On what issue(s) do you agree with the "other" political party?

[Nick_Miller]

In the hopes of proving some common ground exists...

Let's say you are a Democrat/progressive. On what issue(s) do you typically side with the Republicans/conservatives on? Same question for Republicans/conservatives. What issue(s) do you think the Democrats/progressives are right about? I'm leaving third party folks out of this analysis because you already probably already have some beliefs that are typically held by both parties.

I'm a registered independent but admittedly left of center. Still, I agree with Republicans on a few points.

1) The national debt and balanced budget. It's irresponsible to let it keep growing and growing. Now my suggestion to resolve it would include more taxes on the wealthy (something the GOP would not be on board with), but I still agree that it's a big issue that must be addressed. I don't hear the Dems talking much the national debt.

2) General messages about hard work and meritocracy. I know it's not an even playing field, and I understand that some of us are much more privileged than others, but I still think the Dems sometimes beat on the "it's not fair!" drum a bit too hard. The vast majority of folks work hard every day to support their families. I do understand why those folks get pissed at the idea of (seemingly) abled bodied people taking welfare benefits or otherwise not working hard.

3) "Hard on crime." I support some drug legalization (marijuana at least) but I have NO sympathy for people who steal from others, attack people, etc. I am a former prosecutor and saw more losers in a few years than I can count. Some people just seem determined to make really really crappy choices (and yes heroin does fuel some crimes too, and that's a tricky wicket to solve).

Anyone else?

[Sailor Sam]

I'm left of center on almost all things, but I flop for:

1. gun control. Cold, dead hands.

2. PC language police. I think everyone's heart is the right place. Everyone wants to be named, and recognized. It's great that we're moving towards it. But implementation is currently running riot, and that dilutes the central message with unproductive eyerolling.

[Midwest]

Great topic - I lean right

1) Democrats who are for legalizing pot and ending the drug war on pot.  Complete waste of time/money.

2) Democrats who are for civil liberties/ending spying on citizens.  Not sure if either party cares, but democrats claim to.  We should follow the constitution.  If you want to look at my phone records, etc; get a warrant.

3) Civil seizure.  Creates way too much incentive for bad behavior by the police.  If you can convict of a crime, then we can discuss seizure (and who should keep the proceeds).

Again, nice topic.

MW

PS - Sailor thank you for item 2 on your list!

[boarder42]

I'm right of center.

But i dont care about abortion think its everyones choice not mine to make for you

I think a central payer Healthcare system is the most efficient and should be instituted

I believe we will have to pay a living wage with the rapid advancement of AI

I dont think we should police the world and think we should limit our military.

I think we should make the ganja legal and tax the F out of it to balance our national debt and likely fund healthcare for all.

[pbkmaine]

Hmm.

1) I am for increased safety checks around guns.
2) I like infrastructure spending.
3) I hate political correctness.
4) I am for prison reform.
5) I would legalize many drugs.
6) If I want to end my own life, I should be able to do it. it's my life, dammit.
7) I think the best way to minimize abortion is mandatory sex education and free birth control.
8) I am clueless about how to fix health care, but I think anyone should be able to self-insure for the small stuff and buy major medical for the big stuff.
9) I am fine with higher taxes, including those on inheritance. Tax rates are historically low.
10) I have no problem with a VAT tax.
11) I think there should be more "industrial" high schools teaching technical skills and awarding associates degrees. These should be free.
12) I think we are testing our kids so much that they aren't learning how to think for themselves and solve problems, which is what success in life is all about.
13) I believe that providing homeless people with housing and support saves governments money.
14) I think we are too quick to throw money at many problems, though.
15) I think immigration and diversity made this country great, and if we do anything to suppress them, we do ourselves a disservice.
16) Anyone who denies the science behind evolution is an idiot.

I was able to see Michael Bloomberg's tenure in NYC at close range, since I worked there at the time. Although his administration was certainly not perfect, I was and am a big fan of his cerebral, data-driven approach to problems.

When I take tests on the internet for political affiliation, I usually get ranked as a moderate with libertarian leanings. This past year has definitely pushed me to the left though. If you're a moderate, where you vote depends on who frightens you more - the crazy people on the left or the crazy people on the right. As things now stand, I find the crazy people on the right to be absolutely terrifying.

[Chris22]

Pretty far right, but socially lean left.  Basically, I have no interest telling people what to do if they pay me the same courtesy.

