NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm a Briton and am watching the American election closely. My economic views are very supply-sided and similar to those in the Reagan administration; in Britain, I am always wanting the politicians to move to a freer market. However, I find myself hoping that Kerry defeats Bush in this election, despite his economic views being less similar to mine. Why?

1 Foreign policy: Iraq may be going badly, but Bush [and everyone] is very lucky that it didn't go an awful lot worse. The enthusiasm for war amongst several Republicans puts me right off them. I especially hate their hypocrisy when they will say one minute how they are on some ethical mission and are concerned with the good of freedom and prosperity around the world and then will also adopt a very amoral attitude of "We're America, we do what we want and we don't care what anyone else thinks."

2 Linked to this, I can't stand the "Christian" extremists that Bush seems to listen to far too often. Banning stem cell research and trying to stop states from allowing gay marriage and assisted suicide is terribly intrusive into one's personal believes. A lot of them are completely obnoxious, which hardly goes with a religion that says, "Pray for those who persecute you and love your enemies". And as for Pat Robertson's diamond mines in Africa....

3 Incompetence: Bush is not very intelligent and goes on holiday too much. Could they not have found someone a bit more intelligent and responsible to run for the Republicans?

I sometimes wish that Ronald Reagan was back. It is interesting to note that his son says that he did not really believe in the "Christian" extremists' agenda. I can believe this, as you can see that he endorsed things like liberalised abortion whilst governor of California. Not that I approve of lying to appease sections of your party, but still it shows to me how Reagan was not of the same leaning that Bush was in this regard.

Viva Reagan

Viva Bush

When I vote, I use this policy: which of these assholes is the least of the evils in my riding and which one is NOT Liberal or New Conservative...

i tend to vote by party

after all there are more elections than just president
all US representatives are up for election
1/3 of all senators are up for election (but none in my state)
many governors are up for election (not mine)
most state houses have major elections (my local state rep is up, hes a republican in a democratic state, but the democrat candidate is an asshole. what to do?)

party affiliations and ideals are very important. it lets you know what your guy is REALLY going to be working on if he gets into office. even the most moderate guy is going to have to work with the rest of his party at least. if he cant even get along with his own party, he isnt going to do a very good job for you eh?

I want Kerry to win so that there may be a chance that america will get off its ass and do something about the environment.

Someone who can type. :rolleyes:

Where's the "All of the above" option?

I've always had something against it when people vote based on a single issue, unless that issue is of such earthshaking importance that the sky will fall if the wrong stance is taken on the issue... okay that's an exaggeration but you get the idea.

I can't actually vote yet, being that I'm not 18, but when I can (and in terms of who I support) I would look at ALL the issues.

Where's the "All of the above" option?

I've always had something against it when people vote based on a single issue, unless that issue is of such earthshaking importance that the sky will fall if the wrong stance is taken on the issue... okay that's an exaggeration but you get the idea.

I can't actually vote yet, being that I'm not 18, but when I can (and in terms of who I support) I would look at ALL the issues.

Wise.

People: Don't vote for or against, the man, or the party: vote according to the issues that matter to You

Well, you've got a combination of those factors, associates of Presidential Candidate, personal approach to President's party etc.

One of my primary concerns in any election is whether the candidate is going to be strong enough to insure a good future for my grandchildren. This goes directly to character.

A combination of social issues, foreign policy, environmental stance, to a lesser degree economic issues, and willingness to buck the party line when the party line is just wrong.

Ashmoria: Party tells you very little about an individual, and is a very irresponsible way to vote. To say that party affiliation is the most important thing is to say that, for example, Dennis Kucinich has about the same stance as Zell Miller.

In truth, I would be all for abolishing the party system altogether. Vote for an individual, it's the only responsible thing to do.