[Special Moderation] Why I'm excited to vote Democratic this cycle

[immamac 41615]

I'm starting 2 of these threads and I'm going to moderate them pretty differently than all other threads, because I think it will give a forum to talk about the reasons why instead of just nonsensical rooting for it against. 

These aren't discussion threads, they are more observational. That's not to say some discussion won't happen in them, but this isn't a circle jerk rallying thread this is a thread to put your thoughts. So less back and forth, but building on other opinions/positions is fine. 

This is also not a thread for you to come in and tell everyone why they are stupid there are other threads for that.  

A few rules:

1) No clarifying questions that involve justification are allowed. (Example: I am pro life/choice cannot be clarified by "but what about a woman's rights" but can be clarified by "are there any exclusions to that position")

2) No "fact checking" or any other discussion around the stated reason why. This isn't a thread to pursuade or dissuade people, it's why you are excited. 

3) No negging of other candidates as a valid reason why. (Example: "I'm voting for xxx because I hate yyy") 

4) No tweets/social/regurgitated shit, all content must be your own thoughts. Summarizing or referencing specific legislation from .gov or 1st party citations is allowed. 

5) Posters who post more than 5 times per page will be removed from the discussion or have their comments removed. Exception being if you are just adding content or expanding on thought. 

[wildcat09 28485]

*earnestness engaged* I'm excited about the possibility that electing a Democratic trifecta may actually lead to judicial reform/expansion and passage of a new and improved voting rights act, so that we can bring America closer to the democracy we have always loved to pretend she is.  

[A-Tex Devil 2412]

Let me do some gymnastics here to avoid #3.....

 

I want to be part of, and support the movement that said no to fascism, white and Christian nationalism, and what would be a coming kleptocracy.  This is important, and I think a valid reason to be "excited" because there is an opportunity to cripple MAGA and put it back in the extremism corner of the political world where it belongs.  France and UK out front give me hope.  I am excited to give the Democrats a chance to really govern through control of the Executive and Legislature, and to do so in a positive, but driven way to implement an agenda without fear or concern of the midterms . . . learning from the mistakes of "bipartisanship over all" during the last two times Dems had both houses and the presidency.   Try for bipartisanship, but if GOP is going to be obstructive, ram everything down their throat.  I am hopeful that's a lesson learned from Biden and Obama admins, and the tenor of the Harris campaign has me believing it can be a reality.

[BamaATL 16006]

The idea that anyone can be President will finally actually be true.  That doesn't matter as much to me anymore (I only want what is for the best), but it matters to children and what they see and to our future as a society.  This will no longer be a myth.  This transcends politics, and shows that there is opportunity for anyone here.  To me, that's important.  

[DDD Dad 14060]

I'm not sure "excited" would be an accurate description.  I'm motivated but very anxious about the outcome at all levels.

I hate that our state judicial system is party-based and that the judiciary seems to reflect the parties on the culture wars.  Dallas County has become a plaintiff's personal injury mecca, while our state supreme court seems to be trying to emulate The Handmaid's Tale.  There seems to be no moderation or objectivity any more.

[dcbc 14235]

I could probably write a post, the length of which would have Lobo shaking his head.  But I'll try to keep this short.  I was raised in a republican household and always thought I was a republican.  I watched Fox News beginning in the late 90s.  But I always was pro choice and recall thinking the Clinton impeachment was a stupid waste of time.  I voted for Bush in 2000.  In about 2003, I was sitting in bed one morning before work, and I was watching Fox News.  This is around the time all the information about our "reasons" for invading Iraq were unraveling.  And all of a sudden, like a light turned on, I thought, I'm being manipulated.  I turned the TV off and never watched that dumb channel again.  The self-evaluation that followed was pretty concise.  Without going through the laundry list of what I believe, on the social side of things, i.e., pro choice, pro LGBTQ+, pro social programs, etc., I'm liberal.  On the economic side, I'm moderate and probably left-leaning.  What the hell was I thinking?  Anyway, for the last 20 years, I have voted for Democrats in national elections and because of the part of the state in which I live, have voted in republican primaries (because that's where the action is).  

