Political Views vs. Personality Contests

[TitoFan]

Here's a novel idea. Instead of limiting ourselves to bashing politicians we don't like (and groveling over the ones we worship)... why don't we put forth our opinions on individual ISSUES?

I know. It's a foreign thought to most people today. But trust me... this is how it was way back when... and that's how it should have stayed.

I'll give it a go.

Now we all know (or should know) that looking for an unbiased comparative table on political Party platforms is pretty much like looking for a needle in a haystack. Some of the tables out there are downright comical in their bias.
But if you're into doing a little homework, you should be able to find fair comparisons.


So without going into too much explanation (for now)... I'll just throw some issues out there, along with my leaning on each.



Immigration - R
Healthcare - D
Taxation - D
2nd Amendment - D
Environment - D
Defense - R
Education - R
Religious Freedom - R
LGBTQ+ - R
Abortion - R
Energy - D


Now... I may very well have missed a handful of issues. In fact, I'm certain of it. But those are the ones off the top of my head.

Also... my leaning is stronger in some of the issues than others. In some issues, I'm pretty much close to the center, and... depending on the politicians in charge at the time... I could easily switch sides.



Anyway, for whatever it's worth... this is my crude attempt at deflecting from the tired Trump and Biden threads, and talk about what's REALLY IMPORTANT... the issues.

Number one... it's the issues that matter. Number two... as much as people defend them, neither Trump nor Biden are shining examples of what Presidents should be.

With that, I'll ignore any comments on either Trump or Biden on this thread as much as possible.

[Primo Carnera]

Here's a novel idea. Instead of limiting ourselves to bashing politicians we don't like (and groveling over the ones we worship)... why don't we put forth our opinions on individual ISSUES?

I know. It's a foreign thought to most people today. But trust me... this is how it was way back when... and that's how it should have stayed.

I'll give it a go.

Now we all know (or should know) that looking for an unbiased comparative table on political Party platforms is pretty much like looking for a needle in a haystack. Some of the tables out there are downright comical in their bias.
But if you're into doing a little homework, you should be able to find fair comparisons.


So without going into too much explanation (for now)... I'll just throw some issues out there, along with my leaning on each.



Immigration - R
Healthcare - D
Taxation - D
2nd Amendment - D
Environment - D
Defense - R
Education - R
Religious Freedom - R
LGBTQ+ - R
Abortion - R
Energy - D


Now... I may very well have missed a handful of issues. In fact, I'm certain of it. But those are the ones off the top of my head.

Also... my leaning is stronger in some of the issues than others. In some issues, I'm pretty much close to the center, and... depending on the politicians in charge at the time... I could easily switch sides.



Anyway, for whatever it's worth... this is my crude attempt at deflecting from the tired Trump and Biden threads, and talk about what's REALLY IMPORTANT... the issues.

Number one... it's the issues that matter. Number two... as much as people defend them, neither Trump nor Biden are shining examples of what Presidents should be.

With that, I'll ignore any comments on either Trump or Biden on this thread as much as possible.

Not being funny but what is “R” and what is “D” ?

[TitoFan]

Here's a novel idea. Instead of limiting ourselves to bashing politicians we don't like (and groveling over the ones we worship)... why don't we put forth our opinions on individual ISSUES?

I know. It's a foreign thought to most people today. But trust me... this is how it was way back when... and that's how it should have stayed.

I'll give it a go.

Now we all know (or should know) that looking for an unbiased comparative table on political Party platforms is pretty much like looking for a needle in a haystack. Some of the tables out there are downright comical in their bias.
But if you're into doing a little homework, you should be able to find fair comparisons.


So without going into too much explanation (for now)... I'll just throw some issues out there, along with my leaning on each.



Immigration - R
Healthcare - D
Taxation - D
2nd Amendment - D
Environment - D
Defense - R
Education - R
Religious Freedom - R
LGBTQ+ - R
Abortion - R
Energy - D


Now... I may very well have missed a handful of issues. In fact, I'm certain of it. But those are the ones off the top of my head.

Also... my leaning is stronger in some of the issues than others. In some issues, I'm pretty much close to the center, and... depending on the politicians in charge at the time... I could easily switch sides.



Anyway, for whatever it's worth... this is my crude attempt at deflecting from the tired Trump and Biden threads, and talk about what's REALLY IMPORTANT... the issues.

