Democrat or Republican

[AdamT]

hmm, this is amusing, thinking about this with my Intro to US Gov and Politics class....

First off, I would like to point out that our party system isn't one that should even be considered valid for the fact that it hasn't had a major realignment in over 60 years and haven't really changed to answer any new issues. Our system needs a major realignment...most voters have a split ticket vote. How many people actually agree with everything a party believes in, almost no one. Doesn't that just seem fishy?

Saying all of that, I must say that you all should take a look at how you are deciding who you vote for before you say what party you identify yourself with...do you listen to the promises made? do you look at what good/bad the candidate has already done? etc...

I urge every registered voter to go out and research the candinates view points and the issues being voted on. Our government can be much more responsive if we all vote on what we belive in then it can be if we just vote on a party. Another thing is not to forget the "small" guys. Find out about local elections, the truth is that they will have more of an impact on your lives then anyone headed for washington. Also, don't just research the candinates, research and bills, acts, or other things looking to be passed. It really is the little things that count.

And about this whole "good guy", "bad guy" thing. What this country lacks is empathy. Barely 35% of the eligable voters even come to midterm elections and barely 50% come to presidential...Sad statistics...And because of wonderful things like "the media" most people have a horibble view of politicians...What people don't seem to understand is that most politicians don't have alternative motives and most politicians are loosing money by taking an office. And most politicians don't even recieve very many perks.

I suggest everyone take a class about political science and really think about issues, not parties. A great book to read if you can find it is Politics in the Trenches by Thomas Volgy. It is the story of a local politician and his experiences in being the mayor of Tuscon, Arizona. It really is a good book.