What it would take for me to vote Democrat

[Richard]

(apart from citizenship)

I vote economically.  I'm sure many Americans do too.  While social issues do concern me, I do consider the economy more important.

1) Minimum wage - I know Democrats like raising it to ridiculous levels.  I'd prefer it to be $0, but that isn't likely to happen from Democrats.  However, if Democrats stop attempting to raise it for a while, I might consider it an acceptable compromise and won't hold that against them.

2) Federal government power and size - Directly oppose Republicans from expanding the federal government's size, influence, and budget.  This would be a big, BIG mark in your favor.

3) Taxes - Lower taxes.  If you want to keep it the same for those ultra rich, fine.  But for those earning under a $100,000 a year, it can't go low enough.  Take it down.  A promise to not raise taxes is a mark AGAINST you.  It should be lowered.

4) Businesses - Be friendly to small businesses.  If you have your hangups with big businesses, fine.  I don't like it, but at this point I'll vote for my own interests (small business) over other's.  Lower taxes.  It would be nice if there was no income taxes on small businesses under $250,000.  And no capital gains tax or dividends tax.  I also want my kids to take over my business, so eliminating the death tax would be a big thing for me.

5) Social issues - Drugs, abortion, gay marriage, etc.  Whatever.

6) The ACLU - Get them under control.  It ticks me off a great deal to see tradition go down the toilet.  Someone uttering the word "God" or "Christmas" is not a criminal, so quit making people feel so.

[A18]

Taxes should be lowered for the ultrarich too.

[Richard]

Taxes should be lowered for the ultrarich too.

This is not a debate.  I agree with you, but when it comes to voting for my interests or someone else's interests, MY INTERESTS WILL WIN.  (usually)

[A18]

So we aren't supposed to discuss what you said? What's the topic for then? You want us to post what it would take for us to vote Democrat?

[Cashcow]

I actually agree with most of that.

[A18]

I do not believe in the use of government to promote my self interest. I want fairness and justice.

[danwxman]

1. Democrats haven't been pushing for a minimum wage increase for a long time, at least not seriously.

2. Democrats have been for less federal power and more state power, as seen from the position on gay marriage, the Terri Schiavo case, and illegal alien driver's licenses. I've said before it almost seems like Democrats are now the party of state's rights again.

3. Gore's tax cut plan was to lower taxes for everybody except the ultra-rich. Democrats do lower taxes when neccessary, like Kennedy did and Gore would have done. Right now is not the time to lower taxes any further.

4. The best thing to help small business would be universal healthcare. Some kind of basic healthcare system, of course this would go against smaller federal government...but then no small businesses (and no employers at all for that matter) would have to provide health insurance. That would bring costs way down.

5. Democrats are really all over the place on these issues. As are Republicans. I think the Democratic position of being pro-choice and pro-state's rights on gay marriage is fine.

6. The extremes on both sides are bad. You don't like the liberal extremists, I don't like the conservative extremists.

[Rob]

I certainly hope the Democrats adopt that platform.

[Lunar]

Taxes should be lowered for the ultrarich too.

This is not a debate.  I agree with you, but when it comes to voting for my interests or someone else's interests, MY INTERESTS WILL WIN.  (usually)

You want to become an actuary, right?  An actuary in America can make over 100k...

[Alcon]

I agree on most of these points, although it's kind of ridiculous to expect us to "control the ACLU." They're an independent organization - it isn't within our abilities, nor our responsibilities, to control them.

[Moooooo]

Sounds pretty reasonable to me.

[they don't love you like i love you]

So basically you would vote Democrat if they became like the Republicans.That's like me posting I would vote Republican if they became socialist. It's why two parties exist. There's a left one and a right one. If you clearly don't like one, vote for the other, rather than demand that the one you don't like change to fit your views.

[Richard]

So basically you would vote Democrat if they became like the Republicans.That's like me posting I would vote Republican if they became socialist. It's why two parties exist. There's a left one and a right one. If you clearly don't like one, vote for the other, rather than demand that the one you don't like change to fit your views.