Number one... it's the issues that matter. Number two... as much as people defend them, neither Trump nor Biden are shining examples of what Presidents should be.

With that, I'll ignore any comments on either Trump or Biden on this thread as much as possible.

Not being funny but what is “R” and what is “D” ?

Sorry bro, you're right. My mistake. R is Republican (right-wing party)... D is Democrat (left-wing party).

[Spicoli]

Don't forget the I the L or the common just straight up Indifferent . I think one of the best things is when you're brought into heated social political "debate" or argument and within 5 minutes manage to lose, confuse and these days piss off both sides . Problem is that everyone wants that immediate alignment and to categorize based on the simplicity of solo topics. The last 5,6 plus years has seen a polarization like that. If someone disagrees with a or b...then why even be bothered to make an effort etc. Just a simplistic ramble here. Topics are faaaar more in depth. Coffee running its course.

Immigration - All for it legally. Guess I lean more endless cheap labor force and an honest attempt at starting over rather than seeing an invading army of drug traffickers and sex peddlers. "They're taking our jObS" is not a thing. Frankly Americans can be really lazy. And putting razor wire buoys in the waters as a deterrent ala Texas is the thing of scared small minded militarized Nations. Not us.
Healthcare - Could use some. Did not support Obama care 'mandates' and never signed up. But life decisions are a factor and why not everything should not be "free" across the board.
Taxation - Is theft.
2nd Amendment - Oh boy. Absolute. I've owned since the age of 14. What gets lost today is that freedoms come with real lasting responsibility.
Environment - I like trees. Lots of them.
Defense - Yes.
Education - Dropped out twice in one week. But went back to finish years later . And College is not for everyone. We should encourage trade courses as early as grade school.
Religious Freedom - You do you and pray to what or who you choose. As long as they're not politicians .
LGBTQ+ - You do what you want with who you want when you want and should have every single guaranteed right I have.
Abortion - A woman's decision a woman's body. Half the people pounding the moral high ground should volunteer at orphanages and stop walking passed homeless people like they don't exist.
Energy - Solar is terribly underutilized. But the requirements for electric cars manufacturing from places like Ca is absolutely laughable. I'll always be a gasoline type of guy. Those grids are not a guarantee and you better become versed in self-reliance.

[TitoFan]

Don't forget the I the L or the common just straight up Indifferent . I think one of the best things is when you're brought into heated social political "debate" or argument and within 5 minutes manage to lose, confuse and these days piss off both sides . Problem is that everyone wants that immediate alignment and to categorize based on the simplicity of solo topics. The last 5,6 plus years has seen a polarization like that. If someone disagrees with a or b...then why even be bothered to make an effort etc. Just a simplistic ramble here. Topics are faaaar more in depth. Coffee running its course.

Immigration - All for it legally. Guess I lean more endless cheap labor force and an honest attempt at starting over rather than seeing an invading army of drug traffickers and sex peddlers. "They're taking our jObS" is not a thing. Frankly Americans can be really lazy. And putting razor wire buoys in the waters as a deterrent ala Texas is the thing of scared small minded militarized Nations. Not us.
Healthcare - Could use some. Did not support Obama care 'mandates' and never signed up. But life decisions are a factor and why not everything should not be "free" across the board.
Taxation - Is theft.
2nd Amendment - Oh boy. Absolute. I've owned since the age of 14. What gets lost today is that freedoms come with real lasting responsibility.
Environment - I like trees. Lots of them.
Defense - Yes.
Education - Dropped out twice in one week. But went back to finish years later . And College is not for everyone. We should encourage trade courses as early as grade school.
Religious Freedom - You do you and pray to what or who you choose. As long as they're not politicians .
LGBTQ+ - You do what you want with who you want when you want and should have every single guaranteed right I have.
Abortion - A woman's decision a woman's body. Half the people pounding the moral high ground should volunteer at orphanages and stop walking passed homeless people like they don't exist.
Energy - Solar is terribly underutilized. But the requirements for electric cars manufacturing from places like Ca is absolutely laughable. I'll always be a gasoline type of guy. Those grids are not a guarantee and you better become versed in self-reliance.

Good post, R. It's always good to expand on why you believe in the things you do. I'll attempt to do the same, expanding on my choices from above.

