Can you name an ideology from 'the other side' of politics that you prefer, despite the labels?

2016-12-15T04:39:51-05:00

Regardless of where you are on the political spectrum, can you think of a policy position that your political demographic typically opposes?
If not, what is your theory on why people split into political parties?

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made Dec 15 at 2016 6:10 AM

2016-12-15T06:10:58-05:00

Like to think of myself as socially liberal and fiscally conservative and I sit in the middle of the mush somewhere

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Dec 15 at 2016 7:48 AM

2016-12-15T07:48:46-05:00

I once looked at my beliefs on ~20 different political issues, and I was almost perfectly split between the positions of the two major parties. So, I can't really say which is the "other side".

As far as "why people split into political parties", I think the professional politicians and their advisors have finally been successful at using science and art to figure out effective ways to divide us into their two major camps (I call them "collectivists and individualists"). The collectivists seem to think "We need to work together to solve our problems" and the individualists seem to think "I can do better on my own; just stay out of my way". The only voters still in play are either a) those who aren't overly ideological (a smaller group) or b) aren't overly interested in politics (a larger group). Given that those groups are either too small or too hard to motivate (to vote), the politicians simply focus on mobilizing their own bases. The liberals become more liberal (appealing to the collectivists), and the conservatives become more conservative (appealing to the individualists), rather than either side moving to the center to expand their reach.

Response by 1SG Al Brown made Dec 15 at 2016 7:53 AM

2016-12-15T07:53:29-05:00

People split into factions because norms are claimed and championed by political parties. Political parties create policies to create the split. The "us against them" policies keep a small amount of people in power at the cost of nearly starting a civil war on every election cycle. Nothing new, but always disturbing. My ideology? I sit in the middle with CSM Stafford.

Response by LTC Joseph Gross made Dec 15 at 2016 1:28 PM

2016-12-15T13:28:23-05:00

Possibly the only policy position I supported of our current president was reinstating relations with Cuba. When you try something for decades and it doesn't work, it is time to try something else.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2016 5:36 PM

2016-12-15T17:36:45-05:00

I tend to agree with Democrats on fiscal issues. I'm wary of removing restrictions on corporations, I don't trust people to do right by the little guy. However, because of the way that Dems have moved out into left field on social issues, I'm stuck with Repubs. Besides the fact that of late it seems that the Dems have forgotten their roots, and are just as "business friendly" as the Republicrats anyway. I was quite disappointed that President Obama and the Dems created the bailout the way they did. I was very upset with Obama care. It was just a ripoff of REPUBLICAN Romney's "Massachusetts Care." Since when are DEMOCRATS the ones forcing WE THE PEOPLE to buy a PRIVATE product!? Hey people aren't buying a product they can't afford. No problem, we'll just tax them for not buying it. That's the kind of crap, I expect from the Republicans, NOT democrats!!

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Dec 16 at 2016 1:17 AM

2016-12-16T01:17:29-05:00

Well, you have critical thinkers and useful idiots. It doesn't take a genius to figure out on which side of the political spectrum they can be found.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Dec 16 at 2016 12:02 PM

2016-12-16T12:02:21-05:00

Starship Troopers. Nuff said.
Dump the dead weight.