Let me just start out by saying I don't have a political bone in my body. Well, since I did register to vote, maybe I have a teeny, tiny political bone. Like the size of the smallest one in my ear. However, I am completely undecided concerning who I am going to vote for. Since I hate debates (click here and read #4 to remember why), and since I don't follow politics, I don't even know how each candidate stands on the issues. So I have to find out what the issues are, decide how I feel about them, decide which issues are most important to me, and decide which candidate stands for the issues that I believe in most fervently. Does that make sense? Because my husband told me a couple of nights ago that he thinks when you vote, there is an option that says something like "Republican only" or "Democrat only," and if you are just too darn lazy to actually read up on the candidates and actually read through the entire ballot, you can just mark one of these and they will count your vote as straight Republican or Democrat. Seems like a cop-out to me. Who agrees with every Republican/Democrat candidate on every single issue every single time?
Here's my question. And I don't want propaganda, I just want an answer. Do people assume I'm going to vote Republican just because I am LDS (Mormon)? Or am I just assuming that people are thinking I will vote Republican?
I haven't decided yet if I'm Republican or Democrat. I haven't decided yet if I am going to vote for Obama or McCain. In the next three weeks, I am going to do some research and make an informed decision. And by research I mean going to the candidates' official websites to see how they stand on the issues.
Am I missing something, or have I hit the nail on the head?
P.S. I'll be back on Monday, attempting to be funny and witty again. I just had to get this off of my (apparently very huge) chest. [If you don't get this joke, read the Ethanism on the sidebar.]
Saturday, October 11
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I've voted republican and democrat at times, depending on who was running and for what and what their plans and ideas were. Paul makes fun of me because he says that we should be republicans, I say that the way politicans are these days are they even really all republican or democrat?
I never vote all republican or democrat. I also think that we need to vote for who we stand with on most issues. Sometimes, there is one issue that is much more important to me than others, and it tends to sway my feelings greatly. I have that this time. However, when voting in town, you better believe I don't care what political party you're in, I'm going to look at whether you're honest, where you do stand on what issues (even in a small town like mine)and to be honest, probably if I like you or not will be a big decider. Just do what the first presidency told us in the letter read over the pulpit about a month and a half ago. PRAY. HARD.
I'm a registered Independent, and I like to think that I truly am. I make no bones about the fact that I voted for Ralph Nader in the past two elections, because I couldn't stand either candidate.
I was excited about the candidates initially, but I've become apathetic. I still don't know who I'm voting for, and honestly, I could still vote for a 3rd party, just because I live in Utah, and who cares? We all know whose vote our electoral college is getting.
yes, people assume you'll vote Republican because you're LDS...just like they all assumed I'd support Romney because he's LDS. ( he didn't get my vote...although I wish he would have stuck in there long enough to get my vote now.)
You DO have it right, to read, figure out which issues you need to be addressed and vote for the candidate who best suits your needs and wants in leadership. Here's where the problem lies however...NEITHER candidate has done a very good job of spelling out what their positions are on anything other than that one candidate is "old" and the other is "inexperienced" One VP candidate is a great friend of the other party, and the other is a housewife. We basically don't have any choices and I'm about ready to write in Glenn Beck for president. Either him or Tyra Banks..lol
so.. basically I feel the EXACT same way. I'm on both sides with different issues. I feel like maybe if we put them together into one person, we might have a chance at a decent president. :) If you get a chance to watch the vice presidential debate somehow, do it. I really like Biden. Wish he was running for President and not as a running mate.
I am registered as "unaffiliated" which means that I can vote for whomever I feel inclined. I tend to vote for both Republicans and Democrats--it just depends on who I feel will be the best. I am having issues with the Pres. election this year--very hard decision!!
I am exactly like you.....not a political bone in my body!!!
I never cared about politics until marrying Louie, and then living in Iowa during all that caucus and Straw Poll stuff. I'm neither a Dem nor Repub, but yes, I think most people assume Mormons and other strong Christian groups, vote Rep (silly, because both parties need these kinds of people, don't you think?).
Because of Iowa, I did get to know the candidates this time around, so I DO know who I'm voting for, and I'll be excited if he wins!
That being said, I think both candidates offer improvement at the white-house, so let's just do this thing and improve our country, already, eh?
Good luck doing your research.