Anyway, as time went on, particularly starting with the short-lived rise Sarah Palin and the genesis of the Tea Party, I really started to go from I don't identify with the republican party to Something seems really rotten and festering on that side of the aisle.  And that feeling has worsened over the years with Trump now leading the charge.  It probably always was there.  But it has a face and an odor now. 

On point, I'm enthusiastic about voting for a democrat this cycle because that seems like the only reasonable thing for me to do for the future of our country.  That hurts to type.  I'd like to see a healthy debate of issues resulting in reasonable, well-thought-out governance.  And maybe we can get back to that point.  Or maybe the future is just debate within the democratic party between election cycles.  But this year, when I voted in the primaries, where ordinarily I would ask for a republican ballot (that's where the action is locally), I just couldn't say it.  I didn't want to identify with what that word has become even for the sake of pragmatism.  So I pulled a D-ballot. 

 

I don't know if I understand this thread.  So if I missed the point, please nuke this post, which despite my best intentions, is definitely TLDR.

 

edit to add, I may have violated Rule 3.  I'll leave it up just in case.  But it's been a journey, which doesn't make sense without considering the other side.

Edited July 26 by dcbc

[TwiceHorn 30834]

I remain conservative in that I favor incremental change in a lot of ways (that brought about by partisan compromise).  And, I tend toward something resembling some sort of fiscal responsibility.

That said, I think free-market capitalism has run completely amok.  Deregulation and "small" or non-functional government is a bad idea, even if government makes a bit of a hash of things (see first sentence).  The private sector makes a hash of things quite often and it's more deleterious than government hashes.

I also feel that there has been a moral and spiritual decay in our society, but not one that requires "family values" as conceived by the GQP to fix.  Quite the contrary actually.  The decay relates to lack of consideration of our fellow man, whatever their circumstances, color, or creed.

So, in addition to voting against Trump, I am ready to vote for some investment in people and society and enough of this "every man and corporation for himself" shite that the GQP pumps.  That's what's wrong with us.

Edited July 26 by TwiceHorn

[TexEx15 17067]

Because I believe character still matters. There has to be a minimum threshold for decency, honesty, competency etc to hold the office of President. One side has it and one does not.

I could write pages on this subject but if you don’t have the bare minimum I described above, none of the rest matters.

 

[G650 13195]

15 minutes ago, dcbc said:

I could probably write a post, the length of which would have Lobo shaking his head.  But I'll try to keep this short.  I was raised in a republican household and always thought I was a republican.  I watched Fox News beginning in the late 90s.  But I always was pro choice and recall thinking the Clinton impeachment was a stupid waste of time.  I voted for Bush in 2000.  In about 2003, I was sitting in bed one morning before work, and I was watching Fox News.  This is around the time all the information about our "reasons" for invading Iraq were unraveling.  And all of a sudden, like a light turned on, I thought, I'm being manipulated.  I turned the TV off and never watched that dumb channel again.  The self-evaluation that followed was pretty concise.  Without going through the laundry list of what I believe, on the social side of things, i.e., pro choice, pro LGBTQ+, pro social programs, etc., I'm liberal.  On the economic side, I'm moderate and probably left-leaning.  What the hell was I thinking?  Anyway, for the last 20 years, I have voted for Democrats in national elections and because of the part of the state in which I live, have voted in republican primaries (because that's where the action is).  

Anyway, as time went on, particularly starting with the short-lived rise Sarah Palin and the genesis of the Tea Party, I really started to go from I don't identify with the republican party to Something seems really rotten and festering on that side of the aisle.  And that feeling has worsened over the years with Trump now leading the charge.  It probably always was there.  But it has a face and an odor now. 

On point, I'm enthusiastic about voting for a democrat this cycle because that seems like the only reasonable thing for me to do for the future of our country.  That hurts to type.  I'd like to see a healthy debate of issues resulting in reasonable, well-thought-out governance.  And maybe we can get back to that point.  Or maybe the future is just debate within the democratic party between election cycles.  But this year, when I voted in the primaries, where ordinarily I would ask for a republican ballot (that's where the action is locally), I just couldn't say it.  I didn't want to identify with what that word has become even for the sake of pragmatism.  So I pulled a D-ballot. 

