Were you always a Democrat??

[Mark_Pogue]

Some people were raised as Dems....some weren't.

[ulysses]

1. yes.

[liberaldemocrat7]

54. Officially a Democrat for 39 years.

Since 1968 at the age of 18.

[ellisonz]

2. Yes.

[flamingyouth]

3. Yes.

[Old and In the Way]

4. Voting Blue since 72......

[WillyT]

19. 74 For Me !!!

Was that the first major election where 18 year olds could vote???

Hmm.. may have ta do a bit of research, cause I can't really remember.

:shrug:

[Old and In the Way]

51. Actually, I think it was 72.

I was 19 then, but I think it was that election that 18 YO's got the right to vote. "If you are old enough to get drafted and fight in Viet Nam, you ought to be able to vote."

[rwenos]

23. Me Too Baby -- 72 Was My First

Voted for George McGovern. I thought at the time it was more like voting AGAINST Nixon, who we thought then was the worst president the country had ever had.

Then came 1/20/2000. Now, 579 days to go.

On edit: And I haven't voted for a Republican yet!

[XOKCowboy]

65. 72 for me too

I never even considered voting for a Republican. They'd been hawking a war that they wanted ME to fight when I got out of high school then made the mistake of giving me a vote when I turned 18. So I used it.

As far as I can remember I've never voted for a Republican since. I hate to admit it but I didn't vote for a few years but the Bush Cabal ended that.

[krispos42]

5. I voted for Lieberman twice

Once for Veep, and once for Senator, both in 2000.

I've been a good boy since then.

:hide:

Be gentle... :spank:

[Labors of Hercules]

75. Most of us have gotten drunk and done something stupid at some point or another. n/t

[DemGa]

6. Yes

Although my family wasn't very political growing up. I think it's genetic.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

7. From the time I was old enough to understand what the two parties represented,

I've been a Democrat. My dad was a republican; and my mom kept quiet about politics until the Carter election. She was a late bloomer. :D

[Greyskye]

8. Other?

Started out as a Dem, as I had great roll models for parents. :D

Was registered Green for a while, although I still mostly voted Dem. Got freaking disgusted with the Green party a number of years ago, and re-registered as a Dem again. Got my card right here, wanna see? :toast:

[IDemo]

9. From my first vote for Carter

[TahitiNut]

10. Actually ...

... NEVER. :shrug:

[Richard Steele]

11. No, I used to be one of those idiots who "weren't interested in politics".

I got better...

[dweller]

17. damn right you did

just saying.
dp

[LordJFT]

34. just curious

what changed you?

[Richard Steele]

73. Well, there's no single answer, naturally...

But I suppose the BIGGEST "seed" that eventually blossomed
into political interest was planted back around 94-95 or so,
when I first started using the Internets to check out foreign
newspapers. Even then, the differences in the APPROACH to news
stories was a real wake-up call for me.

It was almost immediately apparent to me that all the US newspapers
I had been reading (and I am a voracious reader) were really not
doing a great job of actually presenting NEWS.

It wasn't that they DISAGREED with the foreign papers- the basic
facts were the same for any given story. But they were presented
in an entirely superficial manner here, with "he said/she said"
soundbites taking the place of GLARINGLY OBVIOUS followup questions.

And that sent up some serious "red flags" in my mind- I realized
that much of what I was noticing was eerily similar to descriptions
of the "controlled press" in the old USSR which I had heard from my
teachers back in grade school in the 1970s.

So, I suppose that that was really the FIRST thing that made me pull
my head out of my ass and start using my BRAIN to assess the world
around me...

And once I did that, it was inevitable that I eventually realized
that "politics" really does affect my day-to-day life, and that the
party that really represents the opinions of the vast majority of
my fellow citizens on almost every issue was the DEMOCRATIC party.

After investigating the actual HISTORY of the USA, it was glaringly
obvious that almost everything that made us a "Great Nation" was
considered a "liberal" idea in its day, and had been fought tooth-and-nail
by whatever party was "conservative" at the time.

Electricity in my rural home, the public schools I attended,
the laws that kept poisons out of my food and water, and the
insurance that guaranteed the first jar of pennies I took to
the bank wouldn't disappear if the bank went bust...

Every one of those things was put into place for MY BENEFIT by
politicians who were decried as "radical, bleeding-heart LIBERALS"
by the people who opposed them; people whose entire "political philosophy"
generally consisted of inventing more politically-correct buzzwords
for what we used to call "feudalism" and "slavery".

Thes are FACTS I discovered easily, once I actually cared
about looking for them.

