why do people choose to be republicans?
953033
Because we have enough sense not to believe everything Democrats say.  And we are born with this sense, we can't help it.
876838
Politicians are politicians, so be skeptical no matter what.  However, someone is going to win so it's better to join in and vote than to sit on the sidelines.  As others have said, you basically have to shoot for the least worst.  Look at the party that most closely represents you; DON'T hang your vote on just one issue, like abortion, or capital punishment or whatever.  Look at the big picture.\nGenerally, Republicans think citizens can take care of themselves (financially) without federal input and they try to limit the amount of taxes forced on you.  They think businesses are good to have because they provide jobs to all of us and therefore we all have more money to spend in our society and this promotes even more businesses and makes the world go round.  Republicans do like there to be laws that maintain a certain minimum level of behavior and promote morals so that people aren't running around like animals.  Also, Republicans are not very forgiving of people who are criminals (especially violent criminals) and they are usually much tougher on crime than democrats.\nDemocrats, on the other hand, would like everyone to be at the same level.  They don't think it's fair if you are smarter than other people and work harder and make more money.  They want to take your money from you and give it to the weaker, less hard-working people so that everyone is equal.  They want the government to collect all the money and then dole it out as it sees fit (after taking out enough to keep the government people fat and happy).  They don't care what you do to yourself or other people.  They think all businesses are evil and yet they like them around so they can tax them, however their laws and taxes are the very things driving businesses away from the United States.  They think the government knows best.  They think criminals are all victims and can't help what they do so that we shouldn't punish them.
976267
I'm not sure because I consider myself still young at the age of 25 and have, since I was able to vote, been a conservative Republican.  The older I get I realize I don't care socially about several issues the Republicans do but could never bring myself to vote for a Liberal.  Only time will tell if my ideas or opinioins will change, but I certainly can't see that happening.
454545
Until the current administration I would have said Democrats... But the Republicans have proven they also are far too expansive for my taste.\n\nThere are a couple reasons though. \n\n1. Socialistic causes for the general population.\n2. Jobs (mostly appointed) for the buddies of the politicians.  If you want a good job thats secure in this country best be good friends with a political office holder.
700329
Why do Republicans push for discrimination at the national level? Republicans fought against rights for women and blacks. Now gays. Why do Republicans fear gays?
716131
Republicans ironically have an aristocratic reputation. They have a major stake in keeping themselves wealthy by keeping the poor destitute. They resent upward mobility. They also have the reputation of acting like robber barons and raiding the pension funds of working class families. Enron, Worldcom, and other massive accounting frauds were perpetrated by people who belong to the Republican party.\n\nDemocrats are socialists. They go to great lengths to level the playing field. Often the lengths go a bit too far, to the point of reverse-discrimination. They don't believe in doing the greatest good for the most people. They believe in doing the greatest good for the smallest social special interest. The more outrageous the special interest the more dearly they hold onto it.\n\nThis is why I'm an Independent. You know the group that attracts ALL the really strange weirdos.
924007
I am niether republican nor democrat. I am for best choice. But I am not surprised that the gas prices are on the rise again now that the elections are over. Republicans will be out of a job soon and need the profits to sustain their lifestyle.
814609
Americans have multiple choices in everything from cars to cucumbers. The only place where we have no real choice is in the voting booth. That's because the Republican and Democrat parties have had a corrupt stranglehold on our political system for over 150 years. The 'Republicrats' decide who the candidates will be, and shake things up just enough to make people believe they actually had something to do with it.\nIt's time for new, fresh independent political parties dedicated to the people to destroy the 'Republicrats'. It's time for a second American Revolution.\nAmericans don't vote because they prefer not to vote for the lesser of two evils. 'Republicrats' deliberately make the process difficult, cumbersome and inconvenient because the fewer people that vote gives them a better chance at getting re-elected. The whole system is rigged.         -RKO-
360901
Because the GOP has been more successful than the Democrats at using social issues to attract people - most who wouldn't benefit from Republican economic policies. \n\nPeople do vote against their economic self-interest, if they have a compelling enough reason. Last election cycle, the GOP made it imperative to include a gay marriage initiative on most ballots. This was their main focus, and it caused people who hated gay marriage to vote, often for the Republican party. \n\nAnother example was under the first Bush, who made flag-burning a political issue - it was an unsuccessful attempt to turn out morally conscious people to vote for the GOP, even if under close inspection, their economic policies would not have directly benefited them as much as rich voters.
