At a Crossroads

[True Democrat]

I don't know what to do.

I used to be so liberal, and now, I'm turning moderate.  The other night, I was arguing with my dad about how the War in Iraq was right and the Kelo decision was wrong.  He's only an Independent (though a left-leaning one) and he made me see how far left the Democratic party as a whole is.  I don't know what party to support anymore.  On the issues, I was talking to this kind from a simulation forum, and he was helping me decide which party to join in the simulation.  When I told him my positions, he said I was definitely a conservative Republican, with the exception of gay marriage.  So basically, I have no idea what to do.   The Democrats make me so so angry on foreign policy and economics, but the amount of religion in the Republican party makes me even angrier (though not much anymore).  Can anyone help me?

[Alcon]

So, you do not want to be in the Democrats or Republicans?

This is going to be a hard one...

I have it!



Dun dun dun!

[True Democrat]

So, you do not want to be in the Democrats or Republicans?

This is going to be a hard one...

I have it!



Dun dun dun!

Not an option with Pennsylvania's archaic laws.  I might want to have a future in politics, and being an Independent does nothing for me.  I feel like I need to pick a party.

[Alcon]

In that case, I would identify as an independent here (why not? :).  As for your state, ask yourself:  in which party do you most see yourself as wanting to belong and feeling comfortable in?

While you're at it, get a new name.  ;)

[Gabu]

Didn't you have a Republican avatar for a while there?  I recall this happening once before.

[Akno21]

You should probably join the GOP. Economics and Foreign Policy are far more important than Gay Marriage. Parties are huge tents, and just because you join one doesn't mean you have to associate with the more undesirable aspects of it, in your case, the Religous Right. There are plenty of socially liberal Republicans in your region, so you wouldn't be alone, at least not until you reach the federal level, assuming your real-life ambitions come true. 

[YRABNNRM]

If I can be in the GOP, so can you.

[Gabu]

If I can be in the GOP, so can you.

You can't be in the GOP.  Sorry.

[True Democrat]

Didn't you have a Republican avatar for a while there?  I recall this happening once before.

Yeah it did.  And I'm going through it again.  But I am just getting fed up with the Democratic party.

[Nym90]

Stay with the Dems, we need more moderates in our party.

Although that's what I would personally like you to do, my true advice would be to base your party affiliation on how you feel about the President. Do you think he's doing a good job? Is America moving in the right direction? Are we better off than we were 6 years ago?

[YRABNNRM]

Although that's what I would personally like you to do, my true advice would be to base your party affiliation on how you feel about the President. Do you think he's doing a good job? Is America moving in the right direction? Are we better off than we were 6 years ago?

Nym, I'm not sure that's the best deciding factor, based on experience

[True Democrat]

I also have to take this into account:

I'm very vocal about my politics.  When I was extremely liberal during the presidential election, everyone knew me for a huge Kerry supporter.  Now, when I talk about how Barbara Boxer or someone makes me angry, everyone goes "well you're liberal, you should like her."  I try to explain to these people that I'm not really a liberal anymore, but no one seems to remember or get it.  Also, on my mom's side of the family, if I were to register Republican, would be so out of line and looked down upon, I can't even explain.

[Akno21]

I also have to take this into account:

I'm very vocal about my politics.  When I was extremely liberal during the presidential election, everyone knew me for a huge Kerry supporter.  Now, when I talk about how Barbara Boxer or someone makes me angry, everyone goes "well you're liberal, you should like her."  I try to explain to these people that I'm not really a liberal anymore, but no one seems to remember or get it.  Also, on my mom's side of the family, if I were to register Republican, would be so out of line and looked down upon, I can't even explain.

If you're thinking about getting into politics later on down the road, you'll definitly need to be in the right party. Political affiliation is too important to let it be decided by someone other than yourself. I wouldn't concern myself with pleasing my family, or staying Democratic just to please my friends, if I were in your shoes.

[Nym90]

Although that's what I would personally like you to do, my true advice would be to base your party affiliation on how you feel about the President. Do you think he's doing a good job? Is America moving in the right direction? Are we better off than we were 6 years ago?