So it became clear to me that I was really a *gasp* "liberal",
but I had been deceived by the entirely DISHONEST definition
of that term that had been shoved down my throat almost since birth.

And, at this moment in history, the only Party for "liberals"
like me is the DEMOCRATIC Party.

That can change- it has before, and likely will again. So
I'm officially registered to vote as "No Party Affiliation".
But I have NEVER yet voted for a single repub candidate,
not even for "Head Dogcatcher"...

And, in light of the ASTOUNDINGLY fascist & totalitarian slope that
the Republican party has sped downward these last few years,
it really doesn't seem likely that I will do so at any time
in the foreseeable future.

[DeSwiss]

12. Yes indeedy....

...and my 1st vote was for George McGovern against Tricky Dickie. ;)

[dweller]

13. i was born a middle child

so yes.
dp

[Neoma]

14. I've only used the term 'Liberal'.

[The Straight Story]

15. I was raised as both

My parents generally voted R but not always, my uncle was an elected D, my grandfather an R.

Mom voted for JFK, but also voted for Raygun.

In the end, she said don't trust any of them :)

[Hekate]

16. My parents didn't talk politics, but their values led me to become a lifelong Democrat

They didn't talk politics per se, but they did talk about things that mattered. By the time I was 20 and worked in the Gene McCarthy campaign I knew that being a Democrat was about my ethics and how they worked in the world.

Whatever disagreements I have with the way things are run by Democrats is all in the nature of a family fight, if you will. That is, I may be outraged but as a member of the "family" I will fight to make things better. I won't divorce myself from Democratic ideals or change my registration.

Part of that is pragmatism, too. In this country third-party candidates don't have a prayer on the national stage. At best (or worst) they act as spoilers in a close election. We cannot afford another Republican president this time around -- we can't afford another Republican president until that party gives up the Neocon ideology and deregulationist economic theory, and rejoins basic American principles regarding the rule of law.

Hekate

[Bobbieo]

21. As a little girl in the early 1930's my father took me to see FDR

who was re-running for the governorship of New York State. He was on his boat. It came up the St Lawrence River to my homeotwn. I rememebr being on the boat. FDR pulled me on his lap while he talked with my dad.

My father told me to always remember that incident and I still do.

[rwenos]

24. Great Story! Similar Story about JFK

I saw JFK when I was 7, in 1960, a few weeks before he was elected. My mom and dad took me to a whistle-stop campaign appearance. Senator Kennedy spoke briefly, told a few jokes, waved, and then he was gone.

Same as you. I'll never forget it.

[Hekate]

29. Thanks for the memories about JFK and FDR. How wonderful for you both! nt

[liberaldemocrat7]

55. Wow that appears wonderful.

Actually meeting FDR. I'm glad you had a very good experience.

[jdadd]

18. Yes....

I campaigned for LBJ at 15 years of age, My family were strong union members and Democrats. My sister married money and has since turned into a Kool aid drinker....:wtf:

[Flatulo]

20. Rasied in a blue-collar Dem family.

I used to be a card-carrying Libertarian, and I live in Mass where it was safe to 'waste' my vote on Libertarian candidates, since Mass always went Dem anyway.

In the past few years I've come to realize that the Republicans and Libertarians simply do not represent my interests. I think it's time to nudge the pendulum back to the center

I'm probably far to the right of the dial of most here - I believe in income inequality and I'm against free-everything-for-life for anyone who is capable of and has an oppurtunity to work.

But there's simply waaaay too much inequality today. It's unhealthy and destructive.

[TygrBright]

40. ummmm...

>>I'm against free-everything-for-life for anyone who is capable of and has an oppurtunity to work.<<

"Free everything for life, etc." is NOT a Democratic position, never has been, never will be. You have some seriously skewed notions of what Democratic and progressive policies are about.

That canard is right out of the Hannity/O'Reilly/Limbaugh playbook. Progressives, Democrats, Liberals, etc., don't support "free everything" for people capable of and having opportunities to work. Rather, we support the creation of opportunities that will make it possible for just about EVERYONE above junior high school age and below retirement age to work. (See: ADAA, Fair Labor Standards, OSHAA, etc. Like the 40-hr. workweek? Thank a liberal. Like paid sick leave? Thank a liberal. Like overtime pay? Thank a liberal.)

We also support things that will help those who DON'T have opportunities to work keep from starving and/or becoming a worse part of the problem than merely being unemployed. We support assistance that will help someone raising kids alone to feed them and house them decently and get them health care and quality education, if they have no opportunity to work, or if the work they have the opportunity for won't pay for those things.

