“I’m a independent.”
This is a familiar statement that I have been hearing for years from individuals on both sides of the political spectrum , but have never really taken the time to address it until now.
I have mentioned on this site many times that I am a Conservative. I have also mentioned that I am registered as an Independent (which means that I do not have any kind of allegiance to ANY party, just a preference on values). I have never felt embarrassed to publicly acknowledge this part of my makeup nor will I ever feel that way. I don’t wear the “Conservative” tag on my sleeve because quite honestly there is a whole lot more to me than that. What I realize is that by standing up for a particular set of values, this makes me vulnerable to criticism when that “system of values” has failed. I have called Conservatives out on many issues where I feel they have failed voters and will continue to do so. Nevertheless, I still tend to agree wholeheartedly with much of the Conservative viewpoint.
Those that just want to hide behind the label as “independent” do so because in many cases they feel as though this grants them a position of superiority over the issues AND YOU. If someone raises criticism regarding Conservatives that they cannot answer, they can easily say “I’m not a Conservative.” The same goes if someone raises criticism regarding Liberals. The figure that if that can “bring it” to both sides they can convince you that when it comes to politics, they think straight down the middle with absolutely no leanings. I’m sorry, but that is a bunch of crap. Identify these “superior” individuals and I will gladly vote for them.
On earth, there are no “independents”. We ALL have our leanings regardless of race, gender, religion, whatevah! So the only person that is being fooled in the asinine declaration is the person making the claim in the first place.
For those that have mastered the art of fence sitting, here is my advice: Grow a pair, and be man or woman enough to not only stand up for what you believe, but take the heat when your leanings have failed.
PS: When I wrote this post, I had quite a few people in mind, so I cannot help it if you think I am “targeting” you.
I’m an independent and proud of it. Since you believe that independents are fence sitters and “straight down the middle” types, I ask you:
1. Where do I not stand for what I believe?
2. On what position that you are aware of in my case, am I middle of the road?
3. If you label me leaning to the left or right, define why. If that definition is based on topics on which I choose to disagree with those who lean right, why is it correct to label that person as right leaning?
4. Define what definition is used for a person who is left leaning and a person who is right leaning, then define _THE_ dividing line that allows a person to be labeled one side or the other.
To date, on #4, I’ve never received a good answer.
Goodness Duane such hostility. I remember the day I declared that I was repulican to my family. (Hardline democrats) You would have thought I told them I committed murder. After college and starting my famliy I realized that the repulicans fit my conservative nature but lacked the social reforms that I felt passionate about. So declared myself independant with a republican twist.
I am proud proud on the fence guy. I define it for myself and I have had balls ever since birth. I choose to watch you people who have so called made a choice bicker and fight over things that amount to nothing in the grand scope of things. Sitting on the fence to me is balance which is the highest order of earthly existence. Even if that means watching you liberal/conservatives destroy this becautiful planet. I have accepted the fact that I die alone and am very happy with my stance, most importantly I am very happy that I control my world view and not some preconcieved set of ideas. I get an almost honest view of both sides as they fight for scraps of human existence like animals…
*a proud, proud
*Beautiful
Ed,
Before I answer your questions, tell me what you think you are: Liberal-leaning or Conservative-leaning? From time to time you pose this question and now I think its time you answer it. Weather or not you want to accept it or not is up to you, but the political world is basically divided into these two sorry camps. Although it is true that all people do not 100% grasp the ideologies, the proclivities to either side are in everybody. For me, this is not about stamping a particular label on anybody–this is about finding out why is it so hard for people like yourself to declare what you are while at the same time finding it easy (and for some, enjoyable) to play the role of a rogue sniper.
Shay (bookerrising) referred to you as a moderate-liberal and unless I am mistaken, I don’t recall you challenging her on that. So why all the list of questions now?
No, this whole game of “guess what I am” is something you have been doing for years. I remember how you used to do this same thing on SCAA back in the day and it still has remained the same.
Up until recently, I used to echo the sentiments of so may people that tags like Conservative or Liberal should be tossed. Today I am starting to think differently. I think that if one has proclivities to a certain ideology, then they feel free to say it. For example, those who tend to be Liberal but don’t fully acknowledge it for whatever reason now refer to themselves as “Progressives”. Please tell me what that means? Same goes for Conservatives that play the same game. Again, I know that people in general are a lot bigger than these “titles”, but in the world of politics there are just two wings.
