Why are you a member of your party?

[NDN]

Recently, I've found my views shifting in a decidedly more libertarian direction. So much so, that I've contemplated changing my affiliation to Independent (because the LP is x10 more ideological than I am). But I decided against it because of ultimately the following  issues: Civil Rights/Liberties, Healthcare, Education, and Iraq/Foreign Policy in general.

So I'm curious, why do other people have the affiliations they do? I know this has been done before, but I don't care to dig through the archives...

[Undisguised Sockpuppet]

I'm an independent because both parties in general are scum. The dem leadership and nutroots are first world hating, socialist, politically correct, environazis who try to get the green vote and the GOP are corporate whores, jesus freaks, incompetent imperialists, homophobes, redneck white trash. The democrats are marginally less bad since they do not actively court the christian fundie vote.

[DownWithTheLeft]

If you take my word for it (which is really the one that counts) I am a Libertarian because I think the majority of Americans hate government, but the only think hate more is two-party system.  I want to help the Libetarian Party become more big tent and possibly wn some elections.

[Speed of Sound]

For me its pretty simple. Im far too liberal for the Democratic Party.I am pure Socialist, through and through, and therefore the SPUSA was a pretty clear choice. It doesnt hurt that I am crazy ideological, either.

[The Man From G.O.P.]

Becuase I think it's ever so slightly less counter-productive than the other one.

[NDN]

If you take my word for it (which is really the one that counts) I am a Libertarian because I think the majority of Americans hate government, but the only think hate more is two-party system.  I want to help the Libetarian Party become more big tent and possibly wn some elections.

Part of the problem with the libertarian party is that they over-emphasize hard-core laissez-faire economics, drug legalization and guns. That ensures that they're a marginal right-wing spoiler party. Libertarians could easily persuade plenty of liberals to vote for them if they emphasized issues like better civil rights for minorities, eliminating corporate welfare, an anti-war foreign policy, etc. more. Of course their stance on economic regulation and lifestyle issues would still be too anti-government for most, but what I mentioned would help  them gain a LOT more protest votes.

[DownWithTheLeft]

If you take my word for it (which is really the one that counts) I am a Libertarian because I think the majority of Americans hate government, but the only think hate more is two-party system.  I want to help the Libetarian Party become more big tent and possibly wn some elections.

Part of the problem with the libertarian party is that they over-emphasize hard-core laissez-faire economics, drug legalization and guns. That ensures that they're a marginal right-wing spoiler party. Libertarians could easily persuade plenty of liberals to vote for them if they emphasized issues like better civil rights for minorities, eliminating corporate welfare, an anti-war foreign policy, etc. more. Of course their stance on economic regulation and lifestyle issues would still be too anti-government for most, but what I mentioned would help move them gain a LOT more protest votes.

What beats laissez-faire, drug legalization, and guns though?  Those are probably my three most important issues.

[NDN]

If you take my word for it (which is really the one that counts) I am a Libertarian because I think the majority of Americans hate government, but the only think hate more is two-party system.  I want to help the Libetarian Party become more big tent and possibly wn some elections.

Part of the problem with the libertarian party is that they over-emphasize hard-core laissez-faire economics, drug legalization and guns. That ensures that they're a marginal right-wing spoiler party. Libertarians could easily persuade plenty of liberals to vote for them if they emphasized issues like better civil rights for minorities, eliminating corporate welfare, an anti-war foreign policy, etc. more. Of course their stance on economic regulation and lifestyle issues would still be too anti-government for most, but what I mentioned would help move them gain a LOT more protest votes.

What beats laissez-faire, drug legalization, and guns though?  Those are probably my three most important issues.

I understand that. I'm just saying that the problem is that the Libertarian Party focuses a lot on those. If you want the Libertarian Party to grow substantially and do so WITHOUT compromising it's principles, it has to start bringing up the bits of it's platform that appeal to the Far Left too.

[MODU]

Recently, I've found my views shifting in a decidingly more libertarian direction. So much so, that I've contemplated changing my affiliation to Independent (because the LP is x10 more ideological than I am). But I decided against it because of ultimately the following  issues: Civil Rights/Liberties, Healthcare, Education, and Iraq.

Those four items aren't enough to hold you chained to a party.  For how much the Democrats claim they are the champions of civil rights, their score card is no greater than the Republicans over the past 40 years.  On Healthcare, the Democrats really haven't pushed forward a plan that is economically viable yet still covers only those that actually need it (of course, the Republican's haven't faired any better lately either).  Education reform is going to be from the bottom up.  NCLB was a good attempt, but Congress's refusal to fund it and failure by the individual districts to realize the actual purpose of the program has left the program stagnant.  Iraq is a short-term issue.

