Why wouldn't you join a political party?

wurdsmyth · Post by **wurdsmyth** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 5:31 am

Hey

I'm a writer and I'm currently researching why people don't (or do) join political parties. I would love to hear what you think about this subject...

Would you ever join a political party? Do you think it's a waste of time? If so, why?

Alternatively, are you a member of a political party already and, if so, why do you think more people should join?

Thank you in advance for your help - please be assured that I will not quote any names or give reference to anyone's personal details... I'm just trying to get my head round it!!

Over to you...

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 5:15 am

I am a Libertarian mainly because I refused to register as a Democrat or Republican. It really means little to me as I vote for the individual and not "my" candidate. Being a Lib does not mean that I automatically support all their views either. I'm not one for joining things and if it wasn't for having to pick a party to register, I wouldn't have done it.

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 7:41 am

I'm more likely to form a political party than join one.

If I ever did join one, it would be because I believed there was some sort of survival issue at stake.

Post by **spot** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 8:49 am

Were I to join a political party - which I haven't, to date - it would be one diametrically opposed to my own political position and I'd join so as to influence the selection of the most extreme candidates for election, swaying the party ever further to the periphery and leaving the centre ground free for occupation by those I would vote for myself. I can trust the party I support to work on my behalf without my active membership. Subverting and disempowering those who act against my interests is far more effective. In the US political environment, one might almost think that the Primaries were designed with just such an end in mind. Why haven't I claimed membership anywhere? Quite simply, in the UK the selection of party leaders has been removed from the rank and file membership simply because they tend toward the same unelectable extreme toward which I'd push them - there's no influence to be gained any longer here, just a lot of doorstepping and licking envelopes.

Clint · Post by **Clint** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 11:09 pm

I joined once. I even became active and held an office in the party. I don’t claim one now. I consider myself an independent. I do find myself voting more for candidates of one major party over the candidates of the other though. Political partisanship is causing us to miss the important issues. There must be a better way.

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 2:48 pm

I would not join because I reserve the right to vote for whomever I please. All the parties round here have their own little cliques, it's almost like joining a religon, follow the party line.

You see with Tony Blair what happens when politicians vote for the party rather than follow their conscience or even use their common sense.

vampress.rozz · Post by **vampress.rozz** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 4:26 pm

I wouldn't join a political party as I have NEVER found a politician whose opinions I share 100%. Im quite fickle so I change my mind about things all the time (I do actually listen to others points of view and can be swayed lol) so how can one political party share all of my opinions? Unlikely...I think so.

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 1:45 am

Pinky;450619 wrote: I wouldn't purely because I'm not interested in politics.

I'd rather go out barefoot and hug trees.

That is a political choice in itself. If a political party came along and said that was paganism and should be banned I bet you would become very political very quickly.

It's not that you are not interested but rather that there is nothing of enough interest to you at present. At least imho.

People aren't apolitical per se but tend to be selective.

G-man · Post by **G-man** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 1:53 am

Yup Gmc, is correct... you're a Democrat! ...and Gmc would be a Republican... but the latter is merely a quick guess based on nothing more than a user name. :wah:

Why wouldn't one be a member of a political party? Because they don't care to be affiliated with politics... or even nothing at all, life is wonderful for them regardless of who's in power, it doesn't matter who they support... nothing will ever change, because they're cheap and hate getting all the requests for donations once a month, they have no interest in attending $1,000 a plate, black tie fund raising benefits, erm... I dunno'... why else? I'm a member of a political party, so... what can I say... you've gotta' be a part of something, right?

Post by **spot** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 2:00 am

flopstock;450663 wrote: I can't remember the last time I voted for someone and not simply for the lessor of two evils..

You can rent it now??

G-man · Post by **G-man** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 2:21 am

Buckinghamshire??? Wow... I didn't know that Spot. Small world.

So where were we... oh yes, is their truly such a thing is the less of the two evils... the two evils obviously being either conservative or liberal... which honestly, are pretty much one and the same and there are no other options. They each have their own agendas sure... but they're pretty much the same.

