Have you changed political affiliations in your lifetime?

1. 84

   RJ Schwartzposted 6 years ago

   I’m curious to know what the ‘breaking point’ was for people who have switched Parties in their lifetime -from either side.  I’ve always been on one side, but I read about people who’ve said they ‘seen the
   Iight’ and switched (no pun there, ha ha)

   replyreport
   1. 0

      promisemposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      That's a great question. I haven't changed parties as much as changed my connection to parties.
      
      After voting 100% Republican for most of my life, I decided to vote for a Democrat who clearly was a better candidate. I couldn't vote for the drunken, extremist Republican incumbent. It turned out to be a freeing experience.
      
      I now try to put country before party. As a right of center independent, I still embrace Republican principles such as individual responsibility, fiscal conservatism and limited government.
      
      I will still vote for Republicans with integrity and sound policies. But I don't embrace any party or the people in charge of them.

      replyreport
   2. 95

      Readmikenowposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent question.  I grew up in a town that was 98 percent Democrat.  I was told at an early age that if you voted Republican it really didn't matter. So, I registered as a Democrat and just voted that way without thinking much about it.  Then, in college, Ronald Reagan was president and got elected to his second term taking 49 of 50 states.  So, I tried to figure out what he had that appealed to so many people.  A professor suggested I get the platform of the Republican Party and the Democrat Party then compare and contrast.  I did this and realized lower taxes, less government as well as pro life and more were more to my liking.  I then switched parties to be a Republican.  The professor who suggested this remained a dedicated Democrat, but a good guy and we had some interesting conversations about it.

      replyreport
   3. 81

      Credence2posted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Switch parties? Never gave it a thought. The philosophy and ideals of other party is far outside of any possibility of common ground, particularely in today's political climate.

      replyreport
      1. 0

         promisemposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Policies maybe, but ideals? Do you think individual responsibility is an acceptable ideal?

         replyreport
         1. 84

            RJ Schwartzposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            Makes you wonder how the issues might be debated if there were no Parties ?  Individuals could choose their candidates based only on their position on the issues.

            replyreport
            1. 0

               promisemposted 6 years agoin reply to this

               I couldn't agree more. I also think character is a critical factor in addition to their positions. Consider how little we trust all politicians these days.

               replyreport
         2. 81

            Credence2posted 6 years agoin reply to this

            Promisem,  it has been an exaggeration for the other party to insist that they are guardians of individual responsibility and such. It is much more their advocacy of predatory politics and crony capitalism. From youth on, I always knew who the bad guys were.... and why.

            replyreport
            1. 84

               RJ Schwartzposted 6 years agoin reply to this

               If you seriously believe that one Party has clean hands and the other doesn’t, then explain to us why regardless of who is in office that things seem to just stay the same?  We don’t even need to name names or call people out, but almost everyone who goes to Washington comes back a millionaire - that’s not magic, that’s corruption.  The salaries of lawmakers don’t translate into several homes, sweet vacations, and a lifetime of luxury.

               replyreport
               1. 81

                  Credence2posted 6 years agoin reply to this

                  You're right, Ralph, both parties are part of the problem, it just appears more intractable from the GOP side of the ledger. I prefer the ideology and principles of the Democratic party over the Republican. That makes the reality of corruption as part of politics a bit more bearable.

                  replyreport
                  1. 84

                     RJ Schwartzposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                     I respect your convictions, however I don't think the Democratic Party of today is the same Party of Kennedy.  It seems to me that certain fringe groups have hijacked it for their own use; this includes progressives, liberals, and even some who push for a social democrat system similar to the EU model.

                     replyreport
                     1. 0

                        promisemposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                        I agree that fringe groups are a problem for the Democratic Party, but I believe it's true of the Republican Party as well.
                        
                        It has been hijacked by Libertarians in particular who have brought any problem solving to a grinding halt.

                        replyreport
            2. 0

               promisemposted 6 years agoin reply to this

               Credence, let's cut out the hypocrisy what certain people say and do and instead focus on just political philosophy.
               
               The "Republican" party gets its name from the political concept of a republic. The "Democratic" party gets its name from the concept of a democracy.
               
               It seems only logical that individual responsibility is an ideal that fits more with a republic (benefits the individual) than with a democracy (benefits the group).
               
               That's not to say one party has total ownership of individual responsibility. It's just that it fits more with one party than the other.

               replyreport
               1. 81

                  Credence2posted 6 years agoin reply to this

                  We got off on a foul start, Promisem, let me clarify things a bit.
                  
                  I disagree more often and consistently with the principles  and ideology of the Republicans when compared with the Democratic party.
                  
                  That comes down to:
                  1. Domestic Economy
                  2.Foreign Policy
                  3. Social Issues
                  
                  While how they define themselves may be well and good, these fundamental differences in how you and I may see their philosophy as it translates into policies on the ground remains the rub.
                  
                  No one is going to deny the importance of individual responsibility but how is that interpreted and what extent?
                  
                  But, again, that is just me.

                  replyreport
                  1. 0

                     promisemposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                     Well said, Credence. Thanks for clarifying. I agree that the rub is the translation of philosophy into policies.
                     
                     It's why I'm so critical of the party in recent years and why some conservatives on here think I'm a Democrat. 

                     replyreport
                     1. 84

                        RJ Schwartzposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                        I like the way you stated that - philosophy just doesn't translate very well anymore

                        replyreport
                        1. 0

                           promisemposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                           Thanks, RJ.I think it's true of both parties.

                           replyreport
2. 78

   Castlepalomaposted 6 years ago

   Either side, it all ends up going to pro tagteam wrestling for Megalomaniacs. As the have a beer together after the ugly show.
   
   I'm just a reporter for the Ugly Freak show Network. I meet alot of them during my performing art shows worldwide.

   replyreport
3. 0

   ahorsebackposted 6 years ago

   I was fully  indoctrinated a liberal in high school  by young, liberal ,new college grad teachers ,  graduating in '72,   in 1976 I was influenced to vote Carter essentially because he wore blue jeans and acted independent of traditional politics , [  Sanders similarities today ? ].......by 1980 I was reading Reagan's news paper columns and making up my own mind , voting Reagan then and conservative since.       
   
   The" breaking point "?
   Learning independent thought ,   self reasoning and  regurgitating liberal group thought  by violent reverse peristalsis.

   replyreport
   1. 78

      Castlepalomaposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Carter was a nice guy, the best ex President to date.

      replyreport
      1. 84

         RJ Schwartzposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         I’d like to hear more on why you think Carter was the best former President since most political historians feel he did a very poor job of running the nation.  Not trying to argue, just curious.

         replyreport
         1. 78

            Castlepalomaposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            Not the best President, a good manager and not harmful. 
            
            His work contribution afterwards, makes him the best former president

            replyreport
            1. 84

               RJ Schwartzposted 6 years agoin reply to this

               On most issues I think you are right, he was kind-of neutral, but the hostage crisis at the end of his term made him look weak, which in turn made the US look weak - I think that's when he took most of the criticism.  And unfortunately he was at the helm during the oil crisis too.

               replyreport
               1. 95

                  Readmikenowposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                  RJ, I believe you can also mention the economy was a bit dismal under Carter as well.

                  replyreport
                  1. 84

                     RJ Schwartzposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                     True - I didn't want to shift the focus of this thread to former President Carter's Presidency, so I was being kind.

                     replyreport