QOTW - Politics

[SoonerTexan]

QOTW - Politics

I'm with Tara. I am pretty much socially conservative, except I am very much against the death penalty and not really into the whole gun rights thing. I do believe pro-life means so much more than being anti abortion, but also believe it takes precedence over other issues for the reasons Tara listed.

I usually end up voting Republican for that reason, but find myself disgusted by many of that party's other stances. At the same time, I do think practicality requires paying attention to financial issues, lest we end up in an awful situation for everyone. Most of the time I don't really know what the correct answer is and I do believe it is never as black and white as it seems.

I've never campaigned for anyone. I tend to only vote in the big elections, but not because I don't care, more a function of time and little people. It bothers me to vote when I don't have a full understanding of the candidates and issues.

DH said he might be interested in politics someday and I would totally dread that. Too much of a circus. I hate the 1.5 years leading to the presidential elections because it is so obnoxious and dividing

[Pollyanna]

My concern about getting involved in politics is opponents will destroy you and your family if given the chance. Good people make great sacrifices to get involved or run for office IMO.

[mommax3]

I lean conservative on most issues, but also feel like Kris, especially about national politics. Education is becoming a hot-button topic for me, and I am finding myself on the democratic side of things on that issue...as is my mother, a retired teacher and die-hard Republican!

[rain_dancer]

Generally, I would classify myself as socially liberal and financially moderate/conservative. I vote in major general elections, but not primaries for the same reasons as ST. I believe that voting is not just a right, it is a responsibility and the individual needs to put in the time and energy to become educated on political issues and candidates. If you aren't willing to do that, I don't believe you should be voting. IMHO, politics are too complicated to simply vote along party lines.

As far as important political issues for me, it tends to change somewhat with the election. But generally, I'm drawn to candidates that show some signs of willingness to compromise and (gasp!) might even have the same view on a certain issue as the opposing political party.

IMHO, our political system is broken. It's far too polarized and more akin to opposing sports teams than people working together to accomplish a common goal. As I see it, the other major problem with politics now is the financial aspect. It is so costly to even campaign that that significantly limits the pool of potential candidates to the wealthy. That, and then you get all of your special interest lobbyists and corporations buying the candidates.