Have you ever changed political parties?

[mydoghasfleas]

Have you ever changed political parties or views on some of the typical political issues? And if you have, why?


My beliefs were that of a democrat when I was young but I wasnt really into politics. (I even thought "free" healthcare should be provided) Republicans seemed cruel to me.

Then I looked into it a little more and started to change my views and became republican, mostly for the economic views they espoused.
I thought that democrats "just didnt get it".

Republicans talked alot about the constitution and that led me to the founding fathers (and some Rand) and I became Libertarian/Constitution oriented.

Lots of different positions on ingo and would like to know some of the background behind some of you guys political beliefs.

 

[terrehautian]

I don't choose because of parties, I choose because of the people. I don't care if they are democrat, republican, independent or what.

 

[Que]

My views have evolved over the years, but I never have or will become aligned with any particular political party.

 

[Kedric]

I don't really consider myself aligned with a particular party either, I am a democrat on some issues, a republican on others, and a libertarian or constitutionalist on others.

Mostly I think all politicians in general are more crooked then 10 miles of mountain switchback and are not to be trusted.

 

[churchmouse]

I resist party alignment. Grew up in a lever pulling democrat or nothing UAW family. That kind of allegiance is not productive and generates sheeple. Took years to get my head unwound and step away from that mindset. After years of learning, living and eye's being opened by life's experiences I lean towards the conservative side. Now if I could just find a candidate that has those same values...for real.

 

[jeremy]

I have also never changed Party Affiliation. I was Born an American...

 

[gungirl65]

I refuse to vote solely by party. The older I get the more I expect from our elected officials.

 

[jeremy]

I refuse to vote solely by party. The older I get the more I expect from our elected officials.

Masochist?!

 

[strahd71]

I resist party alignment. Grew up in a lever pulling democrat or nothing UAW family. That kind of allegiance is not productive and generates sheeple. Took years to get my head unwound and step away from that mindset. After years of learning, living and eye's being opened by life's experiences I lean towards the conservative side. Now if I could just find a candidate that has those same values...for real.

i understand growing up that way. my dad worked for firestone at the decatur Il. plant. they eventually joined the UAW.

i've always voted republican and i dont see that changing, strictly because while coming from illinois i just dont trust democrats but at any rate while the repubs have gone crazy i've yet to find a democrat on my ballot that is compatible with my beliefs...... i wish zell miller was still around

jake

 

[GBuck]

Well, I started out an R, then when they stopped being about small government, I became a D. Then, when I realized they were mostly crazy I became an L (libertarian) and then I realized they were a little too "tin foily" for me. I would currently describe myself as a Blue Dog Democrat. I don't see that changing any time soon.

For those of you that are unfamiliar with the term, Blue Dog, here is their mission statement.

Mission Statement | Blue Dog Coalition

We believe:

• That government has an important and constructive role to play in defining an equal opportunity society built upon principles of individual rights and freedom and dedicated to creating conditions that serve the general welfare and prosperity of the people;

• That the people have entrusted the representatives of our country to transcend politics, personal careers and fortunes in order to pursue the common good;

• That a government too large and intrusive stands in the way of an opportunity society;

• That government must live within its allotted resources;

• That the burden of the American taxpayer should be reduced whenever possible;

• That government agencies are created to serve rather than to restrict, regulate and punish the American people;

• That government should encourage work over idleness, personal independence over government dependence, and a free market which is not controlled, dominated and excessively regulated by the government;

• That the American tax code should be simply structured and designed to create incentives for income earning, saving, and investments in jobs and in expanding opportunities;

• That personal responsibility is essential to the preservation of freedom and that government must strictly hold accountable those who fail to act responsibly and to defend and support those who are victims of criminal and irresponsible behavior;

• That government should be a force that affirms traditional American values and stands against the forces that threaten them; and,

• That government should always be aware that it is a creature of the American public, that it answers to the public for its failures and successes and should never be so arrogant as to use its powers to diminish personal rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution.

 

[strahd71]

Well, I started out an R, then when they stopped being about small government, I became a D. Then, when I realized they were mostly crazy I became an L (libertarian) and then I realized they were a little too "tin foily" for me. I would currently describe myself as a Blue Dog Democrat. I don't see that changing any time soon.

For those of you that are unfamiliar with the term, Blue Dog, here is their mission statement.

