highway80west

Ralph Nader ran a few times, for (I forget which) the Green Party.

__________________
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

sgtdmski

The only difference today are where the plantations are located. NYC, Philly, LA, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, and DC. The democrats moved north following the migration of their slaves, whereas the republicans moved south to follow the freedom.

dmk

__________________
Conservatism, I repeat is not an ideology. It does not breed fanatics....But if you want men who seek, reasonably and prudently, to reconcile the best in wisdom of our ancestors with the change which is essential to a vigorous civil social existence, then you will do well to turn to conservative principles
-Russell Kirk-

highway80west

I think in California, we have a couple of very smart people: Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, both democrats. I did not vote for these two ladies at first, because I am GOP. But I voted for one of them in the last election. I think they have done a tremendous job.

Another gal that I have to be proud of is Nancy Pelosi, house speaker. She really is doing well.

__________________
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

highway80west

Do you notice how today's Democrats are different than they were, say, 40 years ago? Their philosophy has changed somewhat.

__________________
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

dem..!..rep

An interesting read on the demographics of American voting over the past two centuries comparing regional interests, ideology, and theology is the 'American Theocracy'.
Kevin Phillips uses fully one half of the book exploring the relationship between 'Southern' US values and religious core beliefs to the slow rise of what he and others term 'the first religious' party of the United States.

__________________
http://americanpoliticsandmore.com/forum/index.php

tristanrobin

so has the Republican party.

forty years ago it was not the party that kowtowed to the religious right extremists and lunatic fringe right wing

__________________
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"know this is EXACTLY why people think you shouldnt have equal rights" 2/11/08 Grace

highway80west

I say we all have changed. I may vote Democratic next year, but that won't mean I will switch parties.

__________________
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

Katczinsky

That's such bs and you know it.

Haven't you ever heard of critical realigning periods?

The Democrats themselves didn't move north, but rather the Southern Democrats joined the Republican Party because their former Party was making them too uppity about integrating blacks into white society. The Republicans made them feel more at home. Ever hear of redneck row (conservative Democrats seated in one row, blocking progressive legislation)? Well now they're all Republicans. Ever since that critical realigning period, the South is basically now the Republican stronghold, and now the Democrats are the progressives, not vice versa.

You have to look more at ideology rather than labels. The South has always been predominantly conservative (rooted in its past of the old slave system), while the Northern states have usually been more progressive (rooted in its past [and present] of the bourgeois democrats [small "d"]; it's no mistake that the Southerners are stereotyped as rednecks and the New Englanders as rich snotty liberals).

__________________
Political Compass:

Economic Left/Right: -9.50
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -6.72

RidinHighSpeeds

We don't need any more political parties. We need open-minded individuals who will voice their actual thoughts.

__________________
Networked Web Sites
Jon-Kingsbury.com
DefendingTheTruth
UML Forums

dabateman

If the candidate has any chance of making law on social issues, I'm voting democratic. Otherwise I vote Republican. If I could get a Republican to stand up an say "I don't like" (gay marriage etc.) "But I'm willing to pass it to get a balanced budget, secure defense spending. etc." I would vote for that candidate.