S/O - 3rd Partiers Please Stand Up

[Michelle]

Pages 5 and 6 of DruidP's get-into-it-post has me curious - how many on this board define ourselves as "independent" or a member of a 3rd party? If you are one, please raise your hand and tell us:

1) what is your 3rd party affiliation (if applicable)? (Green Party, Libertarian, none, etc.).
2) Where do you stand on social issues like gay marriage, pro-choice, death penalty, etc.?
3) Where do you stand on fiscal issues (conservative (smaller government, lower taxes, capitalism, etc.) or liberal (comprehensive government, federal regulation of a variety of activities, tax rates set at whatever level is necessary to fund government initiatives for society, etc.)?
4) If you vote in a bipartisan election do you tend to vote one way or another?
5) (if you dare) - do you feel welcome to post opposing opinions here?

[druidp]

1) what is your 3rd party affiliation (if applicable)? (Green Party, Libertarian, none, etc.). Libertarian
2) Where do you stand on social issues like gay marriage, pro-choice, death penalty, etc.? For gay marriage (or at least not legislating against it, so allowing it); pro-choice; anti-death-penalty.
3) Where do you stand on fiscal issues (conservative (smaller government, lower taxes, capitalism, etc.) or liberal (comprehensive government, federal regulation of a variety of activities, tax rates set at whatever level is necessary to fund government initiatives for society, etc.)? Prefer smaller/local government where appropriate, smaller/local social assistance vs. larger and where available.
4) If you vote in a bipartisan election do you tend to vote one way or another? I have tended toward Republican, but Libertarian has been more my flavor since it tends to be more about self-jurisdiction - which is good for gay marriage and abortion choice.
5) (if you dare) - do you feel welcome to post opposing opinions here? I do generally, but sometimes have not been up to and/or available for what will turn into a lot of back & forth of disagreeing on stances. I really do not care for name-calling or when stuff gets into a personal level that it doesn't need to be. Not saying I'm not guilty of it, but I'd definitely try to fix it if I did it.

[Michelle]

1) no actual 3rd party affiliation - I'm homeless in this regard
2) Where do you stand on social issues like gay marriage, pro-choice, death penalty, etc.? Socially liberal
3) Where do you stand on fiscal issues? Fiscally moderate
4) If you vote in a bipartisan election do you tend to vote one way or another? I think I tend to vote conservatively (republican or libertarian) on a federal level and democratic on a local level
eta - and state level.
But the current move of the GOP against women's rights lately has me questioning what the hell to do in November. I can't vote pro-labor movement with the current agenda of labor unions in the U.S. right now in private sector industries.
5) I feel comfortable posting most of the time but there are definitely topics for which I steer clear.

[taylormade]

1) I have voted Libertarian in the last 3 elections.

2) Socially - Pro-choice, Pro-gay marriage. I believe in the death penalty. We need to stop illegal immigration, and work on ways of revamping the immigration policies. I do not believe health care should be tied to your job. I'm not sure what the solution is, but we as a society need to come together to provide healthcare for all.

3) Fiscal Issues - Smaller government. Lower corporate taxes to increase jobs. I would like to see a flat-tax implemented, because I believe it is fair way to tax the population.

I also do not see my vote as being 'wasted' by voting for a 3rd party. If enough people actually voted 3rd party, maybe we could finally stop just being a democratic vs republican nation and have more options.

[eclaires]

1 - No party.

2 - Pro-gay marriage., pro-choice, anti-DP

3 - Fiscally conservative.

4 - Tend to vote R in presidential elections, tend to vote 50/50 locally and for US Congress. Used to be more split, but in TN, it seems like the options are more commonly Rs running unopposed.

5 - I feel welcome to post my opinions. I don't feel interested in it. I also don't like how it makes me want to go slam down the vote lever for a straight R ticket. Which is why I'm staying out of debates when I can control myself.

