pan6467

Just thinking about hate politics and thought maybe this could bring about good discussion.

Dems. pick an issue the President has that you like the stance on and tell why.

GOP pick an issue Kerry and the Dems have that you like and tell why.

Libertarians and others well...... pick an issue from the Dems and the GOP and discuss why you like it.

Hopefully, the point will bring some moderate righties and lefties to respect each other a little bit more.

In reality (I am a pessimist by nature, please forgive me), I have a feeling this thread may die a fast death as someone will undoubtedly say, "The other side has nooooo issue stances I support in anyway." and for those people I truly pity them because they are so blind and full of hate that they'll never change and grow up.

My one issue is the space program. I like the fact Bush is wanting to get men back on the moon and in space. We just let that whole program kind of die and it is sad because there is so much we can learn and so much potential there.

By rebuilding the space program perhaps it would bring forth new technologies and jobs and create new oppurtunities for the future generations.

I just truly like Bush for this and IF this were the only issue I was voting on I would vote for him, without any hesitation, because I don't see Kerry taking this issue and running with it.

Again, hope this thread opens up some positive dialect between opposites.

__________________
I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

onetime2

I honestly can't say one item that the Kerry campaign stands for that I fully support because there aren't enough details out (at least that I'm aware of) about their specific plans.

This isn't meant as a dig at all as I fully understand why details are slow in coming out and it has everything to do with campaign tactics.

One issues that's important to the Dems that I agree with is health insurance for the poor and un/under insured.

Of course the specifics on this issue are a little more complicated since there are multiple plans but the overall concept I fully agree with.

__________________
Strive to be more curious than ignorant.

Glava

The other side? I guess for me, that means the Republicans as I lean to the left. The one good issue that they promote is opposition to abortion. I'm morally against it, but the population growth resulting from its proposed delegalization would cripple the nation.

MSD

Being closetst to the libertarians in belief, I'll pick from each. Overall, the Republican party tends to be very supportive of gun ownership rights. The Democrats tend to be more supportive of individual liberties (big flashing neon sign with "abortion rights" and "gay marriage")

roachboy

i cant think of a single issue advanced by the bush version of the republican party on which i agree with them. and i have been sitting here for five minutes trying.

fifteen minutes.

nothing...i got nothing....this cant be good.

__________________
a gramophone its corrugated trumpet silver handle
spinning dog. such faithfulness it hear

it make you sick.

-kamau brathwaite

ARTelevision

Thanks for the constructive thread, pan6467.

There are many things good and necessary about Democratic positions. The loyal opposition is to be respected and appreciated in the spirit of bipartisanship.

From its idealism to its committment to social equality and human rights, the Democratic party is a crucial and necessary part of the progress and evolution of our nation toward a more humane and humanistic situation.

I appreciate the positions the party takes on health care and free expression. I may oppose individual applications of some of the actionable items that may spring from these positions. That doesn't mean I don't appreciate the fact that they are traditionally husbanded by the Democrats.

__________________
create evolution

BigGov

Took the words right out of my mouth.

__________________
One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

Superbelt

Republican_Gun rights.

Journeyman

Same with Superbelt, I like that the Republicans don't let the Democrats get away with too much gun control.

mystmarimatt

One thing I appreciate about the platform of the GOP is their resolve to cut wasteful spending. I may not agree with what and where they want to cut, but i believe that trying to be as meticulous and careful about how everything is spent so that our taxes aren't wasted in beaurocracy, red tape and by swindlers and other such tomfoolery is a wonderful leash to kept upon.

__________________
Words of Wisdom:

If you could really get to know someone and know that they weren't lying to you, then you would know the world was real. Because you could agree on things, you could compare notes. That must be why people get married or make Art. So they'll be able to really know something and not go insane.

roachboy

three hours later and still nothing.....

__________________
a gramophone its corrugated trumpet silver handle
spinning dog. such faithfulness it hear

it make you sick.

-kamau brathwaite

DelayedReaction

I'm a registered unaffiliated, so I'll go for both sides:

Republicans: I like their views on gun control (NFA of 1934 is quite enough), as well as their staunch support of the military.

Democrats: I am a large fan of their support of civil liberties (particularly their opposition to the USAPATRIOT Act), and their support for healthcare.

__________________
If ignorance is bliss, you must be having an orgasm.

jcookc6

John Kerry has alot of secret plans, but not much up front that you can chew on.

matteo101

Edit: I got nothing.

