So I’m curious. How do you usually vote? Financially or Socially?

[OwnerOfCalifornia]

I vote my wallet; the ideals fall in place naturally.

By voting your ideals you are inevitably forcing your world-view upon others who may not be compatible with your world-view. For liberals, this means the unfair confiscation of wealth and property for distribution as they see fit, in order to cure some perceived social ill. Ridiculous social engineering, thought-policing, and the suppression of free-expression result from their “ideals”. For (neo-)conservatives, this means spreading “democracy” at the barrel of a gun, disastrous foreign policy, and intrusion into the personal lives and bedrooms of Americans.

So instead of tax-and-spend or borrow-and-spend, how about thinking outside of the box? How about neither? Vote your wallet, and the bloated Federal government, state and local governments will hopefully shrivel up to a more constitutional disposition. Everyone gets to keep their ideals to themselves without forcing them upon others.

Oh yeah, legalize the constitution, RON PAUL 2008!!!

[OwnerOfCalifornia]

I vote my wallet; the ideals fall in place naturally.

By voting your ideals you are inevitably forcing your world-view upon others who may not be compatible with your world-view. For liberals, this means the unfair confiscation of wealth and property for distribution as they see fit, in order to cure some perceived social ill. Ridiculous social engineering, thought-policing, and the suppression of free-expression result from their “ideals”. For (neo-)conservatives, this means spreading “democracy” at the barrel of a gun, disastrous foreign policy, and intrusion into the personal lives and bedrooms of Americans.

So instead of tax-and-spend or borrow-and-spend, how about thinking outside of the box? How about neither? Vote your wallet, and the bloated Federal government, state and local governments will hopefully shrivel up to a more constitutional disposition. Everyone gets to keep their ideals to themselves without forcing them upon others.

Oh yeah, legalize the constitution, RON PAUL 2008!!!

[HereWeGo]

Regrettably, of late, I seem to try to pick the “least worst” candidate.

[HereWeGo]

Regrettably, of late, I seem to try to pick the “least worst” candidate.

[NotCranky]

Mine is a protest vote . I vote for dead black people as write in candidates,usually Malcom X. They can’t win and either can a libertarian ,independent, green or anybody else. Actually, I vote for whomever my wife wants. She gives me a peck on the cheek and for me that’s more Justice than I will ever get for my values than I will get out of this Charade we call an electoral system and democracy.

Hello slackerboy.
I like your comments as well.

Perry,although you are much more eloquent than I am it appears we are in a simililar bind at election time being idealists. As a “liberal” You vote democrat always? You will be glad to know that is what I do for my peck on the cheek. My wife speaks french and spanish and loves “civil” debate. I think I will put her on the blog instead of me for your sake.She is also a real estate bear!

[NotCranky]

Mine is a protest vote . I vote for dead black people as write in candidates,usually Malcom X. They can’t win and either can a libertarian ,independent, green or anybody else. Actually, I vote for whomever my wife wants. She gives me a peck on the cheek and for me that’s more Justice than I will ever get for my values than I will get out of this Charade we call an electoral system and democracy.

Hello slackerboy.
I like your comments as well.

Perry,although you are much more eloquent than I am it appears we are in a simililar bind at election time being idealists. As a “liberal” You vote democrat always? You will be glad to know that is what I do for my peck on the cheek. My wife speaks french and spanish and loves “civil” debate. I think I will put her on the blog instead of me for your sake.She is also a real estate bear!

[lurkor]

One distinction. Voting for small government economic policy is not necessarily voting for “your financial interests.” It is for some people, but I for one actually believe that while the government should play some role in helping those who can’t help themselves, govt intrusion into economic matters usually makes things worse for everyone, especially the poor, over the long haul. (Read Hazlitt’s “Economics in One Lesson” for a brief overview of why I feel that way).

So I am in favor of fiscal conservatism (in the traditional sense) but it’s not about protecting my own interests. I think it’s in everyone’s best long-term interests.

I have no problem if people disagree with this conclusion. I have a problem with people who think that because you are for limited govt, that you don’t care about helping the poor. I’ll bet i give more to charity than many of them do.

