Self-explanatory thread.

Anyways. I'm a democrat because of their stance on social issues. While I'm slightly liberal on economic issues, what angers me about Bush are his views on abortion, gay marriage, and gun control.

And, I'll admit. At the time, I was 50/50 with the war. I didn't oppose it, but I wasn't for it. And, had you asked me right before 9/11, I probably would have found the Patriot Act essential to the well being of our country. Then again, I didn't know the foundations of the constitution...

Too Young to really know right now. But theres good in both parties. I disagree with Bush on some things, but agree on a few. But anyway right now, I would lean to Republican, as I dont find welfare being a good thing. Nothing really effects me yet, but in 2008 i will be 18 and will vote!

What identifies me with the Green party is marijuana.

No, no, no I lie! Or do I?

But I do wish the Green party had a chance because I tend to agree more with it than anyone else (maybe some independents).


So democrats are my second best option.

Definitely because of social issues the most. I hate inequality, selfishness, umm,I Don't know, I think most could be categorized somewhere under inequality (poverty, gay rights, etc.)

If you're all so concerned with social issues, why would you pick the Greens and Dems over Libertarians?

Aren't Libertarians big second amendment supporters?

Anywho, my economical views lean towards socialism. I believe that because this country gave you the ability to go out and do well for yourself that you owe a little back to the country and the people within.

My social views lean towards Libertarian/Green/Socialism. Abortion, gay rights, gun control, the environment, and drugs are all a big part of it.

I do, but I don't know.

Like I kinda said above, I tend to agree more with Green, Libertarian, independent, and other non-republican/democratic parties.

But you have to work with what you get sometimes.

(I disagree with small things (with the Liberterians) like gun control and stuff though)

.....

And in slightly off topic matters, in general I jsut HATE labels.

In the political sense that would mean being labeled a democrat, a republican, any other party, a liberal, or a conservative.

You believe what you believe.

And just because I tend to agree with one party over another doesn't mean I wouldn't give another candidate from a different party a chance if for the most part i agree with their views...

The thing about guns is that we have the right to own them for a reason. Suppose we get a crazy ass president (*cough* Arnie *cough*) who wants to put all the Japs into camps. Someone needs to stand up!

Not to mention small crap such as defending your own property.

I look for intelligence and morality in my party. So naturally, I vote Republican

But really, I guess I am a conservative because of the stance on most issues the liberals take. I don't agree with afirmative action, increasing welfare, taxing the rich, abortion, and a slew of other issues. I'm not a total right winger, but I do have my republican tendencies.

I used to be more conservative, at least fiscally, before I was unemployed... then having to put massive medical bills on my credit card, the cycle of unemployment and dispair and the trap I got myself into, being one step away from being homeless... I see issues slightly differently now.

I can't support a political party, which supports, the rich while they whine about higher taxes, while people with less than nothing struggle with dead end jobs to get through the day. There are holes in the system, but I feel the need for nets, for our society to progress, we must define and support a decent lowest common denominator. Everyone should have access to a base level of decent education, healthcare, a decent minimum wage, and assistance when things get bad.

The democrats, in theory, would be the closest match, but I don't call myself a democrat because they are liars, just like any other political party.

Socially I'm flamingly liberatarian in most respects. Sexuality, marriage... I don't care, the only rule being it has to be old enough to consent (so over 18, and therefore talk, sorry all you dog lovers!).

I'm not thrilled with guns, and I don't think gun control is necessarily a bad idea, but if we could minimize other social problems, that one problem will mostly fix itself.

I tend to lean toward dem/liberal~socialism. With my views on gay marriage, abortion, gun control, social services, taxes, religion...and a slew of other things, I just cant help but disagree with almost every republican standpoint.

I'm a Republican because I believe in limited government. I do not believe in government as parent or caretaker.

It's always funny to see that unless people go through something and they need certain help, they are selfish about it. But I guess we're meant to be selfish like that, and changing for one reason or another is better than not changing at all

And I'm not gonna say I'm innocent of all this, had I not gone through my own issues I wouldn't have the beliefs I have today. Though I shed pretty much every conservative belief I had in me, not just the ones that would affect me.

@Krem.

I can understand why people would think it'd be hard to defend yourself and that crime might rise and all if the average citizen isn't allowed to own guns. And I understand that what is good for one country, might not be good for another, and just because something doesn't work in one, it doesn't mean it can't work elsewhere. But there are quite a few countries that have enforced gun control laws, and they have seen crime GO DOWN since then. And it hasn't called chaos or anything. So in this case, I don't see why it couldn't work in the U.S. too.

And please don't give me nightmares of having Arnold as president. He might be building camps as we speak for, among otherss, *sniffle* me.

I'd just egg his (white) house to defend myself.

First of all, the existance of a correlation (I am going to take your claim at face value, though it would be best if you had data support for it), does not suggest a cause/effect relationship. The lowering crime rates might be explained by overall improving economic conditions in those countries that coincides with an abundance of liberals who want to ban guns.

On the other hand, there are countries such as Canada and Switzerland where gun ownership rates are quite high (higher than even in the U.S.), yet crime rates are just as low as in the countries that ban guns, if not lower.

Both Canada and Switzerland, at least have very strict gun control laws though. Not ANYONE can just own a gun.

And I think you have your facts wrong. I don't think either Canada or Switzerland (or any other country for that matter) has higher gun ownership rates than the U.S.

Guess.

limited government?

Then why the hell would you ever vote for Dubya?

Gun Ownership Rates (percent of household that own a gun)

Finland: 50%
U.S.: 41%
Norway: 32%
Switzerland: 27%
Canada: 26%
France: 23%
Sweden- 20%
New Zealand: 20%
Belgium- 17%
Austria: 17%
Spain: 13%

*as of 2001.

I don't think the problem, though, is how many people own guns. It's WHO owns them.

Yes. Because last time I checked, The Patriot Act was ALL about government stayout OUT of people's private lives.

-Dolce

Yes, and I'd be interested to know what type of guns as well. Hand guuns? Hunting rifles? Call me unknowledgeable about this topic, since it is far at the bottom of my agenda for voting, but I highly doubt Finland and Norway are rolling in semi-automatics and hand guns. $10 says its all hunting/sport rifles. Anyone know?

-Dolce

You're making way too many assumptions now. It's not a given that crime right in the U.S. is higher than in all the countries that have stricter gun control laws.

You know I'm going to call you on stuff like that.

What is the PATRIOT Act about?

Does it matter? Some people use rifles and semi-automatics for hunting; others use handguns for protection.

EDIT: Oh, and there's also a thing called shooting range.

So everyone in Finland who owns a gun is a hunter, but in America it's all murderers? Please...

Waiiit, when did I say that? lol

I'm not even saying I agree with Finland's laws, but I'm not gonna go and try to change every law in every country either.

And I know crime rate in the U.S. is higher than countries like Switzerland and Canada. Like I said, though, differnt things work in different places, and I think stricter gun controls in the U.S. would only help crime