Abortion - why is this still a debate?  it's legal.  I'm with Billy Clinton: safe, legal, rare

Birth control/sex ed:  How do abortions become safe/legal/rare?  Sex ed and BC.

Gay marriage: what interest does anyone have in the government telling us who we can marry (amongst legal consenting adults)?

Pot: legalize it

[nereo]

I've never been able to comfortably put myself on 'the political spectrum' - in part because I share positions held by either end.
(in no particualr order)
1) marriage - it's none of the government's business who's boinking who as long as it's consensual. Ergo, yay gay marriage, yay straight marriage, yay no marriage (which is important when it comes to adoption, survivors rights, etc.  Your life partner should get the same hospital/tax/legal rights whether you're married or not)
2) gun control. Law abiding citizens should be able to buy and carry guns, but we ought to have background checks and close gun-show loopholes
3) Abortion - personally against it but I won't prevent another from having one in the 1st trimester or when her life is at stake.  Regarding the latter, that should be between her and her licensed physician, not government. In other words, "safe, legal, rare"
4) Federal government - smaller overall
5) Military - Much smaller. It's ridiculous how much we spend
6) Immigration - Biggest long-term opportunity with the US is to grab more motivated individuals and keep them here (e.g. H1-B visas).
7) National debt - we need to make reducing it a priority, see deficit (#8).
8) deficit spending - necessary during extreme events (e.g. war) but we've overused it and become addicted to it.
9) Pot - I don't like it and don't want it unrestricted, but our recent legal actions against pot users are just stupid.  Regulate like cigarettes/alcohol/etc I suppose.
10) estate tax - definitely, and set closer to the $2MM mark.  Anything over should be taxed at income-tax levels
11) income tax - progressive and near current levels
12) tax deductions - get rid of every single one.
13) VAT tax - no.
14) SS - keep but means-test recipients.  For every $100k you have in savings you get 2% less.
15) IRAs - increase limit to $10k and index to inflation.
16) health care - basic services and prevention for everyone provided by the government. Comprehensive care from highly-regulated private companies which are profit-limited.
17) Stop this archane practice of making people file taxes every damn year.  You pay taxes out of your paycheck.  At the end of the year the IRS mails YOU a summary of what you paid and what it thinks you should have paid.  You can agree with their assessment - if not only THEN do you file a tax document.  Given the lack of tax-breaks (#12) it shoudn't be hard to do, and free tax software for everyone (not just those making $65k or less...)
18) Everyone gets exactly 1 week to cast a ballot for any federal election, and everyone who is eligible is automatically registered. Results are not announced until all 50 states close their polls.

ETA: more things I thought of.

[Sailor Sam]

14) SS - keep but means-test recipients.  For every $100k you have in savings you get 2% less.

I never thought about that one, but it sounds okay to me. I'll add that to my list.

[nereo]

14) SS - keep but means-test recipients.  For every $100k you have in savings you get 2% less.

I never thought about that one, but it sounds okay to me. I'll add that to my list.

yeah... I'll admit there are two problems with the idea.  The first is logistical - how do you prevent rich(er) people from hiding assets?  A better integrated banking system (even global) is a partial solution. The second is philisophicial - people who don't plan would get the most. However, I think that's kinda the whole point of this social safety net.  Partial solution; by making investing more attractive (e.g. increasing IRA cap) it will reward the good people more than it will the lazy.

[iris lily]

I am conservative, very fiscally conservative and I dislike and distrust any political solutions for
The People that just means more government programs giving The People stuff. I want my country to run a balanced budget.

I think the things that made this country great are
1)publicly funded education
2) great natural resources
3) and a well conceived Constitution

All these have supported The People in thriving.

I dont care who sleeps with who, who says prayers when or where, who aborts and how often, who smokes weed or shoots heroin, who has ten children. But I dont want to pay for any of it.

So I agree with the left in hands off in legislating the social stuff. I just dont want to pay for all of the social stuff that seem to be constant pressure from the left.

[jrhampt]

I'm a democrat, but here's where I agree with republicans:

Free trade (remember up until a couple of weeks ago when republicans were for free trade??)
Lean against some gun control laws (I grew up in Texas)
Believe in capital punishment (just wish it was applied without racial bias)

[calimom]

I lean pretty far left of center, and not sure I'm addressing the question but here goes:

Personal Responsibility: Yes. Unless you're independently wealthy an able bodied adult should work and take care of themselves. Oh, and equal pay for equal work, gender and color blind.

