Are you a Republican? A Democrat? How many times have you been asked this question? I personally hate this question. Your personal political beliefs shouldn’t be confined to a party or a title. Some people make their political decisions on religious morals, financial situation, family background or because they are influenced by others. How do you make your political decisions?
I’ve always been about supporting and voting for a person and not the party and want to encourage you to do the same.
I’m from a very small town in the middle of nowhere. Actually, nowhere probably has a bigger population than where I was raised. Anyway, where I was raised, everyone is registered Democrat. When my mother moved there 20 years ago and went to register Republican she was actually told by a government official, “Don’t register Republican! If you do then you can’t vote around here.” Why? Because everyone calls themselves “yellow dog Democrats.” Their great grandpa was a Democrat, their grandpa was a Democrat, and so goes the next generation. Despite being warned that she “wouldn’t be able to vote” my mother registered with the party that best represented how she stood politically, as a Republican. Has my mother voted for a Democrat, absolutely, and there’s nothing wrong with that!
Just like you should choose a political party because of your beliefs aligning with theirs, that’s how you should choose a candidate.
It’s likely that as a Republican, some Democrats, like Congressman Dan Boren, might just please your desires for a politician because he may support some important issues to you. Or if you’re a Democrat you may support and vote for a Republican like Kay Baily Hutchison pro union.
A couple of examples of how people change in there politics: Michele Bachmann is a new Republican superstar and she was raised a Democrat and most in her district are registered Democrat. Senator Joe Lieberman who was a lifelong Democrat switched to the Independent party after the Democrat party took some actions that he didn’t agree with, he still won his seat back as an Independent.
Be open to look at each candidate individually, and not just vote for a person because of the R or D after his name. Suggestion: decide the top three issues important to you and your family. For example, taxes, defense and healthcare, then look at the candidates individually to determine which one best agrees with your concerns. For me it’s pro=life, national defense and taxes. When reading and researching the candidates remember it is a person representing you, not a party.
If we, as a nation, focus on the persons we are electing, maybe we will see some improvements in Washington D.C and around the nation.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
*clapping* That is perfect Elisha!!! to many people go to the ballot box only looking for R’s or D’s. If we vote on principles, we will have a much better America.
Well said! Now if we could get the vast majority of politicians (on both sides) to actually vote based upon their personal beliefs and principles instead of voting party line.
In theory, this is awesome. In practice, I think you’re doing it wrong. I’ve always examined both candidates thoroughly before voting, but I’m honest with myself in my thoughts–most importantly, it’s not possible for a 3rd party candidate to win a presidential (or nearly any major) election. That being said, I vote for the candidate that is less of an embarrassment to America as a whole.