 

I don't know if I understand this thread.  So if I missed the point, please nuke this post, which despite my best intentions, is definitely TLDR.

 

edit to add, I may have violated Rule 3.  I'll leave it up just in case.  But it's been a journey, which doesn't make sense without considering the other side.

Ditto. Probably a lot of guys in our age bracket like this.

[Restless Native 315]

I'm voting Democrat because I think that this country should be governed by thoughtful, serious people.

[Sawbonz 26808]

 Because I have 2 daughters. 

[wild_turkey 3078]

I was raised in a household that cared more about sports than politics. That said, it was small town Texas and everyone was Republican by default.

I voted Bush in 2000 and probably 2004, can’t remember. I never considered myself a Republican per se, but it just seemed like the good Texan thing to do at the time.

I didn’t vote in 2008, 20012, or 2016 because I was apathetic to politics. I also hate the 2 party system and the electoral college we are stuck with, and I didn’t think my vote actually mattered. I voted for Jo Jorgensen in 2020, not because I liked anything about her or her political views, but simply as a protest vote. I wanted Biden to win (because F trump) but I didn’t think my vote was important to that goal.

My worldview has grown significantly more liberal as I’ve grown older. Maybe I consider myself a moderate in some ways, but definitely left of center. I care about the climate, renewable energy, world political stability, healthcare, LGBTQ rights, the reproductive rights of women, gun control, but I also would like to see an improvement in inflation, immigration, and lower government spending.

Oh, and I am sick and tired of the right increasingly forcing a narrow set of religious beliefs on the entire country. Believe what you want to believe, but you don’t need to pass legislation that requires everyone else to adopt it. I think the Bible claims God wanted man to have free will, hence the apple and the tree of knowledge or whatever, so I don’t understand why some people are so hellbent on stripping that free will away. Jesus didn’t oppress those who were different from him.

I don’t consider myself a Democrat because I still think it’s weird to label oneself as D or R, much like pledging loyalty to an athletics conference. However, I do find myself much more aligned with the Democratic Party and repulsed by the Republican Party on most of the issues that are important to me, and I will be voting 100% Democrat this cycle, including Kamala Harris. There is no room for protests votes at this point.

All of that said, my single biggest issue this year is Donald Trump and keeping him out of the White House. He’s been convicted of sexually assaulting 1 woman and publicly accused of raping at least 20 others. He’s been convicted of 34 felonies. He started an insurrection to attempt to overthrow a presidential election that he lost, jeopardizing our democracy. I don’t even need to go into things like Project 2025 because the known facts are so vile that nothing else matters. The thought of having a convicted rapist in the White House, as the face of our country, makes my stomach churn and would make me question what it means to be an American. Even if you can get past the rape (or you are MAGA brainwashed into thinking it didn’t happen), he tried to destroy our democracy and will try to do so again if given the opportunity. The politics beyond that are almost inconsequential and I would vote for Bob Stoops over Donald Trump.

So yeah, I’m happy to vote for Kamala Harris and I hope she kicks his ass.

[RDCanecutter 25890]

I want more Democrats in positions of power because I've heard good things about the 90s, and would like to have my home state move forward to that era.

[texasdago 7389]

I jumped ship from the R party right around 2015 and you can guess why.  For context I interned on the Hill for a Republican.  I worked at the 1992 Republican National Convention.  I was a straight ticket R for three decades.  Trump made me question a lot of things about who I had voted for and supported AND what I believed to be true and right.  The past few years have only solidified that for me.  I'm in the "independent" camp now although I tend to vote blue because I want to purge the political field of any kind of Trumpist candidates.

