I picked out some of the top Republican issues:

1. Support a robust version of federalism with greater limitations based on federal power and a larger role reserved for the states. Disagree.
2. Strongly believe that making law is the prerogative of the legislature and that judiciary should not legislate from the bench. Agree.
3. Favor lower income tax rates and believe that graduated tax rates (higher income tax rates for high income earners) unfairly target those who create jobs and wealth. Disagree.
4. They do agree that a 'safety net' should be provided for those who are needy and less fortunate but believe that the private sector would be more effective than the government in meeting these objective. Towards this end, they have been trying to privatize 'social security funds management'. Terrible Idea.
5. A 'single-payer universal health care system' as found in other developed countries labeling it as 'socialized medicine'. They favor the current personal- or employer-based insurance system complimented by the Medicare and Medicaid programs of the government. Not sure yet.
6. As a general rule, they oppose strict environmental regulation as they believe it hurts businesses. They have made several notable contributions to the field of environmental protection but are not taking a consistent and clear stand on this major issue. Agree.
7. Oppose same-sex marriage and gay rights. Agree because Gays and Lesbians have the right to form a contractual marriage agreement.
8. Oppose racial quotas. Agree.
9. Strongly favor capital punishment as a means to prevent crimes while, at the same time, strongly supporting gun ownership rights. Agree.
10. Advocate a strong national defense and strongly support unilateralism in matters of national security and insist on their right to take any action in their own self-interest. Agree.

Now, this is the reason I continue to say, talk to me and you may have a supporter, slam me and I will vote straight Left. Childish way to think, YES it is, but so is insulting the other party for their convictions.

For the Negative 5. NO OFFENSE y'all.

Well I am not going to slam you but I do not understand the need to be loyal to a party. I have always believed that it is "my" personal beliefs that take precedence and not that of a party as far as politics is concerned. I have always been registered as non-affiliated and have voted for the person who came closet to my beliefs regardless of their party affiliation. Each party has their own agenda and it appears to me that they are getting further and further away from the beliefs of main street America.

I also do not understand the need to evaluate anything based on one's party affiliation.
Using the old measures of right or wrong, real VS phony, needed VS wanted and many other core values it is pretty easy to determine who to vote for.

The majority of incumbents do not measure anything via core values. They only measure what is in it for them first....get re-elected being #1.
They will say or do anything that furthers their agenda....which does not include ANY of the priority needs of we the people.

Voting for the other guy/gal, who may not be qualified just because one does not like a particular candidate is stupid. Just look at what we have now as a prime example.

Forget the party....just demand doing what is right. The rest is BS.

btk

The only thing I'm going to say about this post, other than vote your conscience and you'll do yourself no wrong, is to remind you that as you constantly call for some kind of civility and and elusive non-confrontational discussion of your, and I mean this specifically, yours and no one else's opinions, you throw out a pejorative like "Negative Five".

Your idea of negative is extremely personal to you and your beliefs, but I almost hate to mention this, the world does not revolve around you and your ideas.

"Negative Five"????; a new way to isolate your dissenters?

I know you consider me one of these "negative" people, but that is your prejudice. I think that the majority of my posts are thought out responses to an idea or issue with my hope for the constant reader to get a positive thought out of what I say and maybe convince them of my idea or at least to consider it. Once in a while I "tweak", but only when postings go far-afield.

All I'm trying to say is re-read and consider your words. You might get a different idea on just who is being "negative"

Originally Posted by spk7951

Well I am not going to slam you but I do not understand the need to be loyal to a party. I have always believed that it is "my" personal beliefs that take precedence and not that of a party as far as politics is concerned. I have always been registered as non-affiliated and have voted for the person who came closet to my beliefs regardless of their party affiliation. Each party has their own agenda and it appears to me that they are getting further and further away from the beliefs of main street America.

Agree, that is why I voted for Bush then Obama.

Originally Posted by RichieLion

The only thing I'm going to say about this post, other than vote your conscience and you'll do yourself no wrong, is to remind you that as you constantly call for some kind of civility and and elusive non-confrontational discussion of your, and I mean this specifically, yours and no one else's opinions, you throw out a pejorative like "Negative Five".

Your idea of negative is extremely personal to you and your beliefs, but I almost hate to mention this, the world does not revolve around you and your ideas.

"Negative Five"????; a new way to isolate your dissenters?

I know you consider me one of these "negative" people, but that is your prejudice. I think that the majority of my posts are thought out responses to an idea or issue with my hope for the constant reader to get a positive thought out of what I say and maybe convince them of my idea or at least to consider it. Once in a while I "tweak", but only when postings go far-afield.

All I'm trying to say is re-read and consider your words. You might get a different idea on just who is being "negative"

Richie, your so funny. I have a dozen paragraphs of serious matters that I openly committed myself to and you gravitate to the HUMOROUS Negative five comment to slam me with. That comment is for fun. Keep in mind that I have a brother that is even right of hard core conservatives, but I still love him. Don't let the humorous parts of my posts get you down. IF we ever have the opportunity to meet in person, I will offer you my hand in friendship and buy the first round of beers.