[lurkor]

One distinction. Voting for small government economic policy is not necessarily voting for “your financial interests.” It is for some people, but I for one actually believe that while the government should play some role in helping those who can’t help themselves, govt intrusion into economic matters usually makes things worse for everyone, especially the poor, over the long haul. (Read Hazlitt’s “Economics in One Lesson” for a brief overview of why I feel that way).

So I am in favor of fiscal conservatism (in the traditional sense) but it’s not about protecting my own interests. I think it’s in everyone’s best long-term interests.

I have no problem if people disagree with this conclusion. I have a problem with people who think that because you are for limited govt, that you don’t care about helping the poor. I’ll bet i give more to charity than many of them do.

[Coronita]

I nominate Rich Toscano to run for office. We’ll make sure he has “sufficient” campaign financing.

[Coronita]

I nominate Rich Toscano to run for office. We’ll make sure he has “sufficient” campaign financing.

[SD Transplant]

Just a few days ago, I’ve answered to a phone poll to go over the state of the economy, political inclination, war on Iraq and so on…

I realized that I’m a scary hybrid:

1) I like a free economy (open – if there is such thing)because that’s one of the reason I hated about comunism (I’ve lived in the Eastern block for 15 years under communism)…….I woudn’t want that back, yet I certainly miss some great things from that era (every system’s got its perks)

2) However, I do see the need for some social protection and government fiscal responsability (stop ignoring DEBT, and bring a tax & spend attitude).

3) I realized that HealthCare is a mess in our country (the US)….I’m just 32, so I shouldn’t think that hard about this matter……but I see/hear storries that make one reject the idea of the US in 2007 with people being turned down for medical treatment/best interest of patients is run by insurance and private hospitals.

4) The state of the Economy is my # 1 concern. I share the same concerns with the majority on the board about: (1) a decent place to live in a house I hope to afford soon….not to flip/speculate,(2) a decent way to invest more in my education in my future’s familiy in this country (I don’t have kids…but I do think ahead along with my wife). I am not asking for much, but I do feel that our middle class is being squeezed to extremes (feel the effect of unreported inflation, stagnate wages, opportunities)..I’ve done & felt economically better/safer in my 20’s… (or was less informed)

5) The political state….disastrous:(1) politicians are too corupt by private interest (Corporations) to work in our best interest, (2) Democrats or Republicans…..more or less the same w/ actions – DIFFERENT speaches pre-election, (3)Voting for the best of the 2 evils does not make me feel any better about a way to change/impact America- my new home……..I have republican ideas (conservative/fiscally responsable / small goverment) with a mix of social responsability (healthcare)….and liberal views (gay marriage isn’t my priority)….. I think China and less likely Russia might show us what the new HYBRID of both worlds could do (social system w/ Economic interest “semi-Capitalism”)…

6) Education: I’ve had great opportunities in the US, and I want to maintain this educational path. However, schools abroad are much harsher, require LESS or LITTLE $$$ to qualify young people to be educated…..Criteria in US top schools are more & more (who’s your dady & what does he do/contribute)…less on the qualifications of these kids. One thing I know about schools outside….. exams are TOUGH/HARD..stressfull…and oustanding candidates have the edge vs. $$$

7) Immigration policy: it sucks….in plain English. We’re caught in the political interest of Agro-industrial producers (who view cheap illegal labor easier to handle than innovation in new techonolgies to fix our thirst for these poor people). What’s even more disturbing are the lax rules at our borders. I’m a legal immigrant and I have been living here for 12 years, but I would be the 1st to tell you that #1 If you don’t speak English is not acceptable, #2 ignoring the immigration problem is just going to enhance this illness, and #3 we are experiencing a big problem with our ability to bring/keep/attract/ highly skilled folks here (with our quota system…..birocracy at our homeland security/immigration offices)…

Enough….I don’t want to write essays….but It’s hard to know whom to vote because the lesser of the 2 evils does not appeal anymore to me. However, I realize that a passive approach w/out political implication makes it worse. I’m a 1st generation legal immigrant here, so I don’t want to give up….without thinking/understanding/choosing what’s best for my adopted country….

[SD Transplant]

Just a few days ago, I’ve answered to a phone poll to go over the state of the economy, political inclination, war on Iraq and so on…

I realized that I’m a scary hybrid:

1) I like a free economy (open – if there is such thing)because that’s one of the reason I hated about comunism (I’ve lived in the Eastern block for 15 years under communism)…….I woudn’t want that back, yet I certainly miss some great things from that era (every system’s got its perks)

2) However, I do see the need for some social protection and government fiscal responsability (stop ignoring DEBT, and bring a tax & spend attitude).

