After spending most of the time I'm on this site in the hunting forums, I never expected this forum to be so flooded with left wingers. Even with the majority of the posters looking to be from western WA, I still expected a pretty even balance just based on the sportsmen/women I've met while out and about in WA. Then I come here and feel like I've accidentally fallen into the Democratic Underground website. You guys are just rabid. I can't believe that anyone who considers himself/herself a thinking individual would ever make such a ridiculous comment as "I'll never vote for a Republican (or Democrat)." That statement instantly kills any credibility you have in any political discussion at all. This place is as bad as hardcore right wing sites where everyone gets caught up in their own spin and propaganda so much that a real fact wouldn't be recognized as such. Just as with other hardcore left or right wing sites, this forum also has the odd opposing viewpoint outspoken individual or two that seem to post just to upset the bandwagon. You guys act like Republicans are demon-possessed and Bush is Satan incarnate, and getting a Democrat into the Oval Office would bring instant nirvana around the globe. Here's a news flash. Politicians are just that, no matter if they have a (D) or an (R) before their names.

I generally consider myself middle of the road, and I leaned slightly Democratic growing up in Alabama and vote count puts me slightly Republican over the years since I've moved to Washington, most likely due to the difference in political climate between the states. I also disagree with quite a bit of the policies that the current administration is pushing, though I want even further crackdowns on illegal immigration. I expected a fair amount of political talk in this forum, but I never expected all the nonsense I've seen here. It's a good thing I was wearing boots for my one and only trip into this forum, and I'll keep my page views to the hunting forum from now on if not avoid this site altogether after seeing this forum. You folks need to take a step back and take a few deep breaths instead of using up all your breath regurgitating political propaganda from obviously slanted sources. Take the time to actually get informed about individual politicians and make individual politicans responsible for their actions and voting records. Republican or Democrat bashing just wastes your time and effort, all the while making you look like a mindless political drone instead of a constituent. Get out, find some balance and perspective, and then support the candidates that actually deserve it.

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Ranked by the editors of HUMAN EVENTS.

10. Seattle, Wash.
Well known for its environmentalist population. Home of Democrat Rep. Jim McDermott (ACU lifetime: 2%; 2005: 0%) who once claimed Saddam Hussein is more credible than President Bush and omitted the words "under God" when leading the Pledge of Allegiance on the House floor. Location of Clinton's 1999 WTO meetings marked by rioters protesting globalism, where more than 500 people were arrested.

9. Newark, N.J.
One of the most densely populated and crime-ridden cities in the country. Liberal Democratic Rep. Donald Payne (ACU lifetime: 3%; 2005: 0%), who has been easily reelected since taking office in 1998, said the war in Iraq could "have been avoided through diplomacy" and defended Kofi Annan in oil-for-food scandals. Easily the most liberal city in the Democratic enclave of New Jersey.

8. Berkeley, Calif.
Known as home to liberal University of California. Represented by Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee (ACU lifetime: 4%; 2005 4%). Denied rent subsidy to the Sea Scouts because its parent organization, the Boy Scouts, excludes gays and atheists. According to The Almanac of American Politics, city council in 2004 passed resolution demanding "censure of President Bush for a litany of grievances."

7. Madison, Wis.
Represented by Democrat Tammy Baldwin (ACU lifetime: 3%; 2005: 0%), a public lesbian who has pushed for extension of hate crime protection to people victimized because of gender, sexual orientation and disabilities. City Council supported a "cities for peace" resolution before the Iraq War began. Was one of 24 Wisconsin cities that supported a "Bring the Troops Home Now" referendum advocating immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

6. Portland, Ore.
A "livable community" that enacted an "urban growth boundary" that has caused high housing costs in the city that champions a regional light rail transit system, curbside recycling and land use planning, attracting political and cultural liberals. Democratic Rep. Earl Blumenauer (ACU lifetime: 5%; 2005: 4%), who represents the city, pushes a far-left environmental agenda.

5. Washington, D.C.
A reliably Democratic city that has three electoral votes in every presidential election. Known for irresponsible, bloated government run by liberal Democrats. Handguns banned, residents effectively prohibited from using guns to defend themselves in their homes.

4. Detroit, Mich.
Home of liberal Democratic Representatives Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (ACU lifetime: 5%) and John Conyers (ACU lifetime: 5%). The first "automobile city" in America, now known for its high crime rate and unemployment. The Almanac of American Politics notes that it was "a city where liberal reformers hoped to create model anti-poverty and anti-discrimination programs." Named "Most Liberal City" by non-partisan Bay Area Center for Voting Research in 2005.