Education: This should be equal for all. Schools in zip codes with richer people should not be better than those in poorer neighborhoods. Level playing field for all. And if you want private school, Jesus school, or home school, great. Just don't expect the government to kick in. Take what's offered or pay for it yourself.

ChildrenIf you don't want them, no problem. If you want/need an abortion, have one. Even though my personal belief is that the planet already has plenty of people, and not into controlling anyone's right to procreate, if you have 10 children, you need to be responsible for them. Cap off the tax deduction at 2 per couple, and if you still want to have a litter of kids, go for it. Just don't expect government support. Don't have children you can't afford to support.

Government: Yes, we need regulation. In finance, in housing, for automobiles, business and the environment. To think otherwise is folly.  Use common sense. Working for the government should be seen as service to the public and should be respected. In return civil servants should treat their constituents well. There should be bonuses for a job well done, and a way to rid the public of workers who act like Twunts. While oversight can seem onerous, don't be an idiot. It's OK to build buildings that don't fall down on people in an earthquake. At the same time, if you have your heart set on a beach house and you live in a hurricane zone, don't expect a FEMA check for your million dollar house if it gets damaged.Not my fault!

Environment: Do we still need this conversation? Guess so. Fracking, REALLY? Can we as a society make infrastructure investments in wind, solar, tides? What is this, 1958? Let's get with the program and create great jobs and stop fucking up the earth.

Churches, Religion: Believe whatever you want, or have no belief at all. Tax the hell out of churches, especially Rick Warren type of money making enterprises. Bitch slap Joel Osteen the next time you see him.

Military: We need defense, sadly. But do we need military bases in peaceful places around the globe? Small cities paid for by US taxpayers? Big questions, few answers. But one thing we need to do is take care of veterans who come back from a war zone with something blown off. Can't we do better?

[Sailor Sam]

I'll add mandatory service requirements to my list. Two years military, or 3 years civil service. The melting pot effect will be good for everyone. And hopefully skinny us us, as a collective.

[Poundwise]

Great topic. 

I'm a left-leaning independent. Off the top of my head, I'd say:

- Favor leaner government, with more oversight for efficiency and efficacy.
- Big on privacy, hate the ways gov't (and corporations and foreign gov'ts and creepy guys and tweens from Macedonia) can now spy on private citizens
- Recognize the divisive aspects of affirmative action, as well as its benefits. Part of the answer may lie in giving poor children of all ethnicities a boost so that they have access to equal education; however there will never be enough musical chairs for everyone,  and bitterness will result from this zero-sum game, until there is more wage equality/feeling of security in the US.   
- Guns. Don't carry, myself, but I can see the appeal of hunting, collecting, etc. On the other hand, don't get why people are so paranoid about any sort of regulation, and I don't feel it's necessary to collect assault weapons. Why not try collecting vintage cars, fine china, Japanese swords, or other shiny things instead?
- Want to reduce abortions, but feel the best route is by shrinking the reasons why unwanted pregnancies happen. This means increasing access to contraception and quality low-cost childcare, sex education for teens,  reducing stresses on families, etc.
- I'm all about family, and personal rules, and responsibility. 
- Christian and churchgoing, though not a Bible literalist in any way.

[Metric Mouse]

I think I am in love with this thread.

[marty998]

I lean Left but I agree with the Right on:

- The goal of balanced budgets and minimising taxation, allocating welfare to only those who need it.
- The importance of reward for effort, and equality of opportunity, not just entrenching welfare dependency
- The benefits of free markets, free trade and capitalism in general, with the caveat of proper government regulation around competition, fair contracts and strong environmental laws.
- The tiring public discourse on LGBTIAAQQ issues. Leave your sexuality in the bedroom please, where you are entitled to do whatever or whoever you please.

I think I am in love with this thread.

But you didn't answer it!

[Metric Mouse]

I think I am in love with this thread.

But you didn't answer it!

Well I don't ascribe to either of the listed political parties, so I assumed I was exempt according to the rules laid out in post #1.

And if one has been reading the off-topic section, one can clearly see I don't agree with many fundamentals of either side... :D

[iris lily]

I lean Left but I agree with the Right on:

- The goal of balanced budgets and minimising taxation, allocating welfare to only those who need it.
- The importance of reward for effort, and equality of opportunity, not just entrenching welfare dependency
- The benefits of free markets, free trade and capitalism in general, with the caveat of proper government regulation around competition, fair contracts and strong environmental laws.
- The tiring public discourse on LGBTIAAQQ issues. Leave your sexuality in the bedroom please, where you are entitled to do whatever or whoever you please.

