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So I was never very political in my youth and I have never voted (yeah, sue me). When I was in my mid- to late teens, I read some books on anarchy and while I didn't fully support that system, the idea of ultimate freedom was kind of interesting. So here's my stance on the so-called "key issues" that I hear discussed every-freaking-where I go. I've made them short and hopefully understandable for my enquiry.
Gay marriage: Absolutely support it, I think it's ridiculous that something like this even needs to be discussed.
Abortion: Should be legal. Obviously.
Freedom of speech: All for it, always, love rap music, despise censorship of all kinds. That also goes for nudity and sexual openness and whatnot. Very liberal on all that stuff.
However..
Illegal immigration: Very very conservative, would deport practically anyone that's broken these laws. Would also stop about 90% of legal immigration for a good 10 years to let the dust settle. Maybe keep it for super-immediate relatives like spouses and minor children.
Religion: Grew up with organized religion, can't stand it, don't believe in God. I never try to get people to change their beliefs either but I am definitely not spiritual and I don't think the church should be involved in politics.
Guns: Eh. I do go to the range every now and again because I enjoy letting off steam that way but I do not own a gun. Not really too worried about the issue. I mean, our access is a little too easy but it's not something I think about daily.
I also don't want to pay higher taxes just because I make more money than some people.
So there. It's like this stuff goes together well in my head but I can never find common ground with other people. Because all the liberals I seem to meet that agree with me about those first points, get disgusted when I say we should have a mass deportation. Like America's the only country in the world you're not allowed to feel patriotic towards, like we're racist for wanting to preserve our culture. Pisses me off.
And my more conservative views are shared by so many religious folk and close-minded people that I really really do not want to be associated with. When I was discussing this with a friend of mine who's fairly political, he said I should look into libertarianism and read something by Ron Paul. But he's really really into Ron Paul so I'm not sure if he really felt like my ideas would match his or if he was just trying to convert me.
Anyway, I now feel, in my mid 20s, that I want to understand more but I can't seem to find a box that I would even remotely fit in.
Join the club. The only advice I have for you is to avoid the smoke and mirrors and also the bait and switch tactics.
I vote conservative on the national level because I feel national politics is really all about my pocket as it should be, in my opinion.
On the state and local level, I look at the individual regardless of party affiliation.
Nationally I'm disgusted with liberals.
I don't care what someone's religious beliefs are, just don't jam it down anyone's throat. If people want to say prayers or not it hurts no one else.
Abortion is legal and needs to remain as such. I don't care who marries who and neither should anyone else. People have to live with their own choices no matter what and my neighbors choice of spouse affects me none.
I'm sorry I don't have any advice for you other than to keep yourself well read and informed. Ideas change when your own circumstances change and certain things become more important to you.
Yes, libertarian (except for the part about illegal immigration maybe). You just have to decide which issues are most important to you, and vote accordingly. I don't believe in being loyal to one political party, and I don't believe in straight-ticket voting. In fact, I agree with Jesse Ventura's idea: they should take the "Dem.", "Rep.", etc. identifiers off our ballots. If all you know about the candidates is their political party, you shouldn't be voting.
Yes, libertarian (except for the part about illegal immigration maybe). You just have to decide which issues are most important to you, and vote accordingly. I don't believe in being loyal to one political party, and I don't believe in straight-ticket voting. In fact, I agree with Jesse Ventura's idea: they should take the "Dem.", "Rep.", etc. identifiers off our ballots. If all you know about the candidates is their political party, you shouldn't be voting.
I think Ventura is a loon for the most pat but I will say that is a great idea.
So I was never very political in my youth and I have never voted (yeah, sue me). When I was in my mid- to late teens, I read some books on anarchy and while I didn't fully support that system, the idea of ultimate freedom was kind of interesting. So here's my stance on the so-called "key issues" that I hear discussed every-freaking-where I go. I've made them short and hopefully understandable for my enquiry.
Gay marriage: Absolutely support it, I think it's ridiculous that something like this even needs to be discussed.
Abortion: Should be legal. Obviously.
Freedom of speech: All for it, always, love rap music, despise censorship of all kinds. That also goes for nudity and sexual openness and whatnot. Very liberal on all that stuff.
However..
Illegal immigration: Very very conservative, would deport practically anyone that's broken these laws. Would also stop about 90% of legal immigration for a good 10 years to let the dust settle. Maybe keep it for super-immediate relatives like spouses and minor children.
Religion: Grew up with organized religion, can't stand it, don't believe in God. I never try to get people to change their beliefs either but I am definitely not spiritual and I don't think the church should be involved in politics.
Guns: Eh. I do go to the range every now and again because I enjoy letting off steam that way but I do not own a gun. Not really too worried about the issue. I mean, our access is a little too easy but it's not something I think about daily.
I also don't want to pay higher taxes just because I make more money than some people.
So there. It's like this stuff goes together well in my head but I can never find common ground with other people. Because all the liberals I seem to meet that agree with me about those first points, get disgusted when I say we should have a mass deportation. Like America's the only country in the world you're not allowed to feel patriotic towards, like we're racist for wanting to preserve our culture. Pisses me off.
And my more conservative views are shared by so many religious folk and close-minded people that I really really do not want to be associated with. When I was discussing this with a friend of mine who's fairly political, he said I should look into libertarianism and read something by Ron Paul. But he's really really into Ron Paul so I'm not sure if he really felt like my ideas would match his or if he was just trying to convert me.
Anyway, I now feel, in my mid 20s, that I want to understand more but I can't seem to find a box that I would even remotely fit in.
You know honestly I feel like most people agree with the OP on almost all issues.
I've noticed that while posting. The vast majority of us agree on most issues regardless of political party or previous beliefs. I believe it is just the media and the partisan machines that make us think otherwise.
^I take it you mean most people on the board, not in the country.
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