How partisan is the Mane?

[Bob]

Just curious, how many will admit to some voting tendencies here…if folks are generally straight party line, or live on the wild side and vote for the person regardless of label? My guess is we are WAY more party-line than what the rest of America is – which I don’t think can be good can it?

As for me, last election cycle – voted for one D governor, and one D Senator. The rest I voted R. If I were to do it again, I would have voted for Ron Paul (an R I think in Montana for Pres) and would not have voted for Max Baucus.

[footstepsfrom#27]

I never vote on the basis of party. Having said this, my personal interests are split on the basis of individual issues and what I know about the candidates. The far right has damaged my ability to vote for most GOP candidates but there are some I respect. Overall the partisan politics here seem roughly split down the middle.

[SoCalBronco]

I consider myself a moderate Republican.

[atomicbloke]

Where is the option for mostly idiotic Repubs ? :D

[kappys]

Voted for Obama, R for my representative(because of the yes vote for the original bailout from my congressman) and pretty varied on the judges/municpal posts with lots of I's. That said the most I knew about the judges/city reps were newspaper snippets so I can't really claim to have been all that informed

[spdirty]

Where is the option for mostly idiotic Repubs ? :D

otherwise known as liberal Repubs

[Spider]

Self confessed Ross Perrot voter here ........ I have voted R , Craig Thomas senator from wy . passed away now we got **** stick Barasso , who is just a puppet for the rep party ....I voted Kerry , Gore before that ,I would consider voting rep again but it will be awhile , these last reps we had really ****ed things up , I just cant trust them right now ........
I would vote 3 rd party , but some of those people are 1 step ahead of the man with the butter fly net .......

[Arkie]

socially liberal and fiscally conservative

[Odysseus]

socially liberal and fiscally conservative

This is where I like to be.

I don't like the way Republicans throw away business to make money. I don't like the way Democrats throw away money to make business.

[OrangeRising]

I want smaller government and lower taxes, so generally I vote Republican, but these days I do more research into who the candidates really are because there are lunatics in both parties.

The absolutely vicious attacks on Obama are shameful, and the health care distortions fog-horned by the likes of Fox News are downright frightening, although I do not support this legislation.

It's tragic, in part, because people depend on news organizations to explain events and legislation, so when disgraceful operations like Fox rant on the way they do, it can only increase the rancor.

As someone else already said; people don't look further than their favorite news source, so if this is what they hear, this is what they believe, and everybody else is part of some right-wing loon or left-wing radical conspiracy.

It's just sad, and a little scary.

[epicSocialism4tw]

I didnt vote in the last election.

[TailgateNut]

I didnt vote in the last election.

I guess casting a vote for Palin was akin to not voting!:spit:

[Rohirrim]

I want smaller government and lower taxes, so generally I vote Republican, but these days I do more research into who the candidates really are because there are lunatics in both parties.

The absolutely vicious attacks on Obama are shameful, and the health care distortions fog-horned by the likes of Fox News are downright frightening, although I do not support this legislation.

It's tragic, in part, because people depend on news organizations to explain events and legislation, so when disgraceful operations like Fox rant on the way they do, it can only increase the rancor.

As someone else already said; people don't look further than their favorite news source, so if this is what they hear, this is what they believe, and everybody else is part of some right-wing loon or left-wing radical conspiracy.

It's just sad, and a little scary.

I was watching a report yesterday that said that the health insurance industry has pooled their resources and is spending $1.2 million per day to kill health care reform, placing ads and buyins politicians. No surprise that the Blue Dog Dems are the biggest recipients of the payoff. I noticed yesterday, it is big pharma putting those Harry & Louise ads out that we "need" health reform and that big pharma "cares." So, on the one hand, they put out a PR campaign to misdirect Americans into believing that they are just like us, and they want reform too. Meanwhile, they spend millions to kill it. I guess this is no different from tobacco company ads about how much they cared and were trying to help, or energy company ads from (for example) Exxon telling us they were at the forefront of alternative energies. At the same time, the Right wing fringe with the assistance of Murdoch are firing racial attacks at the president.

In this climate, I can't imaging the government accomplishing anything, which is just what the corporate oligarchy expects.

[TailgateNut]

I was watching a report yesterday that said that the health insurance industry has pooled their resources and is spending $1.2 million per day to kill health care reform, placing ads and buyins politicians. No surprise that the Blue Dog Dems are the biggest recipients of the payoff. I noticed yesterday, it is big pharma putting those Harry & Louise ads out that we "need" health reform and that big pharma "cares." So, on the one hand, they put out a PR campaign to misdirect Americans into believing that they are just like us, and they want reform too. Meanwhile, they spend millions to kill it. I guess this is no different from tobacco company ads about how much they cared and were trying to help, or energy company ads from (for example) Exxon telling us they were at the forefront of alternative energies. At the same time, the Right wing fringe with the assistance of Murdoch are firing racial attacks at the president.

In this climate, I can't imaging the government accomplishing anything, which is just what the corporate oligarchy expects.

I know for a fact that the Pharma industries are putting out their "propaganda" with full page ads in the Denver Post. "we're gonna loose 50000+ jobs" blah, blah, blah.....

