Where do I fit in?

[Birdbuff]

Not sure where I’m going with this but I’ll give it a try.
I’m wondering if I’m alone in my thinking. So I thought I’d pose a question to you all. Where do you fit in (politically)?

The main parties federally and provincially we are all familiar with. I’m sure a lot of people align themselves with one or another. But you can’t tell me that you believe wholeheartedly in ALL of one parties’ policies. Here lies the issue I have. Every election I watch on the news, read in the papers or forums and listen to bystanders explain how they are and always have been a one party supporter. I don’t understand this kind of attachment. I read the platforms every election and listen to the candidates promises and I can’t put myself entirely behind one system.

In my opinion they are all flawed, they really have no plan, they are opportunistic and the whole thing is a popularity contest based on the flavour of the week.

I see strengths and weaknesses throughout each party. It’s too bad that some parties are so stubborn that they won’t accept another’s policies, even if they make sense. There lies the distinction between the groups. I guess it’s just as much about marketing and selling ones brand as it is about politics. One thing they all have in common is stubbornness and the ability to back pedal out of the thickest quick sand.

I’m also surprised that we have such few choices politically. This is another problem. Essentially our choices are so few that it doesn’t seem like a choice at all. Almost like you are corralled into making a decision. In my town there are 8 different car dealerships, probably over 100 restaurants, 6 different grocers and many more various stores. My political options are 4.

All I’m saying is maybe we are due for a shake up. Maybe there should be a political party that takes a bit from column A and a bit from column B and see what happens. I think we could benefit from more choices.

Now, I’m not saying I don’t vote, I absolutely do. It’s a privilege that some nations do not offer. I’m saying that I pick the lesser of two evils when voting. I’m also saying Ive never been able to read through a political parties platform and embrace it 100 percent.

There it is, what are your thoughts?

[rick_iles]

All you can do is listen to each party’s platform and go with the one that reflects your beliefs the best. That’s what I do.....it just will never be Liberal......ever !!

[impact]

Soon it won't matter anymore. It will be democratic socialism. I encourage you to read up and see if you like it. This is the global reset we are now entering.

[Bushmoose]

First off, I never vote for the candidate running, I vote for the party. I have and continue to do so, study the platform and policies of each. Every one of us has a philosophy of life and, if they take the time to analyze their outlook, understand what is important to our beliefs and values.
If my neighbour plants a big garden, who am I to demand he share the bounty with me, simply because he was successful and I chose to sit on my arse and watch him? The liberals (their philosophy) would have you believe, he has to share it with everyone. The Conservatives (their philosophy) will create the the infrastructure so a person has the opportunity to build their own garden.

[Deer Wrastler]

I said it in another recent post and Ill reiterate it here in different terms. Partisanship is an interesting concept, I dont believe the majority whole heartedly agrees with one party or the other, at least not open minded individuals. But political parties know alot of weak minded people exist and alot of the rhetoric they pump out can seem captivating if you dont have all the information on a topic and they play on people's vulnerability.

I find it amusing to see people bickering about partisanship and trashing the opposing views party as if one party is better then the other. They are all reptiles at some point in my opinion. Its almost assumed if you disagree with a liberal its because you are a "con" supporter and vice versa.

Anyone who is whole heartedly partisan one way or the other is a fool. Each party in power gets comfortable over time and needs to be voted out to keep things fresh.
No single party has it all. If you think they do they have succeeded in brainwashing you.

Im not a liberal, conservative or a new democrat. I am an open minded individual that can use rationale and compromise when it comes time to cast a vote to determine which party reflects my views best at that point in time.

[MikePal]

In most democracies , people vote for the face of the party, very few have a clue about the party's policies, most don't even know the name of the MP in their own riding. They can be easily manipulated with a few catch phrases and some slickly designed campaign slogans and they have your vote. If you doubt that, just watch the 'man of the street' interviews that ask why they vote for one party over another. Case in point...the "He has nice hair" ...and 'time for a change' simplicity. There is no intellectual depth to their reason they are voting one way or another.

Fact be told...it doesn't matter who standing on the bridge, the good ship lollipop will continue to troll along till the ship runs aground, then we have a democratic Mutiny, vote in the least offensive pirate in the bunch as Capt and off we sail for another 4 yrs in a different direction with the same inevitable results.

[fishermccann]

I have voted for both the Conservatives and the Liberals, federally and provincially. Once I even voted for the NDP provincially. I guess some would call me a turncoat as I have no real allegiance to any particular party. I do not feel it is possible to agree with 100% of a particular parties policies, so you choose to follow the policy most important to yourself. Lately I have been choosing the lesser of two evils. Good thread. Could show, who truly has an open mind.

[MikePal]

I have voted for both the Conservatives and the Liberals, federally and provincially. Once I even voted for the NDP provincially. I guess some would call me a turncoat as I have no real allegiance to any particular party. I do not feel it is possible to agree with 100% of a particular parties policies, so you choose to follow the policy most important to yourself. Lately I have been choosing the lesser of two evils. Good thread. Could show, who truly has an open mind.

I vote for the local MMPs and MPs based of what they promise to do in and for my community. They are the ones that have a direct effect on me, my family and neighbours.

[fishermccann]

MP, same for me. For some candidates running in my riding , I could not send them to Ottawa or Queens Park, to represent me. I just did not like them, for various reasons. No matter the party they happen to represent.

[Fox]

The thing that really gets me is that people care the least about the politics that impacts them the most. Your local government has the largest impact on your life and the cost of living, then the provincial and finally the federal, yet municipal governments have the least turnout and the least interest in the people involved.