[bigt1]

Libertarian, I don't care what you do in your bedroom or doctor's office

We need to fix healthcare and make it affordable and accessible for all

We need a Fair tax and everybody should pay something.

I just can't get on board with the isolationist stuff and I'm not as loosey-goosey on the drug stuff

[kadams767]

1) what is your 3rd party affiliation (if applicable)? (Green Party, Libertarian, none, etc.). Independent
2) Where do you stand on social issues like gay marriage, pro-choice, death penalty, etc.? Vehemently pro-choice and for legalizing gay marriage on the federal level. I am open to persuasion on the death penalty.
3) Where do you stand on fiscal issues (conservative (smaller government, lower taxes, capitalism, etc.) or liberal (comprehensive government, federal regulation of a variety of activities, tax rates set at whatever level is necessary to fund government initiatives for society, etc.)? I lean to the right of moderate. I am in favor of smaller government and capitalism. But my view of smaller government also includes a reduced military and cutting spending from most programs (not just social welfare and entitlement programs). But I also favor increased funding for specific traditionally leftist agendas, such as (a reformed) education system, food stamps and vocational training.
4) If you vote in a bipartisan election do you tend to vote one way or another? Tend to vote Dem. in presidential elections. My locally elected leaders, I would say I am split 50/50 Dem/Repub.
5) (if you dare) - do you feel welcome to post opposing opinions here? Yes, but I am not a regular. I don't think anyone hates me yet.

Read more: pandce.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=51165#ixzz24y97Djzk

[wrathofkuus]

1) what is your 3rd party affiliation (if applicable)? (Green Party, Libertarian, none, etc.).

I'm a registered Libertarian. That doesn't mean that the party and I see eye to eye on absolutely everything, but overall I feel it suits my interests well.

2) Where do you stand on social issues like gay marriage, pro-choice, death penalty, etc.?

I'm pro equal rights, but I'd like to get rid of legal marriage completely. I'm absolutely pro-choice, and while the death penalty sounds reasonable in theory, I think the practice is flawed enough to warrant getting rid of it altogether.

3) Where do you stand on fiscal issues (conservative (smaller government, lower taxes, capitalism, etc.) or liberal (comprehensive government, federal regulation of a variety of activities, tax rates set at whatever level is necessary to fund government initiatives for society, etc.)?

VERY small government, low taxes

4) If you vote in a bipartisan election do you tend to vote one way or another?

Hmm. Few elections are truly bipartisan, though there are obviously two main parties. For me, if I'm choosing between the two, it depends completely on the office, and on the candidate.

5) (if you dare) - do you feel welcome to post opposing opinions here?

I barely feel welcome to lurk, let alone to post opposing opinions. Though I do anyway.

[ttt]

I'm actually a registered Independent, even though I mostly vote D. I registered this way because I really kind of hate the Democratic party as an organization.

[emilyj]

1) what is your 3rd party affiliation: Libertarian
2) Where do you stand on social issues: Pro-gay marriage, pro-choice, pro-DP
3) Where do you stand on fiscal issues: Fiscally conservative, smaller government, support a flat tax.
4) If you vote in a bipartisan election do you tend to vote one way or another?Since I've been voting, I've voted D for president more than I've voted R (though I have voted R). At the local level, when I can, I am pretty split.
5) (if you dare) - do you feel welcome to post opposing opinions here? I'll post my opinion as long as I can back it up with substance. If it's opposing, then fine. A lot of my lack of posting comes down to lack of time to be involved in substantive debate. It's frustrating to me to only be able to post one thing that might spark questions/debate, and then not be able to come back for hours.

[IIOY]

1. Former raging liberal leaning more and more libertarian.

2. I am radically pro-choice (I honestly have no problem with drive-by abortions, if such a thing ever becomes possible), pro-marriage for anyone who wants one, etc.. I am pro-death penalty in theory but I think the system is flawed for a variety of reasons.

