Voting Republican in the US

[-William-]

Well I've been living in the US for two months now, and I've met several ppl that consider themselves Republicans and say they would've voted to Bush if they wanted to. Voting for Bush would've never even crossed my mind (even though I can't vote in the US) and I'm pretty sure the same goes for most Europeans and Latin Americans. My question is, what are the reasons many americans voted for Bush? Simply because he reduced taxes? Because they just follow family tradition and vote republican?

Be aware I'm asking this question because of my little knowledge of American politics. Please don't even bother posting if your answer is: because all americans are stupid, blah, blah...

 

[MaestroZidane]

hardcored republicans voted republican, hardcore democrats voted democrat and were it matter most was the middle group. The majority of them voted for him because quite frankly kerry wasn't giving any clear answers. so i feel most americans felt more confortable going with someone that had already shown what he is capable of doing rather than someone that couldn't offer a clear alternative.

 

[Run DMB]

People voted for Bush because they had to choose between a Giant Douche and a Turd Sandwich.

There's several reasons people vote Republican

- The Republicans are generally perceived to be much tougher on national security; the Democrats are perceived as weak and willing to make decisions which are not in the best interest of the country

- the Republicans were, until recently, the fiscally responsible party in the country, advocating a balanced budget; obviously this has changed with our obscene deficit - most Republicans claim recent increases in spending are necessary for security purposes; most traditional conservatives will still vote Republican because they fear that the Democrats would spend even more if they were in power

- there's a general belief among many people that Democrats are soft on crime, like to hand out checks to "welfare queens" and so forth

- Republicans are decidedly pro-business and more commited to free-market capitalism and free trade than the Democrats; therefore many vote Republican for economic reasons

- the Republicans have a strong conservative Christian base which votes for them because it believes they will defend traditional Christian moral values; some don't like the Republicans, but vote for them anyway because they perceive the Democrats as attempting to secularize America as much as possible, basically they fear that the Dems will turn America into France; these voters place great importance on issues such as abortion (which they perceive as murder), support the traditional definiton of marriage and support alignment with Israel (although the Democrats are hella supportive of Israel as well); obviously what this group of people fail to see is that Christian moral values do not begin and end with sex, but that's a topic I'm not going to get into

- the Democrats are the party of the minorities: jews, blacks and gays especially (although it's worth noting 23% of all homosexuals voted for Bush in the last election); many heterosexual whites are uncomfortable with this, whether they admit it or not; they kind of see the Republicans as the "white" party; (however in the 2004 election Bush got 44% of the Latino and Asian vote)

- many people are opposed to the welfare state in general, believing that private charities and faith-based initiatives are a better way of helping those in need; they believe Social Security should be privatized, etc.

- tax cuts are part of it as well, people like getting money back from the government even though it means less government services

- the Republicans support the right to bear arms and get the vote of many people in rural areas where a gun is more like a tool than it is a weapon; there are a lot of avid hunters in the US who vote Republican because they believe the Democrats will impose further restrictions on gun ownership

- a number of people have embraced the neocon idea of "exporting" freedom to other countries by invading them; this is another departure from traditional conservative values which favor a non-interventionist approach

- then there's the people who vote Republican for the simple reason that they're wealthy, and the Republicans protect the (economic) interests of the wealthy

- finally, America is simply a conservative nation; therefore the Republicans can get away with a lot more than the Democrats can; "liberal" has become a dirty word in the American lexicon

 

[Run DMB]

In the end, the Democrats fully deserved to lose the 2004 presidential election because they were stupid enough to run a liberal Massachussets senator as their presidential candidate. If there's one thing the last 25+ years have taught us, is that three kinds of people CAN NOT become president:

A) liberals

senators

C) people from Massachussets

(In contrast, Clinton was a centrist, a Southerner and a governor.)

 

[cus]

good read, it shows me that I actually dont know much about american society..

 

[Krypton X]

Because Bill O'Reilly and Pat Robertson said so....

