Submitted by AgentDaxis t3_10wmer9 in Pennsylvania
SgtBaxter t1_j7p7jq7 wrote
Reply to comment by linkdudesmash in Democrats sweep special elections, affirming first Pa. House majority in 12 years by AgentDaxis
Because you are an intelligent and reasonable person.
I used to be Republican because like a lot of us, that's what people around me were. I came a voting age at the end of Reagan's administration. So I voted for Bush senior.
Fast forward to the next election, I was in college and Bill Clinton came and spoke. I was interested, so I went. He sat there and actually talked to us, he answered questions. I didn't necessarily agree with everything he said, but he made me feel like if he got into office my future would be better. After that, I immediately switch my voter registration to independent, and it's been there ever since.
Forward a few more years, and I remember a few times where I actually left a job and had a better paying one the very next day. Meanwhile, Republicans were wasting my tax money with their bullshit Whitewater investigation that led to us hearing about a bj. Nothing but a bunch of clowns.
I've said it before, I say it now, and it holds true. If all you do is vote for someone based on party affiliation, you are nothing more than a slave.
HeyZuesHChrist t1_j7pc2xp wrote
What option do I have? Let’s be realistic. The Republican Party is gross. Every single one of their social stances are dog shit and hateful. They openly support fascism. They are unvotable. Voting for an independent is throwing away my vote. While Democrats are not perfect they are easily the best option by a country mile. I only have one realistic option. I wish I had more realistic choices but I don’t.
Marv95 t1_j7s9w2o wrote
You can sit out the election.
Voting for an independent isn't throwing away your vote if you know you did the right thing, and if they align with your policies more than the other 2 parties.
SpicyWokHei t1_j7smiak wrote
Voting for an Independent is not throwing away a vote. It shows people are voting for them and continues to build momentum over time. It's only a wasted vote if you dont bother voting causing a self fulfilling prophecy.
"I'm going to fail the exam, so why study?" fails exam because didn't study
linkdudesmash t1_j7pb714 wrote
Very true. I need to change to independent. I wish they would pick some average joe American. They would probably be the best (job title) we ever had. I find myself voting 3rd party a lot because the candidates are normal people.
cyvaquero t1_j7pe9kc wrote
As a former registered PA Republican who was voting mostly Dem in state and national races by 2008, do not go independent in PA's closed primary system. You lose your voice in who is on the ballot come November.
While I have my issues with Texas politics I do enjoy being an Independent and being able to vote in the primary of the party of my choice for that cycle.
These days I the only Republican that gets my vote in the general is the county tax assessor because the Dem incumbent is from a political dynasty which I'm not a fan of. However, last year I voted in the Republican primary because O'Rourke had the Dem nomination sewn up (as much as I think he is unelectable in statewide elections).
Tidusx145 t1_j7pjz3o wrote
Yup my in laws are independents and have to stay home on primary day (unless there is a special vote like a referendum, but there wasn't one last year so expect to not be able to vote some primaries).
SgtBaxter t1_j7q8oao wrote
Yes this is unfortunately something that we need to change in this state.
Rich-Hat-29 t1_j7qd86u wrote
Good to see all of you “I was once a Registered republican” sniffing your own farts here.
HeyZuesHChrist t1_j7pca3n wrote
I don’t want an average Joe American in the WH either. The average Joe is wholly unqualified for it.
Finrodsrod t1_j7ppuas wrote
Jimmy Carter was an average Joe. Great guy, inept when it came to knowing how to navigate the Washington scum. I want more like Clinton and Obama in office.
It's such a shame that Hilary Clinton lost 2016. This country would have been so much better off economically and perhaps COvid would have not been as bad globally with a competent US lead.
Atrocious_1 t1_j7qkwy6 wrote
All those people you listed are career politicians
Finrodsrod t1_j7qpvho wrote
And...? I thought were were talking about how the average Joe doesn't get modern day politics and how they work?
raven4747 t1_j7rwpt3 wrote
politics is complicated enough that you probably want someone in that seat who knows the landscape. associating politicians with corruption but not CEOs and businessmen is hilarious.
Atrocious_1 t1_j7s0iyo wrote
Yes. What's even more hilarious is thinking any one of those people was an "average Joe".
Tidusx145 t1_j7pjrnr wrote
Careful bud. If you actually live in PA we are a closed primary state (something I disagree with heavily) and as such once you register as independent you are cutting yourself entirely out of the primary process in this state. My in laws are independents and nothing gets my father in law more annoyed than the reminder he can't vote on primary day unless there's a referendum. I worked the primaries last year and had to refuse over a dozen independents from voting because there was nothing for them to vote for.
Not saying you shouldn't change registration, do you. Just be aware that it's more than a self identity thing here, it comes with consequences.
baldude69 t1_j7pk7vh wrote
Fetterman feels pretty close to “average Joe”
I know his parents were middle class and helped support him, but he is definitely not an elite and relates to normal peoples issues way more than most politicians. I wish to see more politicians like him run for office
Finrodsrod t1_j7ppoy1 wrote
> I need to change to independent. I
No, stay registered and drive SANE candidates for primaries.
PGHNeil t1_j7psmcc wrote
No, that just means you have to abide by others' bad choices from the primary because you had to stay home in May. I hate to say it, but in the primaries it's best to vote for the weakest candidate so that you can vote for the lesser of two evils in the general election.
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