# What political planks in your party's platform do you not subscribe to? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 9, 2009, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454 "2009-07-09T14:33:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454/21 "2009-07-09T19:26:12Z")
Generally I vote Republican. I oppose the death penalty. I favor same-sex marriage. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454/22 "2009-07-09T19:56:34Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > I fall right into the middle. I don’t support either side, because both sides have done evil things. The situation, though, is untenable the way it stands. And, frankly, I’m not intelligent enough or politically savvy enough to figure out any way that it can be resolved to the satisfaction of everyone involved. Don’t be so hard on yourself, **jayjay**. I don’t think there is anyone alive who is intelligent enough or politically savvy enough to figure out what to do… ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454/23 "2009-07-09T20:10:27Z")
I’m a Democrat, and my views on abortion are pretty much contrary to both parties. I think that it should be absolutely forbidden past the point where nervous tissue starts developing, or possibly when brain wave activity begins, but before that point, I don’t see it as being a moral issue at all, and you can’t (or rather, shouldn’t) legislate anything other than morality. To all of the folks advocating for nuclear power, is opposition to nuclear actually part of the party platform? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454/24 "2009-07-09T20:13:11Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > To all of the folks advocating for nuclear power, is opposition to nuclear actually part of the party platform? I certainly read enough opposition to McCain’s advocacy of nuclear power during the campaign from places like Daily Kos, which is a site dedicated to electing Democrats, not necessarily progressives (exemplified by the fact that McCaskill, Tester, and Webb were DK darlings in 2006). ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454/25 "2009-07-09T20:14:47Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > To all of the folks advocating for nuclear power, is opposition to nuclear actually part of the party platform? I’m not sure if its written down anywhere but they certainly seem to be strongly against it. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454/26 "2009-07-09T20:27:10Z")
> [@L. G. Butts](#): > > I have been voting democratic for over a decade now due to the anti-scientific, nationalistic, and theocratic stance of the Republican party (who gave them the right to legislate their morality?) For the most part I don’t mind the platform of the democrats with a few exceptions: Based on your list, you seem to be _much_ closer to a Republican than a Democrat. To my eyes, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454/27 "2009-07-09T21:11:50Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > To all of the folks advocating for nuclear power, is opposition to nuclear actually part of the party platform? Not officially but you never see a major Democrat actually stand up for it. All three major Democratic primary candidates were extremely weak on it in my opinion and I was _hoping_ Obama would take more of a stance but he never did. Hell, I was actually jazzed up when people tried to smear Obama with some story tying him to Exelon. ---
**Author:** ![MeDrewNotYou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@MeDrewNotYou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeDrewNotYou)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454/28 "2009-07-09T22:27:59Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > To all of the folks advocating for nuclear power, is opposition to nuclear actually part of the party platform? I think the opposition is a holdover from the anti-nuke sentiments from the 60s-70s. While it probably isn’t an official plank, I think the general feeling by the pols is that it isn’t popular enough to get the pro- side excited but _un_popular enough to get the anti- side pissed. Like too much in politics, those who are against something are a hell of a lot louder than those who support it. Maybe things are different nowadays, but if the whining over Yucca Mountain is any indication, probably not. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454/29 "2009-07-09T22:39:31Z")
Republican here. 1. I’m for SSM and anti DOMA. 2. I’m laissez faire and low spending- but I actually mean it. 3. I’m less apt to drop the hammer on sex offenders. There isn’t enough of a legal difference between a 20-yr old statutory raper of a 16 yr old and a child molester, as far as the registry goes. 4. I’m anti-religion in every facet of government. Why we mention God on money and in court rooms is beyond me. 5. The bigotry that runs through my party, in all its forms, is abhorrent. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454/30 "2009-07-10T00:05:09Z")