The rest of the country is eeking by on meager profits, but damn if the medical and pharma fields should feel the pinch of a ****ed economy. They're SPECIAL.

[Falconer]

I think I am down to only voting for third party candidates (although I feel that the Dems and Reps are really one party these days). As a matter of fact I am strongly considering running for office in 2010.

[Crushaholic]

I really, really WANTED to support McCain, but I couldn't do it. He brought nothing to the table, except for vice presidential eye candy. I also couldn't support Obama. I voted for a 3rd party candidate for president this last time around.

Historically, my first presidential vote was in the primary for Paul Tsongas...ROFL! I've voted Republican in every presidential election since then (until last year). I'm more likely to vote Democrat on the local and state level, where party labels don't mean a whole lot.

[Hotrod]

Its full of socialists and hippies.

BarryR and myself are the only level headed mofos around this joint.

[Requiem]

Back when I got my drivers license in South Dakota, I was a young boy who chose to register as a Democrat. I registered for the pure reason that you can't vote in primaries here if you're an independent. That was four years ago and I've changed quite a bit politically by then. I've never voted in South Dakota, because North Dakota's loose registration law (practically non-existent) allows me to vote here since I reside here a majority of the time and am a student.

In my young tenure as a voting representative (2006 mid-term and 2008 GE) I've happened to vote for the Democratic representatives from North Dakota to Congress; and I voted for Obama in the past Presidential Election. When it came to state and local offices, I voted by in large -- perhaps a 4-1 majority for Republicans. They've done a great job keeping North Dakota fiscally conservative and responsible (solid surplus) and through my time lobbying around with the NDSA in Bismark -- gettin' to know a few of the locals has been nice. They're real sweethearts, perhaps that's because their citizen legislature reps as opposed to the bleeding professionals out in the Northeast who couldn't manage to wipe their ass with a whole role of toilet paper.

If I had to describe myself, I consider myself as a libertarian if we had to get into ideological speak. At any case, with each year, I grow up and tend to feel different about many things. Such is life. I'm just an ambiguous voter, perhaps an angry one during these times as well.

Hope that answers your question, baby.

[alkemical]

I'm more of an anarchist, but for society - my compromise is libertarian.

[Hotrod]

Here I just wrote this somewhere else on the interwebs but want to share my rant with my hippie friends here on the OM :)

Personally at this point I want to throw the whole ******* lot of them out of Washington repubs/dems alike. If you are a life time jackass errr politician you are out. Over haul the whole stinking system and get back to a constitutional governement.

Then I want a full investigation and any former politician who has ever taken $ or made a backroom deal to vote for JoeBobs bill if he votes for your bill can head straight to hell not even pass Gitmo. Dirty politicians both rep and dem are more of a threat to our national security then Al Queda and N. Korea combined.

Of course none of that is going to happen today so until Americans get their nose bloody by their own lazy deeds there is nothing I can do about it.

Also I think we all need to let our children kick us repeatedly in the nuts for the mess we are leaving for them. Sadly our kids look up to us as heros and leaders........wait until the realize the **** sandwich we are leaving as their inheritance.

Ugh I need a beer and hooker after that rant.

[Hotrod]

36% really think the WR&P forums of the OM are mostly repubs.............Bwahahahahaha WTF

[TailgateNut]

(although I feel that the Dems and Reps are really one party these days). .

:rofl: You need to get out a bit more.

[Bob]

I didnt vote in the last election.

Why would you do that??? Was it an issue of feeling forced to choose between the lesser of two evils?

[Bob]

Self confessed Ross Perrot voter here ........ I have voted R , Craig Thomas senator from wy . passed away now we got **** stick Barasso , who is just a puppet for the rep party ....I voted Kerry , Gore before that ,I would consider voting rep again but it will be awhile , these last reps we had really ****ed things up , I just cant trust them right now ........
I would vote 3 rd party , but some of those people are 1 step ahead of the man with the butter fly net .......

Do you regret the Ross Perrot choice now? My dad was a big fan as well -- I personally loved his stance on government fiscal responsbility, and his use of pie charts...

[Bob]

socially liberal and fiscally conservative

Not being sarcastic when I say this, but do you ever get ANY political satisfaction with the choices "available" to you?

[Bob]

I was watching a report yesterday that said that the health insurance industry has pooled their resources and is spending $1.2 million per day to kill health care reform, placing ads and buyins politicians. No surprise that the Blue Dog Dems are the biggest recipients of the payoff. I noticed yesterday, it is big pharma putting those Harry & Louise ads out that we "need" health reform and that big pharma "cares." So, on the one hand, they put out a PR campaign to misdirect Americans into believing that they are just like us, and they want reform too. Meanwhile, they spend millions to kill it. I guess this is no different from tobacco company ads about how much they cared and were trying to help, or energy company ads from (for example) Exxon telling us they were at the forefront of alternative energies. At the same time, the Right wing fringe with the assistance of Murdoch are firing racial attacks at the president.

In this climate, I can't imaging the government accomplishing anything, which is just what the corporate oligarchy expects.