Btw, it's vrey rare, but every once in awhile there are honest politicians... unfortunately it seems that you don't hear about them very much... and to be honest... I believe that all the scandals do more to further most political careers when it comes down to it and you can't place a face with a name at the voting booth... all you do is remember the name of the person as that is all you've heard about in the news... most don't remember much else... and all these political adverts, lately!!! It's appalling... and one comes out and bashes the other and the other says the very same thing about that candidate... and you can't tell which is true, who voted for what regarding the incumbants... as the other party does all they can to prevent one party from getting certain bills and such passed... anyway, yeah, I've been bombarded by all the political ads lately, too... Tivo is good for that, though. :wah:

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 2:48 am

G-man;450997 wrote: Yup Gmc, is correct... you're a Democrat! ...and Gmc would be a Republican... but the latter is merely a quick guess based on nothing more than a user name. :wah:

Why wouldn't one be a member of a political party? Because they don't care to be affiliated with politics... or even nothing at all, life is wonderful for them regardless of who's in power, it doesn't matter who they support... nothing will ever change, because they're cheap and hate getting all the requests for donations once a month, they have no interest in attending $1,000 a plate, black tie fund raising benefits, erm... I dunno'... why else? I'm a member of a political party, so... what can I say... you've gotta' be a part of something, right?

Actually I wouldn't be either. Both the democrats and republicans are too right wing for me. The UK political spectrum is very different from the american one.

It's all very well being part of something but if that desire is the only reason you join then you have rather missed the point.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 4:49 am

Politicians pretty much have to join a party because that's the fastest way to get money and support for their campaign. If I were to run for office it would either be as a Libertarian or independent. As a voter, there's no way that I'd label myself.

I find it terribly unfortunate that the first option Americans discard is the ideal (it's never attainable anyway, right?), and think that they only have 2 choices when voting. We've been sold a bill of goods that to vote any other way is throwing the vote away. Well, I have two things to say about voting:

If you vote for the lesser of two evils, evil wins!

If everyone threw their votes away in the same direction, we could change America.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 5:34 pm

flopstock;451162 wrote: The only problem with your great slogans is that the people who really should be running, don't. They are too smart to put themselves or their families through the process.
That's because these two evils people keep voting for are just being themselves. :yh_frustr

Fibonacci · Post by **Fibonacci** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:23 pm

I wouldn't join a political party because it doesn't make sense.

Deep Down all of the parties share one common goal. they all want to make this country a better place. they just have different ways of doing the same thing. Labeling myself as Republican, Democrat, etc. doesnt accomplish anything.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 4:53 am

Diuretic;452175 wrote: The last of the honest politicians

Too bad it's become an oxymoron, eh?

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:30 am

Wendybird;452082 wrote: The only political party I ever wanted to join was The Monster Raving Loony Party.

They said no.

Apparently I was too weird for them...................

Is it just me or do they seem a rational choice nowadays?

wurdsmyth · Post by **wurdsmyth** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 3:52 am

Hey everyone

I'd just like to say a HUGE thanks for all your comments and for taking the time to give your views... It's been a massive help to me and I really appreciate your comments. You all ROCK!:guitarist lol...

Thanks again,

Wurdsmyth x x x:-6

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 4:31 am

wurdsmyth;459727 wrote: Hey everyone

I'd just like to say a HUGE thanks for all your comments and for taking the time to give your views... It's been a massive help to me and I really appreciate your comments. You all ROCK!:guitarist lol...

Thanks again,

Wurdsmyth x x x:-6So are you going to share your findings/conclusions, or are you just going to be parasitic?

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 4:38 am

RedGlitter;449423 wrote: I am a Libertarian mainly because I refused to register as a Democrat or Republican. It really means little to me as I vote for the individual and not "my" candidate. Being a Lib does not mean that I automatically support all their views either. I'm not one for joining things and if it wasn't for having to pick a party to register, I wouldn't have done it.