1161070
I am a republican, and make less than 80K a year. I used to make more, but 9-11 happened and my dream job ceased to exist. However, I became a republican because the platform of the party more closely reflected my personal, professional and political beliefs. I NEVER vote a straight party ticket, and always try to vote for the candidate I feel is the most qualified. In order to determine the qualifications of each candidate, I visit their websites, listen to political ads, watch debates and read profiles in the local paper. I try to be as informed about each candidate and their political stance on each issue before I determine whom to vote for. I have voted for democrats several times including in two presidential elections (Clinton).\n\nI regularly write my senators and representatives, both at state and federal level, in order to express my approval or disgust over their actions. I then vote my approval or dissatisfaction during the election. Most recently, I helped vote a republican mayor out of office because he was out of touch with the local citizens and was no longer a benefit to the community.\n\nI do not understand why you feel it is appropriate to take a fatalistic view of the world and decide certain "things are never going to end." I believe things can change if people want them to, particularly if a large group of people make a collective statement.\n\nI do not know anyone personally who advocates the eradication of wholesale segments of the population because of religious or sexual preference. \n\nI support proportional tax rates, to a point. No one should have to pay 80% on capital gains. There would be no incentive to earn money. Why would anyone invest $1 only to receive an additional 20 cents, regardless of how hard it was to make the 2nd dollar? You would bring the capitalist system to a halt.\n\nRepublicans normally support sound fiscal policy and the elimination or reduction of taxes. This is not always the case, as evidenced by some of the current administration's actions. You can't decry social inequity and then ask those who are the most industrious members of society to accept a system that forces them to work harder for less money because you want to give their hard earned money to people who aren't willing to work as hard.
941887
Republicans believe that everyone has an equal chance to succeed, so they are against Affirmative Action and the like, because, unlike Democrats, they feel that minorities have every chance to do well.  Republicans believe in Equality.  Republicans believe in lower taxes and free trade\n\nDemocrats are more socialist.  They believe in the distribution of wealth.  They believe in the expansion of a welfare state.  They oppose a strong military and national defense.  They are for raising taxes and more government programs
801863
Seriously, that is one thing I noticed a long time ago about Republicans and part of what made me switch parties to democrat. \n\nThere seems to be this mentality in the Republican party to constantly blame ANYTHING or ANYBODY else you can for whatever downfall you see in the country at that moment.\n\nThat could be gays demoralizing our nation to those darn anti-patriot treasonist liberals. LOL
351183
Mainly nowadays political party is more accompanied to the political theory one believes in.  Democrats usually relate to liberalism - socialistic, focus on individualism, and freedom to do what you want so long as you don't hold back anyone from doing what they want.  Republicans usuually relate to conservatism - capitalistic, focus on conformitiy, and a strong national government.  Of course they can be switched up, but often not.  The main reason nowadays for political parties is to simply seperate yourself from the other side in order to present a solid political platform.
952554
The ignorance in your question actually answers this question... because the lower income Republicans are weak-minded and fall for propaganda easily.\n\nGetting a low income Republican to vote is easy... all you have to do is convince him that the blacks and gays are wanting equal rights and want to live off his hard labor. \n\nThe low income ones are manipulated by prejudices.\n\nExamples, how many times to you hear Republicans on here do you hear comments about democrats living off welfare. Would it surprise you to learn that there are more Republicans on welfare than Democrats? It is because of the increase in job loss of the midwestern states that are all Republican.
749912
I am a Republican, because I believe I should be able to keep the money I make.  I should not be expected to support anyone who doesn't work.  Plus I am from a state whose economics are based on oil, coal, gas, etc. which is supported by the republican party.
810829
On social issues, Republicans are like introverts, they put themselves and their families above everyone else and don't think about how we have to work together as a society without it falling apart at some point... Democrats are like extroverts, caring about their own families, but also caring about other people, that might be why you always hear Republicans say things like "you feel too much for criminals" etc... There is probably some place in the middle that would work the best, you can't help everyone because not everyone wants to work, but you also can't force people to work for low wages like this administration does, just so some families can get richer... I might have voted for the old Ronald Reagan type of Republican, but this Nation has been way too far right for a lot of years... My opinion is that we need to let people see they can actually make something out of their lives if they work for it, and stop breaking apart our families, because the next thing to go is our nation... 8 million people in our prison justice system proves that we are out of time (it was 6.6 million about 5 years ago, I extrapolated)
951932
Because it plays in simple minds...\n\nThe Republicans are masters of simple, black and white thought and correlative, rather than causative logic!. \n\nCommunists are evil... social programs are associated with communism... democrats support social programs... democrats must be communists... thus Democrats are evil!\n\nDemocrats are evil...Republicans don't like Democrats... Republicans are good! \n\nAlso, all you have to do to be a good Republican is SAY what you are for/against. You don't really ever have to do it (or not do it). It makes life MUCH easier. \n\n"We don't have to debate what we should think about homosexual behavior. It's written in the Bible!" - Ted Haggard\n(we know how that ended up!) \n\nRepublicans - For Fiscal Responsibilty! - 1% INCREASE in National Debt annually under Bush\n\nDemocrats - Evil Spenders! - 4% DECREASE in National Debt annually under Clinton\n\nEnough... I think I have made my point. \n\nGo Lemmings, Go!