Why are you a Democrat?

[mcd1982]

This has probably been asked before but I was just curious as to why everyone here considers themselves a Democrat!

Matthew

[Clete]

1. I don't think elitist or fascist so I have to lean left.

[cherryperry]

2. I'm not except for 2004!

My ideals really lean more toward the Green platform, but 2004 is just too important and so, for once, I believe I have finally decided to do something practical.

[blondeatlast]

3. Let's see a few more posts under yer belt afore ya start gettin

personal, stranger!

[Stevendsmith]

14. Oooh, a message from one of the elites (shudder)

The "I'm a veteran here" attitude I've seen on this site is silly. Think about it. It's a freakin' discussion board. He has every right to ask whatever he wants. My goodness!

[gulliver]

23. That's out of line, IMO.

Why so quick to criticize? blondeatlast simply pointed out the obvious, that someone with only a few posts has not made their own opinion known. The poster responded by posting his own reason for being a Democrat. That's the way it should be, IMO.

I don't think it is elitist at all. Otherwise DU might be flooded with people doing opposition research for the Republicans. Is that wrong?

[mcd1982]

4. My answer...

Well, I come from a staunch Republican family and up until the fall of 2000 I supported Bush but didn't really know why. Then, I went off to college and did my own research.

My orginal reason to vote Democrat was because of gay rights. However, my support has broadened greatly over time, so much so that gay rights probably doesn't even rank in my top 10 reasons to be a Democrat.

Availabilty of Welfare programs has been a big one for me -- basically any assistance to the poor.

The environment has also been an issue, though not a huge one for me.

Tax policy is probably also one of the biggest -- I believe if you want to get the economy going, you give tax breaks to the middle and lower classes.

That's basically why in a nutshell, though there are many other reasons!

Matthew

[Clete]

6. If that's how you think then you are a Democrat.

Welcome aboard! :toast:

[unfrigginreal]

24. Welcome aboard Matt

Glad to see your recognition of the problems with the Bush Tax Cuts. In my opinion, that is the most egregious act that could be taken by the congress. I was more than disappointed in the Democrats that supported it.

Welcome to DU!

[antineocon1]

5. Because the democratic party is a party for the people...

And my biggest reason is because they are for seperation of church and state.

[redeye]

36. For example...

...by denouncing Newdow vs. Congress in one voice, just like the GOP?

[robbedvoter]

7. Because Republicans steal elections.

It's the decent thing to be.

[TheBigGuy]

8. because my parents where.

..my dad and his parents where Democrats and my ma and her parents where Social Democrats (they are German), so I got my politics from them.

I pretty much stayed witth the Democrats as the Republicans are so anti-gay. I could never be comfortable with the GOP as they build their voting coalition in part on anti-gay prejudice. I also think they are too anti-government and anti-worker.

[Phoenician]

9. I have a conscience (n/t)

:evilgrin:

[newyawker99]

38. Hi Phoenician!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[CBHagman]

10. Life happened!

If nothing had happened to me after age 15, I might have turned out a moderate to conservative Republican. I even voted for Gerald Ford on the first ballot I cast.

But I went to university, lived in Europe, heard varying opinions, held jobs, saw a little of life and the world, and the Democratic Party looked like the more appropriate political home for me.

[liberalnurse]

11. Its in my gene poole.....

on my fathers side.....My first rally was when my father took me to see JFK at age 4.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

12. because

the Democrats do a better job of defending civil liberties and the welfare state.

[lcordero]

13. Because the other side put hardcore drugs in my neighborhood

and pulled of the biggest (confirmed) heist in history. Iran-Contra Affair and the S & L scandal.
The other side also creats the conditions for poverty, crime and injustice.

[quinnox]

15. Because

Well, just because.

[papau]

16. More education tends to make one a Democratic Party member

An interesting result of the studies of the past two elections.

Sort of implies an IQ basis for party membership - which explains the many with no degree poor and middle class that are Democrats - they just have a higher IQ.

The GOP belittle this fact by saying high IQ/educated equate to ivory tower University Nuts without common sense.

But whatever helps the poorly educated float their boat is OK with me.

I just know God wants us to vote Democratic.

:-)

[blondeatlast]

17. I would have been disowned if I wasn't!

And Matthew, welcome to DU; may I be (one of) the first to :toast: you!

[PROGRESSIVE1]

18. Because the modern Republican Party...

is the party of such luminaries as Wallace, Thurmond, Helms, and Duke!

I am a PROUD PROGRESSIVE that believes in equality for all people, not just some like the Republicans who think that
only they have the right to justice!!!

:dem:

[KamaAina]

19. Because I give a rip

about the people I see every day outside the homeless shelter down the block from work.

About the thousands of people who just got laid off in N.C.

About the world making it through the new century -- heck, the new decade -- in one piece.