I think I am in love with this thread.

But you didn't answer it!

This is good, I could sign up for all of this.

[MasterStache]

I think I am in love with this thread.

But you didn't answer it!

Well I don't ascribe to either of the listed political parties, so I assumed I was exempt according to the rules laid out in post #1.

And if one has been reading the off-topic section, one can clearly see I don't agree with many fundamentals of either side... :D

I am with you. I don't ascribe to either side.

[davisgang90]

I lean very much right. 

I agree with legalizing many of the drugs that are currently illegal.
I agree with some sort of sliding scale for SS based on means testing.
Unlike many Republicans, I am in favor of much smaller government.  The GOP makes noises about smaller government, but somehow it never happens.

Some have mentioned mandatory service.  I'm not a fan of mandatory military service.  We end up with plenty of folks who decide joining the military was a mistake, they take up much of our time. 

[golden1]

I am a registered independent but lean pretty left these days:

1) I don't agree with legalizing pot without more research into the long term effects of the drug on brain development.  I don't think we have a handle on the legal drugs we do allow. 
2) I think we need to reduce the debt.
3) I don't like abortion and would most likely never get one myself unless my life was in jeopardy.  I would be happy if there was never another abortion on this planet. 
4) I don't like the left's intolerance of other ideas besides their own and the need to create safe spaces.  All ideas need open debate and stress testing.  For similar reasons, I hate the terms "hate crime" and "hate speech".

[boarder42]

I am a registered independent but lean pretty left these days:

1) I don't agree with legalizing pot without more research into the long term effects of the drug on brain development.  I don't think we have a handle on the legal drugs we do allow. 
2) I think we need to reduce the debt.
3) I don't like abortion and would most likely never get one myself unless my life was in jeopardy.  I would be happy if there was never another abortion on this planet. 
4) I don't like the left's intolerance of other ideas besides their own and the need to create safe spaces.  All ideas need open debate and stress testing.  For similar reasons, I hate the terms "hate crime" and "hate speech".

1) you realize prohibition doesnt lead to less use of any drug there is actually research that shows it increases it.  look at what Spain has done and their drug use has decreased dramatically and they are spending money getting people help who want it.

[golden1]

This thread isn't about debate, right? 

[nereo]

This thread isn't about debate, right?

I think the spirit of this thread should be light on the debate.  We are talking about issues where we agree with the other side, not debating which issues are "correct"

just my 2¢...

[MasterStache]

80% of the time I disagree with everyone all the time. ( :

[Unique User]

I've never been able to comfortably put myself on 'the political spectrum' - in part because I share positions held by either end.
(in no particualr order)
1) marriage - it's none of the government's business who's boinking who as long as it's consensual. Ergo, yay gay marriage, yay straight marriage, yay no marriage (which is important when it comes to adoption, survivors rights, etc.  Your life partner should get the same hospital/tax/legal rights whether you're married or not)
2) gun control. Law abiding citizens should be able to buy and carry guns, but we ought to have background checks and close gun-show loopholes.  However, I totally agree on a ban on assault weapons, my husband has three hunting rifles/shotguns locked up in a closet, so I get gun owners don't want their guns taken away, but no argument will ever sway me that assault weapons are needed in the hands of private citizens.
3) Abortion - personally against it but I won't prevent another from having one in the 1st trimester or when her life is at stake.  Regarding the latter, that should be between her and her licensed physician, not government. In other words, "safe, legal, rare"  Birth control and sex education need to be emphasized.
4) Federal government - smaller overall
5) Military - Much smaller. It's ridiculous how much we spend
6) Immigration - Biggest long-term opportunity with the US is to grab more motivated individuals and keep them here (e.g. H1-B visas).  Totally agree with H1-B visas, however, I hate the abuse with Indian based quasi-consulting companies.  That needs to be outlawed.  Issuing them to a US based company for a specific job yes, issuing them to someone that does not have a job except with a consulting company with a phone number in SF, but the phone always rings through to India and the consulting company then expects them to go out and try to secure a contract, hell no. 
7) National debt - we need to make reducing it a priority, see deficit (#8).
8) deficit spending - necessary during extreme events (e.g. war) but we've overused it and become addicted to it.
9) Pot - I don't like it and don't want it unrestricted, but our recent legal actions against pot users are just stupid.  Regulate like cigarettes/alcohol/etc I suppose.
10) estate tax - definitely, and set closer to the $2MM mark.  Anything over should be taxed at income-tax levels
11) income tax - progressive and near current levels
12) tax deductions - get rid of every single one.
13) VAT tax - no.
14) SS - keep but means-test recipients.  For every $100k you have in savings you get 2% less.
15) IRAs - increase limit to $10k and index to inflation.
16) health care - basic services and prevention for everyone provided by the government. Comprehensive care from highly-regulated private companies which are profit-limited.  This is genius, maybe it could mean that many health issues could be caught BEFORE they become a huge money sucking issue. I do also think that basic prevention meds like diabetes meds should be free, I'd rather pay for someone's diabetes meds then all the issues that come up when they can't afford the damn drugs
17) Stop this archane practice of making people file taxes every damn year.  You pay taxes out of your paycheck.  At the end of the year the IRS mails YOU a summary of what you paid and what it thinks you should have paid.  You can agree with their assessment - if not only THEN do you file a tax document.  Given the lack of tax-breaks (#12) it shoudn't be hard to do, and free tax software for everyone (not just those making $65k or less...)
18) Everyone gets exactly 1 week to cast a ballot for any federal election, and everyone who is eligible is automatically registered. Results are not announced until all 50 states close their polls.