 

[Sir Calumn]

A thorough and informative response from Run DMB, as usual.

Unfortunately for the entire world, there are a very large proportion of people in America that are madly in love with guns and trucks and hunting and beer, that dont like to see boys kiss and that believe every single word which is read to them by a madman in a dress every sunday morning. We've got to come to terms with it. Not as bad as the even larger proportion of people in Saudia Arabia that are madly in love with hanging and stoning and keeping women in bee keeper suits, I suppose.

 

[Bobby]

Because Bill O'Reilly and Pat Robertson said so....

I thought O'Reilly was a right wing nut too. Then I watched his show. People make that man out to be the devil, he's not.

I don't vote Republican, and I usually don't like voting Democrat. Because my stance is strange.

- I'm pro-social welfare, anti-corporate welfare (even sports teams getting stadiums from the city/state).

- I'm usually anti-abortion. If a girl spreads her legs, isn't on the pill, and a guy doesn't wrap up his cock that's their fault. They've got a kid to raise for 18-years. You could also put it up for adoption, that seems fashionable among the rich these days. Maybe Madge is in the market for another baby. Obviously if the woman is in danger, or it's rape, then by all means get it done.

- I'm anti-Gay marriage because I view marriage as what it really is, a Holy union. Not a state union. I'm not sure how it became one.

- On the other hand I'm pro-stem cell research. It hurts me to see people struggling with something that there is potential to cure.

- I'm an anti-federalist, which is what the republicans claim to be, yet are consolidating more power under the federal banner everyday. Ex: In my view a state should be able to impose it's own laws on marriage, abortion, ect. It shouldn't be the up to a vote from the junior senator from Rhode Island to decide if South Carolina should allow abortions, or if Montana should allow gay marriage. Thankfully Bush has not thrown his power that far yet, but it's looking more likely by the day.

This is why I voted for myself (Mayor, 2005) and Cookie Monster (City Council, 2005) because I felt those were the best options.

The reasons Shifty state sum up perfectly why people like the Republicans.

And Sir_Didier_Drogba, Kerry was a gun supporter. He's a hunter.

 

[MaestroZidane]

I thought O'Reilly was a right wing nut too. Then I watched his show. People make that man out to be the devil, he's not.

I don't vote Republican, and I usually don't like voting Democrat. Because my stance is strange.

- I'm pro-social welfare, anti-corporate welfare (even sports teams getting stadiums from the city/state).

- I'm usually anti-abortion. If a girl spreads her legs, isn't on the pill, and a guy doesn't wrap up his cock that's their fault. They've got a kid to raise for 18-years. You could also put it up for adoption, that seems fashionable among the rich these days. Maybe Madge is in the market for another baby. Obviously if the woman is in danger, or it's rape, then by all means get it done.

- I'm anti-Gay marriage because I view marriage as what it really is, a Holy union. Not a state union. I'm not sure how it became one.

- On the other hand I'm pro-stem cell research. It hurts me to see people struggling with something that there is potential to cure.

- I'm an anti-federalist, which is what the republicans claim to be, yet are consolidating more power under the federal banner everyday. Ex: In my view a state should be able to impose it's own laws on marriage, abortion, ect. It shouldn't be the up to a vote from the junior senator from Rhode Island to decide if South Carolina should allow abortions, or if Montana should allow gay marriage. Thankfully Bush has not thrown his power that far yet, but it's looking more likely by the day.

This is why I voted for myself (Mayor, 2005) and Cookie Monster (City Council, 2005) because I felt those were the best options.

The reasons Shifty state sum up perfectly why people like the Republicans.

And Sir_Didier_Drogba, Kerry was a gun supporter. He's a hunter.

I have to say I'm with you on your points. It's mostly how i feel.

though i didn't like cookie monster, i though he was too hiper and crazy

 

[Run DMB]

- I'm pro-social welfare, anti-corporate welfare (even sports teams getting stadiums from the city/state).