No, no.  The Democrats were not always America haters.  I, for example, like Zell Miller, but Democrats tend to demonize him.  Bad idea.  His kind will actually save the Democratic Party, if they have the neurons to realize it.  If you want a socialist part, go create it yourself.  The Democrats weren't always like that.

[Alcon]

The only personal problem I have with Zell Miller is that he made little attempt to salvage the party. He, instead of going public about his annoyance and trying to improved things, just jumped ship. I would rather see people trying to work within the party for improvements than running away from it.

[they don't love you like i love you]

So basically you would vote Democrat if they became like the Republicans.That's like me posting I would vote Republican if they became socialist. It's why two parties exist. There's a left one and a right one. If you clearly don't like one, vote for the other, rather than demand that the one you don't like change to fit your views.

No, no.  The Democrats were not always America haters.  I, for example, like Zell Miller, but Democrats tend to demonize him.  Bad idea.  His kind will actually save the Democratic Party, if they have the neurons to realize it.  If you want a socialist part, go create it yourself.  The Democrats weren't always like that.

Zell Miller voted exactly like a Republican. If the Democrats were like him we might as well have a one party system.

[TeePee4Prez]

(apart from citizenship)

I vote economically.  I'm sure many Americans do too.  While social issues do concern me, I do consider the economy more important.

1) Minimum wage - I know Democrats like raising it to ridiculous levels.  I'd prefer it to be $0, but that isn't likely to happen from Democrats.  However, if Democrats stop attempting to raise it for a while, I might consider it an acceptable compromise and won't hold that against them.

2) Federal government power and size - Directly oppose Republicans from expanding the federal government's size, influence, and budget.  This would be a big, BIG mark in your favor.

3) Taxes - Lower taxes.  If you want to keep it the same for those ultra rich, fine.  But for those earning under a $100,000 a year, it can't go low enough.  Take it down.  A promise to not raise taxes is a mark AGAINST you.  It should be lowered.

4) Businesses - Be friendly to small businesses.  If you have your hangups with big businesses, fine.  I don't like it, but at this point I'll vote for my own interests (small business) over other's.  Lower taxes.  It would be nice if there was no income taxes on small businesses under $250,000.  And no capital gains tax or dividends tax.  I also want my kids to take over my business, so eliminating the death tax would be a big thing for me.

5) Social issues - Drugs, abortion, gay marriage, etc.  Whatever.

6) The ACLU - Get them under control.  It ticks me off a great deal to see tradition go down the toilet.  Someone uttering the word "God" or "Christmas" is not a criminal, so quit making people feel so.

1.) Sorry will never agree with you there.

2.)  I can understand reduction in ridiculous prok barrel spending, but there are many products, roads, developments I think are necessary to promote a better economy.  Let's talk!

3.)  Hmm, I still favor a progessive structure and I'm surprised something like that would come out of your mouth.  However, we are in a severe deficit and now is not the time to lower taxes.  We should have went with Gore's tax cut.

4.)  AGREE STRONGLY!  Yeah, you surprised?  There is not one thing in this country that provides more good paying jobs.  However, that stifling self-employment tax deters a lot of people from starting a small business.  I've actually heard of NEGATIVE AGI's actually paying that stupid tax.  After $90,000, the tax actually decreases in percent.  Is that fair to small entrepreneurs.  You either need lot of partners or a good LLP to be able to start a firm.  Otherwise, you will be done.  More should be done to help small business owners by reducing the SET.

5.) Agree as well

6.)  Now I agree with the ACLU on about 95% of issues, but I think they go too far on some like NAMBLA and Affirmative Action.

[Citizen James]

(apart from citizenship)

I vote economically.  I'm sure many Americans do too.  While social issues do concern me, I do consider the economy more important.

1) Minimum wage - I know Democrats like raising it to ridiculous levels.  I'd prefer it to be $0, but that isn't likely to happen from Democrats.  However, if Democrats stop attempting to raise it for a while, I might consider it an acceptable compromise and won't hold that against them.

2) Federal government power and size - Directly oppose Republicans from expanding the federal government's size, influence, and budget.  This would be a big, BIG mark in your favor.