Mission Statement | Blue Dog Coalition

doesnt sound democrat regardless of the color

it really comes down to the lesser of the evils unfortunately

i would rather vote on individual issues than people.

jake

 

[GBuck]

doesnt sound democrat regardless of the color

it really comes down to the lesser of the evils unfortunately

i would rather vote on individual issues than people.

jake

It's more along the lines of what a lot of people mean when they talk about the old school southern democrats.

 

[smccabe17]

I started off R because of family. During college I had my pseudo liberal period. Then came back to be a R. Now I am a Libertarian. I don't think a federal libertarian candidate could win anything.

I have just learned that it doesn't mater what letter (R,D,L,G) is in front, they are all politicians.

 

[jamil]

My political views have changed over the years, and I've become less idealistic about it than when I was young. I vote the way I believe would produce the best outcome, which means sometimes I may have to hold my nose while pulling the levor.

 

[indyjoe]

The only party I'm a member of is the one I will throw when we vote all the crooks out.

 

[churchmouse]

I started off R because of family. During college I had my pseudo liberal period. Then came back to be a R. Now I am a Libertarian. I don't think a federal libertarian candidate could win anything.

I have just learned that it doesn't mater what letter (R,D,L,G) is in front, they are all politicians.

+1

 

[strahd71]

It's more along the lines of what a lot of people mean when they talk about the old school southern democrats.

i know i was just funnin ya

but really the only guy i can think of that was kind of like that in my time was zell miller. maybe there were more cant say but if todays democrats were more like this i might consider consider pickin and choosing more

jake

 

[GBuck]

maybe there were more cant say but if todays democrats were more like this i might consider consider pickin and choosing more

jake

Here are the current members.. Notice Rep Donnelly from Indiana.

1. Rep. Jason Altmire (PA-04)
2. Rep. Joe Baca (CA-43)
3. Rep. John Barrow (GA-12)
4. Rep. Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
5. Rep. Dan Boren (OK-02)
6. Rep. Leonard Boswell (IA-03)
7. Rep. Dennis Cardoza (CA-18)
8. Rep. Ben Chandler (KY-06)
9. Rep. Jim Cooper (TN-05)
10. Rep. Jim Costa (CA-20)
11. Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
12. Rep. Joe Donnelly (IN-02)
13. Rep. Tim Holden (PA-17)
14. Rep. Larry Kissell (NC-08)
15. Rep. Jim Matheson (UT-02)
16. Rep. Mike McIntyre (NC-07)
17. Rep. Mike Michaud (ME-02)
18. Rep. Collin Peterson (MN-07)
19. Rep. Mike Ross (AR-04)
20. Rep. Loretta Sanchez (CA-47)
21. Rep. Adam Schiff (CA-29)
22. Rep. Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
23. Rep. David Scott (GA-13)
24. Rep. Heath Shuler (NC-11)
25. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-01)

 

[strahd71]

Here are the current members.. Notice Rep Donnelly from Indiana.

1. Rep. Jason Altmire (PA-04)
2. Rep. Joe Baca (CA-43)
3. Rep. John Barrow (GA-12)
4. Rep. Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
5. Rep. Dan Boren (OK-02)
6. Rep. Leonard Boswell (IA-03)
7. Rep. Dennis Cardoza (CA-18)
8. Rep. Ben Chandler (KY-06)
9. Rep. Jim Cooper (TN-05)
10. Rep. Jim Costa (CA-20)
11. Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
12. Rep. Joe Donnelly (IN-02)
13. Rep. Tim Holden (PA-17)
14. Rep. Larry Kissell (NC-08)
15. Rep. Jim Matheson (UT-02)
16. Rep. Mike McIntyre (NC-07)
17. Rep. Mike Michaud (ME-02)
18. Rep. Collin Peterson (MN-07)
19. Rep. Mike Ross (AR-04)
20. Rep. Loretta Sanchez (CA-47)
21. Rep. Adam Schiff (CA-29)
22. Rep. Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
23. Rep. David Scott (GA-13)
24. Rep. Heath Shuler (NC-11)
25. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-01)

interesting i will look him and try and compare him and murdock

jake

 

[UncleMike]

When I was a kid my family was almost entirely Democrat.
Today they are virtually all Republican.
The reason?
They rejected the Democratic Party when the party sold it's soul to the Unions, the Socialists, the Liberals and became the party of "Take from the worker and give to the non worker", in the sixties.
My Dad even quit his position in the UAW because of the corruption, lying, and theft that he saw happening.
To his dying day he cursed the corruption that he saw caused by the Union/Democrat Party marriage.