3. I call myself fiscally conservative, but I think fiscal realist is probably a better term. There are certain things I just don't believe we can afford to throw money at, no matter how heartless it may seem. I despise government bureaucracy to the hilt because I think it's often inefficient. I want the biggest bang for the taxpayer buck. Don't even tell me about a new agency or program; I will spit nails.

4. Totally depends. I have no loyalty to any party.

5. If I have the time to debate, yes. I often don't bother with most of the social threads because I have little to add and they often seem to turn into a hot mess of anger anyway, especially in the past couple of weeks.

[msmerymac]

Aug 29, 2012 15:11:03 GMT -5 @majorwife said:

technically I am a registered Green
pro-gay, pro-choice, anti-death, liberal with the exception of pro-pot
graduated tax, no loopholes, heavy fed regulation, strong social nets
i tend to vote D nationally and R and D locally
i do

I agree with this. Except I am registered "decline to state" (independent) in California. I have never registered with a political party. I consider my views to, mostly, be to the left of the Dems. (Except for nuclear policy, but that's pretty far down on my list of concerns.)

If I had to choose a party it would be Green. Locally, I vote for Greens, Dems, independents, and occasionally Rs. Nationally I vote mostly Dem. I voted for Ralph Nader in 2000 and will probably vote for Jill Stein this year.

I was surprised to find out how fiscally liberal I am compared with most on the board. We had a big discussion one day and many of the hardcore libs said they favored more conservative fiscal policy, in terms of trimming the debt, etc. I'm very Keynesian. I was not always that way.

Sad to say, I used to be on the "illegal is illegal" train when it came to undocumented immigrants, but I'm really sympathetic towards that issue now. I'm pro DREAM Act and probably pro-something even more liberal.

[Deleted]

I can't believe you didn't have an option for non-citizens!!! GEEZ!!!!!

[IIOY]

Aug 29, 2012 17:22:37 GMT -5 nuggetbrain said:

I think both parties are fucked when it comes to economic issues and neither is really willing to do what it would take to balance the budget because they don't want to lose the votes of the old people (by cutting Medicare and SS), the young people (by raising some taxes), the rich people (by closing loopholes that allow the super-rich to pay absurdly low amounts), the veterans (by slashing the defense budget), parents (by getting rid of all of the tax breaks for child care/etc), or the people who don't pay any federal taxes (by instituting a flat tax so everyone is paying something).

But I think both parties are really more about getting and staying elected and toeing the party lines than actually making changes and working across the aisle to try and move the country forward.

Agree 1000%.

[hawkeye]

1) what is your 3rd party affiliation (if applicable)? Independent, originally registered as Green

2) Where do you stand on social issues like gay marriage, pro-choice, death penalty, etc.? Pro gay marriage, pro choice, pro death penalty

3) Where do you stand on fiscal issues (conservative (smaller government, lower taxes, capitalism, etc.) or liberal
(comprehensive government, federal regulation of a variety of activities, tax rates set at whatever level is necessary to fund government initiatives for society, etc.)? I think a flat tax is a good idea, smaller more local government is better, and I fully support capitalism, I think that we need healthcare reform, but I don't think gov't taking control of that horse is the answer mostly based on my dealings with the VA (gov't run healthcare)

4) If you vote in a bipartisan election do you tend to vote one way or another? I have voted almost exclusively Dem in the past because even though I consider myself fiscally conservative, I find that I can't vote for a party that doesn't focus on clean energy and civil rights

5) (if you dare) - do you feel welcome to post opposing opinions here? yes, however I am fully aware that this board is heavy in favor of serious lefties.

[pescalita]

1) None. I'm registered Democrat and have previously described myself as flaming liberal, but I'm truly disgusted with both parties at this point. My positions generally fall in the socially left/fiscally right spectrum, but there are a number of Libertarian Party policies I'm not comfortable with at all.