- I'm usually anti-abortion. If a girl spreads her legs, isn't on the pill, and a guy doesn't wrap up his cock that's their fault. They've got a kid to raise for 18-years. You could also put it up for adoption, that seems fashionable among the rich these days. Maybe Madge is in the market for another baby. Obviously if the woman is in danger, or it's rape, then by all means get it done.

- I'm anti-Gay marriage because I view marriage as what it really is, a Holy union. Not a state union. I'm not sure how it became one.

- On the other hand I'm pro-stem cell research. It hurts me to see people struggling with something that there is potential to cure.

- I'm an anti-federalist, which is what the republicans claim to be, yet are consolidating more power under the federal banner everyday. Ex: In my view a state should be able to impose it's own laws on marriage, abortion, ect. It shouldn't be the up to a vote from the junior senator from Rhode Island to decide if South Carolina should allow abortions, or if Montana should allow gay marriage. Thankfully Bush has not thrown his power that far yet, but it's looking more likely by the day.

I wholeheartedly agree on points 2-5 and to some extent on point 1. I also find it very difficult to describe myself in political terms. I'm part traditional conservative (for sate rights/balanced budget/non-interventionist foreign policy/small government) but on the other hand I believe we need to combat economic inequality, take stronger measures to protect the environment, reduce our national defense spending and divert more funds into science and education. On taxes I'm in favor of tax cuts for the middle and lower classes but never for the rich. Reagan brought their taxes down enough. And my stance on immigration is definitely at odds with traditional conservatism.

 

[Vagegast]

America is a very conservative country.

 

[Run DMB]

America is a very conservative country.

We're not the only ones though. I mean, look at the United Kingdom. They have two major right-wing parties. In their last presidential election the French had to choose between a conservative and a fascist in the second round.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

There are rational reasons to vote for a Republican as Shifty has listed. The only reason to vote for George W. Bush is because you are a stupid redneck, or a rich asshole.

And by the way Shifty, I think we should run liberal Senator Russ Feingold in 2008.

 

[Run DMB]

And by the way Shifty, I think we should run liberal Senator Russ Feingold in 2008.

I know you do, and you're crazy! You and all the Hillary lovers, the whole lot of ya are crazy!

I'm surprised you guys even elected someone like Feingold. ADA rate him more liberal than Ted Kennedy based on his voting record. Didn't Bush almost win Wisconsin last time around?

Last time America had a liberal president was Jimmy Carter. And he was both a Southerner and a governor! And a Southern Baptist for Christ's sake! Last time a liberal senator became prez was JFK, and the dude got shot in the head three years into his term.

 

[Bobby]

A Southern, Christian, Democratic governor?

Legend.

 

[Rob]

We're not the only ones though. I mean, look at the United Kingdom. They have two major right-wing parties. In their last presidential election the French had to choose between a conservative and a fascist in the second round.

UK got nothing on Australia in terms of Conservativism.

 

[Bobby]

UK got nothing on Australia in terms of Conservativism.

"We have two major parties. The Liberals, who are like your Republicans. And Labor, who are like your Republicans."

 

[$teauA]

Obama for president

I've read some stuff on him and he actually sounds like he might have a chance but I think the race part will keep him from winning (:/) as sad as that is to say even in this day and age.

I can't stand hardcore conservatives, I don't think they make any sense and I just don't see how they could possibly think that their ideas for runnin the country are the best ways possible in the 21st century. They are more fit for the middle ages. Like it has been said, the reason why Bush won was because the Democrats were so dumb that year that they couldn't even come up with a better candidate than Kerry

 

[Bobby]

I'm serious about Easley though.

He'd win over those "down home" republicans. You don't get more "everyday man" than Mike Easley.

 

[~Cahill~]

Please don't even bother posting if your answer is: because all americans are stupid, blah, blah...

Darn, I was gonna post something just like that...


J/K