Do people honestly vote against a candidate because some of their supporters might be shrill or obnoxious or pushy? I mean, I vote liberal because I don’t like the policies of conservatives, not because I think Coulter or Limbaugh are idiots. And I’m assuming that folks who fall on that particular side of the political fence ignore that ilk, why shouldn’t the same be said of the opposition (or what-have-you)? I would never decide who to choose based on the identity/beliefs/attitude of part of the group. It has to do with the issues presented by the candidate and nothing else. Which is why I never understood the focus on Clinton’s personal affairs versus what he actually did while in office. Love or hate the man, but judge him on the performance he was elected to do, not on moral grounds that have little impact on his job. By the same token, I would hope to think that Bush would be held accountable for his work, not if he did cocaine in college or that his daughters are wild.
So, I wonder, is this assertion true? Or am I missing the boat? Because it certainly seems that I’ve seen many a member post that this was, at least quasi, a reason why they picked the way they did and I don’t care what an individual’s stance is, just the programs supported or put in place by officials. Little else, IMHO, matters.
Sorry, Shodan, but we are going to tape the mouths of folks like **Jinx ** and tossing them into the closet.
You want optimism? We’ll pump you so full of syrup that you’ll havr to blow your nose with a pancake. We’ll stifle the gay marriage advocates and run on pro-family, pro-freedom, pro-America platform that will win back the House in 2006.
Religion?We love the Bible so much that we want to preserve it from inteference from the state.
Abortion? Hate it, but we’ll let women choose becaue we are the pro-freedom party.
Gay marriage? Disgusting, but our love of liberty and the American way is so great that it would be churlish not to share it with even those people. Mind, only civil unions, and absolutely no interference with the churches. You want to keep gays out of your church, that’s up to you, not the gov’t. You know, because we are the party of freedom, baby!
The war? We’re in it to win it, and not only will we send more soldiers and materiel to Iraq, we’ll also expand charitable programs in other Muslim countries to improve the lives of their citizens and defuse the anger that they feel.
Guns? We’re pro-Second Amendment as well as personal responsibility, so we want to make sure that only the right people and not criminals have them.
Watch your asses, Pubs, because the Dems are coming back!
Those aren’t lies, that’s optimism run mad! I want to work with the Dems to make those changes, to get a movement in the party rolling to paint the Pubs as the party of fiscal irresponsibility and apathy to the welfare of the people.
If the Democrats had actually run on pros instead of cons, like you’ve illustrated here, gobear, I do believe we would have had a much better run for our money.
I voted Republican, but honestly I’m more of an independent. I disagree with some of the ideology, but I think if the Democrats are going to come back in the next election, this will be the way to do it. Go forth and spread the (positive) word! I’d prefer to have a good clean race based on the merits of the issues. This is a great start. You work on your people, I’ll try to work on mine for the same.
Well, I called a friend whom manages a Taco Bell and she said they offer health insurance in the benefits package. Need health coverage? Get a job.
Education is not cost prohibitive with Pell grants and student loans available (assuming you major in something that will help you realistically get a job, as opposed to majoring in, say, interpretive dance, to pay it off). Unless you insist on going to a private or Ivy League University.
I’ve paid for groceries with my Visa in the past. Know why? Because I had spent my cash on incidental shit I didn’t need but rather wanted. How was that Bush’s fault?
What you’re missing is the fact that in the US we have an idea that we deserve the newest, best product available, to hell with the cost. How many people are driving an Escalade when a Cherokee would suffice? How many people opt for the 5 bedroom 3 bath with a pool and 50 acres, when a modest 2 story would suffice?
Live beyond your means if you wish, but pay the price. The difference between a family of four and the USA is that the country can absorb debt and eventually pay it off with a guaranteed source of income. Namely me and you. Oh, wait. Half of us will be living in cardboard boxes in four years.
The dems are already all those things, just repackaged with a positive, traditional values spin. Americans love freedom, right, so we sell our values not as restrictions on liberty as the Pubs have depicted our programs, but as endorsements of personal freedom and responsibility.
I’m getting involved more in Virginia Democratic politics with an eye to running for office 10 years down the road. For too long, the Dems have let the Pubs tell the people who we are. It’s time to take charge of our own story and let America know that we represent them, the regular Americans who just need a break.
Yeah, I’m sure my approach needs work, but I’m going to refine it and sell it the local Dems to get back our seats in the House.
Your crowing and smug self-satisfaction have spurrred me to out-smile you, out-sell you and kick your asses from here to Timbucktoo.
You have no reason to believe this, but I was thinking of starting an MPSIMS thread calling for you to run for office. Then I see this post. Maybe I’m not psychotic, but only merely psychic?
You’re one of the few posters here that has cracked the shell I had surrounding me concerning gay marriage with your reasoned and (mostly) coherent posts on the subject. I’m not sold yet, but you do have me listening. Take what you can get
Though I am shocked you’ve apparently used your wily ways to get Brickerand Shodan to actually try out for your team! :eek:
In all seriousness… if the GOP wants to continue dominating politics, we need more Jinx and less gobear. Based on gobear’s platform here, I suspect I’d vote for him. If you live in the 8th District, I’d rather have you than Moran right now, let me tell you!
So: gobear: please. You’re stifling the free liberal spirit of Jinx and her crowd! What about the stormtroopers? What about people living in cardboard cartons in 2008? Have you no care for them? Listen to Jinx, Dems, and be guided! Don’t listen to gobear!
~grins~ yes, things are fucked.
But I wouldn’t count myself as a member of the left.
And, if you’d prefer, Hunter S. sums up my reaction far better. “Fear and loathing.”
Or, if you prefer:
“No matter what, today is the end of an era. No more fair play. From now on it is dirty pool and judo in the clinches. The savage nuts have shattered the great myth of American decency. They can count me in – I feel ready for a dirty game.”
I’m not smug. I’m not crowing. I am smiling at the leftist melt-down going on right now, that is true. I’m so ashamed!
Gobear, I really, truly hope you are successful in your political carreer. You sound like a reasonable sane, reasonably pragmatic man. Sorry the vote didn’t go your way on gay marriage. But you’ll win a few next time, and slowly the world will change.