2) Gay marriage: yay
Pro-choice: yes
Death Penalty: no way

3) Generally small federal gov't, less spending, but it really depends on the whole picture. There are a very many things I would love the federal gov't to spend money - more money! - on. Right now I think we're off the reservation and all bets are off. But I'm big on practicality - the only things that will truly move the needle are Medicare, SS and defense, and any talk of "balancing the budget" without seriously looking at all 3 of those is lip service.

4) I have tended to vote Dem; I was in a very different place politically 4 years ago. I have no idea how I will vote in Nov.

5) Most of the time. I've been here since day 1 and I'm big on making things your own. There are posts where things are all going the same direction and I would like to say something, but I know it would ignite a shit storm that I don't have time during the day to respond to.

[aw]

1) I don't have one. I'm a conservative Libertarian.
2) I would like to see the government getting out of the business of marriage completely. I think marriage should be a religious label and the government should simply be giving out civil unions for both heterosexual and homosexual couples. I am pro-choice. I'm anti-death penalty, but also very pro-prison reform.
3) Extremely conservative.
4) I tend to vote Republican only because I am so anti-Democrat.
5) Welcome? No. Will I? Yes.

[Deleted]

Aug 29, 2012 17:53:06 GMT -5 aw said:

1) I don't have one. I'm a conservative Libertarian.
2) I would like to see the government getting out of the business of marriage completely. I think marriage should be a religious label and the government should simply be giving out civil unions for both heterosexual and homosexual couples. I am pro-choice. I'm anti-death penalty, but also very pro-prison reform.
3) Extremely conservative.
4) I tend to vote Republican only because I am so anti-Democrat.
5) Welcome? No. Will I? Yes.

In regards to #5 - I think you are most welcome on this board! I know there are still a few people who give you snark, but I think most people think you are a great asset to the board.

Also - WRT your answers - if I didn't "know" you and i saw your answers, I would totally call you a Democrat. LOL.

[marynjoe]

1) what is your 3rd party affiliation (if applicable)? consider myself Independent, but am probably Libertarian.

2) Where do you stand on social issues like gay marriage, pro-choice, death penalty, etc.? Pro gay marriage, pro-choice (but personally pro-life)), against death penalty due to errors, cost, and that it's not necessary.

3) Where do you stand on fiscal issues (conservative (smaller government, lower taxes, capitalism, etc.) or liberal (comprehensive government, federal regulation of a variety of activities, tax rates set at whatever level is necessary to fund government initiatives for society, etc.)? Fiscally conservative/realist. Like smaller government. Support some type of flat tax. We need cuts across the board. Get rid of loopholes.

4) If you vote in a bipartisan election do you tend to vote one way or another? Used to be R, but now, no.

5) (if you dare) - do you feel welcome to post opposing opinions here? Here, as in on CEP on GBCN? Sometimes. Not usually. Not worth the insults.

[Michelle]

Aug 29, 2012 17:10:07 GMT -5 @lauriergirl28 said:

I can't believe you didn't have an option for non-citizens!!! GEEZ!!!!!

Oops - I'll chalk it up to having some "typical American" in me in that my post was a very American-centric post. :-)



I think all these perspectives are interesting. I have voted for both Green Party and Libertarian in the past, but neither of those parties fit me to a T either.

One poster here said that she doesn't think her vote for libertarian candidates is throwing her vote away - I totally agree. Living in a red state but outside a purple city (slight lean toward blue but pretty well split), I tend to vote Libertarian or Independent if I'm not committed to a R/D candidate in that election (even if it's Ron Paul, who I don't like much) to increase the showing of interest on the ballot for a 3rd party. I hate that 3rd party candidates don't get campaign money and attention because they are up against the RNC and DNC.

[2vermont]

1) what is your 3rd party affiliation (if applicable)? (Green Party, Libertarian, none, etc.). I guess I would consider myself 3rd party/independent in the sense that I don't have very much confidence in either party, but have no official affiliation.