Everyone is making noise, but the "Blue Dogs" are simply looking at polls in conservative states where they reside -- if they want to stay in, they cant expect to do it by hanging with the far left.

[Bob]

I know for a fact that the Pharma industries are putting out their "propaganda" with full page ads in the Denver Post. "we're gonna loose 50000+ jobs" blah, blah, blah.....

The rest of the country is eeking by on meager profits, but damn if the medical and pharma fields should feel the pinch of a ****ed economy. They're SPECIAL.

If there were more private companies, and if they were not engaged in price fixing, wouldnt larger numbers of folks then choose those plans, which would force other companies to operate on smaller margins?

I do think there are jobs to be lost by implimentation -- profit is good, to think otherwise quickly can open a pandora's box -- but competition needs to be protected (price fixing and monoplies) to ensure it. Those that compete should play by the same rules, so the government that doesnt have to make a profit, and can print the money will jump in put folks out of business, and afterward will raise prices...

[Bob]

:rofl: You need to get out a bit more.

I too think there are some real differences in left and right issues -- but on two important issues they are very simular:

1.) Both are over-spending
2.) Both grow the size and scope of government

Left and right differences, up and down simularities.

[TailgateNut]

if there were more private companies, and if they were not engaged in price fixing, wouldnt larger numbers of folks then choose those plans, which would force other companies to operate on smaller margins?

I do think there are jobs to be lost by implimentation -- profit is good, to think otherwise quickly can open a pandora's box -- but competition needs to be protected (price fixing and monoplies) to ensure it. Those that compete should play by the same rules, so the government that doesnt have to make a profit, and can print the money will jump in put folks out of business, and afterward will raise prices...

huh???

[TailgateNut]

[QUOTE=Bob;2487211]If there were more private companies, and if they were not engaged in price fixing,QUOTE]


That brings to mind a report on a local radio station about the theft of a bunch erectile meds. The "valued" the loss in the $hundreds of thousands but only offered $10K reward. Just goes to show you how much it costs to make meds vs what they charge. We're talking profit margins of ungodly porportions.

[Bob]

[QUOTE=Bob;2487211]If there were more private companies, and if they were not engaged in price fixing,QUOTE]


That brings to mind a report on a local radio station about the theft of a bunch erectile meds. The "valued" the loss in the $hundreds of thousands but only offered $10K reward. Just goes to show you how much it costs to make meds vs what they charge. We're talking profit margins of ungodly porportions.

Rewards are never equal to the loss of the actual items stolen...

Profit is good, its part of our system which motivates folks to work hard, which in turn helps everyone. At what percentage does profit become bad? Who decides that? Do unelected, unaccountable Czars? Again, a slippery slope. -- I too think that at some point if a profit margin is very high that something is wrong, but how do you fix it without detroying priciples of capitalism? Create an environment where more can compete this will (and always has, when there is no price fixing) drive down costs.

[Odysseus]

I am a political atheist. I don't believe either party exists.

[Falconer]

:rofl: You need to get out a bit more.

Not really. They might take different sides on wedge issues, but that is just to get their bases energized. When it comes to the actual governing they both completely ignore the constitution for the most part.

[Spider]

Do you regret the Ross Perrot choice now? My dad was a big fan as well -- I personally loved his stance on government fiscal responsbility, and his use of pie charts...

perrot was completely bat**** , found this out in his second run ........

[Arkie]

Not being sarcastic when I say this, but do you ever get ANY political satisfaction with the choices "available" to you?

No. Politics are about keeping promises to those who donate the most money and can assure your survival. That's why the same "Big Money" goes to both sides. People think money wins elections, but they are wrong. Money starts flowing to the candidate with the biggest lead.

I had some Arkansas pride when Clinton became President though.

[Bob]

Not really. They might take different sides on wedge issues, but that is just to get their bases energized. When it comes to the actual governing they both completely ignore the constitution for the most part.

Both parties are willing to trample various rights and grow government beyond what is their right -- both are trending toward tyrany.

I have asked this before, but no one bit -- if during the next election cycle an R got elected, lets say a Palin type, and if she had the same disregard as Bush had and now even more so with Obama has for limited governmental powers -- they would be up in arms and suddenly see it.

Until there is a party that knows its place our collective vioce and Liberties will become smaller and smaller -- all the while as we aurgue about gay marriage and intentionally distracting topics.

[Bob]

No. Politics are about keeping promises to those who donate the most money and can assure your survival. That's why the same "Big Money" goes to both sides. People think money wins elections, but they are wrong. Money starts flowing to the candidate with the biggest lead.

I had some Arkansas pride when Clinton became President though.

Eventually, the longer the cycle goes of D's and R's who both grow government -- I wonder if at some point, what would unite both the left and right to see our freedoms are really connected to up and down freedom.

It will be hard for the folks like me to give up the social stuff in order to make this shift -- it would have to be a middle of the road guy for gay marriage and legal pot, but also 2nd amendment rights -- but will fight to the end for the radical right's freedom of free speach like Savage to speak, but in the same day would speak out for Bill Meyer (is that his name?)