Up the independents. I am tired of people trying to put me into a box because they only see other people’s political views in relation to their own. If I am disagreeing with a liberal, that must mean I am a right-wing nutcase. If I am arguing with a conservative, then I am a bedwetting liberal moonbat. Stop already, you people who do this are embarrassing yourselves.
Recently, I had an exchange with someone on one of the message boards I post on. Someone complained that Republicans were abusing the filibuster and stonewalling Democrat-backed legislation in the Senate. When I mentioned that the Democrats did the same thing to President Bush’s judicial nominees, I got a world of shit for it. I was called an ‘apologist’ for the GOP, I was told that it was different since the Dems were filibustering nominees but the Republicans are just blocking everything. I was even called a “traitor” to who I am, since the Republicans generally oppose same-sex marriage and the repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. Oh man, did I get pissed. Here’s what I said:
“Who the hell do you think you are to tell me what my political ideology should be based on who I have sex with? Because I like smoking a pole or two, that means I have to support EVERY liberal tax me out the ass, welfare state-loving, illegal immigrant harboring, enviro-nazi chump-stain socialist douche nozzle who runs for office?
Again, fuck you, pal. I agree with what the Democrats SAY about marriage equality and ending DADT, now let’s see them actually DELIVER on it. Maybe then I’ll be more willing to put up with all the other bullshit that spews out of the DNC. Until then, I will support whomever the fuck I want and if you don’t like it, tough shit.”
I was slightly miffed.
The truth is that I can’t stand either major political party. I think they’re both full of incompetent and/or corrupt people out for their own gain and their own power. I don’t think they care one bit about average people. TS, who responds to many posts here, believes that conservatives are selfish and liberals are compassionate. Are they? Or is that what people been led to believe by those who are trying to pose as compassionate? Who or what defines compassion anyway, or selfishness for that matter? Doesn’t anyone ever think that maybe, just maybe, there isn’t that great of a divide between Republicans and Democrats when it comes to their votes and their actions? Put away the rhetoric and look at what they DO.
Both tend to favor big business over the individual.
Both supported bailouts and giveaways to failing industries.
Both were complicit in the signing of the Patriot Act and in sending our troops to war in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Both parties used the filibuster as a cheap way to thwart the executive branch, and both parties even met to hammer out a compromise so they would be able to use the cloture process as a de-facto filibuster in the future.
Both support the massive confiscation and wasting of our tax dollars.
Both support, for the most part, the war on drugs.
Both supported NAFTA and all of the other so-called “free trade” agreements that only served to gut the American workforce and erode our national sovereignity.
Just because they pretend to be on polar opposites every election year doesn’t mean they really are. They’re simply trying to get themselves elected, and the American public buys it, thinking that there are real differences at play.
As George Carlin was fond of saying, “Bull-fucking-shit!”
Words of Wisdom:
Rest in peace, George. A shame you didn’t live to see the final freak show.
Matti F.
Tags: democrats, ideologues, independents, politics, Republicans
Very well said, Matt! Very well said.
Matt and I are great friends. While he may lean more towards the right and I may lean more towards the left, we are both share similar political ideas. We’ve had countless political conversations. Sometimes we agree, sometimes not. However, one thing we do agree on is that both of us are tired of the bullshit that both political parties spew.
Matt introduced me to libertarian punk. Originally, I thought this would be a blog about how people are pissed at the current political system of the US and would try to find ways to have a third, independent party rise to the occasion. A political party that would combine the best of the left and right and get rid of the oppressive bullshit from the two. This is not what I have found. Instead, I have found a piss-fest on liberals and Obama while praising the conservatives and republicans. The only reason I stand up for the left wing on this site is because someone has to.
This is not my blog, Michael, it is yours. I’m sorry if I am stepping on your toes. However, if you and your fellow posters really want to try to make a change in our political system and bring back the freedom to its citizens rather than our government telling us who gets freedom and who does not, then let’s try to seriously discuss how we can fix the problem rather than finger-pointing.
George Carlin’s theory is exactly why the supreme court’s decision to allow unlimited corporate campaign donations may be the absolute worst ruling ever.
This blog is tax and gun centric most of the time. There’s a reason liberals and Obama are bashed more. But these kats give Republicans and conservatives shit too. Don’t pretend they don’t.
I think that voting for an independent is usually throwing away your vote. If you’re a liberal and vote Green Party, you’re helping the Republicans. If you’re Conservative and vote Libertarian Party, you’re helping the Democrats.
Your “protest vote” is a vote for the “other side.” (I think that’s why the liberal pundit Rachel Maddow is so kind to Ron Paul every time she interviews him….to siphon votes from the Repubs to third party votes, people who write in Ron Paul even in races he isn’t running in.)