2) Where do you stand on social issues like gay marriage, pro-choice, death penalty, etc.? Lately, I would probably call myself socially moderate, but I am unwilling to say I am pro anything that goes against my personal, religious beliefs.

3) Where do you stand on fiscal issues (conservative (smaller government, lower taxes, capitalism, etc.) or liberal (comprehensive government, federal regulation of a variety of activities, tax rates set at whatever level is necessary to fund government initiatives for society, etc.)? Again, moderate. I tend to think neither one has all the answers.

4) If you vote in a bipartisan election do you tend to vote one way or another? I tend to vote Republican, but i am so cynical these days that I don't truly believe a vote either way matters.

5) (if you dare) - do you feel welcome to post opposing opinions here?
Sometimes. Other times I ask myself why I bother. Lately, I tend not to bother.

[marynjoe]

Aug 30, 2012 5:02:31 GMT -5 @publius said:

1) 5) (if you dare) - do you feel welcome to post opposing opinions here? Yes because I've been around forever. I haven't been posting as much lately just because it's a 12 hour time difference but I have been reading a lot of the posts. IMO, the board as a whole has gotten a lot less open to non-liberal positions than it used to be, which is why I haven't been posting as much because I don't want something to blow up after I go to bed and come back in the morning to six pages of stuff to respond to.

Exactly.

[llama]

1) what is your 3rd party affiliation (if applicable)? (Green Party, Libertarian, none, etc.). I am technically "unaffiliated" but the Green Party is closest to my overall views
2) Where do you stand on social issues like gay marriage, pro-choice, death penalty, etc.? Extremely liberal on social issues, far to the left of the Democratic Party. I think Democrats as a whole are very conservative.
3) Where do you stand on fiscal issues (conservative (smaller government, lower taxes, capitalism, etc.) or liberal (comprehensive government, federal regulation of a variety of activities, tax rates set at whatever level is necessary to fund government initiatives for society, etc.)? I don't think I am either conservative or liberal on fiscal issues. I don't necessarily support more or less government spending, but rather a change in the way we prioritize funding. My budget pie chart would look very different from how either Republicans or Democrats' proposals look. I do learn more toward balancing the budget but prefer to raise revenue through taxes (progressive, not flat) than by cutting programs. My approach in general is liberal in that I think government should play a major role in initiatives to support citizens and I don't oppose large federal government, but I do think our current system is wasteful and inefficient in a lot of ways so would prefer reforms. On the whole I guess more liberal, although other liberals chew me out for my criticisms of current government on the regular.
4) If you vote in a bipartisan election do you tend to vote one way or another? I tend to vote Democrat for most local offices because there are very liberal candidates who closely share my views. I prioritize social issues because I don't see that either major party has a real plan for fiscal issues. For larger offices I will vote for Democrats if they are very closely aligned with my views, but I do not give away my vote to Democrats just because I "should" in order not to "throw away" my vote. I don't believe that voting for 3rd parties is a wasted vote and I wish more people would have the courage to do so and stand up to the 2-party system, which gets us nowhere and rewards corruption and idiocy within parties. If either party feels they get certain votes no matter what they do or say because voters prefer them to another party I think that is really pathetic of the electorate. I did not vote for Obama in '08 and I will not vote for him this November because he is much more moderate than I can support and represents my overall issues with the Democratic Party (not enough action, too much talk, particularly on social issues.) I will vote for Jill Stein.
5) (if you dare) - do you feel welcome to post opposing opinions here?
Yes, although I recognize that I am not always able to be 100% rational about certain issues that affect me on a personal level and that I feel very strongly about.

[teflep]

1) Registered Dem, but lean more libertarian
2) pro gay marriage, pro-choice for others, anti-DP, pro education funding,
3) less gov involvement with regulations in necessary areas
4) I vote 3rd party for pres usually; vote mostly D locally as I lived in Baltimore City for more than 5 years and that is the only party they have.
5) I will, but if it is just snark or grump city, I try to steer clear now.