3. New York, N.Y.
Represented by several leftists, including Jerry Nadler, Gregory Meeks, Anthony Weiner and Charlie Rangel, 20 of New York's 29 representatives earned an "F" grade from the NTU. According to Guttmacher Institute, has double the national average of abortions. Still attempting to sue the gun industry and requires firearm registration on top of the state's already restrictive handgun licensing law.

2. Boston, Mass.
Once represented by liberal Democrat Tip O'Neill, Boston (8th District) is now represented by Democrat Michael Capuano (ACU lifetime: 5%; 2005: 4%). The Almanac of American Politics labels the 8th District “by far the most Democratic district” in liberal Massachusetts. Mayor Thomas Menino blames city's crime problem on guns from New Hampshire.

1. San Francisco, Calif.
The home of liberal Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (ACU lifetime rating: 3%; 2005: 0%) once claimed leftist Democrat Sen. Dianne Feinstein as its mayor. Current Mayor Gavin Newsom gave out same-sex marriage licenses in 2004 in violation of a state law. Board of Supervisors banned smoking in public parks, passed a resolution urging impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney and refused to accept the World War II battleship U.S.S. Iowa. Voters approved a handgun ban last November.

Rory

jason- i would disagree that it invalidates your opinion politically if you wont ever vote for one party or another....... can you say why you believe that.

the republicans highly discourage any dissent and i wuld not want to vote for their platform. because they frown so heavilly on dissent beyond the slightest degree, i dont fel like i am voting for an individual. i feel like i am voting for that team.....

the dems take their heat for not "being on the same page" but i like that fact. it means that they have the ability to disagree with eachother and have the room for many viewpoints.....in that case i feel like im voting for the individual.
my landlord is/was the head of the state republican party(bill finkbeiner) but he had a tough time with the party because he is kind of an individual and there was not much room for that

also- for those willing to stick it out we really do have real conversations where we disagree with eachother but have a good discussions....its just that you get the people that only want to believe in media left/right stereotypes and want to pigeonhole people into a series of beliefs based upon one or two statements that they believe to be liberal or conservative and then its easy to get into shirts and skins pissing matches.....

stick around jason- people will suprise you and one moment you might think they are a communist and the next moment you will really agree with them.... noone in here fits perfectly into the stereotypes one way or another......not even krusty or sard.....or does anyone remember the "ah shucks" moment when "The King"(may he rest in peace) posted how ya can allways tell what season it is at his house based upon what pies are cooling on the window sill..........then we all talked about pie for a while

Nothin' like proving his point, Krusty.

damn im lost

Jason,


So you had the jueevitos to put up a lengthy discussion about group-think, but why not put that kind of effort into being the counterpoint to some actual arguments. I think this board starves soo much for a well spoken conservative viewpoint that we get liberals ghost writing as conservatives.

Sard, TK, and Rory are not their real personas. Do you really want to leave it up to a masquerading leftie to speak for you?

The sharp poison they draw from the rest of us is usually caused not by a solid intelligent argument, but usually some offensive attempt at humor. If you put up a serious point and someone comes at you with a personal attack the moderators eventually get around to whipping people back in line.


Or you can run, but that only contributes to the problem of political polarization.

VHawk

Proud of you VHawk, a very perceptive post. But it's hard to stick to the issue when surrounded by foul mouthed juveniles. Much easier to get down and sling mud with 'em.
It would be nice to have Jason as a regular. A breeze of fresh air from a different line on the binnacle. Ciao.

________________________________________________
Jason say's
"Take the time to actually get informed about individual politicians and make individual politicans responsible for their actions and voting records. Republican or Democrat bashing just wastes your time and effort, all the while making you look like a mindless political drone instead of a constituent. Get out, find some balance and perspective, and then support the candidates that actually deserve it."
________________________________________________

So Jason do you have an opinion about any politician or subject that we discuss here? Do you think Bush is doing a good job and we should stay the course? Or, do you feel like a majority of us in this forum, that he has failed and we need to go a different direction? Anything to add to the debate?

Some people assumed that, because I was against the Iraq War long before the first bombs started the killing, that I was (or had always been) a left wing democrate. NOT!!!! That is wayyyy far from the truth to say the least. I voted for Reagan twice, and Poppa Bush each and every time. There was a time when I could have been considered more of a Republican than a Democrate, because the majority of the candidates I supported were Republican. This time around that want be the case. I am sure that democrates will garner the majority of the votes I cast this time around if they don't screw up. Although,I could never vote for Joe Biden, or Lieberman, no matter which party they represented. These mouth piece Democrates are such disappointments, as well as Hillary, but I would vote for her if I had no other choice. They can all share some blame for the mess we are in. John McCann would have had a good chance at my vote, but lately he's sounding to much like Bush and creating some distrust. I would vote for Edwards or Gore (in that order), if the elction was held today.

So Jason, what do you think? Give us some guidance or hot tips please.