Why are you a member of your political party?

Question

I am a Democrat because their basic platform is pretty similar to my beliefs in what I think would benefit the general population of America.

What bothers me is some of the asinine reasons I get for people voting for their respective political parties. I am in the military and I always have co-workers who say they always vote Republican because we (the military) will always get a higher raise. I always respond by letting them know they earned that raise for all of the time they spent in the Middle East. Basically, every time we get a raise, we are working for it by spending long tours in Iraq or Afghanistan.

They also point out that the raise we got during the Bill Clinton era was the smallest we had in a while.

I know Democrats who are also affiliated with their party for foolish reasons but this is the first example to stand out in my mind.

My question is why do you vote for the party you vote for? I was raised being told that the Democratic party was the party that I should vote for (my family members are all democrats) but I don't think that should be the only thing a person focuses on. I actually sit down and look at the issues. How come everyone doesn't do this?

Answer 1

I affiliate with the Republican party because they most closely resemble the original intent of our founders.  As one who studies history, I base my beliefs not on the latest ideas...but on original IDEALS.  

Answer 2

you stole my avatar!!!!!!!!!!!!!.... well on my "real" account, i just use this one to make fun of stupid people... you seem pretty educated though.... so let me leave you with this:  DEEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZZZZ NUTZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Answer 3

Being in the military normally means you're republican because, as your co-worker stated, you get terrible raises while a democrat is in office.  The notion that you "earn" your raise by your service in Afghanistan is asinine.  So what you're saying is that in times when there is no war, raises that are below the current rate of inflation is acceptable to you?  

I vote the way I vote because I identify with my party's core values.  I commend you for researching the issues yourself and come to your own conclusions rather than to simply follow the beliefs of your family.  I do think, though, that your reasoning you suggested to your co-worker for the basis of your raise is misguided, to say the least.  

Answer 4

Vote for the person that you feel will keep this country out of harms way.  Actually the Presidents only real charge is to do just that!.

As for those in the Senate they should be voted upon to take that which those in the House present and do what is best for the whole, not just the one.  

As to voting just because one was born one way or the other is not an informed way to vote, nor is it an informed group that  votes for someone because he is black, brown, or woman or man.  If the people in our country would study, those that are running, and listen to what they are saying, if they can make it out anymore, they should vote for whom they believe will do the job and lead the best.  

I know I have sat out one election because there was no one I could vote for.  However, this election of the President is so vital to the future of this country and those behind, I can not urge you and others enough, look at the long picture, look at the country not what you think you are going to get from the party or the government, but whether or not you will have a government that you can live with or even recognize in 5/10 years from now.  It's critical we all owe it to those who have fought and died so that we can cast another vote.

Answer 5

only on paper, am I a member.

However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.

GEORGE WASHINGTON, Farewell Address, Sep. 17, 1796

Answer 6

even if he raises taxes for the people who already get unfair tax breaks (and the upper middle class who don't), obama will help the economy much more than mccain by fixing the housing market, decreasing the need for welfare, and just generating more employment by helping the less fortunate and small businesses.

I don't go with any party, I go with the candidate.

Answer 7

cause I'm to broke to be republican

Answer 8

because I wanted my trash picked up weekly........

Answer 9

I don't vote for a party, I vote for an individual.  My voting record; Clinton, Bush, Bush, Obama.  Anyone who thinks that lower ranking members of the military are not voting for Republicans because of the raise in their paycheck is stupid.  The raise increase when Bush took office was over 4%, you can't possibly think that didn't get him SOME votes but look at what military members have to do to earn that 4%. WHEN Obama takes office the increase will be much lower because he will take troops out of Iraq, shorten tours of duty and use some good judgement.

Vote Obama to send this country in the right direction.

Vote McCain to get a big raise.

Obama/Biden 08

Answer 10

I support the libertarian party since they are closely aligned with my political ideology; the belief that the individual is sovereign and that smaller government and less taxes equal more freedom and will lead to more prosperity.  

I am against all forms of coercion which includes the welfare state and believe that private property and individual liberty are closely intertwined. I always abide by the non-aggression principle--that each person should be free to do what they want as long as they don't harm others.  I believe in self-governance and I a weary of any authoritative establishments.

I really do not see the validity of a government beyond a strong national defense, protecting people from coercion, and enforcing voluntary contracts or punishing those that break them.

Answer 11

I'm with you.  But so many people today seem to vote for candidates on their personality and image.  It's like politics is pro sports.

I am 58 and a democrat but I have voted Republican.  I've never missed an election.