I am tired of politicians being dicks.  I am tired of the theater and ridiculousness from the right and its just so much bluster and lying.  I want people to be decent and kind and normal with each other.  I can't stand how much hate and fear is being driven on the right and its all about making those who don't believe them enemies and evil.  F that.  I also think it sucks that this country pretty much things "F You, I'm not helping you" when it comes to things like the common good.   I want to vote for someone who wants to lift everyone up and has a positive and future-forward outlook, not a grumpy old man who is yelling at the clouds and things you (or you or you) need to go back in your place.  Lastly, I care about the future for my children.  I don't see a bright future with Trump.

I don't know... this is written terribly.  I could think of all kinds of reasons.  I was behind Joe but am excited about Kamala.  I'll do what I can to help her get elected.

Edited July 26 by texasdago

[UT_OB1 2197]

I’m mostly pro life, wish we could require birth control in high school (if there was a male equivalent of the shot or pills), pro lgbtq, want to disarm cops, don’t want to take all guns from citizens but would be all for starting with banning anything that is semiautomatic and/or fits in a pocket, I want to clean things up but think global warming gets used to shuffle money to people claiming doom, i like smaller government but acknowledge they have to step in, and I wish we’d stop gaslighting people and trying to stir up hate and violence online

Dems don’t check all the boxes for me, historically I’ve been conservative / republican, but not for the last 8 years.  Too much violence and hate. I’m also excited about the a woman being president not just a mythical possibility. I want my young daughter to see that. 

[Gil Bang 25550]

I feel unions, and labor in general, getting some traction after losing ground for several decades.  This country was it's best when we had a strong middle class, and the labor movement is the key to getting back there.   Biden has been the most pro-union POTUS that I can recall, and I'm optimistic that Harris will continue along that path. 

[locodos 5229]

Reasons I will enthusiastically vote for Harris:

1. Climate change is an existential threat impacting the US and the world
2. Equal rights for ALL people PERIOD 
3. Pragmatic governance 
4. Freedom from religion / religious based limitations on personal liberty (laws)
5. Free quality science based education is a strategic asset that cannot be sacrificed for short term benefits (tax cuts)
6. Re-regulation of monopolies
7. Infrastructure reinvestment
8. I believe that many Governmental institutions are incredibly valuable (but boring) that cannot be privatized (aka monetized)
9. For Profit Medicine is immoral.  
10. Children (no one really) should ever go hungry in the most powerful/richest nation in the world
11. Tax burdens are inverted when considering public infrastructure usage 
12. I want my kids to live in a better world/USA than I did and I'm willing to pay more to protect future generations

[Kel Varnsen 8312]

Because I want Idiocracy to stay a fictional movie

[tx ind 6872]

Because when I turn on the tv I want my daughter and son to be able to see what a real leader looks like and not scum who denigrate everyone and everything.

[SimonBolivar 10673]

There are many reasons, but my top reason is certainly one coming from my white male position of privilege that isn't existential in nature.

 

Freedom of thought in the form of the advancement of higher education versus the denigration of our universities and those that attempt to advance the knowledge and understanding of all things.

[AnotherUTFan 9563]

Because I like the idea of Bedford Falls a lot more than I like the idea of Pottersville, even if Pottersville does appear to be more fun for people like me.

[Brew 2917]

It’s simple, defeating the Trump cult and the GQP’s social agenda outweigh everything else right now. I still believe in respect, country over party, helping your neighbor, etc and believe all of that outweighs any of my own self interests. 

[UTGrad98 2210]

I'm excited to vote this year because...

 

1. I prefer we keep our democracy.

2. I prefer a woman have control over her own body

3. In regards to social security, Medicare, and our deficit, I prefer we tax the ultra wealthy to help keep those programs afloat/control the deficit rather than cut benefits. (Although managing the deficit will require both increasing taxes and cutting spending)

4. I prefer to help the Republicans see they need to change their platform and ideology in order to have any hopes of winning another election rather than having trump win and reinforce their current platform of overt fascism. I prefer a 2 party system where I have to put thought into who I will vote for in any given election. 

[Biff Tannen 45013]

No jokes allowed in here either apparently, jeez Imma.

I'm excited to vote against fascism.  My mom (lifelong Dem) asked me how I was going to vote after Joe stepped down.  I said my vote has not changed.  I'm voting against fascism.

