Political Centrists, Unite... As soon as we figure out how.

Those of us that vote by the Golden Mean Fallacy, those of us that have been called both a bleeding-heart liberal and a genocidal conservative at some point (sometimes both at once), those of us that have no idea what party we belong to because we mash up elements of both in our own worldview, anyone else here like that?

I felt compelled to make this coven after the GOP Curb-Stomp Battle in the 2014 USA midterm election. I don't feel comfortable with any one party having near-total control because while I strongly support some parts of both platforms, I'm also strongly against some parts of both platforms.

Yeah, thank you!

I watch Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert because they're funny, but sometimes I'm neither here nor there. I tend to vote on the basis of "survival" - who will screw us over less, maybe? Rather than by values anymore. Morality takes a backseat so survival sometimes, so I don't have the moral outrage that a lot of people have in politics.

Beyond candidates and platforms, there are issues I don't know what side to be on. Let me say it right here (for everyone to rip me apart), I SEE BOTH SIDES on Abortion and Euthenasia. I can go into why I see both sides and can't "pick a side already," but I may get torn to bits. I'll just say I'm confused?

I get what you're saying when it comes to abortion. I can't pick a side on that because it's a Sadistic Choice; either kill someone or ruin someone's life.

I was browsing a blog about a euthenasia case in the news yesterday. You probably know what the story was about, since that poor woman is all over the news. I pretty much point blank gave my opinion, which is mixed.

This summer, my guy and I had to put our cat down. We put the cat to sleep because there were just no other options for her and she was sooooo sick and we weren't going to subject her to another week with non-working kidneys. We'd taken her to the vet hoping something could be done, but she was too far gone. While I was there, I talked with the vet about how when my grandmother (in her 80s) was dying, how I'd prayed for her to die because she was suffering and the doctors were doing all this heroic-measure stuff to save her life that were not going to work, that the family didn't even want and that my grandmother herself did not want. I loved my grandmother dearly, but I didn't have any distress when she died, because I had all my distress before. I was glad she was no longer suffering. I think between her and the Terri Schiavo case - that's why my parents have a living will. (My sister is in charge, ultimately. My brother's a selfish bastard who'd pull the plug early just to inherit the house and I'm an oversensitive thing who wouldn't be able to do it without breaking. My sister is balanced).

So, I understand very well how when someone is physically, terminally sick why it can be a choice laid on the table.

However, the other side of it comes in when I see society being too *eager* for it. I mean, there are a lot of people like my brother out there. "Outta the way, dibs on your stereo!" As a person with bipolar disorder who's survived a suicide attempt and have been real close at other times and... have had people who loved me out of it... and as one who struggles and finds some beauty, at least half the time, in the FIGHT, I tend to be more into suicide-PREVENTION than encouragement, personally. I've read that in some places in Europe that have medically assisted suicide, they allow it in cases of depression and that just screams out that we're headed into some kind of dystopian society that only wants the perfect, the nicely-greased cogs in the machine of Society. I'm a wonky-cog. Lots of people are warped, wonky-cogs. If being a student of history has taught me anything, it's wonky-cogs that end up being brave enough or just weird enough to change things for the better. If society really pushes for "Your life isn't perfect, aw, you're depressed! Aw, you have a livable illiness but you're suffering! You ought to end it all!" Well, we'll lose a lot of beautiful people.

The "IT" from "A Wrinkle in Time" comes to mind. It killed people if they so much as had a cold out of a sense of "mercy."

So, you know... I think we live in a death-culture that would find it easier to encourage people to be rid of themselves rather than do the brave and patient and right thing and love them, but on the other hand, we're so phobic of death that we won't allow it to come peacefully when it is is actually time for it to come.

I just don't trust human nature on this issue at all.

I don't have a definite stance on Euthanasia yet per se, but I do feel a little uneasy about the concept. Because I can't shake the thought that I'll be euthanized the moment before a cure to whatever condition I have is found.

By U.S. standards, I'm kind of an old-style liberal Democrat with some libertarianism and isolationism thrown in. By European standards, I'd probably be anywhere from centrist to far-right, depending on the issue.

I think it's time to bump this, because the next election year is (unfortunately) upon us.

My issues with both parties can be oversimplified in that I really wish the democrats weren't so focused on things like abortion and that I really wish the republicans wouldn't push economic policies that seem to forget about the disadvantaged.

Granted, there are social teachings of the republicans I reject too (e.g., the death penalty, their anti-immigration bent) and I don't want to swing too far to the left, economically, either. Not to mention some of my views are far from mainstream for either party. However, I've always found it kind of silly that the political stereotype is of the "religious right," whereas I'm a fairly religious individual who's hard to pin down in either category. I remember on the Political Compass, for example, I was almost dead center.

Regarding this upcoming election, I'm really not feeling any candidate right now. I was hoping Joe Biden would run because his views seemed closest to mine. I certainly understand why he's not with the passing of his son and all, but I feel like without him running, we're missing a candidate who is both sane and stands a legitimate chance.

I think, this election, I'm going to end up voting for whatever Democratic candidate runs, for two reasons:

• 1. There is an overwhelming imbalance of Republicans in the Senate. There needs to be some kind of power balance.
• 2. Donald Trump is... yeah, just no. I'm sure I wouldn't support him even if I was right-leaning, because he comes across as an utter lunatic.

My problem with the big two democrat nominees are that Bernie seems like an extremist and Hillary has some quotes that really don't sit well with me (e.g., when discussing abortion,n "religious beliefs have to be changed." Apparently what I believe is the government's business?)

Granted, the Republicans aren't looking too hot, either. I'm almost tempted to vote for Trump solely because he would be the most amusing president, if anything, but that's obviously a terrible reason to vote for someone. Then again, part of me wonders if he'll even get the nomination, given how polarizing he is.

That's the problem with politics, it's always a "lesser of two evils" situation, we never get to vote for someone we actually like...

Hey, all. Mod-left, here... I don't firmly identify with either party, I don't care about weed or GMOs in either direction, I'm neutral on abortion, and I play with my opinion on gun control. I support social rights, and I think that we should be more open with our borders. Every candidate is either too idealistic, too corrupt, or Vermin Supreme.

edited 5th Dec '15 9:07:59 PM by SpaceWolf

Is the chat here dead?

I mean, if you have to ask, likely yeah.

I mean, it's a good time to revive this particular thread since it's an election year but I will understand if the mods want to lock it for necro or political reasons.