While I am a registered Republican, and conservative through and through, I have often crossed party lines. For instance, I voted against Senator McCain when we lived in AZ. I am still not so fond of him....he's not conservative enough for me. :)
And when I say I'm a conservative, I dont' just mean socially conservative, like most LDS are, which is the reason a lot of us vote R. I am also fiscally conservative and believe that the government should be involved in our lives as little as possible.
Anyway. Do your research on the candidates' websites, but keep in mind that they only put their best face forward, so it's wise to go to a third party source to really understand things better. I also feel like the third party sites explain the issues more fairly than the candidates themselves. I recommend realclearpolitics.com. Also, if you do find you're leaning towards conservative (and the only conservative in this election at all is Sarah Palin), go to townhall.com for some good info.
Good for you for researching and exercising your right to vote. It's important.
I have become fairly into politics since I graduated from high school. However, I am not a registered democrat or republican. I have decided who I am going to vote for this time around but I can understand how it might be hard for someone who hasn't been paying that much attention. Yes, people assume you are Republican if you are Mormon which I think is a stupid assumption. I especially can't stand the fact that people thought that Romney would have gotten every Mormon vote. He was the last Republican on my list of people I would have voted for during the primaries and that is saying a lot!
PS...I hope my post isn't conservative propaganda! :) I have plenty of friends who are quite liberal, and we just agree to disagree. I think it's great that they have a stance and that's what makes our country so wonderful! So, if you turn out to be ultra liberal, I will still like you. Just making sure you know. :)
You sound like me! I am pretty sure I know who I'm voting for, but I don't get that into it.
Will you let me know what your information reveils, because as soon as I hear politics my brain shuts down. I have no idea and need to educate my own bad self..
But I am beautiful and wonderful :)
No political bone in this body. (Once I told Chris we should go to a local rally for the sheriff and he was excited and thought I actually cared....really I just wanted the free hot dogs and hamburgers lol) Maybe I'll take a page out of your book and do a little research this time!
I keep reminding Tay (Erin's 20 y.o. brother)that he really needs to register to vote. The problem is that he is not thrilled (to put it mildly) with either candidate either. He also made the comment about the electoral votes...
Kudos to you for caring. (Even though you say you don't, at leat you are thinking.) Do your research and make a point to vote. I have brought Sage with me to vote for the last two years and plan to every year, I want her to see how important a privelige it is. I'm unaffiliated, I vote for the candidate that I like the best. I think that Brooke hit the nail right on the head with her comments.
i don't talk religion or politics on my blog--just smutty confessions and trashy reality tv shows!!
no, i'm not much into politics because it bores me (shouldn't say that out loud, i know) but i would say, YES, if you are mormon, people will think you vote republican.
Im not registered as anything...I think. I vote for whoever I decide...at the last minute.
OK.. So I am noto really into politics, and havent heard much from either candidate other than whats on the news, and how they like to ARGUE over everything and bad talk each other! I'd be interested to read that first presidnecy letter your friend is talking about, I don't think I heard it!
You will have to let us know about what you find out on the candidates websites. maybe put something from each on your blog as you read them! All I can say is we better pay attention, and LIke Brooke says pray hard
Liz
Thx for visiting my blog! I would love to follow......
Now- I started as Independent, then I swayed to Republican, but I cross lines often- especially on the state level, mostly for educational reasons. I am not happy with a lot of Republican leaders from Utah (Hatch and Bennett both YAY on the bailout! gag!)
As far as national goes, it gets rougher- if for nothing else alone, but abortion (post-abortion legalized by Obama<< Isn't that MURDER?) really gets my hide every time. It breaks my heart, and frankly, I don't want to have to stand one day and account for millions of young babies lives lost. Not me- so there you have it!
I believe in life, and that affects my vote.
I also say yeah to people thinking your voting Republican because your LDS. I'm pretty sure I know exactly who I'm voting for because I feel VERY strongly about some issues that are more important to me than others.
I do think you are going about deciding the right way. Do your research! :)
I have had this exact same problem. The media killed my interest in the election ages ago. I got so tired of hearing about for the last 4 years, I stopped paying attention.
I've never declared a party affiliation. I'm just a boring old, middle of the road person. I can appreciate/agree with things from either party, but I don't think that either one has it exactly right.
I also have never declared a party affiliation. I agree and disagree with things that both of them are fervent about. I try to listen to what the candidates are actually saying and decide on that. I am still also undecided. This is a tough race
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