Are you a liberal or conservative?

samantha87

Sun, Dec 06 2015, 7:33 pm

No, it's just that he is very entertaining, and a refreshing break from politicians who are afraid to say what they really think. Once the voting starts, new will sink fast.

Maya wrote:

Of course it's true. Can you think of another rational explanation as to why a clown like him is so high in the polls for so long? People either agree with him or are not bothered enough by what he says, both of which are real problems.

This is the election cycle that's making me completely turn away from anything Republican.

gold21

Sun, Dec 06 2015, 10:23 pm

allthingsblue wrote:

Not trump, not trump, not trump! Please tell me you meant to say, "all of the candidates except trump!"
(I usually don't butt into other people's voting preferences, but I can't believe trump is STILL in the running! shock

)

Why can't u believe it?
He obviously appeals to many people.

MagentaYenta

Sun, Dec 06 2015, 10:42 pm

I'm left of liberal and identify as a socialist. In local elections I typically will vote for Green Party candidates. I'm registered Republican since my state really has little say so in national elections and I love to have fun with my states largely neutered Republican party when it comes to the primaries.

Fave

Sun, Dec 06 2015, 11:43 pm

Fiscally conservative and definitely don't believe in "spreading the wealth". I believe that the welfare system is currupt and punishes the middle class.
The system encourages people to work "off the books" and prevents them from climbing the economic ladder.

I'm more of a centrist on non fiscal issues.

amother

Burlywood

Sun, Dec 06 2015, 11:57 pm

allthingsblue wrote:

That's the part I can't believe. In fact, it horrifies me that he appeals to so many people!

I don't really understand your shock. He's unlike other politicians. He speaks plainly, says what's on his mind, doesn't sugar coat it, doesn't kiss up to the media and in fact tells them off at times. He's not PC. At all. That's the appeal.

And while he isn't at all my choice for our next president (I don't trust that he's nearly conservative enough for my liking), if he somehow manages to win the Rep primary, you better believe I'd vote for him over Clinton or Sanders in a heartbeat!

m in Israel

Mon, Dec 07 2015, 1:56 am

Maya wrote:

Or people are fascinated by the extremely wealthy and by celebrities -- and he fits into both categories.

Honestly, he scares me like crazy -- I am more concerned about the fact that he is an extreme egomaniac who doesn't take advice from anyone and will never admit to being wrong than about any of the details of his problematic statements. And it frustrates me that he is still doing so well in the polls, when I actually think there are quite a few good candidates in the Republican line-up!

But I don't think him being high in the polls is because people agree with everything he says -- I think people just find him interesting and want to hear more of him, because Americans are obsessed with celebrities and he is making the primary season exciting.

etky

Mon, Dec 07 2015, 2:31 am

m in Israel wrote:

I agree and I think he will be a terrible choice for Republican nominee.
Generally parties will choose a candidate who can also attract voters from the center and from the ideological margins of the other party. Trump is already alienating moderate Republicans who just cannot see themselves voting for someone so extreme.
If he emerges as nominee the Republican party is doomed from the get-go.
And if he keeps up his extreme rhetoric and uncouth manner even those who find him appealing now might get cold feet when it's time to actually vote for President.
Is this really the best the Republican party can do? Frankly I find the whole thing just unbelievable and downright scary.

ora_43

Mon, Dec 07 2015, 2:42 am

This may be slightly off topic, but I think there's also different types of "conservative."

I think of myself as conservative in the classic sense (when it comes to those issues where I'm "conservative" at all). In brief, seeing society as like a tree. You can and should make some changes - some things do need to be pruned away, others should be encouraged to grow - but trying to change too many things too quickly will almost certainly hurt more than it helps.

A lot of what's held up as "conservative values" by politicians/in the media tends to bug me, because it's all about idealizing a past that never existed. So when I say "social conservative," I don't mean "women in the kitchen, gays in the closet." Just ftr.

DrMom

Mon, Dec 07 2015, 2:43 am

m in Israel wrote:

Sounds like Obama.

DrMom

Mon, Dec 07 2015, 2:47 am

I try to evaluate each issue on its own merit.

I'm mostly conservative on matters of national security.

I think the US definitely needs to take a more conservative approach to economic policies in the immediate future or the national economy will go down the toilet. The debt is unbelievable.

For social issues, I'm all over the map.

etky

Mon, Dec 07 2015, 3:15 am

DrMom wrote:

Sounds like Obama.

LOL - except that with Obama IIRC it wasn't quite as obvious already at the candidacy stage.
Trump's making no attempt to hide these qualities. One gets the feeling that he's even exaggerating them and playing them up. Apparently he thinks they're an electoral asset.
Maybe they are shock

Maya

Mon, Dec 07 2015, 7:23 am

amother wrote:

I fail to see the merit in "speaking plainly without being PC" when that speak is disgusting and scary. I'm sure you wouldn't be talking like this if it were your group of people he'd be speaking out against in such an ugly manner.

It's seriously beyond me how any sane person could vote for him, no matter who the other candidate is. Really totally beyond me.

amother

Burlywood

Mon, Dec 07 2015, 7:47 am

Maya wrote:

And this is how I feel about our current president, the worst in our history and a huge anti-semite.

Again, not a big Trump supporter, but frankly he'd be an improvement. At least I can say that I feel he really loves his country. Not so with Obama.