Actually, in a parliamentary system, I'd probably be something further left ("Progressive Party", anyone?) but right now, we've got one dog in this fight, and... it's a Democratic donkey! :dem:

[w4rma]

20. Partially because Republicans are brainwashed (n/t)

[nini]

21. because I'm smart enough to know better

and I'm compassionate for others.. not greedy or selfcentered

[osaMABUSh]

22. Because I'm not an asshole

[DemPopulist]

25. Identification with the underdog

I remember seeing Reagan on TV when I was a little kid and there was just such a smugness about him and everything he seemed to stand for that I just couldn't relate. I had a very distinct class consciousness even as a child, and I just knew from watching Reagan that he was for the rich and Mondale was for the poor and lower-middle-class - and that was us! It's funny that my political views were so set when I was just eight or so but that's pretty much the nub of everything I believe to this day.

[fishnfla]

26. I think, therefore I am.

I work hard, care for my family, and love my country.

[samsingh]

27. because i care about people

.

[Devil Dog Dem]

28. Becuase I want to live like a Republican

With all due respect to President Truman ("You want to live like a Republican? Vote Democratic.").

[Rowdyboy]

29. Growing up poor in the south...

occasionally dependant on government "commodities" (pre-food stamp govt food giveaways). Also, hearing younger siblings cry because they had tooth aches and we couldn't afford a dentist. And a grandfather that took Wilson as his middle name because he admired Woodrow Wilson so much. His wife, my grandmother, adored JFK. Their life together was made tolerable by programs from the New Deal. Franklin Roosevelt kept food on their table throughout the Depression.

Because Jefferson, Madison, Jackson, Wilson, Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy, Carter, Clinton and Gore are Democrats.

Because Graham, Clark, Dean, Kucinich, Kerry, Edwards, Lieberman, Braun, and Gephart are Democrats.

Because I believe in progressive taxation (the more you make, the higher % you pay in taxes). We made the decision to accept this idea-as a nation-many years ago. We seem to be retreating fast with the Bush giveaways...

Because the deficit is over the moon. Because US troops are dying daily in a worthless piece of crap country where we have no business to "protect" people who hate them.

Because the poor and middle class deserve a fair shake too.

Because I'm a democrat (capitalization makes a difference).

That's why I'm a Democrat.

[Dob Bole]

31. Same reason here...

Though I'm much younger. I grew up during the last Bush recession, and it hurt my family. I've also grown up around a lot of older Southerners who lived through the Depression and learned from them. My family has never been racist, and I find reminders every day that racism ticks me off.

But of late, my belief in God has had a lot to do with it as well. Dems are just better at human rights issues for the most part.

[laura888]

40. that was lovely

...thanks for posting it.

[Woodstock]

30. because I believe in God

that about sums it up - I've got to pick the side that will try to help the most people

[lpbk2713]

32. Because the Republicans are evil, fat-cat, oppressors.

I just don't see how anyone who actually works for a living can be a member of the Repubic hair party.

[SyracuseDemocrat]

33. Why I am a Democrat

I am a Democrat for many reasons, here are some:

I am a Democrat because I believe we must do what we can to protect out precious environment.

I am a Democrat because I believe in a woman's right to choose, and her right to receive equal pay for equal work.

I am a Democrat because I believe in civil rights for everyone.

I am a Democrat because I believe in a person's right to vote and the right to have that vote counted FAIRLY.

I am a Democrat because I believe in a child's right to a proper education, no matter the social standing of that child.

I am a Democrat because I believe in justice for our senior citizens, a right to decent medical care, affordable medication, and healthy food.

I am a Democrat because I believe in the Union family and everyone's right to become a member of a union of their choice.

I am a Democrat because I believe in the Democratic way.

Yes, I stole some of these from the DNC website, "Why I am a Democrat" http://www.democrats.org/why/ , but I still believe all of them! :)

SyracuseDemocrat

A registered Democrat!

[mitchum]

34. because all men are brothers

[Sleepless In NY]

35. Because-1st Catholic Prez&1st Woman& 1stJewish VP -Dems

President John F. Kennedy, Geraldine Ferraro, & Joe Leiberman. Felt the democrats really meant it, when they talked about inclusion. Long before it was fashionable, win or lose. Seems to me, they gave everyone a chance.

Geraldine Ferraro has always made me especially proud, earning a place in history as the first woman vice-presidential candidate on a national party ticket. Anyone who wants to know more about this amazing woman: http://teacher.scholastic.com/researchtools/articlearchives/womhst/gerald.htm

I believe Barbara Bush once called her a rich "b***" for having the audacity to run against her husband. Funny, especially when you compare what both women have accomplished, Gerri's achievements could fill up an ocean, Barbara's, the head of a pin.

Know its been a tough time for the democratic party, but Im sticking with them.

[newyawker99]

39. Hi Sleepless In NY!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[redeye]

37. Because...

...the Democratic Party is slightly less horrible than the Republican Party on most issues, and because in the area I live in there is a sizable leftist fringe of the Democratic wing of the Republicratic party that makes me vote for the whole D wing (I'm talking mainly about Barbara Lee but also to a lesser degree about Barbara Boxer). Besides, gay rights and abortion are at this stage more important to me than file sharing, plus they feature a clearer partisan divide than file sharing.