3) I realized that HealthCare is a mess in our country (the US)….I’m just 32, so I shouldn’t think that hard about this matter……but I see/hear storries that make one reject the idea of the US in 2007 with people being turned down for medical treatment/best interest of patients is run by insurance and private hospitals.

4) The state of the Economy is my # 1 concern. I share the same concerns with the majority on the board about: (1) a decent place to live in a house I hope to afford soon….not to flip/speculate,(2) a decent way to invest more in my education in my future’s familiy in this country (I don’t have kids…but I do think ahead along with my wife). I am not asking for much, but I do feel that our middle class is being squeezed to extremes (feel the effect of unreported inflation, stagnate wages, opportunities)..I’ve done & felt economically better/safer in my 20’s… (or was less informed)

5) The political state….disastrous:(1) politicians are too corupt by private interest (Corporations) to work in our best interest, (2) Democrats or Republicans…..more or less the same w/ actions – DIFFERENT speaches pre-election, (3)Voting for the best of the 2 evils does not make me feel any better about a way to change/impact America- my new home……..I have republican ideas (conservative/fiscally responsable / small goverment) with a mix of social responsability (healthcare)….and liberal views (gay marriage isn’t my priority)….. I think China and less likely Russia might show us what the new HYBRID of both worlds could do (social system w/ Economic interest “semi-Capitalism”)…

6) Education: I’ve had great opportunities in the US, and I want to maintain this educational path. However, schools abroad are much harsher, require LESS or LITTLE $$$ to qualify young people to be educated…..Criteria in US top schools are more & more (who’s your dady & what does he do/contribute)…less on the qualifications of these kids. One thing I know about schools outside….. exams are TOUGH/HARD..stressfull…and oustanding candidates have the edge vs. $$$

7) Immigration policy: it sucks….in plain English. We’re caught in the political interest of Agro-industrial producers (who view cheap illegal labor easier to handle than innovation in new techonolgies to fix our thirst for these poor people). What’s even more disturbing are the lax rules at our borders. I’m a legal immigrant and I have been living here for 12 years, but I would be the 1st to tell you that #1 If you don’t speak English is not acceptable, #2 ignoring the immigration problem is just going to enhance this illness, and #3 we are experiencing a big problem with our ability to bring/keep/attract/ highly skilled folks here (with our quota system…..birocracy at our homeland security/immigration offices)…

Enough….I don’t want to write essays….but It’s hard to know whom to vote because the lesser of the 2 evils does not appeal anymore to me. However, I realize that a passive approach w/out political implication makes it worse. I’m a 1st generation legal immigrant here, so I don’t want to give up….without thinking/understanding/choosing what’s best for my adopted country….

[what_a_disasta]

I wish it mattered. There is nobody running that I could endorse. Democracy in the US is an illusion.

[what_a_disasta]

I wish it mattered. There is nobody running that I could endorse. Democracy in the US is an illusion.

[drunkle]

“I wish it mattered. There is nobody running that I could endorse. Democracy in the US is an illusion.”

ron paul. his social ideas are flawed, but at least he appears to be a constitutionalist.

in answer to the question… yes.

see, this question, money or social help is redundant. it takes money to pay for the programs, if you’re not down for the programs, you’re not down to spend money on them.

you will always be guided by your values in making such decisions. you can’t simply say “i’m republican because i dont want taxes”. you have to help pay for those functions that the government is suppposed to perform. it’s the decisions on which functions are necessary that guides the money. not the other way around, nobody is interested in simply throwing money aimless around… or hording it at their own expense.

the primary difference in ideologies is that conservative wants the past or status quo. the liberal is forward looking and trying to prepare. it’s framed perfectly by the global warming debate, conservatives are wait and see, liberals are study and prevent.

george bush’s adventurism, his pre-emptive attack on iraq is exactly a liberal position, one that makes him a neo-con, a conservative fraud.

the difference between tax and spend or borrow and spend is moot. taxation is borrowing, borrowing is taxation. at least, for governments. framing the difference between cons and libs in this light misses the fact that they’re still doing the same thing: spending your money on their toys.

etc etc etc.

[Author]

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