Topic: Political Parties
Politically Homeless Will I every find a party that shares my views?by Jamie Penfield
(Centrist)
Monday, July 14, 2008
I claim an affilation to no party in particular. Like many voters I have a variety of views and no party seems to address them all in the manner which I do. I choose to not devote myself to a party . I made the choice that instead of joining a party that held most in line with the more serious issues of my concern that it would be better to vote independantly of a party. When I vote I don't wish to do so blindly and irregardless of who ,which dare I say is what too many people end up doing when dedicated to a party instead of their principles and philosophies.This has it advantages as well as a few disadvantages.
In some respects I feel like a more politically aware and objectionalist citizen because of this. I look at all the canidates regardless of party. I read about voting records and changes in stances. I don't just vote the party line. Some of my opinions on issues lean in all directions. I tend to be moderate about most things. I like not having a party afflitation. In political discussions with others it makes things more interesting. If given a party affiliation certain political stances and idealogical leanings are assumed of a person.
In some ways it is to ones advantage to join a party. If I were to run for office this would be ecspecially true, although I'd still be at a lost for what party to affilate myself with. In joining a party one has an orginzation to participate in . Having like minded people to converse with is generally a very agreeable thing. It gives ones a sense of belonging to something bigger and perhaps working towards a common cause if one can be agreed to .
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2008 Jamie Penfield, all rights reserved.
Published: Monday, July 14, 2008
Last modified: Monday, July 14, 2008
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Posted By: Jahfre Fire Eater
Date: 2008-07-14 05:39:17
A Centrist party? LOL! How would you convince enough people to agree where the center is? It takes constant evaluation and adjustment of all your positions to remain a Centrist because by definition your positions are defined by the center, not by any overarching principle that works for all situations.
One day you may have to move to the left on an issue and the very next day you may have to move to the right on the same issue just to remain centered.
That all seems like a cat juggling act to me even for one person to remain a centrist from day to day let alone trying to get two people to agree on which way to move every day let alone trying to get an entire Party to agree on which way to move on every single issue every day.
No, my guess is that you will never find a party that represents you. The best you can do is find particular candidates that do and support them...which sounds like what you have been doing.
The only reason to belong to a party is to participate in candidate selection. If you let others groom and select your candidates you're just a feather in the political wind.
I know people in both the local Democratic and Republican parties. I had invitations from both to join. What I had to do was find a faction within a party. I joined the Michigan Republican Liberty Caucus mi.rlc.org, which closely mirrors my views. The RLC probably has something in your state.
I have folks across the state line who are now members of the Indiana Conservative Republican Caucus www.incrc.com.
I'm running for Precinct Delegate in the Republican primary next month. My wife wife won't vote for me, because she indentifies more with the Democrats.
Whatever you do, you can make an impact starting with local issues. I'm amazed what a difference what our local cemetery group has been able to accomplish since I joined a year ago. Things get better when good people get involved.
Even if you don't pick a party, take Jahfre's suggestion and help a friend get elected. The party thing will sort itself out.
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2008 Jamie Penfield, all rights reserved.