Sparhawk

That was pretty weak you guys...

I endorse the military aspect of the "war on terror" - it is an unfortunate reality that police and FBI, acting only defensively, is just not enough to defend our nation.

(does it count that I picked a position on which Kerry and Bush are virtually identical )

__________________
"In Iraq, no doubt about it, it's tough. It's hard work. It's incredibly hard. It's - and it's hard work. I understand how hard it is. I get the casualty reports every day. I see on the TV screens how hard it is. But it's necessary work. We're making progress. It is hard work."

jbuffett

I liked the idea of No Child Left Behind. My opposition was created when he failed to fund it.

__________________
I do blame you for voting for Bush.

Seaver

Off topic and not needed. Refrain from posthing things like this please.

KMA-628

roachboy,

that might be because to the right for your beliefs would be Democrat.

Not digging, but I wouldn't have expected you to come up with anything as Moderate is far-right for your stances.

You would probably do better by using the Libertarian idea, see if you can come up with at least a Dem idea that you agree with.

__________________
Before you criticize someone, you need to walk a mile in their shoes. That way, if they get angry at you.......you're a mile away.......and they're barefoot.

Kadath

Way to smack one troll but not the other, Seaver.

I went and looked at the President's agenda on his to try to find something I agreed with. I also think NCLB is a great idea, but with almost every school I go to complaining they can't meet the requirements because they are so completely underfunded, I am disheartened. (I also like that two of the six points are security. Seriously, what is that?)

I like the idea that we need to restore values to our country, even if I disagree about some of those values.

__________________
it's quiet in here

KMA-628

Like Kadath, I went to JohnKerry.com

How is this answer, I found two things that I agree with half of (two halves make a whole, right).

The first:

The part I agree with regards gov't expansion and middle-class opportunites.

The second:

I agree with the foreign oil thing, but the top two importers of oil to the U.S. are Canada and Mexico. Alternative energy aside, I would like to see us get more oil from within our territory. I don't have a problem with importing from Mexico and Canada as they are our "friends" and they need a healthy economy just as we do (plus, it is better to have a neighboring country with a growing economy). I would like to see the oil we get from the Middle East at least cut in half (that way we can't be held hostage by OPEC).

The problem I had was that several issues that are important to me, Kerry and Bush are very similar on.

Veteran's Benefits would be another one, but I can't really tell what is true and what isn't from either side.

__________________
Before you criticize someone, you need to walk a mile in their shoes. That way, if they get angry at you.......you're a mile away.......and they're barefoot.

fuzyfuzer

i decided to find one for the libs and dems

for the libs i found this
• Marriage is a religious commitment in which the government has no place
• Lifestyle is an individual right

first of all marrige is a state issue and the feds should have no say in it and the feds really should have no definate impact on my life that should be left to state govt. i think libs are closest to this

for the dems
Great teachers are the foundation of a great school. As president, John Kerry will enact a new bargain that offers teachers more, including better training and better pay in troubled schools, and asks for more in return, including fast, fair ways to make sure that teachers who don't belong in the classroom don't stay there.

education is an extremely important issue and even as a pretty frugal republican i am willing to pay a little more for someone to have a better education

Roachboy ya gotta find somthing i looked a long time so i think you can do more than just think about it look at their site

__________________
"The difference between commiment and involvment is like a ham and egg breakfast the chicken was involved but the pig was commited"

"Thrice happy is the nation that has a glorious history. Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt

Seaver

I hit him because he went against what this thread was intended for, offering nothing positive whatesoever. Who was the other troll praytell?

KMA-628

If I were to hazard a guess, Seaver, it was jcookc6's post.

I don't know if it was a troll, but if you have nothing to add then don't add.

__________________
Before you criticize someone, you need to walk a mile in their shoes. That way, if they get angry at you.......you're a mile away.......and they're barefoot.

KMA-628

O.k., I have a better, more constructive one:

Abortion.

I am morally against abortion, but I don't think it should be illegal. I would much rather have it unnecessary (I am adopted) than illegal.

That is one of the very few instances where I differ from my side.