Can a person like some on both sides? I think so. But straight down the middle? No. I have yet to meet such an individual.
For me, based on my values the political world defines me as a Conservative. I’m fine with that. For others it may be Liberal. That’s cool as well. I just personally make it a point to leave the labels where they belong–in political discussion. At the end of the day, people are still people.
Like Saudia, I am a Republican. Party labels don’t necessarily define conservative or liberal - I know a lot of conservative Democrats who because of age-old party loyaly can’t bring themselves to switch.
There is an important party aspect though (at least in states like PA that allow one to vote in a primary only for their party affiliation).
Come primary time, these fence-sitters can’t vote. Their voices aren’t heard in who gets on the November ballot. They think it shows that they don’t support party positions totally, I think it is silly, and that they are dis-enfranchising themselves.
Let me take a shot at Darkstar’s #4.
I have a theory of circularity. Like the world, everything is round. As one moves away from the true middle ground in the front in either direction, positions become harder. At the back, where the circle meets, the difference between left- and right-wing again merges. Both are so whacky that they become indistinguishable. Radicals meet reactionaries. Nutty Jihad Muslims and crazy Christian fundamentalists; Nazis and Zionists are one.
But most of us operate in the front of the circle where black and white become gray. There is no bright line of separation. Both sides want less crime, better schools, etc, and the difference is how to get it done. No thinking person on the front end of the circle can get nailed into place. He or she moves a little right or left depending on the issue.
OK, off my soapbox.
PS, Saudia - I KNEW I liked you.
I remember how you used to do this same thing on SCAA back in the day and it still has remained the same.
Then you should remember I did it when people wanted to label me a Republican or conservative because I blasted Clinton, said “Thomas was winning” the rhetorical war, and Democrats weren’t friends of Black people.
I don’t know what my leaning is:
I believe in the right to own a gun, but I think gun registration is a good idea.
I believe in family and that stable and “good” families are the core of great and productive societies. But I don’t label that belief as conservative or liberal.
I believe in the rule of law, but I think the law should be applied equally and fairly. I don’t like mandatory minimums but if they are in place, instead of trying to get rid of them, get people to abide by the law. (I’m thinking about drug slinging).
I think government is too much a part of our lives, directly and indirectly. For example, there is no good reason for the existence of the SBA if you believe in “survival of the fitest.”
I believe in capitalism as it is practiced in the U.S., but the U.S. version of capitalism is actually regulated, ie, restrained capitalism.
I think education is the true and surest way of getting the foundation that is needed to build a “comfortable” life.
Strike that, make it the 2nd, the first is faith.
But neither education nor faith are conservative or liberal values.
All of that to say, I have no idea how to classify myself and I don’t. I just find it interesting how people do apply a label towards me. The most interesting is some have called me liberal, others have said conservative.
At the end of the day, people are still people.
True, but I would like that to be at the start of the day and during the “political” conversations, especially for Blacks.
When I tutored in D.C., someone told me there were people from the NAACP and Urban League involved. But I didn’t know who they were. We were all just people.
Ed,
LOL.
That is a mighty thin tightrope that you are walking there…and I think you enjoy it as you (from what I have seen on Conservative-leaning blogs)tend to play devil’s advocate when you comment. That’s cool.
(me)At the end of the day, people are still people.
(you)True, but I would like that to be at the start of the day and during the “political†conversations, especially for Blacks.
Actually, people need to learn how to A. acknowledge the diversity of thought and B. don’t take it so daggone personal in political discussions as evident (for example) in the plantation vs. sellout refernces that WE love to use.
Hey, I live in a state full of and ran by Liberals, yet I enjoy living here. If I lived in places like the Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia, Texas, “middle America”, and any other “Conservative” region, I would suffocate.
That is a mighty thin tightrope that you are walking there…and I think you enjoy it as you (from what I have seen on Conservative-leaning blogs)tend to play devil’s advocate when you comment. That’s cool.
Weak reasoning erks me, and politics is full of it.
I’m pragmatic. That’s a label I accept.