Rosie, I don't vote party, I vote for the person. I have voted Dem and Rep for different offices on the same ballot. With the presidential election, I voted different parties for different offices.
Thank you for your answer Karen. I am a Dem. I have seen/heard some Republicans on various news shows who were Conservative, articulate, civil, respectful and enjoyable. Even likable. The difference between them and the rest of their like-minded pals is that they don't hate the opposition. There are more haters than not I think. Or perhaps it is that haters are a lot noisier, pushier, more obnoxious. Happy Thursday! :)
Well, I can't really do it, but there are some reasons for this:
1) I struggle to name admirable people from the political party closer to my beliefs. I've got Elizabeth Warren, Alan Grayson, and....hang on...let me think...um, still struggling here....give me a minute....well, you get the idea.
I think the reason I struggle so is because BOTH major US political parties are deeply corrupted by our Best Democracy Money Can Buy.
The Democratic Party at least pays some lip service to overturning Citizens United v. FEC and putting some semblance of control on political spending. The GOP doesn't give a f**k, except to cite George Soros as a Boogieman when it suits their political purposes.
2) The two political parties have become much more polarized over the past few decades. In particular, there used to be such things as "liberal Republicans" who, while relatively conservative (in the old-fashioned sense of that word) in their approach to change and/or granting the government more power, recognized the need for things like social welfare, a clean environment, a watchful eye on the Military-Industrial Complex/National Security State, and so forth.
In place of politicians like Eisenhower, Rockefeller, Nixon, and even Ronald Reagan (who authorized tax increases when tax cuts started blowing up the federal deficit and who believed no gun owner really needed an AK-47 or AR-15), we have much more doctrinaire and authoritarian GOPers, who seem to be mostly motivated by acquiring/maintaining power for the sake of acquiring/maintaining power.
I find nothing admirable in Refugees from The Reality-Based Community.
Do you think PET will appoint right-wing extremist ALT RIGHT WHITES to SCOTUS OS? I do. I think his selection of Steve Bannon to a position of power and influence bodes very ill for we the people and the country. We are doomed. How much damage will PET and his minions do in 4 years? I have no idea but it will be a lot. I have seen/heard some Republicans on news shows who were thoughtful, civil and respectful as they stated their views. They were articulate and even likable. There is no doubt they are Conservatives but they don't hate those who aren't. It is among that group that I would be able to give some examples. Mahalo for your very thoughtful and informative reply OS! :)
Admiration and respect are earned. Can't say anyone in Washington has risen to that level. Politicians are a necessary evil and we don't get to pic who steps up for office. We have to choose one from all the above.
So can't give you an answer. Maybe someone will shine through but not yet.
There are plenty I respect, I just do not think they could win. I THOUGHT Hillary was a shoo-in. I really did. I mean look what she was up against? Anyone ELSE should have/and could have won against Trump, except Sara Palin.
As the title of his new book “Our Revolution: A Future to Believe In” (St. Martin’s Press) suggests, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders devotes hundreds of pages to laying out a road map for achieving progressive policies. In chapters entitled “Defeating Oligarchy” and “Ending a Rigged Economy” he delves into topics that were signatures of his campaign for the Democratic nomination for president.
But in the wake of Republican candidate Donald Trump’s win, which shocked Democratic voters and pundits alike, readers may be more interested in the shorter section of his treatise that looks back at Sanders’ ultimately unsuccessful campaign against Hillary Clinton. In it, he recounts his campaign strategy, provides his perspective on memorable moments — who could forget, “We’re tired of hearing about your damn emails”? — and manages to get in his fair share of digs at Clinton and the political establishment more broadly.
This post was edited by WM BARR . =ABSOLUTE TRASH at November 16, 2016 12:44 PM MST
I shall give you an example of what I mean m'dear. I am a Dem. The opposition Party is the Republican party. I have seen and heard some very responsible/reliable/civil/ thoughtful Republicans on different news shows engage in conversation that is never insulting or demeaning or rude. They state their position without vilifying the opposition. They never offend. They are likable and respectful. So if you are not affiliated with any party nor do you lean toward any party then this question would not apply to you . Did that help? Happy Thursday ele! :)
Benedict Arnold 