[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

Lifelong Republication but sliding more to the center and left of center with each passing year.

I think that sums me up as well.

I've always leaned toward being financially conservative and socially liberal. I think that if we just did a little better job on the budget (don't allow pork-barrel, ear-marks etc.) that we could do what was needed on the spending side to support our citizens. In other words I think we CAN have it all.

[redwitch]

Srange, I posted a reply last night but it seems to have disappeared, so I'll try again.

First, I know it's hard to resist, but please try to not make this a political discussion. I'd hate to see this moved to the political forum and some of the responses have gotten downright close, if not over the political line. I really would like it to simply stay as a way to let people know there are others in TV who are not Republicans.

Second, I didn't include conservative because I've yet to meet a true conservative who isn't a Republican. I also agree with Challenger that most who claim to be Independents are anything but. As to why not more categories, I honestly didn't feel it necessary. I didn't even think of including Libertarians since I thought they easily fit the liberal category, ditto Tea Party/Republican. I know that wasn't 100% accurate but I didn't want it to go too far. Guess I was wrong. Something tells me many of the independent votes are really a protest for not including their parties. Sorry. I'm beginning to think I should have just made the poll as to who you voted for in the last national election. Oh, well, hindsight is beautiful.

Third, to my knowledge, the only Democratic politician who has set foot in TV while campaigning was Alex Sink when she was running for Governor, at least in the past 3 years. She met with Democrats for a fundraising at a private residence. There was no mention of the event in The Daily Sun until long after the event. No Democrat was invited to speak here during the national elections. To me, this is a shame since I really do like to hear all sides before I decide how I choose to vote.

Fourth, some of you think that political persuasion doesn't matter. You're right that it doesn't matter to your friends, but your acquaintances are another story. I know of a woman who has lived in TV for over 10 years, is a military widow, is very liberal and only 3 people in TV know her political viewpoints. She's not afraid of losing friends, she just doesn't want the arguments, which is what has happened when she "foolishly" (her word, not mine) told someone what she believed. There's something sad about being afraid to say what you feel because people will yell at you, call you names and so on.

I've been pretty open about being a liberal. I've also happily admitted to voting the Republican ticket a time or two. I'm exceedingly liberal when it comes to human rights. I'm also fiscally conservative (yes, the two can co-exist). I'm pro-military. No, I'm not confused. I'm not a child who doesn't know what she's talking about. I'm not an idiot who needs a lesson or two on American politics. I've been told all of these things since moving to TV. This makes it hard for people to admit to being anything but conservatives or Republicans. There are others here (both in TV and in TOTV) who have told me they wish they could speak up, but don't want the confrontations but are glad there are a few like me around who will speak up for them. That's just sad. People should feel free to speak up. Maybe seeing this poll will help them a little.

[Taj44]

Originally Posted by Pturner

Hi BobKat1, I am not aware of any speaker associated with liberal issues or the Democratic Party who has been invited, if this is what you are asking. However, needless to say, I am not aware of every speaker who has ever been invited. So, would someone please jump if a Democratic or liberal speaker has been invited to TV.

I don't keep tabs on all the Democratic or liberal speakers, but the following have attended recently:

Kendrick Meek spoke to a packed audience at the Savannah Center on August 15.

There was an "invitation only" event in October at Seabreeze Recreation center where a large audience filled the auditorium to listen to Gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink. Candidates Jim Piccillo and Eunice Garbutt also attended.

[Jane52]

Originally Posted by Challenger

In my experience, most folks who claim to be Idependents, aren't. It seems that it has become the style to claim in casual conversation that you are an Independent but if voting records could be checked you would find that most voted party lines . .

If only all political conversations could stay as civil and friendly as this one is so far . . .

On the quote above, I could not disagree more. We are not "in casual conversation"--face to face--here.

Our vote in the poll above is anonymous--no fear of p****ng off a neighbor or acquaintance we'd like to keep. There's no reason to cover up in the poll and I think it's accurate.

Most Independents I know dislike both parties (whose tactics are the same), and they are willing to listen and learn from respectful voices from either side.

[Challenger]

I find that most people who tell me that they are Independents will then begin a discourse against one party or the other. I usually ignor their protestations of Independence and try to understand their positions.

[Number 6]

A couple of thoughts. Caroline Kennedy spoke at the Savannah Center during the 2008 election in support of Obama. Well, I had to put down Independent because there is no place to put Libertarian. I am socially liberal and fiscally conservetive. If you find yourself in agreement, you just may be a Libertarian. Try taking this quiz;
http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz

[tony]

Posts that appear to attempt to turn this thread political are being removed. The original poster asked, twice, to please not turn it political. In this case, we are trying to keep it to the poll.

Also, posts that are quoting the poll results are being removed. People who want to see the results can click on the link and look. We really are trying to keep the poll as valid as it can be.

[logdog]

Originally Posted by redwitch

I didn't even think of including Libertarians since I thought they easily fit the liberal category, ditto Tea Party/Republican.

I also put down Independent but I'm a Libertarian who strongly supports the Tea Party. Libertarians believe in small government which used to be a tenet of the Republican party. We do not subscribe to the liberal agenda of a welfare/nanny state.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by tony

The original poster asked, twice, to please not turn it political. In this case, we are trying to keep it to the poll.

Good luck with that!

[Talk Host]

I sure am glad Tony is riding herd on this. I can't tell which is and which isn't.

[Larryandlinda]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

Good luck with that!

Yep, it was a great idea that seemed to be working!
for the inquiring minds, Why not throw the ones deemed politically charged to the political thread forum of cyber landfill?

by the way, the calls on those can be tough, grey not black and white, but most of would agree the first few pages went along with Red's guidelines?

And while it's up to the two admins, puttting those issues before a peer review is out of the question, but maybe someone could open up the debate arena in political for those that care.
We are fine the way it is (or at least was)
Even though we are in more than one, we chose the most appropriate.
Card counters who have their eyes fixed on the screen 24/7 might be able to 'figure' out who's in where,for those that care

L and L

[redwitch]

Tony and Jan -- thank you so much for understanding my intent and not removing all of this to political. It is so very, very much appreciated.

Had I thought about it, I would have added Libertarian, but it's too late now. I'm sorry, folks.

[Taj44]

Originally Posted by logdog

I also put down Independent but I'm a Libertarian who strongly supports the Tea Party. Libertarians believe in small government which used to be a tenet of the Republican party. We do not subscribe to the liberal agenda of a welfare/nanny state.

I'm a liberal and I find your charactarization of the liberal agenda to be completely off base and frankly completely un-informed. Of course I see most Tea partiers as un-encumbered by facts.

[Taj44]

Originally Posted by Number 6

A couple of thoughts. Caroline Kennedy spoke at the Savannah Center during the 2008 election in support of Obama. ...

Thanks, I had forgotten that speaker. Half of the problem is, the Daily Sun has huge headlines when some conservative like Glenn Beck visits The Villages - its like the coming of Christ. When Alex Sink or Caroline Kennedy visits - maybe a few lines, or a small article on the inner pages.

[another Linda]

I'm a registered Democrat but would have no trouble voting for anyone who represented my views. I've always considered myself 'somewhat' left of center but I too feel the center has shifted. Sometimes I feel I'm no where near center now. I don't try to hide my views, but I really dislike political 'discussions.' I also get sick of defending myself. I am not un-American, have served in the Army (as have my husband and 1son), am a practicing Catholic, and I could go on.