2016 Postmortem

NoGoodNamesLeft

(2,056 posts)

12. The reason I'm an Independent is because things about BOTH parties irk me

Thu Dec 22, 2016, 11:17 AM

Dec 2016

I hate extremism and radicalism, regardless of what side it comes from. Intolerance turns me off.

I'm just as put off by the far left as I am by the far right. I think most Independents are like I am...they may agree with each party on some issues but differ with both on at least one issue that is important enough to them that keeps them from joining either side. For me I disagree very strongly on legalizing marijuana for recreational use. My kids and I got the living shit beat out of us because my ex was addicted to weed and would buy it over food for his own kids. My children suffered terribly over it and those who say drug use is a victimless crime is full of shit. That's one of my top issues. I am pro 2nd amendment too, due to my rural upbringing. I think gun control needs to be more regional to address the needs of each area instead of a one size fits all. I support free but FAIR trade. I am 100% for equality for ALL and social justice is important to me. Economic justice is part of social justice IMO. While I don't support legalizing any drugs for recreational use I view addiction as a disease that needs to be treated rather than just punished. While I do view abortion as murder and see a fetus as an unborn baby and I HATE that abortion happens...I know it MUST be legal in order to be regulated and for the few cases where I think it may be the best option for the woman. I think BOTH sides should work together to make it easier to adopt or keep a baby and get birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancies. I despise abortions used as after the fact birth control. I think the GOP needs to be consistent with wanting to protect unborn babies and ALSO stop complaining about helping care for them if the parents cannot afford to. Caring for the vulnerable is important to me too.

So, that probably explains WHY I just don't feel I can be part of EITHER party and have always been a swing voting Independent. Going too far left will lose my vote just as much as going too far right has for the last decade or so.

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The time has come to once again address the myth of the "independent" voter. [View all] Garrett78 Dec 2016 OP

I'm an Independent swing voter who always votes for the most moderate candidate NoGoodNamesLeft Dec 2016 #1

But you're the exception to the rule. Read the articles in my post. Garrett78 Dec 2016 #2

Kasich doesn't say crazy shit. Ace Rothstein Dec 2016 #3

Yep. The GOP has become so batshit crazy that some confuse Kasich with moderation. Garrett78 Dec 2016 #4

Like I said...people like myself typically vote for the MOST moderate candidate NoGoodNamesLeft Dec 2016 #8

And, like I said, that you consider Kasich to be a "moderate" is both sad and scary. Garrett78 Dec 2016 #9

Compared to Bernie he IS moderate NoGoodNamesLeft Dec 2016 #16

Economic justice already dominates the Democratic Party platform and message. Garrett78 Dec 2016 #20

If not for "school choice" my disabled child would not have gotten to go to school at all NoGoodNamesLeft Dec 2016 #21

"The left" doesn't object to online schooling or alternative public schools. Garrett78 Dec 2016 #23

Online schools, magnet schools and charter schools are all part of school choice NoGoodNamesLeft Dec 2016 #34

Magnet schools are totally public schools LeftInTX Dec 2016 #28

They are part of School Choice in Florida NoGoodNamesLeft Dec 2016 #37

IF 43% of Americans are independents, and 6-9% are voting against their party leaning more than... aikoaiko Dec 2016 #5

Most are more partisan than party-affiliated voters were in the 1970s. Garrett78 Dec 2016 #6

I don't understand the significance of the comparison to the 1970s. aikoaiko Dec 2016 #7

I guess I don't understand your first point. Garrett78 Dec 2016 #14

The reason I'm an Independent is because things about BOTH parties irk me NoGoodNamesLeft Dec 2016 #12

Again, read the articles I posted. The vast majority of "independents" are strongly partisan. Garrett78 Dec 2016 #13

There is a difference between being A moderate and being MORE moderate than someone else NoGoodNamesLeft Dec 2016 #17

I get you on the marijuana issue. I personally won't vote for anyone who's not pro-Prohibition Crunchy Frog Dec 2016 #15

Would not break my heart if it were illegal NoGoodNamesLeft Dec 2016 #18

We tried that little experiment. Crunchy Frog Dec 2016 #19

I know it was tongue in cheek NoGoodNamesLeft Dec 2016 #22

I made no assumptions about you and alcohol at all. Crunchy Frog Dec 2016 #24

Alcohol is already legal, marijuana is not, nor should it be NoGoodNamesLeft Dec 2016 #35

Like I said. Prohibition does nothing to stop people from actually using. Crunchy Frog Dec 2016 #38

The more people push for legalized recreational use the more I regret voting for medical use NoGoodNamesLeft Dec 2016 #39

i seriously question the authenticity of your post. Marijauna is neither physically or Exilednight Dec 2016 #33

Yes it is... NoGoodNamesLeft Dec 2016 #36

Probably an affect of my local demographic... Wounded Bear Dec 2016 #10

There are more "independent" Republicans than there are "independent" Democrats. Garrett78 Dec 2016 #11

I do not think much of BlueMTexpat Dec 2016 #25

They aren't wishy-washy, though, and that's the point. Garrett78 Dec 2016 #26

It's true that most of them have already BlueMTexpat Dec 2016 #27

You seem to be talking about supposed undecided voters now. Garrett78 Dec 2016 #30

I would think all americans would be independent voters. AllenJordan Dec 2016 #29

That's the myth of who "independents" are. Garrett78 Dec 2016 #31

K & R SunSeeker Dec 2016 #32