Poll: Republicans: Your take

[JoeThree]

There's a lot of talk about biasis in the media these days: Walmart underpays women, black men are targetted by the police, straight men are being corrupted by Dragon Age, etc. Today though I want to ask you about initial reactions to a simple demographic, one that encompasses about 50% of Americans - Republicans. Sure, that number's a bit off, but that's not really the point of this thread, what is is how you feel towards Republicans. What is your gut reaction to them? What is your perception? Would you date one, and would you feel different if a friend "came out" as being one to you? I ask this to you Escapists because let's be honest, this is a very Left-leaning website, and I'm curious just how much weight the "do not judge" mentality holds in the face of the Right Wing.

 

[ten.to.ten]

To me it matters less what party they affiliate with, what matters more are the reasons why they do it.

If I had a friend who I found out was a Republican because he believed in, say, small government and low taxes and all that, though misguided, I'd at least respect that reasoning and I doubt there'd be much conflict. If I had a friend who was a Republican because he wanted to use the Republican Party as the government to demonise minorities and control peoples' lives on the other hand, I'd probably reconsider my friendship with him.

 

[Griffolion]

Basically, i know Republicans are a little more traditional/right wing and Democrats are more progressive/left wing. Is that right?

I can't say i'm particularly savvy with the intricate ins and outs of the republicans and the democrats (i'm from the UK). But i watched this guy on You Tube called Bill O Reilly and i thought he was a complete tosser for the way he treats people on his shows. Is he a republican or a democrat? I'm not going to base my whole opinion structure on that one person, but i'd just like to know.

 

[TheTaco007]

I'm sorry if anyone takes offense but:

How many republicans does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

Spoiler

Three. One to hire a mexican to do it, and two more to deport him after he's done.

Again, no offense meant.

 

[Arsen]

I am a conservative by nature, yet at the same time I understand that liberal individuals have helped further society along as well. Both sides have good and bad natures to be honest, the problem is that we're dictated by the extremes more often than not. I know (at least from a US perspective) that most people often see the Republicans as holding back the true potential of this country whereas most often view the democrats as those who've "helped" the poor and the middle class, but overall my viewpoint is lenient towards both sides.

 

[Griffolion]

Republicans talk a lot then don't actually do much. Democrats talk a lot and then go and fuck things up. I prefer neither.

Basically, i know Republicans are a little more traditional/right wing and Democrats are more progressive/left wing. Is that right?

I can't say i'm particularly savvy with the intricate ins and outs of the republicans and the democrats (i'm from the UK). But i watched this guy on You Tube called Bill O Reilly and i thought he was a complete tosser for the way he treats people on his shows. Is he a republican or a democrat? I'm not going to base my whole opinion structure on that one person, but i'd just like to know.

Bill O'Reilly is non-partisan.

Oh right, thanks!

 

[BonsaiK]

There's a lot of talk about biasis in the media these days: Walmart underpays women, black men are targetted by the police, straight men are being corrupted by Dragon Age, etc. Today though I want to ask you about initial reactions to a simple demographic, one that encompasses about 50% of Americans - Republicans. Sure, that number's a bit off, but that's not really the point of this thread, what is is how you feel towards Republicans. What is your gut reaction to them? What is your perception? Would you date one, and would you feel different if a friend "came out" as being one to you? I ask this to you Escapists because let's be honest, this is a very Left-leaning website, and I'm curious just how much weight the "do not judge" mentality holds in the face of the Right Wing.

I wouldn't trust anybody who identified with any aspect of politics like that. Someone who says they're a republican, or a democrat, or left/right wing, or a this or that or whatever, to me, all that tells me is that they've restricted their thinking to a particular narrow window defined by somebody else, and excluded the potential for other ideas to enter their head. To me that's a closed-minded individual. I wouldn't shun them but I wouldn't necessarily believe anything they say either.

ps thread belongs in R & P.

 

[Souplex]

Short answer: Republicans suck. Democrats suck. The best political party is the Libertarian party.

Libertarianism is the political ideology of spoiled children.
CAPTCHA: nolvedur 108,

 

[similar.squirrel]

It's a tricky business. I agree with some of their views, but I find most of them inherently ridiculous and downright inhumane at times.
If clarification is needed, just quote me; I'm not writing a discourse right now.

 

[Zakarath]

Republicans talk a lot then don't actually do much. Democrats talk a lot and then go and fuck things up. I prefer neither.

Basically, i know Republicans are a little more traditional/right wing and Democrats are more progressive/left wing. Is that right?

I can't say i'm particularly savvy with the intricate ins and outs of the republicans and the democrats (i'm from the UK). But i watched this guy on You Tube called Bill O Reilly and i thought he was a complete tosser for the way he treats people on his shows. Is he a republican or a democrat? I'm not going to base my whole opinion structure on that one person, but i'd just like to know.

Bill O'Reilly is non-partisan.

Oh right, thanks!

No, Bill is a republican. I don't know where you get the idea that he is non-partisan...

