I have been really struggling with the issue of who to support for the 2012 election. As a gay male do not want to vote for the people that believe that I should have no rights to my partner, no ability to one day adopt a child or have a surrogate if I ever decide to do so, no ability to have the same benefits across the board as a straight married couple. Most of them basically view me as less then they are. As a small business owner I see the destructive policies that are being implemented by the democrats (Obama especially) and the anti-business practices they seem to love. It floors me that they are actually buying votes by telling people not to work as you will get paid for doing so. I also do not agree with republicans on the issue of marijuana and a few other issues but I do not want to vote for someone that has no chance of getting elected. My political views are pretty influential to most of my friends and family as I am the main person that is paying attention in my circle to the current political field. So who should the more conservative gays, and most of my gay friends fit this, push for to represent them? People that want them to be treated equal or (mainly democrats) or people that do not view the businesses of this country as enemies (mainly republicans)? Seems like we lose both ways as there really is no viable third option yet.
A difficult choice. One perspective in extremely tough times, with some believing the current POTUS and admin are gutting the very foundations of the Republic, might be this: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLdA1ikkoEc"]John F Kennedy 'Ask not' - YouTube[/ame] He was talking to all Americans. Perhaps to you. Which ever way you go, I don't think anyone could or should ever blame or question such a difficult decision.
The very fact that are looking expansively at the issues, beyond mindlessly following party lines, tells me something. Whatever you decide will be the right decision.
You sound like a Ron Paul fan. He's a libertarian Republican, meaning he supports marijuana legalization and opposes government intervention (at least to a great extent) in the economy. He's opposed to the Federal Reserve, TARP bailouts, the stimulus and Obamacare. He's also opposed to government intervention in marriage (He regards it as a contract, and thus the government should not disallow contracts to happen) and the PATRIOT Act. Basically, he's fiscally conservative and socially liberal as you described. But it goes a little bit deeper than just fiscally conservative and socially liberal. Libertarians often operate upon the premise that it is inappropriate to initiate the use of force. Typically, they regard this as an axiom: they state it cannot be broken down any further and must simply be taken at face value. The Objectivist philosopher Ayn Rand attempted to lay more foundation for the non-aggression axiom. While Objectivists would not appreciate me summarizing her position in such a quick fashion, I'll do it anyway: The metaphysical reality in which we live is objective. It exists regardless of man's or any other entity's consciousness. Man's means of suvival are not given to him, and he must use reason to sustain and further his life. Force, she states, is an attempt to negate man's reason: it is an attempt to have him act in a different way than he would have by interpreting reality through reason. More fundamentally, she holds, it abandons the value of life and is used by primitive brutes. There are no Objectivist candidates. He believes in the Austrian School of Economics and believes that easy money and credit expansion are the causes of the recession. If you would like more materials, certainly feel free to send me a Private Message. Oh, and you can see Ron Paul at any of the Presidential Debates.
You're not going to find that in the Republican party and, quite frankly, from a number of Democrats.
I really like some of Paul's views but others scare me. I also feel that he is an isolationist and that conflicts with my view on world economics. After viewing most of the debates, he is not getting enough time to voice his views as the media is doing their best to ignore him which will ultimately be detrimental to his potential election. I wonder how the republican party will handle the growing opposition to denying same-sex partners equality as they are surly eroding their base? I would hate to see America after the democrats are in complete control for 4 or 5 terms.
Conservatives are capable of changing when the application of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment is explained to them. Leftists will always be wrong on all other issues.
He's not an isolationist. He opposes tariffs and wants to play a big part in the world, he just feels it doesn't need to be based on force. Isolationists want to have a self-sustaining economy, while Paul is all about free trade. He also just wants a national defense based on defense, not on "promoting democracy around the world." That's right, he's not. But media bias against him doesn't mean you can't support him, does it? Edit: Gary Johnson is another libertarian Republican and from the looks of it he's more moderate in his views. Maybe you could check him out?
No, this is actually more of a reason to support him. Three of my neighbors already have signs in their yard for Paul, maybe I should be the 4th. I just wish he could have a fair shake as many (myself included) do not want to "waste" a vote on someone that is unelectable, looking at the news lately I think he is the most deserving to be electable out of the current line-up...
An election never comes down to one vote. So really, is your vote more wasted if you compromise it away or if you vote for what you believe in? Also, you can vote for him in the primary no skin off your bones- unless you particularly prefer one statist to another. Anyway, you asked who you could support and I've told you, so if I can I'll try to avoid continuing to convince you to vote for him.
I'm in a similar boat myself. Not a small business owner, but a more conservative gay male. I don't really see any clear decision. On one hand Obama has in some ways fostered an up-rise for equality when it comes to homosexuals On the other hand Obama has been far to weak in many situation. Need someone who is going to stand up the obstructionist politics of the GOP. But it comes down to there not being a viable third option. I really don't think any of the GOP choices will fit but if I had a choice it would be either Ron Paul or Mit Romney. Fairly level headed and with ideas that could actually help this country.
Most Republicans generally assail homosexual people. And I have seen Conservative Democrats, in the flesh. If a third party person runs, I doubt they will win in America for a very long time.
As a small business owner, you should fear all american politicans....They are pawns of big business. Their sole duty is to hold back small businesses so that corporations can stay in power.