[troph 23995]

because when black folk are promoted, the world is better. because when women are promoted, the world is better. because democracy is on the ballot. because my basic right to exist is on the ballot (and has been for years). because inclusion is a great thing, not just a good thing. because we are a secular society, not a fundamentalist christian society. because my wife thinks Kamala is hotAF and I'd feel a lot better about a hall pass for POTUS than the VP.

[Mole 4272]

1. It’s almost impossible to discuss this without implicitly breaking rule 3; character in leadership, moral clarity, and thoughtfulness about the issues are far more important than specific positions on issues. If a national crisis strikes over the next four years, we don’t always have the foresight to come up with policy ahead of time, but we can look at the character, moral clarity, and thoughtfulness of our leaders to see if they are prepared. We didn’t vote on COVID policies in 2016, but we could have easily seen how a crisis would be handled.

2. Sane, boring government is good government.

3. Her parents — particularly her mom — were extremely impressive people. It’s a small thing, but apples and trees and all. I like a good immigrant story.

4. Faith and government has come up several times already in this thread, but I look at it from the other direction. My faith is very important to me and I think a healthy church is good for communities. The past decade has been really bad for the health of the church and caused incredible damage to any sense of its moral standing. It’s hard to preach the Gospel when “Christian” rightly becomes synonymous with wickedness. Church involvement in government corrupts both. Voting for people who value separation makes for a better, more effective church and also keeps the government from descending into whatever is happening these days.

5. Family values, the economy, sane foreign policy. It’s nice to be able to let my son hear the president speak without worrying about answering lots of grown up questions about disgusting, degenerate things (with no disrespect to present company).

Edited July 27 by Mole

[GhostOfTomJoad 9201]

Other posters have already spoken to the policies, freedoms and protections the democratic ticket represents. I'd just add that it's a simple matter of enthusiastically voting for adults who wish to do the difficult, tedious, day in and day out work of governing. 

[South Austin 51564]

1. We have a younger, fresher candidate than we’ve had the past two election cycles.

2. More importantly, we have a greater threat to our democracy, individual freedoms, and collective American welfare, and a louder voice of racism, fascism, and idiocy that I’ve seen in my lifetime and that I thought was not possible when I switched to the Democratic Party around 2000.

 

 

[texasdago 7389]

"The past decade has been really bad for the health of the church and caused incredible damage to any sense of its moral standing. It’s hard to preach the Gospel when “Christian” rightly becomes synonymous with wickedness."

 

#Truth

The evangelical church has destroyed it's witness.  It has pushed away members and many who would be part of their community.

They made their bed and are happy lying in it 

Edited July 27 by texasdago

[TeeDubya 3321]

I grew up in a Southern Baptist Church, had two progressive pastors who kept the fundies away on the local church level.

i grew up a Reagan Republican, spending less is good right? Except on the defense/industrial complex.  Soviet Union and commies need to be beaten, right?

I watched both the SBC and GOP veer sharply into insanity:  litmus test after litmus test to assure only the purest remain.

 

As an adult living in Fort Worth, we attended a liberal SBC church, so liberal, it got kicked out of the SBC for ordaining openly gay members.  It helped speed my journey leftward.  
 

Here I am, with two kids I want to grow up in a world with every opportunity for EVERY one,  not just them.  They’re white, and are born into enough socioeconomic status to afford AAU basketball and competing dance, and the travel in both.  They don’t have a worry in the world.  They never wonder if they’ll have their next meal.  But I sure as hell want them to know that others do have worries, and are hungry, and to embrace leaders who empower others to succeed;  not just white men.

I’m voting Democrat in an attempt to make the world kinder, more caring, more empathetic, healthier, and more empowering for my children , your children, everyone’s children, and grandchildren. 

[Macanudo 12743]

I was relieved when Joe came off the bench to win 2020 for the country.   Then I was incredibly sad to see how the last 2-3 months or so showed that he wasn't going to hold off Trump again in 2024.  But the last week has unleashed an energy around the Democrats that I have not seen from them since Obama's first run.  

Let's fucking go.  

