The way I see it the Dems want to impose on our rights by forcing large gov’t and gov’t programs that they want us to participate in. If we don’t believe in their programs they say things like “it is gov’t money”. The Reps want to impose on our rights by trying to force religious based morality. You know no abortion, no gay marriages and other religious based limits.
Why are the Dems so ready to spend our money for what they believe in?
Why do the free market limited gov’t Reps want to tell us how to live our lifes?

Because you cannot escape the fact that values inform policy. Every law is undergirded by moral values.

To me, the problem you have is that your personal values are not those which lawmakers share.

Coriolanus - no I think the problem is that I don't think personal values (including my own) should be imposed on others.

I think it's because hot-button issues win elections. People vote based on their support or opposition for abortion rights, gun rights, school prayer, etc. If we could all find some middle ground on those issues, then maybe government could get back to protecting our citizens, maintaining our infrastructure and maintaining a fair climate for business and trade.

I like that post Exten.

Americans vote on issues? Who are you kidding?

Only a small percentage of Americans even know the issues or even read the political sections in their newspapers. Most Americans just vote party. People capable of discussing politics might be common in your circles, but in the spectrum of America as a whole, they are rare.

The vote for POTUS is even more pathetic. America typically votes for the most Western looking man. Tall and the least ethnic as possible. Go down almost every presidential race and the winner has almost always been most classically western looking man, relative to his opponent.

quote:

Originally posted by sobek:
Americans vote on issues? Who are you kidding?

Only a small percentage of Americans even know the issues or even read the political sections in their newspapers. Most Americans just vote party.

That's exactly my point. Most Americans vote their party but it's because they know where each one stands on the most divisive issues.

At the extreme ends of each party, I think Average Joe Democrats think voting Republican means supporting corporate fat cats, environmental destruction and the Scary Right. Meanwhile, Average Joe Republicans see voting Democrat as voting against a safe, strong nation where hard work counts and gays, rappers and punk rockers move in next door and influence your children.

We all know both parties encourage those sterotypes of one another because they appeal to the lowest common denominator. And it works.

People vote out of anger and fear, too.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Extensioncord,

Some of that is very true. I recall a Greek in a tank once that lost the election.

quote:

Originally posted by THEMONK:
Some of that is very true. I recall a Greek in a tank once that lost the election.

Good one! LMAO

quote:

Originally posted by THEMONK:
Coriolanus - no I think the problem is that I don't think personal values (including my own) should be imposed on others.

All law is based on the imposition of values upon others. In the case of a democracy, it is the values of the majority that are imposed on the minority.

If you don't like it, choose anarchy.

You are right. In fact that is why we have the bill of rights. I think some walk the line and other cross the line; but who makes the line...lol

It's really rather simple. From where is your income generated? Do you WORK for a living and hate increases in income tax? Or do you live on one or more government subsidies? Vote with your wallet. The Dems always SCREWED me with their tax increases! I've never been able to qualify for ANY government subsidy! Does that make me angry? Yes, because I'm one of the last working WHITE men in my area! But that's the subject of a future post!
It's amusing to me, that when funding is taken away from Liberals, those slow-motion Socialists really start screaming! Watch Rosie O'Donnell and Jesse Jackson have a stroke on national TV! I can't wait! LOL!!!

quote:

Originally posted by THEMONK:
Coriolanus - no I think the problem is that I don't think personal values (including my own) should be imposed on others.

Theft? Murder? Insider Trading?

All morality issues.
All legal issues.
They really are intertwined.

And, why do you not wish to impose morality on others for them to fit into society? That is why there are so many single parent children. There is no longer any shame in being unwed, with child. As the family breaks down, society is definitely harmed.

Also, children used to care for their parents in old age. With the family ceasing to be as important in everyones' lives, it has fallen on the government to provide care in our old age.

There is this theory of communication called E.L.M. (Elaboration Likelyhood Model). Most politicians base thier campaigns on "hot button" topics because they trigger in-group reactions and cause denouncing of out groups. The model states that the less interested the person or persons are in the topic the more likely they are not seek out more elaboration of a an arguement or a stance. On the other side of the spectrum where there is high elaboration there is a high correlation of higher interest and higher cognitive capacity of the person being informed.

In other words some people will latch onto a hot button issue and stick with that as thier main thrust of thier arguement without going into further elaboration because it takes more effort and a higher cognitive capacity. Soooo we saw how SMART the general voters were this past election.