What about the Independents opinions?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2003
What about the Independents opinions?
21
Fri, 09-12-2008 - 3:07pm

Hello fellow independents! I'm trying to get some opinions from some people who aren't on either end of the "crazy" spectrum.


I am a registered independent which, to me, means that while everyone else out on the wings are loosing their minds, I am trying to wade through the info to make an informed decision. I don't vote "party lines" and I don't fall for the tricks. I find myself infuriated with the republican decision to add Palin to the ticket. The fact that I've heard women say that they would vote for McCain soley because she is the veep candidate makes me infuriated. I just want to scream COME ON WOMEN, just because she has a vagina doesn't mean you have to vote for her! I don't understand how many people are willing to vote for something when they don't even know what they themselves stand for. These are my beliefs:


I own a gun, but I still want improved gun control legislation and I don't think that ANYONE should be buying automatic weapons.


I believe in privatized social security this does, of course, depend on the details.


I believe in the border fence and that illegal aliens should be deported, I also believe in a revamp to the immigration policy.


I think that "No child left behind" is a faliure. I think we should never teach to or rely on a test. Not only does this harm bad test takers but also is a disgrace for mentally handicapped and developmentally disabled children. I also believe in paying teachers who do a good job teaching, we've all had terrible teachers and they shouldn't be rewarded. Aren't our children the most important thing?


I am pro-choice but I think that if people, for whatever reason, need to pursue this than they should be doing it before they are in the 2nd trimester... unless it is for medical reasons. If you can't figure it out in two months... sorry.


I know for a fact that abstinence only education does not work.


I believe in stem cell research, we need improve our role as a science and technology leader.


I think that it is impossible to have great things (infastructure, school systems, etc) without taxes.


I think that the healthcare system needs reform, but not neccessarily socialization.


I believe that the United States should look out for herself first and everyone else second.


I believe in the separation of church and state and I never want to hear my president say anything religious besides "God bless America"


I'm sure I forgot some things... What do you believe? (no right or left wing responses please)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 09-12-2008 - 3:21pm

Have we been separated at birth? I agree with almost everything you said (except perhaps about the wall. I'm afraid it will be an expensive and ineffective measure.

The 3 Day

Sandy
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Fri, 09-12-2008 - 3:27pm

As another independent I don't agree with you on all points, but in general our outlooks are much alike.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2008
Fri, 09-12-2008 - 3:46pm

Michelle,


unfortunately, that means that like most of us, we're screwed by both parties...


On gun control, you're closer to republicans


On social security you're closer to republicans


On immigration, both parties are selling you out


On education, the republicans are selling you out on NCLB and the democrats are selling you out on merit pay and holding public schools accountable


On abortion, both parties are selling you out - the republicans won't let you have an abortion, and the democrats won't let you curb it


On sex education, you're closer to the democrats


On stem cell research, you're closer to the democrats


On health care - it's hard to tell any more, but you can be sure both parties will sell you out


On international relations, both parties are going to sell you out


On religion, you're closer to the democrats


Sounds like we need a new "common sense" party... Damned if I know where we're going to find one though.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
Fri, 09-12-2008 - 4:27pm

Well, I can't vote (for obvious reasons ;o)....But I agreed with everything you said (except maybe the wall thing...but I don't know too much about it). Guess that would make me an Independant too huh?


Welcome to the board by the way.


iVillage Member
Registered: 10-25-2006
Fri, 09-12-2008 - 5:04pm

Except for guns, immigration and SS privatization, I pretty much agree with your positions. (Hunting guns are okay, but not handguns; undecided on immigration; SS privatization not necessary--look what's happening with pension funds and investment banking firms. There's no guarantee we can do better investing SS$ ourselves.)

I'm not afraid of so-called socialization of health care--we can take lots of baby steps but, in the end, we'll come to realize that only governmental regulation/oversight will work to contain costs.

I've always voted Democratic (for pres only) because I believe soooo strongly that we need to help one another, not only through our churches and community efforts, but through gov't. I know we will become a much more humane, compassionate and successful society, living more harmoniously with redistribution of the wealth, and a progressive, NOT regressive tax policy.

Because we elect our congressmen who are all over the place on the issues, I know that when I vote Democratic, the positions I voted for have less than a 50% chance of becoming law. Because of that, I don't see a need for more parties. We need a strong leader with a vision to be president. I'm confident that Obama will ignore special interests and promote policies that are best for the U.S., and best to improve our relations with other nations. We need to be sure that we elect congressmen, of any or no party, who will do the same.

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http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/october/meet_the_new_health_.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQTBYQlQ7yM

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-03-2008
Fri, 09-12-2008 - 5:21pm

After I read your post, I felt like I could have written that myself.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-06-2008
Fri, 09-12-2008 - 5:49pm

YOu wrote: Hunting guns are okay, but not handguns


I'm just curious, but do you believe that it is ok to hunt, but not ok to defend your home? Not starting a debate, but just curious.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-25-2006
Fri, 09-12-2008 - 6:07pm

Personally, I'd never own a gun, nor would I ever hunt. But I understand that it's a hobby for some, and while I'd prefer they use quiet bows and arrows, I can tolerate the thought of a human using a gun when hunting.

If someone's living in constant fear of intruders, maybe he wants to keep a gun in his house. While I don't consider it safe, I could tolerate someone else keeping one if it were properly registered and not within reach of a child.

My BIL keeps a loaded handgun in his house, in a gated retirement community. He's got a hot temper. In the back of my mind I am always worrying that some day he'll use it on either my sister or himself. That's why I don't like the idea of handguns kept to defend one's home. Too often they're used vs. friends/family by someone in a fit of rage.

I do not think the general population should be walking around with handguns. I was shocked when 10 yrs ago we visited Phoenix and some guy walked into a fast food restaurant wearing a holster/gun. I'm definitely opposed to that.

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http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/october/meet_the_new_health_.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQTBYQlQ7yM

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-20-2008
Fri, 09-12-2008 - 6:22pm
As a wife of a hunter, I have to tell you if you are into animal rights at all (not saying you are) bow and arrow is not a quicker kill. there have been cases of bad arrow shooting, where the animal has not been able to be tracked, where they died not because they bled out, but their flesh rotted. not a way to go, imho. my dad and my dh both hunt bow, but gun is generally a quicker death for the animal. (by the way, we do eat all the meat we get, dh and dad do not hunt for sport at all, they don't believe in that). there is alot of different opinions with bow and arrow, some believe it to be more humane, some don't. for me, i don't know, i don't hunt, all i can say is what i've been told by hunters. my FIL thinks that bow hunting is the worst way to hunt and inhumane. his son (dh) differs on that opinion. to each their own. by the way, i'm registered independent but generally vote republican because i lean more towards that way, but most of what you say i carry the same sentiment.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-25-2006
Fri, 09-12-2008 - 6:51pm

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That's a valid reason to use a gun. Never really thought about it, and I'm not an animal rights activist. I know that some animal populations get out of control and hunters help bring them back down. In my post I mentioned "QUIET bows and arrows" because I don't like noise.

If were running for pres I'd try to ban leafblowers, snowblowers, snowmobiles, racecars, jetskis, motorboats and motorcycles, LOL!

There's nothing more annoying to me than going outdoors in a peaceful snowfall to shovel some snow, and then have the neighbor start up his snowblower.

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http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/october/meet_the_new_health_.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQTBYQlQ7yM

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