ETA: more things I thought of.

I started to type mine up, but realized with a few exceptions I agree completely with nereo.  And he has some that I've never thought of, but am agreeing with as I read them.  I'm a lifelong Independent that leans left, mostly because the government has no business in personal business.  But I truly hate that people believe that Republicans are the party of smaller government and against deficits as they don't seem to follow through on their promises in practice. 

[Gin1984]

I'm liberal, an extreme liberal but I think we need to differenciate between females and transwomen (and males and transmen).  And we need to do research to determine what the proper medical aid is for this group.
I also think that illegal drugs, like pot, need to be researched prior to being legal for all.

[Cwadda]

Registered as an independent. White, Christian, heterosexual male (idk if this matters, maybe I've had too much exposure to my dear Facebook social progress keyboard warriors). These are my views, and they're a mix of conservative and liberal current ideologies:

1. Planned Parenthood should always be federally funded for everything except abortions (except in rare cases, rape etc). Birth control, gyno exams, etc. should always be funded.
2. Given #1, abortion is a woman's right to choose, but is also responsible for paying for it.
3. Mandate an increase in recycling processing plants, and punish individuals for failing to recycle (increased taxes). Also, institute a plastic bag tax at all supermarkets and put the tax towards clean energy research.
4. Decrease regulations for US oil and gas companies, negotiate a portion of profits to be used for climate change research.
5. Decrease regulations for guns themselves, become more stringent for background checks for gun possession.
6. Increase mental health funding universally.
7. Begin a streamlined program for legalizing illegal immigrants, without deportation.
8. Increase funding for public education.
9. Abolish the IRS (ideally, but would never happen).
10. I'm not informed enough to have an opinion on how the health care system should be. Currently, it is stupid to repeal ACA without a better system in place.
11. Term limits for all high ranking White House government officials.
12. Legalize marijuana and tax it heavily (excise tax). Tax alcohol and cigarettes even more.
13. Marriage equality for all. Complete separation of the church and state.
14. Increase minimum wage, adjusting for inflation. Never increase it dramatically to $15 all at once.
15. Keep the electoral college unless a better system comes into play. Unless a better system is introduced, the electoral college is a brilliant system.
16. Dissolve the Republican and Democratic parties. Fire all White House party officials immediately, including the National Committees. Eliminate the superdelegate system.

[Nick_Miller]

I just want to say that, having at least skimmed most of the responses, that it's refreshing to see so much common ground, even though the "common ground" shifts from person to person. It still exists.

This is why the "party line" people on either side confuse me. There are soooooo many issues. You would assume a person who rationally analyzes issues would deviate from the party on a few things at least once in a blue moon. We're seeing that in the thread, but I'm not sure we see it from many politicians these days (I think we saw more of it 30 years ago).

[Cwadda]

I just want to say that, having at least skimmed most of the responses, that it's refreshing to see so much common ground, even though the "common ground" shifts from person to person. It still exists.

This is why the "party line" people on either side confuse me. There are soooooo many issues. You would assume a person who rationally analyzes issues would deviate from the party on a few things at least once in a blue moon. We're seeing that in the thread, but I'm not sure we see it from many politicians these days (I think we saw more of it 30 years ago).

