Independent, the more mature choice?

[russ_watters]

I don't agree with his characterization that only 5% of the group are informed...

That's not how I read the post. Perhaps it needed a paragraph break...

 

[BobG]

While I disagree with his characterization somewhat, according to his links, the number of truly independent voters is 7-10%. Everyone else only SAYS they are independent. I'm surprised you find that surprising.

Depends what you're measuring. I agree that classifying oneself as Independent is often more a statement that they refuse to drink the party kool-aid rather than a statement that they're truly middle of the road in their positions.

In fact, they probably still have quite a few views that fall far to the right or far to the left rather than all of their views falling somewhere in the middle. It's the fact that they have both some far right views and some far left views that make them feel they're independent, even if most of their views still correlate with the views of one party or another.

Personally, I don't think registering as a Republican or a Democrat should mean you've joined some team (in other words, they're still independent in their decision making process). But, from a party perspective, having a solid group of voters that are team members and won't make their decisions independently is a big plus. It's that "I don't care what you really think, you need to support us" attitude that causes a lot of voters to rebel and say they're independent even when most of their views still correlate with one party or another.

Or, you could register in one of the parties anyway and just not really give a damn if other Republicans call you a RINO or other Democrats call you a DINO whenever one of your own party's views are just too stupid to support.

 

[ParticleGrl]

I don't think independent is necessarily more mature, but I'm surprised people don't move parties more throughout their lifetime, especially as both US parties are shifting further and further to the right.

I was a strong believer in republican solutions of the 90s- cap and trade as a response to global warming, the Gingrich health care plan, etc. Unfortunately, both parties have moved far enough to the right that these are now Democrat positions. Was I a republican and now a Democrat? Or am I an independent in favor of a certain set of positions, who will vote for whoever seems to support them?

 

[WhoWee]

I don't think independent is necessarily more mature, but I'm surprised people don't move parties more throughout their lifetime, especially as both US parties are shifting further and further to the right.

I was a strong believer in republican solutions of the 90s- cap and trade as a response to global warming, the Gingrich health care plan, etc. Unfortunately, both parties have moved far enough to the right that these are now Democrat positions. Was I a republican and now a Democrat? Or am I an independent in favor of a certain set of positions, who will vote for whoever seems to support them?

Interesting perspective PG. However, it seems the Dems have moved very hard and far to the Left - causing the Republicans to pull back to the Right - IMO. I have (lifelong Dem) family and friends (including union and government workers) that helped elect John Kasich in Ohio last fall and are ready to vote for any of the Republicans - instead of Obama.

 

[ParticleGrl]

Interesting perspective PG. However, it seems the Dems have moved very hard and far to the Left

Maybe on some local levels? Certainly not at all at the federal level. Obama's major legislative accomplishment is health care reform basically along the lines of Gingrich's plan from the 90s. And, again, its still the democrats pushing for cap-and-trade carbon legislation.

What have the democrats proposed that is so far to the left? Both of our parties would be right of center in any other developed country.

 

[WhoWee]

Maybe on some local levels? Certainly not at all at the federal level. Obama's major legislative accomplishment is health care reform basically along the lines of Gingrich's plan from the 90s. And, again, its still the democrats pushing for cap-and-trade carbon legislation.

What have the democrats proposed that is so far to the left? Both of our parties would be right of center in any other developed country.

Here is an equally interesting perspective from the Right - it addresses your question.

http://conservativedailynews.com/2010/07/obama-keynesian-economics-or-cloward-piven-strategy/

 

[Willowz]

My grandmother being affiliated with a party would get these post cards telling her what to vote on and whom to vote for.

Crazy really. But, I don't blame her. She tries her best.

 

[mege]

I don't think independent is necessarily more mature, but I'm surprised people don't move parties more throughout their lifetime, especially as both US parties are shifting further and further to the right.

I was a strong believer in republican solutions of the 90s- cap and trade as a response to global warming, the Gingrich health care plan, etc. Unfortunately, both parties have moved far enough to the right that these are now Democrat positions. Was I a republican and now a Democrat? Or am I an independent in favor of a certain set of positions, who will vote for whoever seems to support them?

Cap-and-trade was a measured response to a straight Carbon Tax or other controlling Kyoto-imagined policies if I remember correctly. So the GOP position was still far to the right of the Democrat's solution. I think Al Gore's strong emotional support for some of the environmental issues is part of what causes the GOP to shy away from it*.

Right now, for most policies, the left solution is redistribution of wealth by making tax structure more progressive versus the right's solution of cutting spending and government. IMO those are pretty fundamental left v right arguments, and are overriding every discussion.

*A famous conservative talking head covers this type of change in detail, and trys to explain why the GOP has gone a little more right in the last 20 years (as well has the left becoming more extreme). His answer for the latter is the merging of causes with many leftist-oriented groups - SDS, for instance, is one of the largest student-based environmental activists as well as the dominant student socialist organization. These 'like interests' make it hard sometimes to differ between motives. Are environmental regulations just another form of wealth redistribution? While it's not meant to be intrinsically, environmental policy is also a good piggyback forthis type of collectivist issue (fight the bad capitalist pigs, right?).