[Beantown Express 2.0 6509]

I'm voting D because I grew up a Democrat (Dad stood on stage with Bobby Kennedy as his bodyguard years ago) and have always voted Democrat.  As for why I am voting D in this election, well quite simply, the other side is fucking insane. 

[gmr548 16289]

I guess a little excited to usher in something at least resembling generational change with Harris. Certainly the first female president would be a milestone we'd all remember.

In a vacuum I'm pretty ambivalent toward Harris. She's never really done much to differentiate herself from Generic Democrat and the prosecutorial background doesn't do much for me. That's a pretty soft impression though, if she's able to clearly articulate a vision/platform there's certainly room for her to grow on me. And I'll admit, the absolute meltdown from MAGA with her assuming the Democratic nomination is worth something in its own right.

In general, less excited, more motivated as many have implied; and for all the same reasons. The paragraph above is more than good enough in this case.

Edited July 27 by gmr548

[MissingInAction 24324]

Because I love women. I really do, and nothing infuriates me more than seeing them being treated less than human. 

It's just so fucking wrong at every level of humanity.

These limp dicked cocksuckers are terrified of anything which isn't what they've been brainwashed to think.

That's why.

[Chopper 16338]

On 7/26/2024 at 8:18 AM, immamac said:

I'm starting 2 of these threads and I'm going to moderate them pretty differently than all other threads, because I think it will give a forum to talk about the reasons why instead of just nonsensical rooting for it against. 

 

It's DEMOCRATIC. C'mon. You're either voting Democratic, or for the Democrats. 

edit: Explanation: Calling it the "Democrat" party is an intentional insult   Why Republicans say “Democrat Party”: The history of an insult. (slate.com)

 

Edited July 27 by Chopper

[SubliminalHorn 6377]

I’m voting Democratic because I can not and will not support a party that takes aim at my family’s wellbeing and security. My family, and others like it, is truly fearful of what another trump presidency would bring. 

I grew up an Air Force brat and was always patriotic. The national anthem playing before movies, seeing air shows, seeing my dad as an officer. Believing that our country was special and good. I still consider myself patriotic because I know the potential we have and love this country. 
 

Only one choice right now helps form a more perfect union. The republicans are openly calling for civil unrest and war. That’s grotesque. I’m sick of them attacking and marginalizing anyone who isn’t white, male, straight, and christian. 
 

So yeah, let’s fucking go Kamala and Democrats 

[boilerhorn 1253]

I never vote straight ticket and never will.  IMO, each of us should take that approach, regardless of how zealous we are, party-wise.  It forces us to review each candidate, each issue, etc.  For that matter, I never vote for someone who is running unopposed.  Force that guy to show up and vote for himself

I first voted in a presidential election in 1988, selecting GHWB.  Was he perfect?  No, but he was superior to the other options.  After that, I took the “since I live in Texas, I am going to vote for the least crazy 3rd party for president” approach.  In some cases, it was difficult to find, but Texas was going “R” despite my selection.  I’ll spare everyone the duopoly concerns that motivated those choices, but we need choices.

The Tea Party overtaking the R’s led to the likes of Abbott, Cruz, Paxton, Patrick, etc.  These are a far cry from the R’s we all grew up with - “moderation” seemed gone.   They ran off moderate Rs like Dewhurst, Strauss, etc.  Were they perfect?  No!  But they had the capacity to listen and compromise.

Politics today has evolved into a perceived zero-sum game of bitter rivals - worse than sports rivalries.  And a cult of personality like Trump is the worst catalyst for something like this.  His “drain the swamp” crap violates the basic tenets of Chesterton’s fence: know why the fence is there before you remove it.  Sure, the spoils system is real, but understand the “how, what, and why” before declaring you are going to burn it to the ground.

In 2020, I voted Biden.  Trump is a risk to freedom.  He is and will always be an autocratic megalomaniac.  
In 2024, I will vote Harris - Trump remains a risk to freedom.  For every other position, I will assess.

 

EDIT - that all said, I skipped over the obvious that Trump is a lying, cheating, woman-hating, white supremicist turd.

