[jdjtcagle]

But I'm not sure why, we both quite ignorant on the subject, he's a democrat because he's drinking buddies with the Oklahoma State Representative (shhh... don't tell anybody ) and I don't know what to believe, what am I talking about?

Republican or Democrat?

I need help understanding them...
Personally, politics don't matter to me

But, I am the curious one that always has to get the truth out of things (EX.  Ninja VS Samuri )

I'm also posting a poll, so keep it clean guys

[Grey Wolf]

Umm.... Neither.

[Thorn]

Two party systems suck. Particularly when both parties are very similiar (even though they wont admit it).

[jdjtcagle]

Does it even matter what party you sign up with?

[Bobboau]

Dem'publicans

[Grey Wolf]

Not really. Only signifigance of party affiliation is primaries.

[Rictor]

Originally posted by jdjtcagle
Personally, politics don't matter to me

I don't mean to insult you, but thats very, very sad. But, hey, you're asking questions and trying to learn, thats good.

*deep breath*, alright, here we go

In Theory

Republicans - They believe in individual success, and small government. If everyone is left to their own devices, without the intereference of a huge government, people will natuarally be happy and prosperous. Economically, they are cautious and thrifty, and believe in a balanced budget and low taxation. They believe in minimal healthcare, welfare and other things which they percieve as money out of their pockets to help some lazy unemployed slob. They also believe that "the markets know best", which means that profit is the highest priority, and that people should not be burdened with restriction, such as environment or labour, to stand in the way of their success. They believe in a strong military, but only to protect the homeland. Non-interventionist foreign policy. Rather more religious than Democrats.

Democrats - Protecting the poor and exploited against the evil, billionare fat-cats. They love peace, democracy, and just want to make every happy. They believe in equality, whether its on the basis or race, religion, gender etc. They believe in perserving the environment, in worker's rights and in civil liberties. In regards to foreign policy, they believe in self-determination and peaceful co-existance, not forcing their values upon others. They think that the best way to bring about good in society, at least in the short term, is to have a centralized government control key industries, both due to the efficiency of centralization and due to the fact that governments are (or should be) accountable to "the people". Also, capitalism is at best a flawed system, which must be regulated to prevent exploitation. People before profits, thats their motto.


In Practice

Republicans - Believe that America has not only a right, but a duty, to dominate the world, militarily, economically, culturally etc. They believe that anyone who is poor is that way because they are lazy, unskilled or just stupid, and that the rich and powerful are just more capable, and therefore deserve whatever they can get. The almighty dollar rules all, nothing should stand in the way of making a profit. They believe in upholding "American values", which are deeply rooted in Christianity. Anyone without at least two flags is a traitor, and a terrorist. Though in theory they want a small government, in practice some of the biggest and most intrusive governments have been under Republicans, Dubya being the prime example. Have no problems with excessive corporate power.

Democrats - Also believe that America should dominate the world, but that it should do so with a big smile on its face. They make token gestures toward the above-mentioned In Theory values, but their desire to be a dominant power (not necesarilly with evil intentions) over-rides that. There is a little voice inside their heads saying "this is not how it should be, we need to strive for a better world", but because of their utmost trust in their leaders, and the need to de-throne Bush, they ignore it.

[jdjtcagle]

Originally posted by Rictor


I don't mean to insult you, but thats very, very sad.

First off, I'm not insulted...

I don't even have a driving license yet, I'm halfway through 15.
It doesn't matter to me yet, it probably never will.  Also, you can ask half the people in my small little town that has to WORK to make a living, poor, little town that doesn't have any intrested but to live there lives productive, having no call in there government actions, hell they don't know the difference.
I am I politic to my god and that is all, I seriously have no hope for this multigovernment world ruled by arrogent people in my eyes, it's a sad but almost true observation.

This is a curiousity of mine, that's all...
I'm curious what all these so called political figures believe in, it's not sad...
But I think you summed it up, so thanks

[Rictor]

Let me just add that there is a very important third system, if I can be so general, and that is anarchism. Its quite a bit more complicated to explain than either "liberal" or "conservative", but I think thats its a unique and interesting philosophy.

[phreak]

KEN JENNINGS FOR PRESIDENT

[Ford Prefect]

I think you're making it too general. The system may be two-party, but people's ideologies certainly aren't. As an example, the policies of Bush's administration have led to a great deal of dissent within the Republican party. There is a siginificant portion of American conservatives who are upset with Bush because of the deficit spending and the infringement on civil liberties.

[jdjtcagle]

Rictor, did you read my post, before your last post?

[Rictor]

yeah, but I posted before I read it. I think its good that you are taking an interest in the different political systems, because its important for people to be aware of the word in which they live.

phreak: who?

ford: yeah, well, thats mostly personified by the Buchanan crowd, both those in the Reform Party and those still within the GOP. But seriously, they're as much a joke to mainstream conservatives as Nader is to mainstream liberals. dissidents from the main two parties usually run off and join either the libertarians or Reform for conservatives, or the Greens, Nader or anarchists for the Dems.

[Ford Prefect]

Actually I saw an interview on Bill Moyers a little while ago with a guy from the American Conservatives Union, and he expressed great dissatisfaction with the amount of spending this administration has indulged in. (Of course, that's just because they don't want the government to spend any money because they're lunatics, but you get the point.)

[jdjtcagle]

It's a hard choice...

I want to say Democrat, because it's looks better to me.  

Because Republican, is just giving dangerous power more power
Do you see what I mean?

and plus basically you have to be born rich or born into that lifestyle

[Rictor]

Let me ask you this: why do you have to choose either?

There is a multitude of idealogies and political parties, not only the two. There is no need to shoe-horn you beliefs into one of the two big parties which claim to have a monopoly on political thought in America.

In any case, I think that someting of thing important should warrant more investigation than merely my summary. I wish there was a single resource that would describe the variety of political and social systems in place, but there isn't. If you'de like, there are certain books and authors I can recommend if you want to learn more about the different philosphies.

[jdjtcagle]

I think your right...
I was leaning toward Democrat, but I'm going to search for more

This place only has two political systems that are EVER mentoned in school

[redsniper]

all I have to say on US politics is: read Give Me a Break by John Stossel
OSHA sucks
private market does it better
lawsuits cause more problems than they solve

[jdjtcagle]

What we need is a UNITED WORLD, but that is just a dream, the big question is why do people see it as only a dream?

[Ford Prefect]

private market does it better

*puke*

What we need is a UNITED WORLD, but that is just a dream, the big question is why do people see it as only a dream?

Because it challenges the commonly held world view, like every societal change. One day it will happen. Where the economy goes politics will follow, sooner or later.