What is your political party affiliation and why?
600887
1. I am a registered Democrat (although I do consider myself far more liberal-minded than most typical Dems).\n2. I have affiliated myself with this party because I feel Democratic politicians do a better job at representing interests that serve the working class middle Americans; for instance-Dems are more likely to raise minimum wage, more likely to push for social assistance programs, more likely to work towards improving health care and education just to name a few.  I would rather align myself with a more liberal party, but the way our two-party system has evolved, I feel that I would truly be non-effective.  One of my liberal ideals--because we live in a "free" country, I believe we should have the freedom to make choices, provided those choices do not harm others, and our government should pass laws to protect us in our choices.\n3. I can't say there was any one issue that had me join the party, nor did I realize right away that I would become so partisan.  When I first became interested in how my government affects my life, it was because of a bill Bill Clinton passed that allowed me to deduct my college tuition.  It was a huge help to me since I was attending a community college that did not offer student loans, and I had to pay for tuition as I went along.  I do not think I would have been able to make it through school if it weren't for this bill.  Since then, there have been a number of ideas (most often proposed by Democrats) that I have agreed with.  One thing I currently support about the Democratic party is the idea of justice and equality for all.  The idea that it is okay to deny a person rights or privileges based on differences (such as sexual orientation) I find extremely un-American.\n5. The Democratic party is definitely less unified than the Republicans, and I believe this has been detrimental to our country over the past ten years.\n\nI hope this helps you with your homework.  And I hope you come to really enjoy politics.  I wasn't very interested in politics in h.s. but in the twelve years since I have been out of school, I have come to realize how interesting the whole democratic process is.  This is OUR country, and it is up to us younger Americans to learn all we can about our past so we can take adequate charge of our future.  Good luck!
453597
It's the individuals qualifications, honesty, integrity, honor, and political beliefs that determine for whom I vote.  Gender, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity do not play a part in determining my vote.  It's the individual no matter what party he/she is affiliated with.
918763
Im leaning towards democrat
692445
I lose faith in political parties all the time.  Politics (like any other human endeavor) is fraught with human frailty.  Anytime human nature is part of the formula, it can get messy.
789568
Voting Democrat, because the GOP are all, or nearly all, greasy amoral scumbags who have auctioned off our country to corporate lobbyists.\n\nAm I thrilled with the Dems?  No.  Do they represent "my values"?  No.  But we have 2 viable choices in this country, and that basically always means choosing the lesser of two evils.  Just shows what a miserable system it is.\n\nP.S. If the Republicans are the party of "personal responsibility" (pause for laughter), then Bush ought to repeal his tax cuts for the mega-wealthy in order to pay for his hugely expensive war of choice.  Because it's really not a question of who will pay - WE will, sooner or later - and you do understand that these are RECORD deficits - it's a question of who hands us the bill, and I feel that it ought to be the guy who ran up the tab.  That sounds like "personal responsibility" to me.\n\nP.P.S. - I can't even begin to imagine the thought process that leads to the conclusion that the GOP is working in the interests of the "middle class worker."  Sorry if you don't like the term "scumbags," but it's descriptive of a fact.
57009
Some conservatives are Republican and some are Democrats. Since we have only two major parties, the reasons behind why a person chooses a party over the other can sometimes be baffling. That's why they say that there are conservative, moderate, and liberals in every party (and some fanatics and extremists, too from each of those three). The two parties do their best to represent all the members within. A person may be a social conservative, but an economic moderate and choose to be a Democrat because the economic issues hold more importance than social issues, or vice versa they may choose to be Republican because social issues are more important. You can have a socially liberal person who is also economically conservative and very moderate on other issues who due to their conservative stance economically chooses to be Republican. Or because of their very liberal social views will choose Democrat, or will choose neither because the issues that are important to them aren't strongly emphasized either way by either party and will register as independent (my sister being a good example)
1007828
Political parties serve many purposes.\n\nThey gather people around issues for which they share a general consensus.  From that, they hone their position to create their party's political platform.  Their platform is where they stand on the issues, like abortion, federal spending, defense, etc.\n\nPolitical parties are also the vehicle for raising money for the candidates.  Members of the same political party can campaign for one another, so this strengthens the party when they win and get control of the House or Senate.
1117710
i do not have a political affiliation i never agree %100 with one so why should i follow them.  I think of my own ideas and believe what i would like.  The most important issue is national security and terrorism, because without our own security and having invaders, nothing else can ever be accomplished.
893097
I'm a Libertarian, so I  vote my principles. Fiscally conservative, but socially tolerant. Sometimes the Repubs are the best sometimes its the Demos. I prefer to vote for Libertarians when I can though.
992451
I am a registered democrat not a socialist. I am in favor of a balanced budget and less interference into our personal lives. I also favor states rights. In Oregon we passed (voter referendum) legalized assisted suicide and medical marijuana. Both are under attack by a republican led government. These used to be republican and conservative causes. They are not any  more. This is why I vote democratic. I used to vote republican. If I thought the libertarian party had a chance I would be a libertarian. The democratic party is the lesser of the two evils. I don't care about saving stem cells, abortion or the evils of gay marriage. I do care about health care, education, and a strong economy that provides jobs with living wages. If the republican party can offer this and stay out of our bedrooms, I'll vote republican.
1143645
Republican.  On a Scale of 1 to 50 with 50 being the most liberal and 1 being the most conservative,  I'm a 3.  I took a test in my American Government class in College.  I knew I was a Republican to begin with but I didn't know I was that conservative!   :)
1129362
Choose the right party
164294
Political Party: Democratic-Republican
755629
Republicans, because I like the whomping.  \n\nI like our whomping economy, I like our whomping military abilities, I like our whomping freedoms, to name a few.
1172815
First, I look for someone who has similar views.  My vote is first and foremost electing someone to represent me.  Then, honesty, integrity, loayalty, wisdom and the ability to stand up for what they believe in.
822611
I've always voted Democratic. They're the closest to my beliefs and I always vote for the party over the person. Hey, its my vote that's how I choose to use it.
887721
Not necessarily knowledge about politics in general but I have gained more insight into the personalities of people that align themselves with specific parties.\n\nFrom my insight, I have never been more proud to be Republican.