> [@L. G. Butts](#): > > [li]Taxes are a mess in this country. I would support a flat tax if we could eliminate sales and property taxes and get rid of most deductions. This would also require we tax capital gains as income, abolish corporate taxes, and disallow corporate write offs (company perks like cars should be taxed as income too, but inheritance should be given a pass). Meh. Definitely has problems. [/li]How about we abolish corporate, income, property, capital gains, and inheritance taxes and institute a national sales tax on everything except food and maybe medicine. Every time money changes hands, the government tacks on 8%? > > [/LIST] No doubt they are a mess, but under every Flat Tax scheme I have seen, the rich pay less and the middle class pay more. And, it would not be 8%, it would be at least 20%. Add that to a normal states sales tax and we’d have sales taxes of around 30%, leading to very very high tax evasion. Wont work. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454/31 "2009-07-10T00:10:52Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Based on your list, you seem to be _much_ closer to a Republican than a Democrat. To my eyes, anyway. Probably, but as I said, I cannot stand the anti-science and theocratic bent of the Republican party. CANNOT STAND IT! ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454/32 "2009-07-10T01:02:42Z")
> [@L. G. Butts](#): > > Probably, but as I said, I cannot stand the anti-science and theocratic bent of the Republican party. CANNOT STAND IT! But that’s got so little to do with actual governance. As I see it, anyway. I promise not to turn this into a hijack, but can you just point to 2 or 3 examples how that attitude manifests itself in policy. to the point that you think they are not only wrong, but unquestionably wrong. Again, I won’t ask you to justify any of it, so this doesn’t turn into a hijack. I’m just very intrigued by the belief set you have (much of which meshes with mine) and what would cause you to, in many instances, vote against your interests. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454/33 "2009-07-10T01:53:42Z")
Liberal independent - I’m all for nuclear power - I’m against any additional gun control laws, but I damned well wish we’d enforce the ones on the books now. - I consider it terrible that abortion is necessary > [@DigitalC](#): > > If it wasn’t for the racism, homophobia and ignorance i’d totally be a republican. You win the thread. ---
**Author:** ![MeDrewNotYou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@MeDrewNotYou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeDrewNotYou)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454/34 "2009-07-10T04:09:46Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > Liberal independent > > - I’m all for nuclear power > - I’m against any additional gun control laws, but I damned well wish we’d enforce the ones on the books now. > **- I consider it terrible that abortion is necessary** > > You win the thread. I’m curious about this. What do you think is the biggest cause of unwanted pregnancies? Crappy sex-ed, society’s bad influence, etc. ETA: Reading that, I feel I come off a bit snarky. That’s not my intention at all, I’m just curious as to where you’re coming from. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454/35 "2009-07-10T12:38:22Z")
I vote Republican, although that may change in the future if the party doesn’t get back on track. We need to STFU about abortion. It’s the woman’s choice. Period, end of statement. We need to get out of bed with the religious whackos. One of our worst mistakes was ever getting in bed with them in the first place. We need to take the lead on closing the borders and running the illegals out of the country - immediately. We need to quit spending money like Democrats. That’ll do for a start. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454/36 "2009-07-10T12:39:52Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > But that’s got so little to do with actual governance. As I see it, anyway. I promise not to turn this into a hijack, but can you just point to 2 or 3 examples how that attitude manifests itself in policy. to the point that you think they are not only wrong, but unquestionably wrong. Stem cell research. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454/37 "2009-07-10T12:46:16Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > but can you just point to 2 or 3 examples how that attitude manifests itself in policy. to the point that you think they are not only wrong, but unquestionably wrong. “Abstinence only” birth control education. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454/38 "2009-07-10T13:19:19Z")
The democrats need to stop talking about gun control. It’s the type of issue that serves only to give ammunition to the right without drawing anyone who doesn’t already agree with the democrats on most other issues. Most independents don’t care about it, and though it may be popular with a certain segment of the party, isn’t really make-or-break for most of their base. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454/39 "2009-07-10T14:16:52Z")
Republican. Pro-choice. Anti-flag burning amendments. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454/40 "2009-07-10T15:26:19Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > But that’s got so little to do with actual governance. As I see it, anyway. I promise not to turn this into a hijack, but can you just point to 2 or 3 examples how that attitude manifests itself in policy. to the point that you think they are not only wrong, but unquestionably wrong. Again, I won’t ask you to justify any of it, so this doesn’t turn into a hijack. I’m just very intrigued by the belief set you have (much of which meshes with mine) and what would cause you to, in many instances, vote against your interests. > > Thanks. The whole ‘10 Commadments’ uproar. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-political-planks-in-your-partys-platform-do-you-not-subscribe-to/502454.md?page=3)