3) Taxes - Lower taxes.  If you want to keep it the same for those ultra rich, fine.  But for those earning under a $100,000 a year, it can't go low enough.  Take it down.  A promise to not raise taxes is a mark AGAINST you.  It should be lowered.

4) Businesses - Be friendly to small businesses.  If you have your hangups with big businesses, fine.  I don't like it, but at this point I'll vote for my own interests (small business) over other's.  Lower taxes.  It would be nice if there was no income taxes on small businesses under $250,000.  And no capital gains tax or dividends tax.  I also want my kids to take over my business, so eliminating the death tax would be a big thing for me.

5) Social issues - Drugs, abortion, gay marriage, etc.  Whatever.

6) The ACLU - Get them under control.  It ticks me off a great deal to see tradition go down the toilet.  Someone uttering the word "God" or "Christmas" is not a criminal, so quit making people feel so.

Ain't gonna happen.  Even if they carried out every one of your ideas (they are at least 50/50 right now - and quite possibly 5 out of 6), I strongly suspect you would remain far too caught up in your stereotypes and anger to notice.

1.  Gotta disagree on this one.   There are two courses of action that tend to result from an unlivable wage - 1) you get a permanent drain on the public dole (walmart hands out welfare and medicare papers to new hires.  Even if you don't shop there, your tax dollars support thier lower prices and higer profits, or 2) you get a third world style economy with widespread poverty and crime, and a small cutthroat elite.

2. Clinton reduced federal spending and the size of the federal government.  Bush increased both (even if you count only non-millitary positions).  'Nuff said.

3. See campaign 2000.  And remember, deficit spending is defered taxes (which will include additional interest).

4. I'm pretty sure this is the case.  I think we should be more friendly to small buisnesses too.  In case you missed the issues of the last campaign amidst all the mudslinging, Kerry's plan was to cut the buisness tax while closing various loopholes that huge multinationals use to dodge paying taxes.  (net plus for small buisness, net minus for big buisness).

5. Exactly which side was calling you a hellbound deviant and a threat to the very social fabric of society?

6. Firstly, as has been mentioned, the Democratic party does not control the ACLU any more than the Republicans control the NRA.  Secondly, as far as I can tell the ACLU has no objection to anyone uttering God or Christmas, quite the contrary really.  What they oppose is forcing people to say God or Christmas, or observe holidays and rites they do not observe.    Yes their ideological nature means they sometimes defend the people who are highly unpopular in some segmants of society (such as Rush Limbaugh), but like the NRA they serve as a counterweight to those who would chip away at the bill of rights in the name of short term political expediency.

[A18]

What percentage of the population gets minimum wage? Very small, so eliminating is not going to result in "widespread poverty."

The Congress tried to really cut government. Clinton vetoed it. He finally signed welfare reform, after vetoing it, and threatened to veto it again unless Republicans kept Medicaid reform out of the deal. And yes, he did sign on to cutting the size of the military in half.

Deficit spending is much more complex than that, but as to Gore's tax cut, I'm not a big fan of populist schemes. Can't speak for Richius.

Democrats are trying to filibuster the death of the death tax. If small businesses don't play by the same rules as everybody else, you are essentially punishing the benefits that only large businesses can bring.

I don't remember either side doing that.

No, they consistently support activist court rulings. Anything they don't like, they label unconstitutional.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

(apart from citizenship)

I vote economically.  I'm sure many Americans do too.  While social issues do concern me, I do consider the economy more important.

1) Minimum wage - I know Democrats like raising it to ridiculous levels.  I'd prefer it to be $0, but that isn't likely to happen from Democrats.  However, if Democrats stop attempting to raise it for a while, I might consider it an acceptable compromise and won't hold that against them.

It HASN'T been raised for a while. It's lowest it's been in real dollars for decades. It's been more like $8 an hour (in today's dollars) before, and guess what, a lot of jobs were created.

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The Republicans under the Bush adminstration increased discretionary spending at the fastest rate in about 40 years. You're a fool if you believe the Republicans when they say they're against big government.

