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| Author: Posted: Sep. 8, 2002 | This Page Viewed: 7,124,889 |
Question of the Week: 1 - 8/7/2000 Who are you going to vote for and why? Which political platform or candidate are you leaning towards? Do you think that a level of political involvement is important to pagans? Are you registered to vote, will you vote and who -if you don't mind telling the world- are you planning to vote for (or against)? |
| Reponses: There are 233 responses posted to this question. | Reverse Sort |
| As A Registered Voter, I Intend To Vote For The Vilified George... | Aug 12th. at 3:42:33 am EDT |
| the Reverend Rob (Pocatello, Idaho US) | Age: 28 - Email |
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As a registered voter, I intend to vote for the vilified George W. Bush for president in the 2000 elections. As a proud firearms owner, I do not intend to vote for an individual such as Al Gore who is against my fundamental right to bear arms, which is even more important than the freedom of religion. Without my firearms, I lack the ability to do something about my other rights being trampled, and any 'freedom of religion' is a hollow cry without the ability to back it up with a vote and a weapon. Then again, I'm also not one to fall for the standard dogma associated with the "Christian majority." I've been an open pagan for 10 years, and experienced less hassle and harassment than many of my Christian friends and co-workers. At the ame time, I find the continuing need to find enemies and create persecution in the pagan community absolutely sickening. In choosing to rally behind Gore and Leiberman at large, the pagan community is opening itself to a greater dishonest censorship masquerading as 'liberal values.' Don't you remember what Clinton and Gore did to their promises to the gay community in the '92 election? I won't be screwed again. |
| As Both A Wiccan And An Active Csea Union Member I Had... | Aug 12th. at 6:53:48 am EDT |
| B. Gentilquore (Highland, New York US) | Age: 52 |
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As both a Wiccan and an active CSEA Union member I had always been planning to vote Democratic. I particularly like Al Gore & think he and Clinton have done a fine job. President Clinton's unsavery interlude with Lewinsky shouldn't be on the sholders of Al Gore, nor on the shoulder's of Clinton. Wrong as it was, they all do it - so why should Clinton or Gore pay? However, when I heard of the Gore running mate, I was really shaken. How in good conscious could I vote for someone who wants to privatize social security? Yes, Gore is pro choice, pro union, and, really pro religion (religious equality), but what if something happens to Gore and his vice president becomes president? Many seniors (my mother included) would have absolutely NO INCOME, if it weren't for social security. I have to help her out because she can't afford to live by herself. On the otherside, George W. My Goddess, what will we ever do if he's elected? Not only will the rich get richer (shades of Ronald Reagan!), but we, as Pagans, well, what will happen to religeous freedom? George W appeared at that Baptist University (don't remember the name) that was anti-Catholic. If he's siding against Catholics - what chance to we Pagan's have if he's in office! As one political commentator said on CH 13 when he referred to George W, "He's not the sharpest knife in the drawer." Is George W a puppet of the religious extreem? So what do I do, feeling as I do? I thought of voting for Nader, but I have a problem with that too. I feel that vote for Nader is a vote taken from Gore. If Nader had a serious chance, it wouldn't be a problem, but we all know he doesn't. It's not really so much as a vote taken from Gore that bothers me, as it's also a vote for George W. Do I go in that booth, not vote for the presidential candidates, & vote deomcratic (religious freedom) in all else? |
| In My Opinion, Anybody Who Claims To Be A Pagan And Is... | Aug 12th. at 10:36:30 am EDT |
| Witchward (Chicago, Illinois US) | Age: 37 - Email |
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In my opinion, anybody who claims to be a Pagan and is voting for Bush is either a liar or a fool. |
| I Think It Is Important For Every Person To Of Voting Age... | Aug 12th. at 11:31:38 am EDT |
| Moon Child (Glenview, Illinois US) | Age: 27 |
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I think it is important for every person to of voting age to vote. In addition, I find it equally important for those of us with a true understanding of the concept of freedom to make our voices heard, as individuals and as a group. After all, those who would love to take away, and have to a certain extent, my right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Along those lines, . . I will be voting for GORE/LIEBERMAN. On the whole, I have no real qualms with Clinton/Gore. I also feel that Lieberman will bring a much needed change to the White House. I could go on and on, but I do not feel it is my, our country's, and any Pagan's best interest to vote for Bush. |
| I'm Registered, I Plan To Vote, And I'll Be Voting For Ralph... | Aug 12th. at 12:08:16 pm EDT |
| Hearthstone (Calumet, Michigan US) | Age: 38 |
