When asked which political party I am, I will without hesitation say that I am a Democrat. The problem is that, I'm not a far left Democrat. There are some Republican issues I agree with and some Democrat issues that I agree with; however, there are also issues with both parties that I am against. As a whole, I feel that neither political party represents me, and for that matter, neither represent the majority of Americans. On my post on Monday, a commenter stated that like he and I were moderates, which is fairly correct. Then, why do I consider myself a Democrat? For one, I'm a Southerner, and I think that one of the reasons that the Democratic Party continues to move further to the left and away from my political philosophy is because Southerner, by and large, no longer identify with the Democratic Party. Second and most importantly in the last decade as I have come to understand myself more, I agree with many of the social political issues of the Democratic Party, especially when it comes to LGBT rights.
The funny thing is that even though my political beliefs have not changed in the last decade or decade and a half, the way I am viewed politically has. Let me explain that. When I was in graduate school and most of my colleagues were more liberal than I was, I was seen as the conservative one. Now that I am a teacher in a small, rural Southern town, where most of my friends and colleagues are more conservative, I am now seen as the liberal one. Mostly that has to do with the communities I have been involved in and how that has changed as my geographic location and my profession has changed. Geographically, I am only a few hundred in distance from where I was but my cadre of acquaintances and friends has changed dramatically.
Truthfully, the majority of Democrats, if they heard my views on all of the issues, would not consider me a Democrat. Likewise, the majority of Republicans, if they heard my views on all of the issues, would not consider me a Republican. Then again I would not describe myself as a "demopublican" or as a "republicrat." I consider myself a moderate, and as someone who really doesn't adhere to the political philosophies of either political party. I also do not believe that I am the only one. I believe there are many moderates out there who don't fit into the current politics of America's two-party system. So where do we belong? Though, I wish a third party was the answer, the United States has rules and procedures that are stacked against third parties. Third parties have often been single issue parties or a party that was formed to rally around a specific candidate. Either way, the are not very successful.
In my opinion, moderates like the middle class are largely ignored by the political parties. Both Democrats and Republicans will speak about middle class issues or persuading independents, but neither really do anything for the two groups. What political philosophy do you adhere to?
The funny thing is that even though my political beliefs have not changed in the last decade or decade and a half, the way I am viewed politically has. Let me explain that. When I was in graduate school and most of my colleagues were more liberal than I was, I was seen as the conservative one. Now that I am a teacher in a small, rural Southern town, where most of my friends and colleagues are more conservative, I am now seen as the liberal one. Mostly that has to do with the communities I have been involved in and how that has changed as my geographic location and my profession has changed. Geographically, I am only a few hundred in distance from where I was but my cadre of acquaintances and friends has changed dramatically.
Truthfully, the majority of Democrats, if they heard my views on all of the issues, would not consider me a Democrat. Likewise, the majority of Republicans, if they heard my views on all of the issues, would not consider me a Republican. Then again I would not describe myself as a "demopublican" or as a "republicrat." I consider myself a moderate, and as someone who really doesn't adhere to the political philosophies of either political party. I also do not believe that I am the only one. I believe there are many moderates out there who don't fit into the current politics of America's two-party system. So where do we belong? Though, I wish a third party was the answer, the United States has rules and procedures that are stacked against third parties. Third parties have often been single issue parties or a party that was formed to rally around a specific candidate. Either way, the are not very successful.
In my opinion, moderates like the middle class are largely ignored by the political parties. Both Democrats and Republicans will speak about middle class issues or persuading independents, but neither really do anything for the two groups. What political philosophy do you adhere to?
Leave comments in the comments section and please vote in the poll below.
8 comments:
Like you I can't identify with either major party. And the minor parties at least here in New York are risible.
I have supported and will vote again this year for President Obama, but wish he were less of a technocrat.
I guess I'll be voting Democrat, because I can't stand the thought of Romney in the White House and what that would mean to LGBT rights, etc. But I am also not sure that Obama has all the answers our country needs right now. I tend to be pretty far left socially, and more to the right fiscally, and as you say, what's a moderate to do? Vote Democratic so at least if the country goes bankrupt, we'll do it with the right to get married to who we want to...
Peace <3
Jay
I think we need four parties: social/fiscal liberal, social/fiscal conservative, social liberal/fiscal conservative and social conservative/fiscal liberal. That way everyone would be able to find a party to his liking. Of course, there will never be even a real third party, as the barriers to that happening are already in place.
Jay, those are my thoughts exactly, so I will just say ditto.
What worries me the most is how polarized EVERYONE has become and there is NO compromise or real effort to solve problems.
"Socialism" is now such a "bad" concept, but what about the Scandinavian countries who pay high taxes and happy to do so because their taxes pay for health care and higher education in addition to regular items such as protection. They seem to be a lot happier than we are.
Thanks, Uncutplus!
I echo your thoughts about the Scandinavian countries...reduce my insurance payroll deductions and assure me of coverage and you can tax me silly!
Jay
I completely agree. What's a person to do when you're stuck in the middle? But I do know I don't want to be living on the dark ages with all my rights taken away if a certain someone gets elected.
What matters is healthcare outcomes:
The World Health Organization's ranking
of the world's health systems.
Rank Country
1 France
2 Italy
3 San Marino
4 Andorra
5 Malta
6 Singapore
7 Spain
8 Oman
9 Austria
10 Japan
11 Norway
12 Portugal
13 Monaco
14 Greece
15 Iceland
16 Luxembourg
17 Netherlands
18 United Kingdom
19 Ireland
20 Switzerland
21 Belgium
22 Colombia
23 Sweden
24 Cyprus
25 Germany
26 Saudi Arabia
27 United Arab Emirates
28 Israel
29 Morocco
30 Canada
31 Finland
32 Australia
33 Chile
34 Denmark
35 Dominica
36 Costa Rica
37 United States of America
Not only is Scandinavia ahead of USA, so are 36 other countries including the UK and Canada! How many of the above are fee for service, as in the USA? Most are government funded with taxes.
Thanks for being open to other possibilities other than the two parties. I live in a city (Los Angeles), that is in tolerate of any other view than Democrat (and as a Gay man, you are expected to be a Democrat. Otherwise, you are self loathing and antigay. Uh, not really. Everything in my life is not gay. There are other issues than gay marriage that I need to think about. I admire people who can look at the issues and can make a personal choice and not be directed by the "if you are gay, you have to vote this way or you hate yourself and the people around you."
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