So what party do you represent?

[Linus]

I was curious since today is primary election day (?? -- American elections are way too drawn out and rather complicated IMO but that's me) what our political breakdown is. I added the parties I know about but if I missed one, let me know (remember there is a limit to the number of options I can add to the poll).

I stuck with US for now since it's here that election is happening. I swear, tho'. This country spends 90% of its time arguing, promoting and such for election stuff (whether into a party seat or actual seat) and the remaining 10% is the actual work. From my POV, as a Canadian (who used to be heavily involved in politics, even in the fishbowl of Ottawa), it's a little weird.

[Random]

I'm registered as a Dem, but I don't vote the straight party line..

Not in my local elections.... I vote for the person with the best track record, who's stands reflect my believes...

The presidental elections.... I used to vote green, independant, because most of the time they ecchoed my personal believes, but after I stopped having stars in my eyes about the possiblilty of one of those parties winning, I vote a straight dem ticket...

Which sucks... but before this last election... it had become a case of.. The less of two evils...

[Kobi]

There used to be a time when I believed party affiliation meant something. There used to be a time when I felt certain groups were more aligned with my values and beliefs. Then I found that regardless of what was being said, what was done once in office was an entirely different matter.

So, now I evaluate candidates based on plausability i.e. vote for me rhetoric vs what seems possible given the structure we live in and the current prevailing voter preferences.

I am always anti-incumbent simply because I believe being in office, even once, makes for strange bedfellows - a practice that needs to be corrected. And, career politicans....are, to me, dangerous people regardless of what they supposedly stand for.

I love the Canadian approach to elections. It is swift, cost effective, and over and done with!

[Kätzchen]

I am a Democrat - with specific attention for Labor issues: I haven't felt that my political party is doing anything of value to move Labor interests forward in ways that are productive or said differently - producing policy that that better serves to protect worker interests.

[Selenay]

A great deal of the time, I think politics are like driving:

You can pick R to go backwards, or D to go forward.

[Corkey]

I don't represent any party. The party that most reflects my values is the Democratic party.

[chefhottie25]

I am an independent voter. I usually vote for the democratic candidtate...but I have also cast a few votes for progressive republicans.

[roy g biv]

I am a registered Democrat, though most of the Democratic candidates are way right of me. I am left of almost anybody. And I do vote for the oddballs that are never gonna make it, like Dennis Kucinich and Ralph Nader, because their values and goals reflect mine. I would love to live in a world with a president I really wanted.

[MsDemeanor]

Originally Posted by Linus

I stuck with US for now since it's here that election is happening. I swear, tho'. This country spends 90% of its time arguing, promoting and such for election stuff (whether into a party seat or actual seat) and the remaining 10% is the actual work. From my POV, as a Canadian (who used to be heavily involved in politics, even in the fishbowl of Ottawa), it's a little weird.

Sadly, the people of California yesterday decided that they like it this way. They voted against campaign finance reform and voted for an open primary. The open primary will force candidates to spend even more money than they already do. My first question to any Californian who complains about our voting system will be how they voted on those two issues. If they voted with the majority, or didn't vote (provided that they are eligible to vote, of course), then the only thing that I have to say to them is STFU.

[Rook]

I'm an Active Member of 3 Democratic Socialist parties, in the U.S., Spain and Puerto Rico...Although I've been a registered Dem. since 1996..{Most of My mothers family have less than nice words about this, although 4 of my cousins are of the same P.O.V as I am. }

◘ Young Democratic Socialists {U.S.} http://www.ydsusa.org/

♦ Partit dels Socialistes de Catalunya http://www.socialistes.cat/ {Spain/Catalunya}

◘ MST, http://www.bandera.org/ {Puerto Rico}

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by roy g biv

I am a registered Democrat, though most of the Democratic candidates are way right of me. I am left of almost anybody. And I do vote for the oddballs that are never gonna make it, like Dennis Kucinich and Ralph Nader, because their values and goals reflect mine. I would love to live in a world with a president I really wanted.

I'm like you. I call myself a "Progressive Democrat".

~Theo~

[Glenn]

The party that most reflects my values is the Animal Party.

[AtLast]

Actually, I'm a Decline to state party person. That was the choice for wanting to re-register (formerly a Dem) as Independent. I have also been registered in the Green Party.

[Miss Scarlett]

I am registered as "Unaffiliated" because North Carolina doesn't call it "Independent."

When I first registered to vote some 32 years ago I registered as a Republican - I come from a long line of Republicans. But I never voted a party ticket. My parents taught me that you need to do your homework before casting your vote; understand the candidates and issues; and never cast your vote if you are unsure or know nothing about what is on the ballot.

After the 2000 election debacle I decided to abandon my party affiliation and changed my registration. The behaviour of both parties offended me and I did not want to be associated with any party after that.

[Miss Scarlett]

Originally Posted by Kobi

There used to be a time when I believed party affiliation meant something. There used to be a time when I felt certain groups were more aligned with my values and beliefs. Then I found that regardless of what was being said, what was done once in office was an entirely different matter.

So, now I evaluate candidates based on plausability i.e. vote for me rhetoric vs what seems possible given the structure we live in and the current prevailing voter preferences.

I am always anti-incumbent simply because I believe being in office, even once, makes for strange bedfellows - a practice that needs to be corrected. And, career politicans....are, to me, dangerous people regardless of what they supposedly stand for.

I love the Canadian approach to elections. It is swift, cost effective, and over and done with!

Very well said Kobi. I agree with everything except your position on incumbents. Not all of them are bad. I prefer to look at them on an individual basis and cast my vote accordingly.

There are members of the House who seem to be there forever no matter how bad they are. Here in the 9th District in NC once you are elected you are there until YOU decide to leave. It's just about impossible to unseat the incumbent for that House seat. We have a similar problem on the local level here in Charlotte/Mecklenburg with our County Commission, School Board and City Council.

The Canadian and British approach makes much more sense. This business of taking 2 years to run for president is crazy. It's like when John Edwards was elected to the Senate. As soon as he took office he began his Presidential campaign and largely ignored North Carolina and his duties in the Senate.

[Arwen]

I'm amazed that even one person would admit to being in the Tea Party unless they were being facetious and aren't aware of the racist, homophobes that make up that group.

[JustJo]

Originally Posted by Random

I'm registered as a Dem, but I don't vote the straight party line..

Not in my local elections.... I vote for the person with the best track record, who's stands reflect my believes...

The presidental elections.... I used to vote green, independant, because most of the time they ecchoed my personal believes, but after I stopped having stars in my eyes about the possiblilty of one of those parties winning, I vote a straight dem ticket...

Which sucks... but before this last election... it had become a case of.. The less of two evils...

Yep...I could repeat what Random said word for word...

[MsDemeanor]

Originally Posted by Arwen

I'm amazed that even one person would admit to being in the Tea Party unless they were being facetious and aren't aware of the racist, homophobes that make up that group.

Why? Racists and homophobes make a up fair portion of the current republican party, but lots of queers still proudly support them. Just sprinkle in a serving of "I love my gun" and "I hate government" and you've moved from republican to tea bagger.

[JustBeingMe]

Democrat here who doesn't want anymore Bushes in office.

[Sabine Gallais]

Originally Posted by Arwen

I'm amazed that even one person would admit to being in the Tea Party unless they were being facetious and aren't aware of the racist, homophobes that make up that group.

You do realize there are racists and homophobes rampant in all political parties, right?