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I'm registered, I plan to vote, and I'll be voting for Ralph Nader. I don't necessarily support the entire Green platform, but I do most of it, and I respect Nader, his integrity and his record of working in the public interest. What I am getting tired of is people telling me I'm "throwing away" my vote, or giving it to George W. Bush, by not voting for Gore (who would probably be my choice if there were no third-party candidate I preferred). As long as this sort of thought dominates, the two-party system will continue to thrive and the American people will continue to lack any real political choices. I'm going to vote for the person I'd be happiest to see in office, whether or not I feel he has a chance of winning. If enough people do this--vote for the candidate rather than his or her party--in local and state elections as well as national, we might eventually have some changes where they are needed. I don't feel that's throwing my vote away--it's putting it where I think it belongs! (And obviously I think the electoral college needs to be scrapped, but that's a slightly different subject.) Sure, I think political involvement is important to Pagans. I think it's important to everyone. I *don't*, however, think that there should be a "Pagan party line" we're expected to follow and vote along! |
| I Am A Libertarian. I Believe In Less Government And More Individual... | Aug 12th. at 1:00:29 pm EDT |
| Hippiewitch (Paducah, Kentucky US) | Age: 23 - Email |
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I am a Libertarian. I believe in less government and more individual freedom. I think that political involvement, unfortunately, should be important to pagans, because our elected officials have lately decided it is up to them to decide whether our path is a valid religious faith. (i.e., Rep. Barr!!) I am registered to vote, and this will be the first year I vote in a presidential election. I will vote for the Libertarian candidate, Harry Browne. I can't stand to look at George W. Bush-perhaps this is unprofessional of me, but that smirk just makes me want to slap it off his face! He has proven through many debates and interviews that he is a right-wing idiot riding on his daddy's coattails. My husband and I have decided that if he is elected, we are moving to Canada. Al Gore, well. . . I don't have any particular beef with him, but I'm not gonna vote for him either. The voters in this country need to be aware that the two-party system is hurting them. And, with that in mind, I believe it is time to do away with the electoral college. It is out-dated and flies in the face of democracy-your vote doesn't count if the electors disagree. Until we get rid of the electoral college, a third party candidate has no chance. |
| I First Registered To Vote In April Of 1987, As A High... | Aug 12th. at 3:50:10 pm EDT |
| Gwydion Canu Bleidd (Memphis, Tennessee US) | Age: 31 - Email |
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I first registered to vote in April of 1987, as a high school senior; I officially cast my first vote over 18 months later, in the '88 Presidential election, and while I never officially claimed any sort of party affiliation, I voted Democrat, partly because my parents did and partly because that was the era of Reagan/Bush and their authoritarian politics that tended by and large to trample on the "little guy." I registered as an independent because I cared not to be identified as a bleeding-heart liberal or as a fascist conservative, and because my socio-political views skew wildly from one side to the other (I am pro-choice, pro-death penalty [though I do believe in the right to a fair and speedy trial with all evidence duly presented and considered], somewhat anti-gun control [when you live in the big city where crime is something for which you always need to be on the lookout, you need some form of self-defense], pro-environment [but do not support the radically violent tactics of some animal rights groups--I am still carnivorous and wear leather]). However, after the last eight years (and I did vote for Clinton/Gore in '92, though not in '96, as I was not registered at the time), and reviewing the current choices of the GOP and the Democratic parties, I am seriously considering voting independent for real. I do think that Gore's choice of Joe Lieberman as running mate was an inspired one (or else thoroughly calculated, given that much has been made of Lieberman's being the first Jewish candidate for Vice President in the history of the nation), but they are taking the high moral ground--so perceived--as much as the Republicans are. And let's not forget whom Gore's wife is and what she started back in the mid-'80s (I am also against censorship). No--thanks to the choices with which we've been left, I am seriously thinking of voting Green Party. Ralph Nader was responsible for forcing the auto industry to put safety belts in cars, among other things, and however else you feel about him, from what I have read and heard, he seems to be the more sensible choice in 2000. |
| I Feel That The Clinton Administration Pure Evil So I Was Leaning... | Aug 12th. at 4:17:49 pm EDT |
| Cherice Look (Chicago, Illinois US) | Age: 19 - Email |
