him come home sooner rather than later. So I support Obama over McCain on that issue.

My mother is a teacher and I'm a student at college. Funding for education programs is important to me.

Contrary to popular belief, Obama has not proposed higher taxes for the majority of Americans. In fact, he's promised tax cuts for middle and lower class families, which I like.

He is a man who believes in the dignity of work, and wants to get more people off welfare. In Illinois, he helped do just that, creating new jobs and reducing the number of people in the welfare system.

I disagree with him on a few things, but overall I think he'd make a wonderful president. He' thoughtful, diplomatic but strong, and he's willing to hear all sides of an issue before he make a decision about it. He's a man who puts the people first and himself second. That's everything I want in a leader.

Answer 6

I don't vote for either party exclusively, although I side with the Republicans a little more than Democrats, especially at the national level (it's honestly hard to tell the difference between Republicans and Democrats at the local level here).

I haven't made up my mind yet, but right now I'm leaning toward McCain out of the 2 major candidates because I just don't think Obama is ready to lead the country, and because he's way too left-wing for my taste.  I like that McCain doesn't blindly follow his party, too, which isn't something I think you can say about Obama.  However, I may very well end up going with a third-party candidate.

Still, I'd take either of these candidates over either of the last two (Bush, Kerry) we had last time around.  That was a terrible election for good candidates.

Answer 7

I am a registered Independet. I will vote for Barack Obama. Because he made it unquivocally clear, that change, for change sake and more of the same ( 8 years) of incompetency  makes America a loser. However, Change in a cogent material World View; all of us become winners.

Answer 8

I tend to vote Republican.  I'm a registered Independent, and there are a few things from the Democrat side that I agree with, but for the most part, I end up going Republican.  I'll vote McCain because there are several of Obama's views that just scare the c**p out of me.  I don't agree with several of his proposals, especially socialized health and education, less punishment for drug dealers, and his idea to raise taxes (we're not paying enough?)

The important views to me that are Republican are:

Smaller federal power more state power.

The right to bear arms.

Strong military.

Strong punishments for criminals.

Strong stance against drugs.

Welfare provided only for those who work for it (meaning that a job must be maintained).

Lower taxes.

No punishment for the rich (meaning that the rich shouldn't be taxed more or heavier simply because they are rich.  They should pay the same percentage as any citizen.  Yeah, it sucks that they have more money, but it doesn't send out a positive message to punish someone just because they have more to take).

Stronger stance against illegal immigration.

Non-socialized health or education--though strongly support lowering health care costs and more scholarships for needy students.  

The area's I side with the Democrats is pro-choice and pro-same-s*x-marriage as well as to be more aware of our environment.

Answer 9

I'm Canadian, we dont vote, we all line up on the ice in Nunavut and see who can pi$$ the farthest, whoever wins gets to be prime minister. :P

I really dont know enough about American political parties to make a decision like that.

Answer 10

I will be voting for Mccain and Moose sandwiches (sorry i don't know her name yet!)

The vp slot had no sway really over why i choose Mccain. He has more experience than Obama, his view of Iraq more closely fits what I believe needs to be done there, as some one who sells B2B to Corporations the republican tax plans benefit me more.

And quite honestly, I don't buy quota systems for minorities or equal pay for unequal work

Answer 11

Obama

I'm a feminist, pro-education person who wants to get rid of tax breaks to the wealthy.

Answer 12

Consider myself an independent voter. I dislike the two party system and really dislike people who vote by party.

Between the two choices we have I'm voting McCain.

B/C of his polices with the military and this war mainly.

also disagree with Obama's economic and health care ideas.

Plus Obama will never pass the fair tax system, mccain is at least open to looking at the idea.

I do not want the 30% tax hike Obama has proposed, McCain is keeping the tax cuts.