 

Edited July 28 by boilerhorn

[Firemans4Horn 17004]

January 6th, 2021. 
 

will walk over broken glass to vote for the local dog catcher if they are running against a MAGA candidate. 
 

[immamac 41615]

Reminder. This is not a discussion thread I know it's very different from other threads. 

[Longhorn_Fan68 33708]

16 hours ago, Firemans4Horn said:

January 6th, 2021. 
 

will walk over broken glass to vote for the local dog catcher if they are running against a MAGA candidate. 
 

This. Is why I am excited.

[Superhero 8595]

My values and beliefs fall more in line with the Democratic agenda, and also because… morals. Excuse the rest in bullet points, engineer and all.

1. I believe climate change is real and we need to fix this shit. Renewable or nuclear energy is the future - we can’t keep burning fossil fuels.
    
2. I believe in equal rights for men and women. There was a clip where Kamala (?) was asking a Republic lawmaker if there were any specific laws targeted towards men. He couldn’t come up with any. So why should there be laws that only apply to women?
    
3. I believe in fiscal responsibility. The national debt ballooned under Republican administrations. Not that the Democratic Party has done much better in terms of spending less, but they invest in people and infrastructure, and give tax breaks to corporations. Cutting corporate taxes from 35% to 21% was a travesty.
    
4. I believe character matters. The Republican Party under Trump have exposed themselves to be morally bankrupt. Voting out the main sources of this corruption will hopefully bring the nation back towards the moderates where I firmly sit.
    
5. I’m a first generation immigrant. I came legally. But I also believe the illegal immigrants should have an opportunity to become US citizens if they can prove to be contributing members of society.
    
6. I believe in healthcare for all. Obama care isn’t perfect, but more people are insured than before. I believe a single-payer insurer will streamline and lower the cost of healthcare.

I admit to not being the most democratic of voters I believe the government should step in at times to course correct against immorality and in the interest of people and growth. I admire Singapore a LOT. It’s not the most democratic, but the policies of the government have made it one of the most admired countries in the world. I know it’s a slippery slope where the government can go rogue, but since it became a republic almost 60 years ago, it has proven that it’s possible to balance peoples’ freedoms and the of the good country.

 

[Restless Native 315]

On 7/27/2024 at 10:48 AM, MissingInAction said:

Because I love women. I really do, and nothing infuriates me more than seeing them being treated less than human. 

It's just so fucking wrong at every level of humanity.

These limp dicked cocksuckers are terrified of anything which isn't what they've been brainwashed to think.

That's why.

This. This right here. This is a really good post, and I concur.

[Ghost of LL 15244]

You want to know why I'm excited to vote Democratic this year?  Well, let me tell you:

It's morning again in America.

Today, more men and women will go to work than at any time before in our nation's history.  With interest rates that are down from the highest levels we've seen this century, more than 13,000 families will buy homes.

This afternoon, 5,600 couples will get married.  And with inflation less than a third what it was just a year ago, they can look forward with confidence to the future.

It's morning again in America.  And under Democratic leadership, the country is prouder, and stronger, and better.  Why would we ever want to return to where we were less than four short years ago?

[TreatyOak 16078]

I'll use the word excited since that are the rules for this thread, but as a father of two fabulous young women, we are way past the point of excitement and hope for a better future. This is about saving their rights, along with our constitutional republic for them and their upcoming families from the Trump cultists. 

[seven 1358]

I'm a liberal progressive and democrats are the closest electable candidates this country provides. Even though I wish for a more radical approach, I understand (and somewhat appreciate) that our government is designed to change course slowly. 

[Post Oak 20092]

On 7/27/2024 at 10:48 AM, MissingInAction said:

Because I love women. I really do, and nothing infuriates me more than seeing them being treated less than human. 

It's just so fucking wrong at every level of humanity.

These limp dicked cocksuckers are terrified of anything which isn't what they've been brainwashed to think.

That's why.

Yep. My life has been shaped by strong, loving, tough, smart, fierce women.  From my great grandmother right down the line to my grandmothers, my mother and now my wife.  I'm doing my best to raise one that they would like and be proud of. 