This is the problem with the current political party system, and I'm now adding to my list of things to abolish it.

[neo von retorch]

I just want to say that, having at least skimmed most of the responses, that it's refreshing to see so much common ground, even though the "common ground" shifts from person to person. It still exists.

This is why the "party line" people on either side confuse me. There are soooooo many issues. You would assume a person who rationally analyzes issues would deviate from the party on a few things at least once in a blue moon. We're seeing that in the thread, but I'm not sure we see it from many politicians these days (I think we saw more of it 30 years ago).

Yes - that was my impression reading through these! The "middle ground" is way bigger than most people realize, and so much less painful than the extremes.

[NoStacheOhio]

I just want to say that, having at least skimmed most of the responses, that it's refreshing to see so much common ground, even though the "common ground" shifts from person to person. It still exists.

This is why the "party line" people on either side confuse me. There are soooooo many issues. You would assume a person who rationally analyzes issues would deviate from the party on a few things at least once in a blue moon. We're seeing that in the thread, but I'm not sure we see it from many politicians these days (I think we saw more of it 30 years ago).

This.

I'm having trouble finding things I disagree with anywhere in this thread. I mean, I might have a different opinion on the details, or implementation, but it's really small potatoes.

[boarder42]

I just want to say that, having at least skimmed most of the responses, that it's refreshing to see so much common ground, even though the "common ground" shifts from person to person. It still exists.

This is why the "party line" people on either side confuse me. There are soooooo many issues. You would assume a person who rationally analyzes issues would deviate from the party on a few things at least once in a blue moon. We're seeing that in the thread, but I'm not sure we see it from many politicians these days (I think we saw more of it 30 years ago).

This is the problem with the current political party system, and I'm now adding to my list of things to abolish it.

correct and the best way to eliminate this issue is to drop first past the post voting b/c it will always and forever trend to a two party system. But this won't happen

[deadlymonkey]

I lean pretty far left on most issues. 

I agree with the Right that we need to balance the budget and get the debt under control.  How we do that, we disagree significantly.

I also agree with the Right on the need for a strong military, but I think we disagree on the level and what should or should not be cut.

[Poundwise]

I'm beginning to think that one reason why we got such crap candidates this year is that so many people consider themselves independents, and thus did not/could not vote in the major party primaries.

[Cwadda]

I'm beginning to think that one reason why we got such crap candidates this year is that so many people consider themselves independents, and thus did not/could not vote in the major party primaries.

As long as superdelegates exist, this will always be a problem.

[Chris22]

I just want to say that, having at least skimmed most of the responses, that it's refreshing to see so much common ground, even though the "common ground" shifts from person to person. It still exists.

This is why the "party line" people on either side confuse me. There are soooooo many issues. You would assume a person who rationally analyzes issues would deviate from the party on a few things at least once in a blue moon. We're seeing that in the thread, but I'm not sure we see it from many politicians these days (I think we saw more of it 30 years ago).

I think that most people have a handful of issues that are really important to them, and then the rest is a bunch of noise.  The issues I listed for myself are all things I would change in my party's platform, but they're not issues that I personally place that much weight on so I wouldn't cross sides to vote for them.  For several of them, I really don't care that much, I just think if "my side" gave them up they would have an easier time winning and then they'd be more effective on the issues I DO care about.

[Nick_Miller]

Not to deviate too much off course, but I'd love to see a multi-party system where parties more narrowly focus on sets of issues that actually go together.

Instead of a GOP, you might have

1) a small business party
2) a military/veterans party
3) a social conservative party
4) a balance the budget party

Dems might break into...

5) an environmental party
6) a civil rights party
7) a healthcare party
8) a wall street regulation party

These are poorly thought out, but you get the idea. A voter could be like, "Okay I'll most aggressively support 1 and 7, with also some focus on 4." Like picking from a fast food menu. It makes more sense than our current system. And then the smaller parties would have to form coalitions to get shit done.

[Chris22]

I'm beginning to think that one reason why we got such crap candidates this year is that so many people consider themselves independents, and thus did not/could not vote in the major party primaries.

Nah, it varies state by state.  In my home state of CT, you have to be (or did when I last voted there 10 years ago) a registered member of that party to vote in that party's primary, but in my current state of IL, you can request whichever party's ballot you want.  I usually vote GOP, but I requested a Dem ballot this year in the primary solely so I could vote against Hillary twice, once in the primary and once in the general :)

[Cwadda]

Not to deviate too much off course, but I'd love to see a multi-party system where parties more narrowly focus on sets of issues that actually go together.