(protip: if there's a Fox News logo located in the vicinity of a newscaster, then they are a Republican)

 

[VaderMan92]

Libertarianism is awesome except it probably wouldn't work as well as we all like to think it would. So I vote Republican because last time I checked they were the only ones who at least said they wanted smaller government (plus I like the constitution). And third party candidates never win any meaningful positions of power.

 

[Madara XIII]

Republicans talk a lot then don't actually do much. Democrats talk a lot and then go and fuck things up. I prefer neither.

Basically, i know Republicans are a little more traditional/right wing and Democrats are more progressive/left wing. Is that right?

I can't say i'm particularly savvy with the intricate ins and outs of the republicans and the democrats (i'm from the UK). But i watched this guy on You Tube called Bill O Reilly and i thought he was a complete tosser for the way he treats people on his shows. Is he a republican or a democrat? I'm not going to base my whole opinion structure on that one person, but i'd just like to know.

Bill O'Reilly is non-partisan.

THIS! Both parties are filled with morons who I could care less about. Honestly they don't get anything done because both of them are too busy trying to make the other look bad to the point where it's wasting not only their time, but ours as well.

So go Independent party!....hopefully libertarian as well.

Nah screw it, I'm in the Albert Wesker Party

<youtube=CLL90q3as4M>

 

[dogenzakaminion]

There's a lot of talk about biasis in the media these days: Walmart underpays women, black men are targetted by the police, straight men are being corrupted by Dragon Age, etc. Today though I want to ask you about initial reactions to a simple demographic, one that encompasses about 50% of Americans - Republicans. Sure, that number's a bit off, but that's not really the point of this thread, what is is how you feel towards Republicans. What is your gut reaction to them? What is your perception? Would you date one, and would you feel different if a friend "came out" as being one to you? I ask this to you Escapists because let's be honest, this is a very Left-leaning website, and I'm curious just how much weight the "do not judge" mentality holds in the face of the Right Wing.

I wouldn't trust anybody who identified with any aspect of politics like that. Someone who says they're a republican, or a democrat, or left/right wing, or a this or that or whatever, to me, all that tells me is that they've restricted their thinking to a particular narrow window defined by somebody else, and excluded the potential for other ideas to enter their head. To me that's a closed-minded individual. I wouldn't shun them but I wouldn't necessarily believe anything they say either.

You have to remember that at some point they have to actually vote. If someone votes republican they are (in almost all cases) but that doesn't immediately mean they stand for every idea the republican party stands for. You also have the age old of definition, As in "what is a republican/democrat?" There are liberal republicans, conservative democrats and all manner of variations. Sometimes the labels are just practical too.

I really don't care. I'm sure we'll agree on some things and disagree on others (although since im Norwegian I probably wouldn't agree much with republican ideas) but I wouldn't do anything differently. Luckily the political spectrum is broader and more diverse where I live so the problem is not likely to occur.

 

[VaderMan92]

Republicans talk a lot then don't actually do much. Democrats talk a lot and then go and fuck things up. I prefer neither.

Basically, i know Republicans are a little more traditional/right wing and Democrats are more progressive/left wing. Is that right?

I can't say i'm particularly savvy with the intricate ins and outs of the republicans and the democrats (i'm from the UK). But i watched this guy on You Tube called Bill O Reilly and i thought he was a complete tosser for the way he treats people on his shows. Is he a republican or a democrat? I'm not going to base my whole opinion structure on that one person, but i'd just like to know.

Bill O'Reilly is non-partisan.

Oh right, thanks!

No, Bill is a republican. I don't know where you get the idea that he is non-partisan...

(protip: if there's a Fox News logo located in the vicinity of a newscaster, then they are a Republican)

Yeah and if any other American news show is on you can assume they are liberals.

 

[bdcjacko]

I'm republican. But I vote for the best candidate. So deal with it.

 

[Hero in a half shell]

Just remember all Escapists are'nt American. In Ireland "Republican" means something completely different...

Basically I don't like the way our democratic goverment usually devolve into these two or three party systems, as it just means each political group is looking out for themselves, not the country, and that is why our countries are getting into these crazy messes. If one party proposes a change, the other party will IMMEDIATELY demonize it, saying they are deliberately ruining the country and its all evil and will destroy us, because that is how they get themselves votes. That is a fundamental problem that needs to be changed. Unfortunately how that happens I have no idea.

 

[Thamian]

Went with the third option, though it doesn't quite say what I mean: So long as you have a logical reason/position I don't care and wouldn't mind debating you provided that you're prepared to listen to opposing arguments.

From where I'm sitting, a lot of republicans do have logical reasons/positions, but undermine themselves by refusing to listen to opposing arguments or new information which undermines the input which led to their logical/rational positions.

 

[Woodsey]

Must... not... pick... kill... option...!

But in all seriousness, if an American told me they were a Republican, I would probably run for the hills. If someone over here (I'm British) told me they were a Conservative, I feel I could probably have a decent debate with them.

If someone told me they were in the Tea Party though, I would probably choose kill. Then marry Scarlett Johansson and bang Rihanna.

[sub]We're playing that game, right?[/sub]