Shes, I had hoped that that Marijuana Party was going to sweep the election. Oh well. Here hoping for a third party soon. I doubt it, as both Demo and Repub are bought.

JAM, if you really want to end to big government, vote libetarian. Republican and their homeland security sounds like the KGB to me.

I say rush limbaugh should run for pres in 2004:D That would be pretty cool.

I don't vote for either republicans or dems, and some say its throwing your vote away.

Exactly.

From most gov't control to least:
Authoritarian, Democratic, Republican, Libetarian.

As someone with pretty strong Libertarian leanings I'll have to say that voting your heart IS wasting your vote. We tend to differ the most with Democrats and least with Republicans (except on social issues where neither party really impresses me). Voting Republican is the lesser of two evils and voting for no-chance 3rd party candidates.. well you may as well not vote. That's why we now (by only 6000 votes) have a Dem Governor here in Oklahoma. The 3rd party got 14% and 140,000 votes... Many which would have gone to the Republican candidate.

Here in NY voter turnout was the lowest ever, approx. 32% of (registered I believe) voters showed up.

Granted some of that is due to an increase in voter registration, without a corresponding rise in VOTING. People here just dont think that their vote will count anymore.

I know how the economy works, I'm a finance major. But all that hoopla aside, why did Bush play on the economy as much as he did if it was "already at it's top cycle under clinton?"

Furthermore, if the economy was already slowing when Bush came into office, it has continued to dip. So in the end if the economy is "on the upswing" by election time will that be because of his own actions or the "natural cycle of the U.S. economy?" I'd predict the second choice.

All that aside, everyone, go out tonight, get a beer or ten and get hammered, it's Thursday :)

If his advisors are smart he'll take credit for fixing the Clinton economy screw up:D

While we know it's not true most people out there would buy a story like that in a heartbeat. They don't remember things for very long (4 years will seem like ancient history) and tend to be positive when the economy has made a comeback. I believe Reagan was fortunate enough to take advantage of a certain upswing.

This is a sad, sorry state of affairs. The Republican Party seems to be concerned with nothing more this Oedipal war on Iraq (which will do nothing but skew more radical sections of the Islamic world against the US, making us prone to more terror attacks) and getting Supreme Court justices nostalgic for the days of back-alley, coat hanger abortions. I'm not saying Democrats are great (in fact, I'm Green Party till the day I die), but the Republicans scare me.

The Supreme Court is already conservative enough...what's next? Roe v. Wade is already on thin ice...Are they going to repeal the 13th Amendment? :rolleyes:

I agree they've really been walking a fine line between taking away liberty and attacking terrorism.

I seriously don't think they're going to repeal Roe v Wade. That's political suicide. They're smarter than that. The fact of the matter is that whichever party moves closest to the center or at least appeals mostly to the center is the one that's going to win. If we're prosperous for the next 2 years look for the Reps to maintain control. Also, if the Green party runs Ralph again look for the Reps to keep the White House:D

Seriously,

Bush's war on Iraq is hardly an attack on the Islamic world. Iraq is as much of a secular nation as the US is. I think the thing that adds to the continued terror attacks is more the US support of Israel rather than the US denouncing of Iraq. We denounced North Korea? are all the Asian countries going to start targeting us with terrorism? And i really don't think the war with Iraq is "Oedipal" in nature. It is not as if Hussein was Bush's father, or if W was attacking George Sr. outright.0

As far as abortions, ktsnake is right. No politician that wants to be re-elected would ever outlaw abortion. I can't speak for all Republicans, but i personally am morally against abortion. However, i understand that there are lots of people in todays society that disagree, and that by allowing it we are better able to regulate it. So, if i was a politician, i would probably not vote to outlaw abortion, but if i was ever faced with the situation, i would not see it as a viable option.

Kitso
KS 361 more times we need name-calling, mudslinging, and highly empassioned opinions as opposed to rational thoughts

To reinforce Aggie's point. What reasonable person would call Mr Hussein a "Good Muslim"?

He gasses helpless people in his own country... I don't think anyone would characterize that as good. If that act alone doesn't qualify the man and his army for the need to be destroyed... How about developing a nukes program? Did anyone else hear about the people arrested in Turkey trying to smuggle nuclear grade uranium into Iraq?

Honestly, how can anyone say it is in the US's or anyone in the free world's best interest to stand idely by when a country like this that calls terrorists heroes is developing these types of weapons? Can you imagine how our lives would be changed if he was able to smuggle a nuke into NYC? Do you think if he could do that that he'd hesitate at all to detonate it?

By calling the US's stance on Iraq against Muslims YOU in fact are attacking Islam. By associating Saddam with people that are actually true to their faith is pure BS.

Honestly, I have been all over the political spectrum. I happen to LOVE Ralph N. but agree, to vote for a "third party" is casting your vote away. With each phase of life, I see something different and more pressing issues (for me, at this time) politicized by the parties.

It was easy to be a Democrat in college. It fit my belief system as it WAS. Now, as my life and circumstances have changed, I look at the reality of the safety of my family, inheritance, taxes and last but by no means least, decisions that reflect the morality of a society.

It's like a rubber band. If it stretches too far one way it will snap back and that's a bit what we have experienced with these elections. If the Republicans hold true and become too conservative, the same thing will happen. That's why I am also in agreement with those who have noted these candidates must all become more moderate- Dems and Rep alike.

I won't tie myself to any single party for all eternity. It just happens that at his juncture, MY belief system is more closely aligned with the Republicans.

Abortion isn't so much a party issue anymore - what we're seeing more and more of is that the parties are split within themselves on this one. There are many Republicans who are sliding more towards pro-choice, and some more conservative Democrats talking pro-life talk. I think the chances of Roe v. Wade being repealed are slim to none; it would be political suicide.

Collin

Talk like what you were responding to is what a party with no real platform has had to resort to. Simple scare tactics. Unfortunately people on this board (unless they already have leanings in that direction) are not convinced by baseless claims like Republicans will yank social security and tax perscription drugs.

I agree with what Justamom said...different circumstances in one's life dictate what political leanings you have. In this stage of my life, certain parties reflect my concerns more than others. Who's to say in 40 years that a different party will be better for me? I am simply voicing my concerns about the state of the nation now that there is no real balance of power and how certain domestic issues will be brought in which wouldn't under different circumstances. We've seen it happen already.