We also support the notion that anyone who IS willing to work 40 hours a week should be able to support a family of two or three or so in modest comfort.

Parroting silly talking points about "free-everything-for-life" being part of a Democratic agenda makes YOU look silly.

exasperatedly,
Bright

[DeSwiss]

44. Here, here....

[Flatulo]

68. Do Democrats support the Declaration of Human Rights?

Particularly Article 25...

Article 25.

"(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control."

This article appears to me to state that an able person can refuse to work, even though work may be available, and demand that others support him. I disagree with this "right". I do however strongly support a system that provides for those who are unable to obtain work due to mental or physical disability, family obligations, or economic dislocation.

I had a huge beef with a poster here a few months ago who argued that he, or anyone, had the right to *choose* to not work, while simultaneaously demanding that someone *else* feed, house, clothe etc him.

I argued that his actions forced someone else to perform slavery for him, which everyone agrees is immoral.

He argued that compulsory labor was slavery.

I agreed 100% and argued that no one was compelling him to work. But if he made that choice, it would be immoral of him to demand the labor of others be used to service him.

And on and on it went.

That is why I made the free-everything-for-life comment. It was not meant to characterize the position of the Democratic Party, and even if it were, it would be meaningless since I do not speak for them in any official capacity.

If I had stated that I was against using kittens for target practice, would you have assumed that I was implying that the Democratic Party was in favor of it?

My comment was meant to address the (in my opinion, misguided) DUers here who have liberally quoted the Communist Manifest and other theft-based schemes that require the application of force and slavery to be implemented.

Flatulo

[ellisonz]

57. I don't think TygrBright intened to attack you and you shouldn't take it personally.

...but Democrats dont' support a "welfare state" rather we support equality of opportunity. The GOP tends to be the "work just hard enough not to get fired" types. Furthermore, income inequality is a communistic notion, Democrats support income rationality i.e. no oligarchy, see progressive taxation.

http://www.truthandpolitics.org/top-rates.php

Our economy is just around the bend from the cliff: http://www.theodora.com/wfbcurrent/united_states/united_states_economy.html

[Flatulo]

71. That's the problem with labels...

No one label can adequately summarize a persons position on every issue. I am (what many would consider to be) conservative on some issues, and liberal on others.

I don't fit into any neat bucket, and I doubt many others do either.

For the record, here is a small (and simplified) snapshot of my position on the major issues:

1. I support the creation of single payer national health care system.
2. I support a womans right to an abortion, without any restrictions.
3. I support the right of gays/lesbians/anyone to marry anyone they choose and be free from discrimination.
4. I support a minimum wage that allows anyone to meet the essentials of existence.
5. I support a progressive tax code.
6. I support a strong social safety net, as long as it does not allow a *more* lavish lifestyle than working
would provide.
7. I support the right of sane adults to keep and bear arms for the defense of home and family.
8. I oppose the war in Iraq as doing far more harm than good.
9. I oppose corrupt CEOs making hundreds of millions of dollars by destroying public companies and
outsourcing the jobs.
9. I support the impeachment of Bush and Cheney, because no one should be beyond the reach of law.

And my feelings are not hurt at all. I understand it takes a thick skin and some asbestos to post here.

As someone once said, "If they crucified Jesus, what chance do *I* have?" :^)

Flatulo

[Warren DeMontague]

22. No, once upon a time I was a sperm and an unfertilized egg.

Before that, I was

[illinoisprogressive]

25. I could have been born one but, I knew for sure around 12.

[emilyg]

27. Same here

[nevergiveup]

26. I was a Republican

until I had to spend 30 minutes with Richard Nixon. I was a young Republican in college and me and another guy were assigned the task of entertaining Nixon for 30 minutes at a political rally in Macomb Illinois in 1966. The man was a creep and gave me the heebie jeebies. I switched parties shortly after and never looked back.

[liberaldemocrat7]

56. LOLOLOLOL

Oh man, boy did you have a life changing experience. 30 minutes with Richard Nixon. I can't imagine ever wanting to meet him back then from what I saw on television.

Historians will judge W as worse than Nixon but not as low as Hoover.

[Pastiche423]

28. I was from 1972 until 2004

The 1st campaign I worked on was in 1964. My candidate won and became a county commissioner for Mecklenburg County.

He still chuckles when I tell him he led me on the path to become a political junkie. And although he remains a Democrat, my dad knows why I became an Indie.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

30. Registered Democrat since '65, but owe the party no allegience.

Purely a "lesser of two evils" Democrat.

