Should I become a Democrat?

[Kodratos]

Should I become a Dem?

Look at my compass score:
Economic Left/Right: -3.50
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.88

I don't like the Republicans anymore. I find myself siding with Dems more often than Reps these days.

The enviroment has become the most important issue to me, and I dislike the GOP's disregard for it. I have become a self-described socialist economically.

For a while I have been a GOPer due to party loyalty and a bond with Republicans and a fondness for Republican leaders. I no longer feel that loyalty or bond. I'm still glad Bush won the election though because I couldn't stand Kerry.

I used to be an anti-Bush Rep, now I see myself as a left-leaning Bush supporter.

The only issue I really agree with the Republicans on is abortion. Bush has shown NO initiative regarding this issue.

What do you think?

[Josh/Devilman88]

Yes go ahead that or Ind.

[The Duke]

Bush signed a partial birth abortion ban, so I wouldn't say he's been nowhere on the issue.

Stay GOP.  You're profile says you're 17, you'll change a lot during the next few years.  Don't panic, as angus would say.

[DaleC76]

There's nothing wrong with being a moderate Republican...

[Alcon]

People treat politics like they are developmental. It's almost as if the idea is "well, you're in puberty - you'll grow a moustache and become a right-wing Republican, don't worry."

I find this pretty untrue. Go with what you feel. I personally think your description indicates you should switch, but it's up to your heart.

[Storebought]

It's a political party, not a religion, so it's nothing to agonize about. And if you are as broken up about leaving the GOP as you would be about leaving your family, then you seriously need to reconsider the importance you attach to politics in general.

That said, I voted 'yes.'

[Kodratos]

It takes a certain inner hardness to be a Republican, which you clearly lack.

That's the kind of sh-t I'm talking about. Goodbye GOP!

[qwerty]

Kodratos, ignore storebought's ignorance.

[Storebought]

I modified my original comment. I do apologize for it.

That said, it's a political party not a family. Nothing worth agonizing about.

[John Dibble]

Go independent. Until you are sure of what you are, there's no real point in saying you are one way or the other. Independent gives you some flexibility anyways.

[Gabu]

Depends.  If you feel completely or at least mostly comfortable calling yourself a Democrat, then I would say yes.  If, on the other hand, you feel uncomfortable with both parties, then I would say to be an independent.  It's not a requirement to be a member of any party if you don't want to be.

[The Duke]

People treat politics like they are developmental. It's almost as if the idea is "well, you're in puberty - you'll grow a moustache and become a right-wing Republican, don't worry."

I find this pretty untrue. Go with what you feel. I personally think your description indicates you should switch, but it's up to your heart.

I never said he'd become more right wing, or more left wingfor that matter.  I only said his ideas would evolve over time, and I don't think there's a serious refutation to that point that could be made.  17 year olds are not a finished product, end of story.

[Platypus]

I'll talk in australian terms for this, because it's important and I wat to make 100% sure I know what I'm talking about-hopefully you'll still be able to too.

I went from being a radical leftist socially at twelve to a racist uberconservative at 14 (elite private schools will do that to you). I have never had much problems with economic issues, i've basically always believed what I thoght was common sense; others have different ideas of what common sense is.

Basically, Because i'm interested in politics, i've had the will to explore my beliefs. Do I really think we should give the aborigines more funding? Not an easy question for me. I believe we have to do something, but I also know that giving them money will just make the beer companies money, and that the only real solution doesn't exist yet. I think I support the idea of an aboriginal body, but i'm still deciding.

I know that I have basic principles, and I know you do too. I'm not sure what yours are, but mine are Vigour, Kindness and Reliability. Those principles guide my life and my politics. Maybe I'll become an extreme right winger. If I do, that's fine-things make views change.

Kodratos, you're my age/.e at least as bright as me, and you, like me, have the whole big pond out there of political ideologies to face. you might choose the safety of a boat, for fear o seeing a reflection in the water you don't want, or you might choose to swim across it, recognising each rop of water as part of yourself and what defines you.

I define myself as a vigourous, kind reliable person. I also know that I do have some vies on race that aren't totally PC./ Whilst i'm not a racial supremacists, some things about other races and cultures really seem abhorrent and disgusting to me. I also know that I can't accept guns in surburban streets, and that when 100 whales beach themselves, it's tragic. I believe that fogs are better then cats, but cayts are cool, and I believe that chocolate ice cream isn't as good as vanilla.

There is more to me than "Social Liberal, economic centrist". There is more to you then "Anti-Bush Republican" or "Left-leaning Bush supporter".

Don't let anyone or especially and boat force you off your route. The propellors that are the parties can seriously harm who you are.

I hope that wasn't too fanciful

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Give it a try for a while. Experimenting never hurt anyone.

[patrick1]

Give it a try for a while. Experimenting never hurt anyone.

Keith Moon, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison^^^ uggh sorry forgot we were talking politics.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Give it a try for a while. Experimenting never hurt anyone.

Keith Moon, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison^^^ uggh sorry forgot we were talking politics.

Point taken :-)

[12th Doctor]

It takes a certain inner hardness to be a Republican, which you clearly lack.

That's the kind of sh-t I'm talking about. Goodbye GOP!

So, Koratos, am I a hard hearted person?  I would say that niether myself, nor John Ford, nor PBrunsel are hard hearted people and we are the leading GOPers on the forum.

[English]

Should I become a Dem?

Look at my compass score:
Economic Left/Right: -3.50
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.88

I don't like the Republicans anymore. I find myself siding with Dems more often than Reps these days.

The enviroment has become the most important issue to me, and I dislike the GOP's disregard for it. I have become a self-described socialist economically.

For a while I have been a GOPer due to party loyalty and a bond with Republicans and a fondness for Republican leaders. I no longer feel that loyalty or bond. I'm still glad Bush won the election though because I couldn't stand Kerry.

I used to be an anti-Bush Rep, now I see myself as a left-leaning Bush supporter.

The only issue I really agree with the Republicans on is abortion. Bush has shown NO initiative regarding this issue.

What do you think?

Yes. With a score like that, I hardly see how you could feel at home in the Republican party! I don't like abortion either, but I believe it's a matter of personal morality and shouldn't be legislated against.

[Democratic Hawk]

If you're unhappy with the Republican Party, then why shouldn't you give the Democrats a go?

Dave