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I feel that the Clinton administration pure evil so I was leaning towards voting for Bush instead of Gore. Also I feel that republicans are doing more to promote less government involvement and more personal freedoms. When I heard about Bush's v/p voting against all kinds of clean air and water laws and voting so adimently against gays my opinion has changed. Now I just probably wont vote at all. I feel a new party needs to be established. One that is based on keeping our earth beautiful, protecting personal rights, and promoting love and peace instead of money and hipocrosy. I think a revolution is in order these are the worst canidates ive ever seen in my 19 years of life. |
| Yout American Politics Don't A Lot Of Sense To Me. I Am... | Aug 12th. at 8:14:33 pm EDT |
| Rathalyn Starwind (Sundre, Alberta CA) | Age: 31 - Email |
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Yout American politics don't a lot of sense to me. I AM CANADIAN and I much prefer our system, where you don't vote for a person but a party. There are five poarties sitting the House of Commons (they make the laws here). No leader can put forward a personal agenda unless he can convince his ENTIRE PARTY that it is a good idea. Of particular interest: One party whose leader somehow managed to sneak "Christian values" into the party platform had to BACK OFF to even get one member elected. I never heard a thing about it until a new leader (who is a little worse on that point) was recently chosen. His opponents where making a point of pointing out his religious views, so I think he too will have to tone it down. Those of you thinking of moving to Canada, welcome and rest assured that you will probably not have to worry too much anytime soon. |
| I Am Leaning Towards Either The Libertarian Or The Green Party (still... | Aug 12th. at 11:30:39 pm EDT |
| Li Ferelwing (Houston, Texas US) | Age: 23 |
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I am leaning towards either the Libertarian or the Green Party (still learning their platforms) however if I dont like them then I will be voting democrat. I refuse to put anything behind the new Bush. He has proven that he is insensitive to other religions and therefore I dont want him in a position where he can nominate the next justices for the Supreme court. I will vote for ANYONE but him! Yes I am registered to vote and yes I will be voting. I have yet to determine who I will vote for yet. Mostly because I want to do more research on their actions rather than their words. |
| Religion And Politics Are Indeed Strange Bedfellows.unfortunately, With Such Vocal Involvment With... | Aug 13th. at 1:29:11 am EDT |
| Ariadne (Morro Bay, California US) | Age: 21 - Email |
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Religion and politics are indeed strange bedfellows.Unfortunately, with such vocal involvment with groups such as the Christian Coalition, I feel it is necessary for Pagans- and indeed members of all religions- to stand up and make themselves heard. I am registered to vote- as a Libertarian. I agree with the Democratic party on many issues- such as equal rights for all citezens, and pro-choice voting. However- I also agree very strongly with many Republican views- such as gun ownership and social security reform. Having seen the way the Democrats ran the country over the last few years, I would not support them again...however, George W.'s bias towards the Religious Right is indeed frightening. So....what's a Witch to do? I for one, am taking the only choice I can make with a clear conscience- I will vote Libertarian again. To many, this may be a 'throw away vote' however, it is the only choice I see available to me. Hopefully, enough people will get sick with the major parties and do the same- voting the 'big two' out of power. (Hey- hope springs eternal) B*B |
| I Want To Start Out By Pointing Out To Everyone Here That... | Aug 13th. at 7:58:30 am EDT |
| Lady Sine (Houston, Texas US) | Age: 43 |
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I want to start out by pointing out to everyone here that less (federal) government does nothing for individual rights. When Republicans yell less government what they are really saying is less regulation of big business. That means less protection of our environment and our children. It has nothing to do with individual rights. The democrats are the only party really interested in the individual. You Libertarians think about what is going to happen if the regulatory agencies are dismantled. Say goodbye to clean air and water, and don't use any product you didn't personally make yourself. Now as to Gun laws i am of the "you will pry it from my cold dead fingers variety. So are a lot of other democrats. The gun control folks are loud, but they are not the only voice in the Democratic party. The democrats consequently have backed down from the get rid of all the guns stance, the party plank is more control, ...I really can't argue with that. I would rather it was a little harder for the bad guy to get the gun. And trigger controls would have saved at least 2 children I knew personally. My advice to everyone is don't just vote, go to your local primary meeting. Caucus will teach you a lot about what the party of your concious really means. I have and I am voting Democrat. |
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