Nym, I'm not sure that's the best deciding factor, based on experience

Well, it's clearly not the only factor to consider by any means, but I would think that whether or not you agree with a party's single most prominent member would be a critical factor in deciding whether or not to affiliate with a party.

And besides, we all know you should be a Democrat (well, probably a Libertarian based on your Political Matrix scores, but I just want as many moderate Democrats as possible).

[Nym90]

I also have to take this into account:

I'm very vocal about my politics.  When I was extremely liberal during the presidential election, everyone knew me for a huge Kerry supporter.  Now, when I talk about how Barbara Boxer or someone makes me angry, everyone goes "well you're liberal, you should like her."  I try to explain to these people that I'm not really a liberal anymore, but no one seems to remember or get it.  Also, on my mom's side of the family, if I were to register Republican, would be so out of line and looked down upon, I can't even explain.

If you're thinking about getting into politics later on down the road, you'll definitly need to be in the right party. Political affiliation is too important to let it be decided by someone other than yourself. I wouldn't concern myself with pleasing my family, or staying Democratic just to please my friends, if I were in your shoes.

True. From a purely pragmatic standpoint of getting elected, you would want to affiliate with whichever party is in the majority in your local area.

[The Duke]

You should not base your Party choice on how you feel about the President.  He's one guy.  And he's gone in two and a half years anyway.  That's a short sighted way to go.

You shouldn't worry about gay marriage either.  In twenty years, the GOP will probably be pro-gay marriage anyway.

Become a Republican, which is the direction you're headed long term anyway, and just tell your Mom you're an independent.

[True Democrat]

Well, I really don't have to decide till 2008 when I turn 18, but I'm just looking ahead.

[Colin]

If I can be in the GOP, so can you.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I seriously think that you should become part of the Republican party. As many other people have said social issues should not be a deciding factor in which party you choose since, in the long run, it doesn't matter that much. I firmly believe that in 20-25 years, unless the courts get involved like in Roe v. Wade, the Republican Party and the country as a whole will be more pro-gay marriage. The Republicans will probably support some sort of civil union idea.

That having been said you fall directly into that position between the Rockefeller Republicans that are still strong in the Northeast and the libertarians which still have power over economic policy within the party. When you're a libertarian in todays political sphere you really belong in neither party and you need to choose the lesser of two evils, which I HATE doing and in a democracy you shouldn't have to do but I'll rant about that some other time. Join the Republicans True Dem.

[MaC]

Your should change your party solely to how you feel about farm subsidies

However, if you feel you'd like to change to the good guys-David S, Bacon King, Dibble and myself would gladly have you in the party.

[True Democrat]

Your should change your party solely to how you feel about farm subsidies

However, if you feel you'd like to change to the good guys-David S, Bacon King, Dibble and myself would gladly have you in the party.

Sorry, but I want to be in a party that actually wins stuff

[Gabu]

YOU SHOULD JOIN THE GREENS THEY AGREE WITH YOU ON GAY MARRIAGE

THE REPUBLICANS DONT LOL

[bullmoose88]

If I can be a Republican...so can you...(even if some of the GOPers here think I'm wearing the wrong avatar.) You'd probably be well to the right of me.

Regardless, Democrat and Republican are not ideologies...you could be a commie pinko and be an R and a christian capitalist fundie and have a D, and be in the right place.

The question is, where do you think you can make the biggest difference?

[Bdub]

Join the GOP.  We need more moderates.

[MaC]

Your should change your party solely to how you feel about farm subsidies

However, if you feel you'd like to change to the good guys-David S, Bacon King, Dibble and myself would gladly have you in the party.

Sorry, but I want to be in a party that actually wins stuff

We win quite a good number of local elections

[MaC]

Your should change your party solely to how you feel about farm subsidies

However, if you feel you'd like to change to the good guys-David S, Bacon King, Dibble and myself would gladly have you in the party.

Sorry, but I want to be in a party that actually wins stuff

We win quite a good number of local elections

True, since all politics is local who needs to win bloody national elections anyway!

That's the spirit!