Would you switch political parties?

[tinstar15]

Don't take this as some attempt to sway your current opinion one way or another. This is purely hypothetical and just out of curiosity.

Say that there were only two political parties for sake of argument. One party is nearly 99.9% in tune with your views on every major issue you see as important. The other party is the polar opposite.

In this hypothetical situation, there is a few weeks before an election is to be held. Every elected officials office (local, state, federal) is up for grabs.

Now here is the kicker. The party you agree with most suddenly announces that it is completely against e-cigs and is taking steps to ban them entirely. They propose legislation that would make possession of an e-cig or related paraphernalia would be construed as a criminal offense. The other party (the one you didn't like) proposes the exact opposite and forwards legislation to make them completely legal. Every single member of each party pledges to back it's party's move.

Would you switch?

Now of course, many will say that they would write their legislators or find some other method, but remember...this is all fantasy. For the most part anyways

 

[Liv2Ski]

Nope would not switch if my party was 99.9% in line. If they banned e-cigs I would just be a criminal then. Gov't can ban anything they want and you will still be able to get it ----Long live the black market!!!!!

 

[shanagan]

No. There are more important issues, and I detest single-issue voting anyway.

 

[Kevin Freeheart]

This question and the broader "sacrificing your principles because of the political system" is why today I'm an anarchist.

I don't personally care if they ban personal vaporizors or ejuice in terms of how it affects my life. If I need to buy my hardware and software on the black market, it wouldn't be the first time.

 

[DC2]

I said no I wouldn't switch.

Having said that, I am switching, but not for the reasons you outlined.
I've been voting for one party for my entire life, although I've had more and more misgivings each passing year.

I still tend to generally agree with the stated philosophy of that party, but less and less with the actual implementation.
And I never wanted to "throw away my vote" by voting independent.

The issue of electronic cigarettes has opened my eyes, and I am voting for whomever will bring less government.

And nearly everybody in power, regardless of their party affiliation, is part of the problem.
We need to start voting for solutions, before it's too late.

I have reached the point of not caring whether or not I am throwing away my vote.
Because it now seems to me that voting for either party is basically throwing away my vote.

 

[Sandybeach40]

If a candidate specifically said they would fight for my right to vape then I would consider switching but as it stands I dont see that ever happening and even if they said they would I wouldn't trust them to really stick to there guns when they have so much more important things to do like protect big tobacco and Pharmaceuticals. You know the people who put them in power to begin with. Not us gun clinging religious yahoos.

 

[Kobudo]

I went with option 3, because I couldn't imagine EVER voting a straight ticket along party lines. It seems there's always at least one nutjob on either ticket, usually at the local level, that I don't want near a seat of power over anything.

 

[firefox335]

And I never wanted to "throw away my vote" by voting independent.

That kind of thinking is part of the problem. The 2 party system has brainwashed the population into believing that a vote for anyone other than a democrat or republican is "throwing away your vote." Can you imagine what would happen to this country if people actually voted their conscience? The whole reason this country is as screwed up as it is is that people refuse to rock the boat, go out on a limb and vote for a 3rd party. One of these days, people will have had enough, but until that day comes, don't expect any meaningful change to occur if you continue to vote for the lesser of 2 evils.

 

[Kobudo]

That kind of thinking is part of the problem. The 2 party system has brainwashed the population into believing that a vote for anyone other than a democrat or republican is "throwing away your vote." Can you imagine what would happen to this country if people actually voted their conscience? The whole reason this country is as screwed up as it is is that people refuse to rock the boat, go out on a limb and vote for a 3rd party. One of these days, people will have had enough, but until that day comes, don't expect any meaningful change to occur if you continue to vote for the lesser of 2 evils.

Just wait and see what kind of progress will be possible when we're down to a single-party system... And yes, I really, really want to read "Super Sad Love Story."

 

[sherid]

I have recently denounced my allegiance to the Democratic party after a lifetime of unwavering loyalty. I have not adopted another party; I have simply decided to do the more responsible thing and not vote blindly for a candidate or issue simply because it carries the label I am used to voting for. Should a party adopt the policy you describe, I would no longer vote that party line. It would not be as simplistic as voting against a group that promotes the banning of electronic cigarettes. It would instead be a vote against any party or candidate that proposes continuing interference into my private life.

 

[Pheisty]

It would not be as simplistic as voting against a group that promotes the banning of electronic cigarettes. It would instead be a vote against any party or candidate that proposes continuing interference into my private life.

I couldn't agree with you more.

 

[Katya]

I have recently denounced my allegiance to the Democratic party after a lifetime of unwavering loyalty. I have not adopted another party; I have simply decided to do the more responsible thing and not vote blindly for a candidate or issue simply because it carries the label I am used to voting for. Should a party adopt the policy you describe, I would no longer vote that party line. It would not be as simplistic as voting against a group that promotes the banning of electronic cigarettes. It would instead be a vote against any party or candidate that proposes continuing interference into my private life.

So have I.

Amen.

 

[5cardstud]

I would and have but not for that reason.

 

[5cardstud]

So have I.

Amen.

+2...............

 

[Mr Pink]

Went from Independent to Republican to Independent to Libertarian to Constitutionalist.

 

[cracker75]

I have voted Democrat for my entire voting life. In the 2008 presidential election I wrote in my own choice. Based on a single issue. Banking. I am not ashamed.

Follow the money far enough and you'll find little difference between the two dominant parties.

 

[JohnKing]

I have voted Democrat for my entire voting life. In the 2008 presidential election I wrote in my own choice. Based on a single issue. Banking. I am not ashamed.

Follow the money far enough and you'll find little difference between the two dominant parties.

It's a two party crime wave in progress.

I will vote for whoever looks like a genuine representative of the people, we have precious few of those. I have party affiliation in order to participate in primaries, which is where the real dirty work gets done, by the time they get on a general ballot it is too late, that is generally why we hold our noses while voting.

 

[throatkick]

George Carlin: "If you vote, you can't complain about the situation. You are part of the problem."

 

[Uma]

I think the entire voting system needs an overhaul. I'd rather vote for what I what I want, and then vote for the candidate who's willing to work hard to implement those wants. I'm so tired of the split-spit. If you don't want gun control, you have to vote for hominy every night on your dinner plate. I don't think the politicians have anybody's best interest at heart... they have to abide by the "rules of the game". Dems are "for" this, so Reps have to be against. and visa versa. Politicians can have 2 popular fors and 2 popular againsts and then split up the remaining issues. So, with that in mind, I would not change my vote, and I'd vape happily underground. A 99% outcome of my needs is awesome!

 

[silkakc]

It's a two party crime wave in progress.

Awesome analogy!! I love it and it's so very true.