Instead of a GOP, you might have

1) a small business party
2) a military/veterans party
3) a social conservative party
4) a balance the budget party

Dems might break into...

5) an environmental party
6) a civil rights party
7) a healthcare party
8) a wall street regulation party

These are poorly thought out, but you get the idea. A voter could be like, "Okay I'll most aggressively support 1 and 7, with also some focus on 4." Like picking from a fast food menu. It makes more sense than our current system. And then the smaller parties would have to form coalitions to get shit done.

Definitely agree! The current parties are logically flawed lol. Why does someone HAVE to be conservative both fiscally and socially? And why does one HAVE to be liberal both fiscally and socially? It makes no sense. Explains why there's no middle ground and nothing gets done.

[MasterStache]

Wouldn't it make sense to just get rid of all the damn labels? I mean sometimes I think folks argue purely based on political affiliations/labels instead of actual issues which they probably share some common ground. I understand as humans labeling is a way to identify and help understand. But it seems to have the opposite affect in politics.

I considered myself a Republican, voted Republican and took on Republican views many years ago. Now I represent myself with no real labels. I vote for who I believe to be the best candidate. Don't care what his/her political affiliation is. I am sure my views would align more with liberals, but I don't really care to call myself a liberal. I represent myself and not  apolitical party.

Can't we all just get along? You know pot helps with that. Just sayin....   

[Gin1984]

I'm beginning to think that one reason why we got such crap candidates this year is that so many people consider themselves independents, and thus did not/could not vote in the major party primaries.

As long as superdelegates exist, this will always be a problem.

Superdelegates did not change the primary results.  Ignorance is a problem.

[Cwadda]

I'm beginning to think that one reason why we got such crap candidates this year is that so many people consider themselves independents, and thus did not/could not vote in the major party primaries.

As long as superdelegates exist, this will always be a problem.

Superdelegates did not change the primary results.  Ignorance is a problem.

I'm not saying they did for this election, I just vehemently disagree with the concept that party elites should have even the slightest chance at overriding the wishes of primary voters.

[acroy]

Great thread!

I’m pretty far right/Constitutionalist/libertarian/‘pragmatic anarchist’; but my views intersect with 'far left' in some areas.

I agree with anyone who agrees with the principle of a government limited to protecting (narrowly defined) rights, providing for common defense; and nothing else. Want to screw something up, waste resources, abrogate rights, further inequality, divide the citizens, cause problems? Get government involved.

Fed Gov’t (not an exhaustive list)
-balanced budget; required GAAP accounting
-enormously simplified tax code: elimination of tax on production (punishing productivity); tax instead consumption (encouraging efficiency & savings)
-elimination of Fed Reserve; regulation of money as described in the Constitution instead of via a private bank
-elimination of all laws pertaining to race, sex, age etc etc. Equal protection of rights for all, equal justice for all. No special classes. Justice is blind.
-elimination of federal influence in health, housing, education, social security, welfare etc
-extremely strong military (want peace? Prepare for war) with a very narrow, targeted mandate. No more ‘world police’. Modernize! Why the hell are we paying billions for planes with a weak sack-o-meat human in them? Modernize! Drones! Etc.
-Free but Fair trade. Would you buy veggies from a farmer, knowing he uses slave labor? Nor should we as a country.
-Drugs: Fed has no jurisdiction here.
-Marriage: fed has no jurisdiction here.
-Guns: armed citizens are an asset. Strict 2nd amendment; no limitations.
-Voter Restriction: ability to survive to age 18 and having a pulse does not qualify as fit to vote. Maybe a poll tax. Show some skin in the game.
-Borders/immigration: Borders must be controlled, otherwise it is not a border. No limits on number of immigrants. Strict screening of immigrants (no criminals). Strict and demanding Citizenship process; ensure it is valued.
-Abortion: a person is a person, no matter how young.

[69mach351]

On the conservative side:  I think government should be minimized, especially where it overlaps with state.  There needs to be an emphasis on downsizing, efficiency, and minimizing costs.  The obvious corruption sickens me.  I think a lot of gun control measures people want, are feel good measures and wouldn't help.  The PC culture sickens me and bending over backwards or debating something that only impacts .003% of the population I see as a waste of time when there are bigger issues on the table.  I also think that there needs to be stricter regulations on entitlement programs. 

