buckwheat Loc: Clarkdale, AZ and Belen NM

When I turned 21 I registered as a Republican. I did so because I grew up in a Republican household and my father had a sole-proprietor business. He wanted the independence and freedom to succeed or fail on his own. After the Air Force and Viet Nam and then college, I remained a Republican. Even though I went to work in the corporate world I tried several different ways to start a business and become independent. Sometimes my attempts succeeded and other times not, but my growing alcoholism forced me to "keep my day job". After getting sober, I started my own business, owned several income properties and did quite well, without government help. Not exactly rags to riches, but from paycheck dependent to successful.
If I had adopted the Democrat dogma, I would have lost my job, gone on disability, continued my alcoholism, been dependent on government programs, remained on the bottom rungs of the economic ladder, and blamed someone else on my condition.
I believe the Republicans on the lower levels of the economy remain republicans because they still believe they can move up, or at least independent and not become attached to and dependent on the government teat. I have over-simplified this and know that there are many stories from the left wing and the right wing.
But the right wing and the left wing both belong on the same bird!

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

Nice easy to put that. Well done.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I had a professor (an exchange from the University of Mumbai(Bombay) who taught History of the British Empire.

He stated that the British Empire and the US needed both the liberals and the conservatives.
He said the Liberals kept coming up with new ideas but seldom had the practical government skills to finance and implement them or distinguish the good from the bad ideas.
The Conservatives were usually content to not change things that already worked but would carefully observe, decide which ideas were good and then had the skills to implement them.

He also said that as long as the two sides just thought of the other as "different" things worked fine. It was when they started to see the other side as "the enemy" that the real problems started.

AzGriz Loc: Sedona, Arizona

Well said, Buckwheat.👍👍👍

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

Wise words.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

He also said that the best thing the British ever gave India (this was about 1970-he grew up under the Empire) was the English Language. They could talk to each other without having to learn each other's languages.
He said the worst thing the British gave them was a railroad and road system good enough to move food, prevent famine and allow population increase but not good enough to make industrialization easy.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Congratulations, first off. Well done.

I was brought up in a democrat family. JFK was the last democratic president I supported, though too young to vote and would be until 1969. So, the election of 1970 was my first shot at voting. After voting for or against winners over the next several elections, I changed to being an independent. More recently, I've observed the democrats seemed to look at me as a source of income for the government and found "better" ways to spend it than I could.

Recently, we received a reduction in taxes and I could actually purchase a few things I'd like to have and put money into savings. That worked out well. I dread to think about what it might cost me to see a change in the current government. I'd probably seriously think about retiring, as then I wouldn't have the tax burden with which to concern myself. So, I'll continue to be independent but most likely vote for the republicans.
--Bob

truckster Loc: Tampa Bay Area

That is your opinion and you are welcome to it. I believe for poor Republicans it is all about the hate.

truckster Loc: Tampa Bay Area

Your professor summed up American politics of the last five decades pretty well.

truckster Loc: Tampa Bay Area

I dread to think what it might cost Us and the whole country if we don't see a drastic change in the current government.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I took that class in 1970. And it has happened before, more than once. I'm a retired History teacher myself.

There is hate on both sides. But I firmly believe most still do not hate the other guys. They just see them as wrong on ideas etc. Unfortunately a very vocal minority of both sides both hate and have/take the time from life to put their time and energy into hating and becoming the "leaders" of their side. The majority are too busy with work, life and family.
I believe a large part of it is they just LOVE the attention and time they get on the 6 O'clock News and to hell with the damage they do to the nation.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

I find it a bit over the top that you’re opinion of liberals is lazy, dependent and helpless without the government’s assistance. Every individual is different.
I’ve worked a full time job since I was 13. Ran a successful construction business for 12 years before I went to work for Pacific Bell Telephone Company. The only reason I even decided to work a nine to five was so I’d have a pension and medical benefits when I retired. Now that I’m retired I still make as much per year as when I worked. Having a company match on my 401k gave me incentive to save and having a financial advisory firm (fee only) watch my investments and helping me make informed decisions has kept my balances working for me.
Half the people I know are Democrats and they are all doing well too. So I just don’t think your assumption is correct. It makes me wonder how many Democrats you actually know and interact with. I also have family in the Midwest and East Coast who are liberal thinking independent minded folks and they aren’t on the dole either. So instead of making generalizations perhaps you would be better served by actual knowledge and not assumptions.
And just to set the record straight, I began my voting record as a Republican but changed to Independent when I saw how selfish and hateful the party had become after Nixon was elected. Judging by the remarks in this post, that hasn’t changed.
Pete

buckwheat Loc: Clarkdale, AZ and Belen NM

The premise of my statement is in response to those who wonder why, if the Republican party is the one of the 1%, why are poor people Republican. The only way to comment on a large group of people is with generalizations, sometimes sweeping. Everyone, including me, can give countless examples of people who don't fit that generalization. But I believe the answer to the question is that a whole bunch of people, regardless of economic status still want the freedom to succeed or fail on their own merits, without government intervention!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

or government interference.
--Bob