I could never vote for a party that went against everything they taught me.

So I won't.

[babysdaddy 2708]

chatgpt answer for voting D

"Voters should be excited to vote Democrat in the upcoming election because the party is championing progressive policies aimed at creating a more equitable and sustainable future. Democrats are focused on expanding access to affordable healthcare, tackling climate change through innovative green technologies, and ensuring a fair economy where everyone has a chance to thrive. Their platform emphasizes social justice, inclusivity, and investing in education and infrastructure to build a stronger, more resilient nation. Voting Democrat offers a chance to support a vision of progress and positive change."

[TexasEd 8014]

I believe in

• Not allowing foreign dictators to influence our policies
• Political discourse should be problem solving based instead of fear mongering
• Corporate welfare needs to be reined in and the "me, me, me" tax cheat is not going to do it
• Strong Public education
• protecting children from gun violence
• health care as a civil right and reproductive care to protect the lives of mothers
• we need immigration reform more than we need a wall
• narcissists make the worst leaders
• Calling those who died on D-day suckers and losers is unforgivable
• the oath I took in my 20s to protect the laws and Constitution of the United States from all enemies, foreign and domestic.

And my avatar lets you know what I think about fascists.

Edited August 24 by TexasEd

[Tuco 5031]

So, they list of reasons why I vote blue has already handle by numerous other posters.  

But why I am excited, specifically, for this cycle?

Over the last ten years, the far right had been gaining strength across the Western world.  While the names of the parties and politicians have been different, the world has become more isolationist, more anti-immigrant, and more racist.  Whether it is Farage, Le Penn, or Trump, there seems to be a growing wave of hatred and dipshittery.  It's been scary and depressing.  

Then Biden debated on June 27th.  Fuck. I caught maybe three seconds of it scrolling past, but I knew the story.  A second Trump presidency was just assumed after that.

Then, later that week I watched John Oliver's piece on the upcoming UK election.  Labor was going to crush the Tories after 14 years.  Watching Oliver's elation after 14 years of stupid, shitty, ridiculous bullshit, gave me some sense that we could survive a second Trump presidency. On the 4th of July, it Conservative Party was crushed on a massive scale. Granted, the Conservative Party isn't Farage's Reform Party, and you could read that election as the Tories losing votes to Reform.  But, there was more to it that.  There was the need to actually have the government be competent.  There was the realization that the isolationism of Brexit was economic idiocy. 

Then the French were up to bat on July 7th .  Le Penn's National Rally Party had done well enough in the first round of voting that it looked like they were going to get plurality, if not the out-right majority.  But the moderates and the leftists said fuck that, teamed up, actually had some candidates drop out to avoid the far right from winning.  In the end, the right wing ended up in third and the left wing coalition received the most votes.  Just an insane result.  Granted, it's not all great with Rally being in that position after the first round.  But, the election demonstrated that 1) moderates and leftwing are more concerned about the right wing than each other, 2) just a huge number of people will vote when facing the prospect of the far right government.  

So, now it's our turn.  And I am excited that America will do its job.  I see similarities in the French election - Harris is openly courting moderates from the Republican Party.  Despite some controversial policies with Israel and the border, the coalition is holding on the left. It looks like it will be high turnout election.  Trump and MAGA are just too disgusting for most people who are paying attention.  At the very least, I think we will keep Trump out.  But I am excited by the prospect of more of a UK landslide that sends a clear message that MAGA is just not viable. I hopeful that this phase in our global politics is coming to a close. 

[Satchel 6901]

The American economy

The envy of the world

special reports - oct 19th 2024

The American economy has left other rich countries in the dust. Expect that to continue, argue Simon Rabinovitch and Henry Curr

• Special report: The American economy has left other rich countries in the dust
• Economic output: American productivity still leads the world
• For richer and poorer: Is higher inequality the price America pays for faster growth?
• Energy: The shale revolution helped make America’s economy great
• Stocks: Why the American stockmarket reigns supreme
• The dollar: China’s yuan is nowhere close to displacing the greenback
• Looking ahead: What can stop the American economy now?