__________________
Before you criticize someone, you need to walk a mile in their shoes. That way, if they get angry at you.......you're a mile away.......and they're barefoot.

scapegoat

HRmmm good thread

Probably one of the few issues i aggree with the GOP on would have to be smaller goverment, and fiscal responsiblity (though you wouldnt know they supported this from the example of the current president)

__________________
Sticks and Stones may break my bones, But Whips and Chains Excite me!

roachboy

its 12:41 am, about 12 hours later and i still cannot think of a single issue endorsed by the bush version of the republican party that i support.

i am well to the left of the democrats, kma--that is probably the problem.....as to why i am not a libertarian--well, that would be another thread.

see? i am learning this game....

__________________
a gramophone its corrugated trumpet silver handle
spinning dog. such faithfulness it hear

it make you sick.

-kamau brathwaite

CoachAlan

As a registered Independent I will tell you what I like about partisans. I like that when the neither one is in total control, there is a great deal of compromise and reworking of legislation. The best bills get passed when one side or the other can't just force something through.

__________________
"If I cannot smoke cigars in heaven, I shall not go!"
- Mark Twain

The Phenomenon

Thats one thing that most people don't get. The official Opposition is as important in a democracy as the ruling party. Its the opposition's job to balance out the scales, be the tell tale on the ruling party nd to basically be the watchdog. Democracy cannot work without a strong opposition.

FoolThemAll

I like the democrats' opposition to the controversial portions of the Patriot Act. I've yet to hear a sufficient defence of them.

I like the pro-drug legalization (never tried drugs) and the pro-gay marriage (never tried that either) positions, but I don't know that Kerry holds either.

__________________
I wonder if we're stuck in Rome.

Stompy

I was watching one of Bush's campaign speeches last week and he mentioned something about getting rid of frivolous lawsuits. I like that.

Shortly after he was talking about doctors, so I don't know if what he was describing only pertained to malpractice, or frivolous lawsuits in general.

For example, "I'm fat so I'm suing McDonald's" or "I smoked for 40 years, ignored warnings, got cancer. Now I want to sue Phillip-Morris". People need to stop blaming others for their mistakes in life.

__________________
I love lamp.

mml

I was wholeheartedly behind Bush's first "stimulus package" which helped give the economy a quick boost. It had pretty significant bi-partisan support, because it was a good idea, done at an appropriate time.

__________________
Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."
-Douglas Adams

Polyphobic

I thought about this for a half hour and finally came up with something I sort of agree in. Mainly the GOP's stated less taxes stance. However, a balanced budget is much more important.

__________________
<--The great infidel-->

98MustGT

Good Things about the Dems -

Stem Cell research

edwhit

I'm morally against abortion but want it legal. There are too many situations that arise when it is banned.

I also am for stem cell research.

skyscan

Republicans:
taking care of military
gun rights
lower gov. spending
keeping a balance (one party system is a bad idea)



We need a open debate in this country. EVERYONE! Stop with the "I know how I feel and I'm never changing my view." Review your views challange them. Stop watching "The Factor" and put down the ranting editorials. Come together as a country. Attempt to see issues from all angles. Make decessions based on stances and important issues. Become involved. Promote true debates to be won by points made and not who said what louder. Both sides, come together for America.

__________________
Media Stew

pan6467

Some very good dialog and a lot of positive.

A few have had problems but hate runs deep and sometimes it's all you can see.

I know I learned some new things, it doesn't affect my vote, BUT it does allow me to be a little more ok with Bush if he's reelected.

Art, Skyscan, Phenom, and all thanks for the input on why it's necessary to have 2 parties.

__________________
I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

scout

I like the Democrats stance on health care and opposition to the Patriotic Act.

For the Republicans I like their views on gun control, military support, and less taxes.

__________________
"The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it."
Thomas Jefferson

nanofever

I'm a really strong democrat, and I would have to go with the Republican view of gun ownership rights.

__________________
I'm leaving for the University of California: Santa Barbara in 5 hours, give me your best college advice - things I need, good ideas, bad ideas, nooky, ect.

Originally Posted by Norseman on another forum:
"Yeah, the problem with the world is the stupid people are all cocksure of themselves and the intellectuals are full of doubt."

hannukah harry

and yet you voted for an amendment to the missouri const. banning gay marriage.


oh, and for myself, i have to go with the repub's gun control and platform of less govt./fiscal responsibility. i would actually consider voting for a republican that promised not to hurt (necessary) social programs while following a conservitive economic policy.

__________________
shabbat shalom, mother fucker! - the hebrew hammer

Bobaphat

I appreciate the typically Republican ideals of smaller government and fiscal responsability. I wish that they would get back to that.

__________________
--size matters not-- yoda