My answer seems kind of flippant. What I should have said was that I am not much of a joiner. I don't like the notion of anyone, in this case, a political party, representing me. I represent myself. If I join a certain party, it might be assumed that I am in agreement with all of that party's beliefs and that may not be the case. I also feel no sense of loyalty to any party or any candidate. Thanks!

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 4:51 am

RedGlitter;459746 wrote: My answer seems kind of flippant. What I should have said was ....
TOO LATE! He has his information and is gone. The chapter's written. He'll name names. Your reputation for being flip is sealed. Sorry. Better luck next time.

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:53 am

And he left us flopping in his wake!

wurdsmyth · Post by **wurdsmyth** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:20 am

Accountable;459741 wrote: So are you going to share your findings/conclusions, or are you just going to be parasitic?

Dearest ACCOUNTABLE... I have no wish to be a parasite... As I said in my original post, I am researching an article on why people don't want to join political organisations, so all the comments so kindly offered helped me to get my head round the subject...

It seems that many people feel their views would go unheard if they joined a political party. There is a great deal of mistrust about politicians and many people suggested that politicians are only interested in furthering their own careers and ambitions, rather than serving the people who elected them.

I'm UK-based, so it was extremely interesting to hear a concensus of opinion across the UK, US and Australia. While some people have said they joined a political party to try to make a difference, most people who expressed their views said they felt it would be a waste of time. It was also interesting to hear the views of American posts, especially given the current situation with the shift in the balance of power on Capitol Hill.

It is interesting to note one person who said the only way he would join a party would be to join the opposing party and vote in extreme candidates in order to ensure the party of his choice was elected! My favourite quote was the post that said "I'd rather hug a tree"... Maybe, to make a difference in this world, this is the best policy!

As for conclusions, I'm still drawing them... But what I would say is that it appears the challenge to political parties across the world is to start proving themselves as trustworthy in the first place. Politicians and parties must demonstrate clearly that they will work for the good of others, not the furtherment of their own careers. Political parties need to consider - and value - the opinions of their members and must be seen to place members in high regard when it comes to all aspects of policy. Whether this is possible remains to be seen.

Once again, many thanks to all who posted comments to my question.

Wurdsmyth xx

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 5:34 pm

Thank you for proving me wrong about you. :-6 wurdsmyth;459883 wrote: Dearest ACCOUNTABLE... I have no wish to be a parasite... As I said in my original post, I am researching an article on why people don't want to join political organisations, so all the comments so kindly offered helped me to get my head round the subject...

It seems that many people feel their views would go unheard if they joined a political party. There is a great deal of mistrust about politicians and many people suggested that politicians are only interested in furthering their own careers and ambitions, rather than serving the people who elected them.

I'm UK-based, so it was extremely interesting to hear a concensus of opinion across the UK, US and Australia. While some people have said they joined a political party to try to make a difference, most people who expressed their views said they felt it would be a waste of time. It was also interesting to hear the views of American posts, especially given the current situation with the shift in the balance of power on Capitol Hill.

It is interesting to note one person who said the only way he would join a party would be to join the opposing party and vote in extreme candidates in order to ensure the party of his choice was elected! My favourite quote was the post that said "I'd rather hug a tree"... Maybe, to make a difference in this world, this is the best policy!

As for conclusions, I'm still drawing them... But what I would say is that it appears the challenge to political parties across the world is to start proving themselves as trustworthy in the first place. Politicians and parties must demonstrate clearly that they will work for the good of others, not the furtherment of their own careers. Political parties need to consider - and value - the opinions of their members and must be seen to place members in high regard when it comes to all aspects of policy. Whether this is possible remains to be seen.

Once again, many thanks to all who posted comments to my question.

Wurdsmyth xx

nvalleyvee · Post by **nvalleyvee** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:26 pm

I joined the Republican party 30 years ago because I do not want to support those who will not support themselves. I do not believe in paying for a criminals' life incarceration (must be based on DNA - and there is death for them), I do not want to pay for welfare - there are jobs out there, I want my business interest supported..........I worked damned hard for it. I want to vote in the preliminary elections in June. I want as much of a voice as I can get.

If I had a choice there would be a STRONG Libertarian Party in the US.