On my more liberal side:  I tend to look the other way on how others want to live their life when it doesn't impact me.  I have my own life to worry about.  I think our current healthcare system is far enough gone that we need to go single payer (although the conservative in me says everyone needs skin in the game).  I think weed should be legalized.

[golden1]

Quote from: golden1 on Today at 06:18:01 AM
I am a registered independent but lean pretty left these days:


In the interests of preserving the original thread intent, could you update these from "don't like" (aka disagree) to "like" (aka agree) with the other party? that might help prevent "debate" responses.

OK:
1) I agree with people who are against legalizing pot without more research into the long term effects of the drug on brain development.  I don't think we have a handle on the legal drugs we do allow. 
2) I think we need to reduce the debt.  I just would rather cut military spending over entitlements, but both will need to go on the chopping block somewhat unless we raise taxes. 
3) I agree that abortion should be rare, and would most likely never get one myself unless my life was in jeopardy.  I would be happy if there was never another abortion on this planet. 
4) I agree that liberals can be intolerant of other ideas besides their own and I agree that safe spaces are a bad idea.  All ideas need open debate and stress testing.  For similar reasons, I hate the terms "hate crime" and "hate speech".

Better?

[jrhampt]

Outside of gun control, capital punishment, and free trade, I can think of two other areas where I disagree with the far left:

I believe transgender people should be treated with respect and not be discriminated against, have the right to use the bathrooms of their choosing, but I also believe that any surgical or pharmaceutical intervention is entirely elective and we should not expect insurance or taxpayers to fund it.  I suspect that if we lived in a world where gender rules were not so strictly proscribed, we would see fewer transgender people.

I also believe that abortion should be rare, that it is ethically problematic after a certain point in a pregnancy, absent complicating life/health factors of either fetus or woman.  I believe we have laws that reflect this, but am open to discussion on where to draw the line.  However, I believe the best way to address this is to make contraception freely available and to make access to abortion more available as well, so that we are terminating embryos in the earliest stages of development rather than later stage fetuses.  Actually I'm not sure that this belief differs much from the vast majority of pro-choice people. I'm fine with not federally funding abortions, but don't believe we should not fund planned parenthood.

I do not believe that sex work "empowers" women, but I would like to see prostitutes selling sex decriminalized, while prosecutors and law enforcement target instead pimps and johns.  This differs from some on the far left who would like to make prostitution legal entirely.

[Eowyn_MI]

3. Mandate an increase in recycling processing plants, and punish individuals for failing to recycle (increased taxes). Also, institute a plastic bag tax at all supermarkets and put the tax towards clean energy research.

I'm not a fan of increased govt. mandates but I agree that people need to focus more on caring for the environment in general.  If we have to tax plastic bags to get people to care then so be it.  Styrofoam should be permanently phased out of packaging materials...

For the record, I generally agree with and vote Republican but environmental issues is one area where I vehemently disagree.

[Nords]

Some have mentioned mandatory service.  I'm not a fan of mandatory military service.  We end up with plenty of folks who decide joining the military was a mistake, they take up much of our time.

80% of my leadership & management time was spent on the 20% who neither wanted to be led nor managed...

[Lagom]

Interesting thread. Kudos to all for remaining relatively non argumentative, though plenty of you felt the need to insert preemptive "arguments" into your posts, but that's hard to resist! ;)

I agree in general that there is far more common ground (in the US anyway) than not. This is largely what people mean when they say demographics are against the Republican party. But then core issues are separate from "if my party exactly fit the totality of my values" issues. Add in how divisive our two party rhetoric has become and it remains unsurprising, though disheartening, that our common ground has not led to productive advances as a country.

Anyway, I have a hard time categorizing myself today but it's fair to say that I used to be a far-leftist. So here is how I differ from most who have taken that mantel(though tbh it doesn't really apply to me any more):

1) I feel gun control as leftists envision it is not going to help anything and it's a waste of effort to crusade for it.
2) Open borders/free trade (I think I diverge from both sides on this, especially in the Trump era)
3) Federal government should be WAY smaller (though in certain areas should have socialistic levels of control). Still down with powerful local governments.
4) Our military should remain relatively powerful. There are historical/geopolitical reasons I feel this way, although I believe much of the military/industrial complex is super evil. Spending should still be cut though.
5) Social programs are important but need to be massively simplified. Ideally, through UBI.
6) PC police are super annoying (though "don't be a dick" still applies and I will call a racist a racist all day long. Looking at you Bannon/Yiannopoulos)