Immigration (R) - I believe in some sort of border control. Not the medieval wall that Trump insists is necessary in today's 21st century to keep "murderers and rapists" out... but the use of high-tech measures to exert some sort of control over immigration. People should be allowed to migrate to lands of opportunity. But some sort of control is necessary to keep things on an even keel.

Healthcare (D) - I fully believe healthcare should be an inalienable right. Ironic... some feel that way about guns... but I'll get to that soon enough. Healthcare should not be a luxury affordable only by the rich. And it's just as true (and disgusting) that big pharma preys on the poor to make their plight even more inhumane. It's just wrong. I had no problem with some doable version of Obamacare, or whatever name should've been given to it.

Taxation (D) - On the face of it, yes... it could be perceived as highway robbery. However, going on the premise that some sort of taxation is necessary to keep governmental efforts going... then it is my belief that the rich should bear their fair share, and not be allowed to become richer hiding behind loopholes.

2nd Amendment (D) - Sure would've been nice if James Madison or any other of our founding fathers would've had a crystal ball and been able to peer into the 20th century and beyond. Pretty sure they would've ripped up the first draft and given it another try. Any text from the 1700's that is used to clutch onto misguided beliefs, without any type of control or responsibility... is not ok by me, IMHO. This is where I draw the distinction between healthcare and bearing arms. The first is truly an inalienable right. The second... a PRIVILEGE. Much like driving a car. A privilege to be EARNED. Not something that gets put into your hands because it's your "God-given right."

Environment (D) - Yeah. We're only puny humans. But in the number of billions, we can certainly do some damage. It's narrowminded to think otherwise. Animals take better care of their environment than we do. That's not something to be proud of.

Defense (R) - In today's madman world? You better believe I believe in a strong defense. Not constantly butting into other countries' business mind you... but defense. They're not one and the same.

Education (R) - I'm a total believer in education. But I'm also a believer in the capitalist system. You can get some things handed to you in life on a silver platter. Education needn't be one of them. I believe in the good, old-fashioned work ethic. You want a good education? You should need to work for it. Otherwise you get a bunch of entitled kids with unpayable student loans looking to the government to constantly forgive all debts. Not a good start in life.

Religious freedoms (R) - I come from that background. I respect other people's stances on this... and I expect other people to respect my own.

LGBTQ+ (R) - I've said it countless times before... and it bears repeating. Your rights stop where mine begin. You do not get to dictate what my elementary school child learns in school regarding genders. You do not get to pit your "transitioned" son against my daughter in athletic competitions. You do not get to change my vocabulary, which has been in existence for centuries. In plain terms, you do not get to dictate to me how I'm supposed to live MY life.

Abortion (R) - Other than extreme cases involving rape, incest, or mortal infant diseases... see "Religious Freedoms" above. "I don't feel like having it" doesn't qualify under those terms. Again... IMHO.

Energy (D) - Our dependence on oil and our narrowmindedness regarding it's "inexhaustibility" is backward thinking. The technology is out there. Embrace it.

[Kirkland Laing]

I'm going to do these but not all at once.


Immigration. The western world is going to import hundreds of millions of third worlders over the coming decades to keep their economies going. Hundreds of millions. Up to now America has been able to close its eyes to the southern border and enough people have come here voluntarily to take the jobs the economy is creating. The GOP historically make an issue out of it at election time and up until recently the Democratic party did too but they didn't make too much of a big deal out of it because both sides know the people have to keep coming to supply labour market demand and this is the least worst/controversial way to achieve it.

But then you had Trump who doesn't give a shit about the problems and practicalities of governing a nation and is quite happy to use it as an issue to get himself elected. Quietly he's saying exactly the same to his billionaire donors as historical GOP candidates, I'm making an issue out of it but trust me labour market supply to your businesses will remain unaffected. But it's causing a big issue in the country because he's raising the saliency of the issue far far more than any previous GOP or Democratic candidate has ever done.

You'll get the same open southern border as long as Democrats stay in power. Look why:

[fucking FRED website not cooperating. Will post later.]


Here's why:

fredgraph.jpg



When the GOP get in it'll be the dog who caught the car. Like overturning Roe versus Wade. They're going to have to pretend to do something about it while they let in everybody who wants to come. And to be fair Trump managed to create enough theatre last time to hide the actual facts on the ground. Maybe they can just keep on doing that indefinitely.