Originally Posted by Lou Card

Richie, your so funny. I have a dozen paragraphs of serious matters that I openly committed myself to and you gravitate to the HUMOROUS Negative five comment to slam me with. That comment is for fun. Keep in mind that I have a brother that is even right of hard core conservatives, but I still love him. Don't let the humorous parts of my posts get you down. IF we ever have the opportunity to meet in person, I will offer you my hand in friendship and buy the first round of beers.

I'm not angry Lou. I just think you should know the value of the words and their effect. When you insult someone, jocular or not, you've just ruined your argument and the insulted is not going to reflect on your opinion but on your insult.

Originally Posted by RichieLion

I'm not angry Lou. I just think you should know the value of the words and their effect. When you insult someone, jocular or not, you've just ruined your argument and the insulted is not going to reflect on your opinion but on your insult.

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
That is exactly what I have been saying for two months. Richie, You get it.

I could not agree more. I admit I have a short temper, and when the Negative five would insult me I would shut down and no good would come from posts from or to me. Thank you for saying it, as when I have said it so Many times over the past two months, no one seemed to get it.

If you look at this post, you will see that I totally agree with 6 of the 10 conservative issues. And one I am undecided. I don't think that is all that negative on my part. Yet because I add a one line sarcastic joke at the bottom, I am shut out and slammed. Can you see why I did it in the past the other direction. Lets agree where we can and discuss the places where we differ. Now that Someone understands where I am coming from, you will never see that Negative number comment again. Now lets move forward and forget what a jerk some folks think I am. Then you will find we do have a lot in common.

To quote Lucy Van Pelt "AUUGGGHHH"

Originally Posted by RichieLion

To quote Lucy Van Pelt "AUUGGGHHH"

Good Grief RichieLion

I think were making progress.

Originally Posted by Lou Card

I picked out some of the top Republican issues:

1. Support a robust version of federalism with greater limitations based on federal power and a larger role reserved for the states. Disagree.
2. Strongly believe that making law is the prerogative of the legislature and that judiciary should not legislate from the bench. Agree.
3. Favor lower income tax rates and believe that graduated tax rates (higher income tax rates for high income earners) unfairly target those who create jobs and wealth. Disagree.
4. They do agree that a 'safety net' should be provided for those who are needy and less fortunate but believe that the private sector would be more effective than the government in meeting these objective. Towards this end, they have been trying to privatize 'social security funds management'. Terrible Idea.
5. A 'single-payer universal health care system' as found in other developed countries labeling it as 'socialized medicine'. They favor the current personal- or employer-based insurance system complimented by the Medicare and Medicaid programs of the government. Not sure yet.
6. As a general rule, they oppose strict environmental regulation as they believe it hurts businesses. They have made several notable contributions to the field of environmental protection but are not taking a consistent and clear stand on this major issue. Agree.
7. Oppose same-sex marriage and gay rights. Agree because Gays and Lesbians have the right to form a contractual marriage agreement.
8. Oppose racial quotas. Agree.
9. Strongly favor capital punishment as a means to prevent crimes while, at the same time, strongly supporting gun ownership rights. Agree.
10. Advocate a strong national defense and strongly support unilateralism in matters of national security and insist on their right to take any action in their own self-interest. Agree.

Now, this is the reason I continue to say, talk to me and you may have a supporter, slam me and I will vote straight Left. Childish way to think, YES it is, but so is insulting the other party for their convictions.

For the Negative 5. NO OFFENSE y'all.

First, you misstate a number of issues, AS I UNDERSTAND THEM. Of course you must know someone since I have not heard any national Republican party platform !

Second, who cares what party......what does party have to do with it. Pick a candidate that most closely mirrors your views and vote.

I might also tell you that most posters are NOT trying to win your over as you say....."talk to me and you may have a supporter, slam me and I will vote straight Left." I dont give a hoot who you vote for. You surely are entitled to your opinion and should voice it as others do on here, BUT why you think you are so important never ceases to amaze me.

Have an opinion..voice it. Differ...voice it. But stop making it all personal and all about you !

One only need to read my post, then your reply and anyone with reason will see that you are simply trying to bait me into your mud slinging discussion. If all you got out of my post was that I am ate up with myself, there is no need for me to reply to you.
I do agree with one statements. IT IS NOT ALL ABOUT ME. It is all about our country and you just can't seem to grasp that point. I love America and I think you love to argue. I am devoting my time on this site to bridge the gap between left and right. It is far to important that we begin to talk in a civil manor and stop the crazy mud slinging. Please don't widen the gap so far it becomes impossible to build a bridge over our differences. Could it be that to stop mud slinging would take away your entertainment. Give peace a Chance.

We are going broke and you think I am self absorbed.
The races are dividing and you think I feel more important than you.
Unemployment is through the roof and your main concern is how I write my Threads.

Bucco, we need to talk so please stop the personality bashing.