Political Party Loyalty (page 2)

Greenpalmtreestillmine

Green,
Just vote for who you think is the best candidate, even if its a third party or independant. Much better feeling then the Republicratand the Demobilcan machines.

Thank you.

Sabrina

I absolutely think blind party loyalty is not good (sort of like JW loyalty). Personally, the first time I voted for pres. I voted dem (have just graduated college, I believe I was highly influenced by the liberal slant of most high ed institutions). Now I'd say I agree with much of the Repub policy, but certainly not ALL their positions, i.e. abortion, the "sacredness of marriage," etc. I'm definately not religious (JW upbring fixed that one for me).

In short, I believe a lot of people don't approach politics as a "black/white" issue. However, I think the Dems and liberals have done a lot to polarize the parties. The vehement hatred of George Bush by some factions creates a natural reaction of some with a little more conservative bent to question their extremism, and actually defend the guy more than they normally would. That further polarizes the parties. Unfortunately, damn little energy is being spent on discussion the real issues which we should focus on.

Love_Truth

I vote for the best Republican or Democrat candidate. I am a right leaning moderate, so the majority of the time I vote Republican, but not always. It depends on the beliefs on the issues, and the record, of the candidate. A vote for a third party is a wasted vote and only plays into, in effect, voting for or against one of the two dominant parties. That's a fact. Sad, but true.

As for whether a Dem or Rep would make a huge difference, history says the answer is clearly yes.

One more point, and then, I'll have had my say:

Far too often, I see US citizens and foreigners criticizing the Administration's decisions, especially those involving war or national security issues. They clearly are ignoring the fact that they don't have the same facts the President and Chiefs of Staff have- those facts which must be kept secret due to national security.

It's like saying "informed of only half the data, what would you do?" And what do you think the likelihood of you making a better decision than the Administration is making, given the fact that you don't have the pertinent facts? Not vey much chance, is there?

That's why I laugh at the detractors and armchair politicos in such cases. I've had it up to my eyeballs with conspiracy theories and the like. It's mostly pure rubbish and uninformed conjecture.

That's my two cents.

Cheers,

Love_Truth

Greenpalmtreestillmine

Love_Truth,

Far too often, I see US citizens and foreigners criticizing the Administration's decisions, especially those involving war or national security issues. They clearly are ignoring the fact that they don't have the same facts the President and Chiefs of Staff have- those facts which must be kept secret due to national security.

I admit I am a political novice but I believe when an American Administration goes to war and has kept things from the public it is more likely to be things which if known would cause the public to disagree with their politicians rather than the other way around. As for the present situation, I believe President Bush and his Administration have told us just about everything that they feel would back up their reason to go to war in Iraq so I don't really think they are keeping some secret intelligence out of the public view with regard to that.

Many people did trust them and did believe what they said, I was one of them. I watched Colin Powell speaking to the United Nations and showing those satellite pictures of trucks being moved around in Iraq which were supposed to be proof that Iraq was hiding something from the inspectors. But what I found curious is that before and during the war those same satellites should have shown the Iraqis moving their WMD out of the country or into position to attack the American troops but they didn't because if they had President Bush would have shown those pictures to the world.

If I sound stupid or ignorant please understand that's because when it comes to politics I am stupid and ignorant. But as I have learned from my Watchtower experience, trust is earned not a given. I'm afraid the Bush Administration has done little to earn my trust.

Sabrina

blacksheep

"I admit I am a political novice but I believe when an American Administration goes to war and has kept things from the public it is more likely to be things which if known would cause the public to disagree with their politicians rather than the other way around. As for the present situation, I believe President Bush and his Administration have told us just about everything that they feel would back up their reason to go to war in Iraq so I don't really think they are keeping some secret intelligence out of the public view with regard to that."

So when it comes to national security issues, you'd prefer all the detailed facts with regard to Sadaam/Osama/terrorist networks, be put forth the to public, so that THEY can review everything and make a decision by popular vote???

3 years later, after the terrorists have taken out Chicago, and Husseins people are literally starving due largely to his getting kickbacks from other countries in the sham, corrupt UN-sponsored oil-for-food agreements, the final vote might be in...

Greenpalmtreestillmine

So when it comes to national security issues, you'd prefer all the detailed facts with regard to Sadaam/Osama/terrorist networks, be put forth the to public, so that THEY can review everything and make a decision by popular vote???

No, that is not what I said. I was replying to the proposition made by another poster that governments when going to war have secret information and the public should trust their judgement because of that. Perhaps you feel the pubic was wrong to protest the Vietnam war because the government had secret information which supported the importance or validity of that war?

Please do not put words in my mouth, only a complete fool would think the government should share all its intelligence with the public. But at the same time the public has a right to ask for solid reasons and evidence for going to war and has a right to the truth because it is the children of the ordinary American that will die in war not President's Bush's or Vice President Cheney's.

I am an Independent and I wish that President Bush had reached out to more Americans instead of primarily to his political base. If he had and if he had persued a more vigorous war against terrorism than he has, I would have voted for him. I am not all that happy with Kerry either but President Bush has soured in the mouths of many and I'm one of them.

Sabrina

blacksheep

"Perhaps you feel the pubic was wrong to protest the Vietnam war because the government had secret information which supported the importance or validity of that war?"

What is interesting is that the Dem's got us into the war. It took republicans to get us OUT of it. Vietnam WAS a bad decision, and we ended up subverting our allies (due to dem lack of foresight and intestinal fortitude).

I am by no means saying that GWB or his admin are perfect...who is? But Vietnam and Iraq are VERY different wars.

Greenpalmtreestillmine

I am by no means saying that GWB or his admin are perfect...who is? But Vietnam and Iraq are VERY different wars.

I cannot agree. Vietnam was a political war motivated by political interests. So is the Iraq war.

The Vietnam war is remembered in part for the duplicit actions by the political leaders of the time. So will the Iraq war.

The Vietnam war is remembered as a negative, so will the Iraq war.

The difference is that my generation, the baby boomers, will not allow the soldiers in the Iraq war to be treated like scum as our Vietnam soldiers were.

Politics is politics and the grandchildren of this generation may also die in needless wars promulgated by misguided politicians for misguided political reasons.

Sabrina

SixofNine

The difference is that my generation, the baby boomers, will not allow the soldiers in the Iraq war to be treated like scum as our Vietnam soldiers were.

Nor will this generation allow a president to throw anywhere near 50,000 young lifeless American bodies at his blunder before tiptoeing away with a *my bad*.

Winston Smith :>D

I'd like to participate as well, but the choices look dismal

Just vote for who you think is the best candidate, even if its a third party or independant.
git

Well, maybe I can do a write in.

Who with me on writing in Gumby?

Political Party Loyalty

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