I've been thinking of this for quite some time. I've read many posts on this forum from people complaining they can't tell Republicans from Democrats. First off that in itself is almost laughable especially with Obama in office. However, I have also been very critical of "Independents". I to this day truely believe they have no core beliefs and would take the easy way out everytime. With that said, I believe the main reason anyone can give rise to the comment that both parties are the same comes down to open primaries where an independent is allow to vote in either Democrat or Republican's primaries. Is there any wonder why the parties have so many centerist in them? I'm wondering why this isn't a violation to our first amendment rights to freedom of assembly? Independents aren't part of the Republican nor Democrat group so they should hold no right to assemble with either party when picking the candidate to represent the party in the Novemeber elections.
I'm throwing this out there for feedback. I plan on asking a constitutional attorney next time I'm out at some social event and meet up with one. However, would love to get feedback on this topic. Better yet, I would love to see either party challenge the states that allow open primaries.
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John Adams “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”
Ronald Reagan: 'Everybody that is for abortion has already been born'
"I never said I was worth it. I only said I wouldn't do it for less " William F. Buckley Jr.
You might have a good point, if we were operating under the Constitution. However we are not. Neither party has give two bits about the constitution for many years, that is why I can no longer get behind any organized party. I could support a Candidate from any party who's only platform would be to return to the constitution.
I agree with you James. Certainly the Dems have no desire to operate under the constitution and they are more than happy to open up primaries to allow anyone to vote in them becasue they fear the conservative that the Republicans would put forth. The love the weakened primaries as they are so IMO, it has to be won in the courts to close the primaries.
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John Adams “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”
Ronald Reagan: 'Everybody that is for abortion has already been born'
"I never said I was worth it. I only said I wouldn't do it for less " William F. Buckley Jr.
FWIW, I agree that primaries should be closed. Republican candidates should be chosen by Republicans, Democrats should be chosen by Democrats, and if 3rd party or independents want to choose the candidates they should join the party. I've yet to hear an argument for open primaries that was persuasive.
But the freedom of assembly approach seems pretty weak to me. And your assertion that independents, 99.99% of whom you've never discussed political ideology with, have no core values is as laughable as it ever was and destroys your credibility on other matters as much as it ever did.
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Politics, it seems to me, all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong. ~Richard Armour
But the freedom of assembly approach seems pretty weak to me. And your assertion that independents, 99.99% of whom you've never discussed political ideology with, have no core values is as laughable as it ever was and destroys your credibility on other matters as much as it ever did.
Please how exactly does that belief hurt my credibility? I can go through posts on this forum and show inconsistentcy throughout on most folks who claim to be independent. I will agree that very few aren't inconsistent but most independents on this forum are very inconsistent and it always is justified based on feelings.
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John Adams “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”
Ronald Reagan: 'Everybody that is for abortion has already been born'
"I never said I was worth it. I only said I wouldn't do it for less " William F. Buckley Jr.
Please how exactly does that belief hurt my credibility? I can go through posts on this forum and show inconsistentcy throughout on most folks who claim to be independent. I will agree that very few aren't inconsistent but most independents on this forum are very inconsistent and it always is justified based on feelings.
It hurts your credibility because you're making blanket statements about people you haven't met (and therefore cannot possibly judge their political leanings) and you have absolutely nothing to back up what you're saying. Or, more bluntly, you're making dumb, baseless statements.
So, back up your statements. Start with me. Find my inconsistencies, please.
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Politics, it seems to me, all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong. ~Richard Armour
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Originally Posted by Fieldmouse Please how exactly does that belief hurt my credibility? I can go through posts on this forum and show inconsistentcy throughout on most folks who claim to be independent. I will agree that very few aren't inconsistent but most independents on this forum are very inconsistent and it always is justified based on feelings.
It hurts your credibility because you're making blanket statements about people you haven't met (and therefore cannot possibly judge their political leanings) and you have absolutely nothing to back up what you're saying. Or, more bluntly, you're making dumb, baseless statements.
Wow, who just made a blanket statement now with out any facts? When talking about party affiliation, BTW independents are affiliated in a party, blanket statements are very much allowed. They occur all thetime. So once again, how exactly do I hurt my credibilty by stating fact?
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So, back up your statements. Start with me. Find my inconsistencies, please.
OK, thanks I will in the coming months. One thing I know, independents are full of inconsistantcies.
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John Adams “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”
Ronald Reagan: 'Everybody that is for abortion has already been born'
"I never said I was worth it. I only said I wouldn't do it for less " William F. Buckley Jr.
The rules don't apply to the dems,it's all about winning.
In some state a person has to be a registered member of a particular party to vote in that party's primary -- not in Illinois.
Why should an independent be allowed to vote in a primary to decide who the [ e.g. Libertarians] should run for a particular office? It's their business who they nominate.
This is NOT a matter of constitutional freedom of assembly.
In some state a person has to be a registered member of a particular party to vote in that party's primary -- not in Illinois.
Why should an independent be allowed to vote in a primary to decide who the [ e.g. Libertarians] should run for a particular office? It's their business who they nominate.
This is NOT a matter of constitutional freedom of assembly.
Thats the whole point Beau, I feel my constitutional right under the first amendment is being violated by the states that allow open primaries. Why are Dems in some cases and independents allowed to vote in Republican Primaries?
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John Adams “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”
Ronald Reagan: 'Everybody that is for abortion has already been born'
"I never said I was worth it. I only said I wouldn't do it for less " William F. Buckley Jr.
Freedom of Assembly?
