First warning....

Be mindful of the no flaming request by the thread author.

2nd warning and this thread gets locked.

I whole-heartedly agree withAllmachtige...it'* not about parties...it'* about seeing people for what they really are and what they really do...and sometimes it'* the people who see themselves as the most open minded who are the most judgemental and quick to label...and I think that unfortunately, our " two-party" system and the media encourage that, very irresponsibly....

I agree too. I also think that straight ticket ballot voting isn't in the countries best interest. I'd rather vote for no one then to vote for someone just because the fall under a party.

Sometimes the point of voting isn't voting FOR someone, but voting AGAINST someone.

Okay, I am personally voting for Bush. I don't think he is doing a bad job. He came into office right at the 9/11 massacre and is at least not one to be pushed around. Aside from all of that I would like to stress to ALL of my friends here that if you are 18 you have the right to vote and you should vote. This is your country also and every vote counts. If you don't vote then you don't have to right to moan and groan and complain when one of the elected officials does something you don't like. Okay, now I can step down off of my soapbox. Too many people don't take advantage of the right to vote and that was what this country was started/based on. Don't let anyone tell you who to vote for- vote for who you feel will do the best for this country.

Thank you Amity...as always, my dear, you took the words out of my mouth.

It'* just that the more I see, the more I think that people need to really, truly think for themselves and what they care about and want to see done...and not be completely blinded by affiliations....I believe in the most practical national security possible, in the government having as little control over everyone'* personal lives as possible (not just their "personal lives" but their lives in general, ie taxes and laws for what is necessary, not just whatever the beurocrats come up with for their own gain), and the environment (within reason...as in taking better care of it, not trying to control it)....

When I vote I vote for whom I like. I don't consider myself Dem or Rep but I tend to vote towards Rep.

Thank you ladies for getting this thread back on track

Much better

I'm an independent, which means that I look at all of the candidates and take into consideration many things before making a decision. Although I fall into Democratic thinking, there are Democrats I would not want in office and there are Republicans I would have voted for. It'* the individual that matters to me, not the political party.

I will be voting for Kerry because Bush is not concerned about the things I care about, because Bush supports things that I do NOT agree with, and because Bush seems to let religion influence his decisions. If religion and state are to be kept truly separate, then you shouldn't let your own religion influence the way you run a country, and you shouldn't enforce your religious morals onto a group of people who don't necessarily agree with you...or who may already have their OWN religious morals!

That is to say, I don't have a lot of reasons to vote for Kerry but I have many strong opinions that make me want to see Bush leave the White House.

I personally believe Bush has rather extreme conservative points of view, whereas Kerry'* views are liberal but not extremely so. The downfall of anyone is having an extreme point of view that doesn't allow for flexibility, diversity, or tolerance.

Voting is a very individual thing. Regardless of WHO you cast your ballot for, you SHOULD go and vote. As a citizen of a voting country, it is nothing less than your DUTY to put your opinion forth and decide who will take the reins next.