What issues do you vote on?

[Elessar78]

I was having a discussion during the elections with my mother-in-law and she was urging me to vote straight Republican. When I asked why, she said because they were all pro-life. I've voiced my stance on that issue before so I won't bring it up again.

It got me thinking about what would really get me out to vote in upcoming elections. I wanted to think outside the box and I came up with (in no particular order):

• Net neutrality
• Safe food supply
• Reducing the deficit
• China (what we do about them)

Curious to see what issues would drive others to vote. Preferably the out of the ordinary ones.

[twa]

Fiscal responsibility
Immigration
Foreign policy
Energy policy

[ixcuincle]

Marijuana legalization or decriminalization
Casinos (not because I like gambling but the food and entertainment associated with casinos i.e. buffets, comedy clubs etc)

Guess that's it

I don't give a **** about local authorities or school board members, I'm not going to vote for them, I don't have kids

[DjTj]

Immigration
Science Funding
the Deficit
the Environment

[The Brave Little Toaster Oven]

Fiscal responsibility
Immigration
Foreign policy
Energy policy
Anti-marijuana/legalization of drugs

twa pretty much had it, but I added one.

[Fergasun]

I think the only issue I'm going to be voting on is "balance". I'm re-evaluating my voting in light of the most recent changes in voting and political awareness. I'm not sure if I have a vote for Senate, but it is possible I could vote Democratic in 2012 (I live in a GOP-favored district). If it looks like the Republicans will re-take Congress and the Presidential race is close I'd vote for Obama (except living in CA I doubt it would be a close vote).

I find it laughable to vote on issues to the detail that everyone above has posted. The truth is every election cycle there is a core set of issues that are bound to come up the next 2 years. In 2008 it was health care and the financial system, including financial reform. In 2010 it again was health care, will be fiscal issues and also immigration, and also gridlock and investigations, could there be an impeachment attempt made as well (I guess since the GOP doesn't hold the Senate, no). But the bottom line is that you'll never be able to select someone with the same detail that you are. Even if they have nuanced and are passionate. The representatives will end up essentially voting with their parties and working on their party solution.

So this year if you've been voting on fiscal issues, congratulations! You'll finally see your issue get comprehensive attention from Congress. If you voted on health care, congratulations! That's two cycles where your issue has been a major factor in the election, and no doubt it will be a major issue in 2012. If you voted on immigration, congratulations again! Comprehensive immigration reform has been off the table since 2006... no doubt Obama has to come up with a push or else he's going to irritate those in his caucus who want this as an issue.

But sorry to those who voted on energy policy, China, environment, net neutrality, or legalization efforts. The sad truth is that only energy policy and China could be major election issues and get major comprehensive attention. Net neutrality is important to me too, but I'm not sure I'd be willing to sacrifice my stance on any issue and the only way that I can pretty much ensure some of what I want is enacted (and some of what I don't want is blocked) is "balance".

Politics is flipping awesome, ain't it!? The question is "how do I influence the GOP on their net neutrality stance?" in order to do that one would have to work to influence how GOP voters feel about "net neutrality"... it seems kind've hard considering they get their news from sources which target them with GOP-information (not only Fox News). I'm positive this game has always been afoot, but with the Internet you can really observe the issue well.

Truthfully I wouldn't mind a chance to kick out my Representative. He doesn't do jack squat, he doesn't have a major position, and I never notice him making waves in the committees he is on or doing anything other than toe-ing the GOP line.

---------- Post added December-3rd-2010 at 02:50 PM ----------

If there was ever a third party, I think they need to take up the "character" issue. I'd like a party which tried to find honest, hard-working, open politicians that was constantly having debates and discussions in a way to influence American voters. For instance, what if Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul were in the same party? The party wouldn't be based on ideology, but based on the fundamental approach of transparency (ie. open source), and total transparency, not this pretend political transparency. I only throw out those names, because I trust them but I'm not even sure they are clean (I could throw out folks like Mike Pence or Jeb Hensarling or Steven Latorrette as people I respect in Congress).

When I think about what I wrote above, it makes me sad because its a delusion of grandeour. The idea that we can have clean, honest politicians that aren't beholden to any special interest, are open to any ideas so long as it will benefit America. Now of course they will respect special interests and listen to special interests, and be open to special interests; this means maybe sometimes a person agrees with labor, and on another issue they agree with business... but the point is the decision making process, the honesty, is all there and out in the open. None of this "well GOP always supports corporations so..." or "Democrats are always environmentalists so...". Special interests shouldn't have to buy politicians to represent themselves... yet that's almost like what we have.

[isle-hawg]

fiscal responsibility
immigration
foreign policy
energy policy

x2

[HailGreen28]

Build a stronger economy, reduce the national debt, are the big ones.

Secondary issues: Social and tax issues, where I'm conservative. I like the idea of government enforcing the laws it writes, make welfare a help up instead of a way of life (economy decides this too). And while I want prejudice to be prosecuted and punished, I'm really distrustful of the government deciding which groups to help. (I think the democrats are derailing immigration laws not on the basis of compassion or for business like farms, but just to get the Latino vote at the expense of the law.) I don't like quotas or "political correctness" in any shape or form. I vaguely understand that government CAN and at least sometimes SHOULD operate outside a budget, unlike an individual. But I would much rather see spending cuts than tax increases.

[Teller]

taxes
immigration
fiscal responsibility
defense/military
social issues

[twa]

twa pretty much had it, but I added one.

That would be fiscally responsible....if we cut the net

[techboy]

I always vote for the taller candidate.

You can't trust a politician to do what he says he'll do, but he'll always be nice and tall.

[Predicto]

My issues change every election. What is most important to the country changes with every election.

[twa]

My issues change every election. What is most important to the country changes with every election.

Thats why I support politicians that vote how I tell them.

[Major Harris]

Marijuana legalization or decriminalization
Casinos (not because I like gambling but the food and entertainment associated with casinos i.e. buffets, comedy clubs etc)

Guess that's it

I don't give a **** about local authorities or school board members, I'm not going to vote for them, I don't have kids

just because you don't have kids doesn't mean it can't affect you.

[CrabR]

I have been voting against deficit spending since Reagan. Only several occasions I have voted for who was not an incumbent regardless of party. i do not see anything changing with 2 partys,

The Republicans are a joke trying to give rich tax breaks and holding up other legislation and the Dems show no balls in forcing the issue. Both are in bed with special interests and big business. They do not work for the people

This is beyond ridiculous