Beyond that . . . Welcome brother.  Cross over and into the light!

[Nym90]

They stand up for and defend the ideals and values I believe in.

Well, at least most of the time, far more than any other party, especially the primary opposition.

[tik 🪀✨]

I'm independent because becoming a partisan hack is deplorable to me. It's also partly a protest against our two-party system which I find counterproductive to productive debate and good representation.

[Everett]

Right now I am registered with the Libertarian Party for reasons unknown, though I shall eventually correct that to Independent since I would prefer to be completely party-free. I don't feel that I particularly belong with any political party currently in existence and neither do I have strong partisan inclinations. There are numerous parties that I would ostensibly gouge my eyes out with rusty knives before joining, and there are even more parties whose eyes I would gouge out with even rustier knives if provided with a suitable opportunity, but there aren't any parties that I would willingly join. I would rather not deal with constant accusations of being an -INO and witchhunts because of my general disinclination for brainless partisan hackery.

[NDN]

Recently, I've found my views shifting in a decidedly more libertarian direction. So much so, that I've contemplated changing my affiliation to Independent (because the LP is x10 more ideological than I am). But I decided against it because of ultimately the following  issues: Civil Rights/Liberties, Healthcare, Education, and Iraq.

Those four items aren't enough to hold you chained to a party.  For how much the Democrats claim they are the champions of civil rights, their score card is no greater than the Republicans over the past 40 years.  On Healthcare, the Democrats really haven't pushed forward a plan that is economically viable yet still covers only those that actually need it (of course, the Republican's haven't faired any better lately either).  Education reform is going to be from the bottom up.  NCLB was a good attempt, but Congress's refusal to fund it and failure by the individual districts to realize the actual purpose of the program has left the program stagnant.  Iraq is a short-term issue.

Beyond that . . . Welcome brother.  Cross over and into the light!

1. While Democrats have compromised more than I care for on Civil Rights/Liberties, they have still lead the charge on rights for Blacks, Gays, Women, etc. The Republicans have largely campaigned against improvements in those areas since Nixon's Southern Strategy, and from what I can tell the Libertarians' position is that discrimination by businesses is OK since employment or purchasing anything is a voluntary exchange between individuals. In short, the worst Democrats seem to do is pay lip-service to social progress, whereas the Republicans actively attempt to turn back the clock.

Also, while I'm ashamed the Democratic politicians overwhelmingly voted in favor of the Patriot Act, they at least seem to be changing their tune on it as public opinion becomes more negative.

2. I admit Democrats have been ineffectual at reforming Health-care and Education. I also admit some largely Democratic creations such as NCLB, the Department of Education, and Medicare D have been bad ideas. However, I agree(d) with the consensus in the party that we need to invest more in education (particularly teacher's pay and student loans) and providing more government coverage. The Conservative Republican and Libertarian pro-privatization stances on these issues is wrong IMO.

3. You're right, Iraq is a short term issue. However, I vehemently disagree with the neo-Conservative stance that the Republicans have taken on foreign policy issues in general. Likewise, though I think they raise good points (especially on military spending) I do not think that the Isolationist approach of the Libertarians is realistic anymore.  I prefer the more moderate/liberal internationalist stance of the Democrats.

Please note that there a few more issues that I think the Democrats have the right idea on, these just happen to be the ones which ensure that I'm a party member.

[SPC]

I'm a Republican because I forgot to change my affiliation to Libertarian. Neither of the parties respect the free market, and both want to control what we do in the bedroom, just with different methods.

[Jake]

When I registered to vote a mentor of mine was running for the GOP nomination for County Commissioner, so I registered Republican. I will probably stay in this party to vote in primaries until either Pennsylvania adopts an open system or I move.

[afleitch]

I changed my membership from Labour to the Conservatives nearly 3 years ago when I realised my beliefs and interests were best served by the Conservatives and that Labour had let me down and let down the people I cared about. This was of course before things became alot worse. I am an active member because I support civil freedoms, easing the tax burden on the working poor and promoting social justice.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

1998, NJ - Registered as a Democrat to vote for myself in an empty ballot slot during a local town election Primary;
2002, NJ - Switched to Republican to vote for Diane Allen in the U.S. Senate Primary;
2004, PA - Re-registered as a Republican to vote for Specter (Senate) and Dent (Congress) in their Primaries;
2006, MA - Registered as a Democrat to vote for Deval Patrick in the Gubernatorial Primary.