I don't think I can label myself as either one. I tend to take more liberal views, because while some people can be trusted most of the time, most people can't be trusted all of the time. I agree with things like progressive taxes and somewhat with welfare (liberal and socialist) ideas. Here's my reasoning on progressive taxes.
--HYPOTHETICAL-- Person A makes $20,000 a year, and is taxed 10%. Person B makes $500,000 a year, abd us taxed 25%.
After taxes, Person A has $18,000. After taxes, Person B has $375,000.
Even though Person B was taxed 2.5x as much, he/she still had over 20x as much money left after taxes.
^And that's why I agree with progressive taxes.
Welfare I can somewhat agree with. It helps honest people that are misplaced get back on track; however, it can be abused, too.
I have some conservative views, too. For example, gay marriage. In short, I believe the government should butt out. People can prefer whom they want to prefer; the government should have no role in deciding that.
It's hard for me to really label myself anywhere along the political spectrum; I tend to just develop my ideas of happenings as they occur, without devotion to any idea.
Both are two sides of the same coin. Both have garbage politicians that allow corporate America to control us and basically change absolutely nothing. One of them represents just a slight, spineless, cheap resistance against what I said than the other, and happens to be less on the extreme right. But, this is what we deserve. We AmeriCANs could conceivably resist these corrupt and unrepresentative people who basically screw us over after each election, whose adds rely more on character assassination than actual beliefs and solutions to problems. But, quite frankly, America is politically stupid. Americans have become content with being told what they want to vote for and what they think. A few of us complain, fewer still nag and complain based on opinions we've actually drawn together for ourselves, but for the most part, we're apathetic or insipid. We want gold and elect garbage....Every. Single. Time.
I'm with EmperorPalpatine on this one. I don't know about the rest of the world, but when the U.S. was made, political parties weren't wanted because the nation said it'd cause division. And like what Emperor has already said, it's done exactly that.
[quote]But for the most part, we're apathetic or insipid. We want gold and elect garbage.
I totally agree with you most politicians are corrupt and stupid. For example George Bush John Mickan the list goes on. But I believe that there are people out there who are willing to liberate this county and help the country not themselves.
I hate both parties, because they take the politics right out of politics... Partisans just want what's best for their party so that they get more seats next year, they don't care about their constituents. Throw in some lobbyists and back- door deals, and you have the defoliation of democracy that is the United States Government.
More clearly, the US Government is so corrupt because of the back door deals. For example.... say a bill is coming up to provide completely free, nationwide Wi-Fi (It's probably impossible, but just roll with it.) Party A loves it, and they're all in support of it. Now, assuming that both parties have an equal number of voting members in the senate/parliment/ whatever you want to call it, here's how this scenario would play out.
Party A loves this bill, but party B is not too happy about it, so a senator from party B is going to say "if you want me to vote on this bill, I want the funds for a bridge for my people" A bunch of the other senators from party B are going to go in support of this. well, the people don't really need a bridge, they're trying to delay the system or just grab money. So party A takes one in the balls and adds that to the bill. Well, another guy on party A says "if she's getting a bridge, I want the funds for a new airport." a bunch of people from party A show their support for this. This will go back and forth until this bill is ridiculously huge and way over budget.
Well, I've been a valiant Republican for as long as I can remember, went the way of John Kerry in 2004 when I was young and stupid, but I tend to let the Dems just exist unless they start hurling insults and hatred at me.
I hate both parties, because they take the politics right out of politics... Partisans just want what's best for their party so that they get more seats next year, they don't care about their constituents. Throw in some lobbyists and back- door deals, and you have the defoliation of democracy that is the United States Government.
There's way too much greed and corruption.
Also, when someone joins a political party, usually they stop following their own ideals and blindly do what the party wants even if they were against it. They change who they are to conform.
Politics in America today is about who is greasing the wheels, and who I have to support because they supported me. Democrats and Republicans are two sides of the same coin, it all depends on what they need to do to keep that support. Americans rant and rave and ***** and moan then come election time vote either based on party affiliation or cause they like someones last name. When was the last time you took the time to check out a judical candidates record? A city councilmans? For that matter your state or national reps? It's all demagougery, and we collectively allow it to happen. Someone who votes their conscience, what they believe in, can't get far as the partys will shoot them down for not toeing the line. As Frank Burns said, and I paraphrase; "Individuality is fine so long as we all do it together."
I did a project last year in school about the electoral college, and that topic was mentioned. By having two parties, more radical ideas are forced to gravitate towards less radical liberal and conservative ideas, which are the Democratic and Republican parties. Overall, having the two parties stabilizes America's politics. I'm just saying why we might need them; I don't really approve of their shaningans in Congress at the moment.