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Those above $200,000 a year need a massive tax hike, since we're running massive deficits. Something tells me you're only talking about federal income taxes. Those are a minority of all taxes paid in this country by individuals.

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That's garbage. What would be a lot nicer for small businesses is universal health care.

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Tradition? Like what? Slavery? Bans on inter-racial marriage? WTF do you mean by tradition? f**ck tradition.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

No, no.  The Democrats were not always America haters.  I, for example, like Zell Miller, but Democrats tend to demonize him.  Bad idea.  His kind will actually save the Democratic Party, if they have the neurons to realize it.  If you want a socialist part, go create it yourself.  The Democrats weren't always like that.

Hint: people with a 96 rating from the ACU are NOT Democrats.

[TeePee4Prez]

No, no.  The Democrats were not always America haters.  I, for example, like Zell Miller, but Democrats tend to demonize him.  Bad idea.  His kind will actually save the Democratic Party, if they have the neurons to realize it.  If you want a socialist part, go create it yourself.  The Democrats weren't always like that.

Hint: people with a 96 rating from the ACU are NOT Democrats.

Was it 96?  I thought it was 80.  Anyway, he's just a hair left of Rick Santorum in that respect, so no he is not a Democrat.  He had a change of heart.  This however hurt us in 2004, because it gave conservative Dems with doubts about Kerry the green light to vote for Bush.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Was it 96?  I thought it was 80.  Anyway, he's just a hair left of Rick Santorum in that respect, so no he is not a Democrat.  He had a change of heart.  This however hurt us in 2004, because it gave conservative Dems with doubts about Kerry the green light to vote for Bush.

His 2004 rating was a 96. Hell, wingnuts like Allen and Frist had only a 92.

[opebo]

What would it take?

Probably when you get dragged behind some social conservative's pick-up truck.

[TheresNoMoney]

Zell Miller voted exactly like a Republican. If the Democrats were like him we might as well have a one party system.

Exactly. There is no difference between Zell Miller and Rick Santorum/Tom Delay. Zell Miller is more conservative than 90% of Republicans.

[Democratic Hawk]

I vote economically (do do I).  I'm sure many Americans do too.  While social issues do concern me, I do consider the economy more important.

1) Minimum wage - I know Democrats like raising it to ridiculous levels.  I'd prefer it to be $0, but that isn't likely to happen from Democrats.  However, if Democrats stop attempting to raise it for a while, I might consider it an acceptable compromise and won't hold that against them.

I support the minimum wage (paying people a living wage reduces dependency on welfare)

2) Federal government power and size - Directly oppose Republicans from expanding the federal government's size, influence, and budget.  This would be a big, BIG mark in your favor.

I support smaller government in principle

3) Taxes - Lower taxes.  If you want to keep it the same for those ultra rich, fine.  But for those earning under a $100,000 a year, it can't go low enough.  Take it down.  A promise to not raise taxes is a mark AGAINST you.  It should be lowered.

I support tax cuts for those who need them and not those who don't

4) Businesses - Be friendly to small businesses.  If you have your hangups with big businesses, fine.  I don't like it, but at this point I'll vote for my own interests (small business) over other's.  Lower taxes.  It would be nice if there was no income taxes on small businesses under $250,000.  And no capital gains tax or dividends tax.  I also want my kids to take over my business, so eliminating the death tax would be a big thing for me.

I support lower taxes for small businesses

5) Social issues - Drugs, abortion, gay marriage, etc.  Whatever.

I'm anti-drugs (except for pain relief), oppose abortion unless a matter of necessity, oppose gay marriage (but support non-religious civil unions)

6) The ACLU - Get them under control.  It ticks me off a great deal to see tradition go down the toilet.  Someone uttering the word "God" or "Christmas" is not a criminal, so quit making people feel so.

I definitely support getting the ACLU under control. I'm critical of the Christian Right; hence, in fairness I cannot let the ACLU take things too far in the opposite (i.e. secular) direction. There is a fine line between civil liberties and taking liberties

Dave