SpeedRacer 1 #1 May 3, 2006 How "loyal" are you to your political party? Would you feel OK about switching parties if the situation were different? For example, there are many people who would vote for a conservative candidate now, but if they were to be transported back to the late '50s or 60's during the Civil Rights movement, they might vote for someone more liberal. just one example. Would you switch parties if you felt that your country had to be "tweaked" more one way than the other? anway, I'm seriously thinking about switching to the Libertarian Party. Still trying to decide, but it looks like with the Republicans/Democrats we're just getting the same old crap. Big Bloated Government, both in foreign and domestic policies. I don't agree with absolutely everything in the Libertarian platform, but over all it seems to be a bit closer to what I believe than the two big fat parties. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #2 May 3, 2006 Agreed - if Ron Paul would "come out of the closet" and run, I think he'd get a lot of votes... I know he'd get mine.Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydyvr 0 #3 May 3, 2006 QuoteHow "loyal" are you to your political party? Would you feel OK about switching parties if the situation were different? I am 100% committed to my party -- in Colorado it is known as "unaffiliated". I'll never abandon it. . . =(_8^(1) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gravitymaster 0 #4 May 3, 2006 Since Howard Stern was the Libertarian Candidate for Mayor of NY in 1994, would you support Stern if he became the Presidential Candidate for the libertarian Party in 2008? - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #5 May 3, 2006 um, probably not. Here's another thought> Are there a higher % of libertarians among skydivers than in the population as a whole? Because I see a lot of libertarians posting here, but the libertarian party isn't that big in my state (Maryland). Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gravitymaster 0 #6 May 3, 2006 Quoteum, probably not. Here's another thought> Are there a higher % of libertarians among skydivers than in the population as a whole? Because I see a lot of libertarians posting here, but the libertarian party isn't that big in my state (Maryland). I only posed the question about Stern to see how many Libertarians would be "Loyal" to their party if someone like Stern was the candidate. I suspect many of the "Libertarians" on this site are really Democrats and Republicans who don't want to be identified as such for "certain reasons". I'll let you guess as to why. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #7 May 3, 2006 well, I wouldn't judge people I don't know. But I think many people go with one of the Big Two because 1) they feel that otherwise they're throwing their vote away on someone who stands a very small chance of winning 2) They want to be able to vote in the Primaries 3)They desperately need to vote AGAINST the "other candidate", even though they're not wild about the candidate they're voting for. But nothing will ever change until people decide to get out of the rut they're in. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #8 May 3, 2006 QuoteI suspect many of the "Libertarians" on this site are really Democrats and Republicans That's funny. I suspect MOST democrats and republicans are neither but they've been trained to believe in a false dichotomy. What hardly any americans realize is that those two parties encompass about 1% of the possible arrangements. In fact, they're practically the SAME 1%. Are americans too stupid to realize the error? Well, yes. Stupidity plays a large part. But other smart people go to great effort to keep them from making any other choices so I suppose it's only partially their own fault. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #9 May 3, 2006 I'm a hypocritical libertarian. I tend to vote republican on the national tickets though. Make the change. Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #10 May 3, 2006 Is this the beginnings of a move in favour of electoral reform away from 'first past the post?' New Zealand made the switch. There is a lot of grumbling in that direction here in Canada, but no firm action yet. edited for speling Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #11 May 3, 2006 I wonder what would happen if everyone who would LIKE to vote for libertarian candidates would actually have the balls to do it. There might be more libertarians out there than people realize. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gravitymaster 0 #12 May 3, 2006 One only needs to go to the Libertarian website and read their positions on different issues and then compare those positions to the ones espoused on DZ.Com. I'll start you off on the Libertarian position on healthcare. QuoteThe Libertarian Party knows the only healthcare reforms that will make a real difference are those that are draw on the strength of the free market. The Libertarian Party will work towards the following: 1. Establish Medical Saving Accounts. Under this program, you could deposit tax-free money into a Medical Savings Account (MSA). Whenever you need the money to pay medical bills, you will be able to withdraw it. For individuals without an MSA, the Libertarian Party will work to make all healthcare expenditures 100 percent tax deductible. 2. Deregulate the healthcare industry. We should repeal all government policies that increase health costs and decrease the availability of medical services. For example, every state has laws that mandate coverage of specific disabilities and diseases. These laws reduce consumer choice and increase the cost of health insurance. By making insurance more expensive, mandated benefits increase the number of uninsured American workers. 3. Remove barriers to safe, affordable medicines. We should replace harmful government agencies like the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) with more agile, free-market alternatives. The mission of the FDA is to protect us from unsafe medicines. In fact, the FDA has driven up healthcare costs and deprived millions of Americans of much-needed treatments. For example, during a 10-year delay in approving Propanolol Propranolol (a heart medication for treating angina and hypertension), approximately 100,000 people died who could have been treated with this lifesaving drug. Bureaucratic roadblocks kill sick Americans. Not exactly the same position expressed by DZ.Com Libertarians (Liberals) is it? Lets try gun control. QuoteLibertarians, like other Americans, want to be able to walk city streets safely and be secure in their homes. We also want our Constitutional rights protected, to guard against the erosion of our civil liberties. In particular, Libertarians want to see all people treated equally under the law, as our Constitution requires. America's millions of gun owners are people too. Law-abiding, responsible citizens do not and should not need to ask anyone's permission or approval to engage in a peaceful activity. Gun ownership, by itself, harms no other person and cannot morally justify criminal penalties. Again, not exactly the position advocated by many DZ.Com Libertarians (Liberals) is it? Oh, I know the case can be made for the DZ.Com (Republicans) too. But I'll leave that to the parity freaks. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #13 May 3, 2006 For me, I am to a point. I'm a registered Republican, but very libertarian in nature. It's just that the very essence of what a libertarian is that almost requires the party to not be organized at a national level. So...a bit of a conundrum. So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #14 May 3, 2006 QuoteOne only needs to go to the Libertarian website... If you really thought you were replying to the things I said, you're being more confrontationally delusional than usual. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #15 May 3, 2006 QuoteNot exactly the same position expressed by DZ.Com Libertarians (Liberals) is it? What are you talking about? LIBERTY-arians...Libertarians are farther away (right wing per se) from Democrats than Republicans are. Their social views in some ways may be construed as liberal, but the difference lies in that there would be no central/social governmental involvement on the issue at all.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gravitymaster 0 #16 May 3, 2006 QuoteQuoteOne only needs to go to the Libertarian website... If you really thought you were replying to the things I said, you're being more confrontationally delusional than usual. Tell you what. Since you obviously cannot tell the difference between being confrontational and contentious, nor do you seem to be capable of discussing anything without making a personal crisis, I will in the future be careful not address any posts to you for fear of disturbing your belladonnic haze. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gravitymaster 0 #17 May 3, 2006 QuoteQuoteNot exactly the same position expressed by DZ.Com Libertarians (Liberals) is it? What are you talking about? LIBERTY-arians...Libertarians are farther away (right wing per se) from Democrats than Republicans are. Their social views in some ways may be construed as liberal, but the difference lies in that there would be no central/social governmental involvement on the issue at all. I'm talking about Liberals who call themselves Libertarians. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #18 May 3, 2006 QuoteI will in the future be careful not address any posts to you That's fine, if it's the only solution you can think of. Of course one could have instead decided to be careful to actually say relevant things instead of inventing a confrontation that didn't exist. But I'll accept your solution if that's the best you can do. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #19 May 3, 2006 QuoteAre americans too stupid to realize the error? Well, yes. Stupidity plays a large part. But other smart people go to great effort to keep them from making any other choices so I suppose it's only partially their own fault. Perhaps ignorance is better. Though there is a responsibility there being ignored by choice or circumstance.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #20 May 3, 2006 QuoteI'm talking about Liberals who call themselves Libertarians. Whoops, my bad, I re-read through the thread...So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gravitymaster 0 #21 May 3, 2006 QuoteQuoteI'm talking about Liberals who call themselves Libertarians. Whoops, my bad, I re-read through the thread... It's OK at least you can admit misunderstanding something and not take it as a personal affront. I respect that. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #22 May 3, 2006 Quote respect that. That's excellent news. Respect is the first step towards emulating it. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broke 0 #23 May 3, 2006 I am a registered Libritarian. I tend to say I lean to the more conservative side as well. I would probibly be republican if it wern't so heavly influanced by the religeous right. Most of the Republicans I know are Catholics. I believe the national government should be more conservative, and the local government should be more liberal/progressive. Lately Democrat and Republican have become so similiar it is hard to see where one ends and the other begins. Usually you can only tell the Democrat by the fact that they are saying that Republicans are bad.Divot your source for all things Hillbilly. Anvil Brother 84 SCR 14192 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #24 May 3, 2006 Registered libertarian here who opposes socialized/nationalized heath care, thinks the FDA tends to unethically ignore scientific evidence in favor of their own job security, and owns a gun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #25 May 3, 2006 QuoteLibertarians are farther away (right wing per se) from Democrats than Republicans are. Their social views in some ways may be construed as liberal, but the difference lies in that there would be no central/social governmental involvement on the issue at all. I'm not loyal to any party. I take the candidates on the ballet, look at their views and pick the one that most closely aligns with my views (typically like the above - I want a fiscally responsible conservative and someone that wants government completely out of the social sector - because social interference is completely NOT fiscally conservative). Usually I have 2 major candidates to pick from, neither are fiscally conservative, both are VERY 'government interference' oriented on social issues - the only difference is which social issues they want the government to butt in on. Frankly, I consider both both of today's parties to be "liberal" where that word is used in it's most worst historical interpretation. It stinks. Lastly, I have to decide if the guy I most closely (and BARELY) align with will even do what he says. So if someone is clearly pandering, etc, I hesitate to give them a vote no matter what they say from day to day. The party tag has little to do with it. The individual and his positions do. In the end, it comes down to which CROOK is most able to fool me better than the other CROOK. ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