[More Than A Feeling]

31. I wasn't raised a Democrat, but I've always been a Democrat anyway.

Probably because my corporate-conservative dad (who used to be a Democrat, but stopped voting for them after Mondale), in liked Clinton ("best Republican president ever"), so I liked Clinton, too (I was very young, whaddaya expect?). Whether conservative or liberal (I've been both), always a Democrat.

[burrowowl]

32. Yes! although

of a Socialist bent, if I lived in Vermont would vote for Bernie!
Have never voted Repuke!

[shanti]

33. always

yellow dog dem here.

[dweller]

35. all the Democrats, so they say

Where are the Recs???

this poll is 51/21 .


i'm damned proud of my vote/REC.

:kick:


dp

[LibDemAlways]

36. My screen name says it all.

[Emit]

37. Yes. n/t

[upi402]

38. Of course! n/t

[cherokeeprogressive]

39. Tell me why it matters? n/t

[orleans]

41. i was a liberal first. n/t

[Raine]

42. A Republican,

a moderate one but left the party when Raygun turned it to the hard right. x(

[Greyhound]

43. Always an Independent

registered Dem in 2002, probably go back to Independent after next election.

[Heidi]

45. Yes. I'm a third-generation Democrat. One of my earliest political memories is of

my paternal grandfather asserting, "I'd vote for Castro before I'd vote for Nixon." :hi:

[ashling]

46. Just since birth

in my past life I was Nimrod, Mighty Hunter, Ruler in all the Earth

[SeattleGirl]

48. Cool!

I myself was Tawanda in my past life! I still carry her spirit within me and believe me, Tawanda was a Democrat too! :)

[SeattleGirl]

47. Yep. Since the day I was born.

:thumbsup:

[Bucky]

49. Solid as a rock. Never waivered.

Runs in the family. We're good at spotting con artists.

[Alamom]

50. Enitre family, always. eom

[some guy]

52. nope

The only reason I'm a Democrat now is so I can vote for Mr Kucinich in the primary, and hopefully, the general (though I wouldn't need to be a Dem to vote for him in the GE.)

I've always leaned left, though.

:)

[B Calm]

53. My pop was a hard working UAW union man who raised three

kids on his own. He always told us kids, anybody who works for a paycheck and votes republican, end up shooting their-self in the foot for their boss's entertainment.

[w8liftinglady]

58. I was a devout Libertarian for 20 years...until 2000.

[nuxvomica]

59. My whole family is Democratic and always has been

I stuffed envelopes and went door-to-door handing out buttons for RFK's Senate campaign when I was 8 years old. The only Republican I ever supported was Charles Goodell, who called for Nixon's impeachment years before Watergate.

[Ikonoklast]

60. Since birth

It's a genetic trait of my family. Irish immigrants that always resented inherited power.

And I am raising three Liberal Democrats, who all despise the mess that they are going to inherit from the liars, thieves, and vultures that call themselves "Republicans".

[gollygee]

61. My parents were union members and Democrats

so I was raised a Democrat. My parents sadly became Regan Democrats during the 80s, but are both back to voting Democratic.

[Mark_Pogue]

62. No....I switched after I found out there was Oval Office blowjobs

involved!!!!

[WinkyDink]

69. Jeff Gannon, is that you?

[bigtree]

63. since Humphrey

I cried and got put in the corner in day care when the radio announced Johnson wouldn't run. My dad got me a huge Humphrey button . . .

[NaturalHigh]

64. Yes, ever since I registered.

[NoPasaran]

66. No. I used to be a Socialist

[WinkyDink]

67. Yes, except for a brief moment when I was 7 and liked Ike!

[mmonk]

70. Unaffiliated because of Johnson and the Vietnam war.

Then I started concentrating on some of the things Bobby Kennedy was saying. So I became a dem.

[marmar]

72. African-American, from Detroit, in a family with many union members.....

.... it's a near statistical impossibility that I could be anything but a Democrat. :)

[MedleyMisty]

74. I admit that when I was 8 I wanted Bush the First to win

I have no idea why, other than that an uncle I didn't particularly like was for Dukakis.

I also went through a brief period when I was 13 of watching Limbaugh's TV show. I know, I feel disgust at myself thinking about that.

But I straightened out by the time I turned 18 and have always been registered as a Democrat.

I wasn't raised as anything. My mother has never been into religion or politics.

[Dervill Crow]

76. I had a lapse during the 1980s when I voted Republican.

I have always been a registered Democrat, however.