I’m backing the Republican Party most of the time, even though I lean libertarian. I think that’s the best choice, and
I cannot be convinced otherwise. Trying to convince me of that is like trying to talk a gay man into being straight. (Maybe a gay man who was married to a woman, had kids, lived straight and at middle age found his true identity.)
I love differing opinions on this blog, I don’t like resources that only have one voice, but Matt and TS should know that they can make their cases all they want to me, but it’s like trying to convince a gay man he should be straight. i.e. cannot be done.
I mainly only post my explanations on here to hone my rap for a book I’m writing. The subject of the book is basically “Why young smart people should vote Republican.”
MWD
TS, I was no fan of George Bush, here’s a blog post from 2008 where I was excited because I thought he might be impeached:
http://www.libertarianpunk.com/2010/02/is-the-president-being-impeached/
TS and Matt, what do you think of the Log Cabin Republicans? (My guess is Matt likes them and TS doesn’t, because Matt leans fiscally conservative…even though he voted for Obama, but TS is a “THINK OF THE CHILDREN!” fiscal liberal.)
Really, all in all, I think politicians should stay out of social issues and concentrate on budgetary issues, and there I’m a big fan of “less is more.”
MWD
No,no,no. I am not a “think of the children” liberal. There is proof of my standing on Matt’s posting of “I hate all children”. I can’t stand living in a world where everyone is forced to raise someone else’s children. You chose to have the child, not me. You take care of it.
However, while I do not believe that we should raise other people’s children I dislike the other extreme even more – rich children will go further in life than poor children. I don’t want the rich to be privileged only due to the random chance of being born into a wealthy family. It’s that same randomness that had a child born into a poor family. Fiscal conservatives want to protect the rich. Well, only a miniscule percentage of the people in this country are rich. The rest are middle and lower class. The rich already have plenty of protection. The rest of us do not. Someone needs to stand up for the working class. That’s why I lean towards the fiscal left. Although, I would consider myself to be more middle of the road than a fiscal left.
I am definitely more liberal on social issues. In this country where we love to preach “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”, NO ONE ever be able to stop anyone from living that motto. Conservatives, who tend to be rich, want to have that motto for only themselves. This is also why I lean towards the fiscal left. Leaning towards the fiscal right prevents the non-rich from “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”.
I am unable to separate social and fiscal issues. Both impact each other. It’s like saying when something bad happens at work and your boss says “Don’t it personally. It’s just business.”. I’ve always felt that is a cop out. Things that happen at your business effect you personally. Being a fiscal conservative prevents the progression of social issues.
Bondurant, yes, this blog is tax and gun centric. But, there is much more to life than guns. Sorry, Michael, but there is.
Bondurant, in the 3 months that I have been been responding, I have seen ONLY 1 post that has put the spotlight on a republican’s abuse of power. It was the post about the Alaska governor wanting you to pay for someone else’s college. If I have overlooked other recent postings pissing on Republicans, please point them out to me.
Sorry for the many missing words from my responses. When I write, I tend to type slower than what I am saying. While it is usually obvious what I am saying, if, at any time, you do not understand my statement, please ask and I will verify. Again, sorry for any confusion. Thanks.
Michael, you said:
“I’m backing the Republican Party most of the time, even though I lean libertarian. I think that’s the best choice, and
I cannot be convinced otherwise. Trying to convince me of that is like trying to talk a gay man into being straight.”
OK, first of all, I think comparing your unwillingness to consider different political alignment is not nearly the same as trying to change someone’s sexual orientation. I know you were using it as an example but it is a poor analogy.
Secondly, you say you can’t be convinced otherwise. Really? You just recently posted here and on ConPunk about how your personal morals and beliefs have changed over the years. How can you say you would never change your mind?
Michael, I understand that Libertarians don’t win elections, but you are so convinced that there is validity in the game when there is not. You say that a vote for them is a vote for the other side, I do not agree. A vote for a libertarian, or a green, is one more vote the one-party charade does not get. I know you stay with the GOP because they’ve had a better track record on 2nd Amendment issues but outside of that, they’ve been fucking terrible- on taxes, on foreign policy, on protecting individual rights, on minimizing the size and scope of government. They’re two steps behind the Democrats and running in the same direction. I hope you will realize one day that the Republicans are not an alternative to the Democrats.
They’re the same thing- statist, big government busybodies that want to control you and take advantage of you. The Democrats anesthetize you by making you think you’re helping others and soaking the rich, and the Republicans anesthetize you with religion and protecting your right to own guns- but nothing that can stop them from overrunning you any time they want.
Listen to that Carlin clip, Michael, really listen to it. He’s dead right. They don’t give a fuck about you or me or anyone else.
~Matti F.
I too am sick of both sides. I would like to see them all gone and replaced with people of principle. Furthermore, they shouldn’t be paid for fucking up our country.
Hi Missy!
MWD
Good to see you Missy.