I've been voting the Democratic party all my life,

[warrior1]

I'm proud to say. I'll admit that there were people in the party that were not the best choice, yet I could in all good belief cast a vote for a republican, even in a small local election. Now I know, sticking to my party was right, even with a weak candidate. Because the alternative of voting for republican, would have been voting for someone that is owned, lock stock and barrel by a corporation and the bush evil cabal. With all of their faults, the Democratic party is the party that really believes in America and the american people. All of them. Black, white, rich and poor. They get it. We are here to keep reminding them of that fact. Stay true to your roots.

[nevergiveup]

1. No problems here

I learned the hard way. The last Republican I voted for was George Ryan for Illinois Governor and I now believe he is in jail or if not, close to it.

[Cirque du So-What]

2. I could never cross the ideological divide

to vote for a Republican. I was once active in the labor movement, which is part of my heritage. It was so instilled from an early age that the Democratic party represents the best opportunities for advancement of the working class that voting otherwise is a virtual impossibility. I don't consider myself a 'one-issue voter,' but the welfare of the working class ranks at the top of my priorities; all other issues are subject to scrutiny on how they affect the salt-of-the-earth people who perform the heavy lifting in our society.

The rich - nouveaux and old money alike - have a party to safeguard their interests, and they'll receive no help from me! I have no great love for the DLC, who I view as corporatist Democrats - Republican Lite, if you will - but when one of their ranks makes it through the primaries to the general election, that person will get my vote over that of the Republican challenger. If that makes me a 'yellow dog,' so be it; I'll just work that much harder to get a progressive Democrat elected next time!

[immoderate]

3. The Democrats are the best chance to make things better.

Those of us who go back to anti-Vietnam activities, remember the Democratic Party as part of the opposition. But voting for most Democrats is the best way to take a step in the right direction.

The Republicans rode the back of the anti-Vietnam backlash to power with Reagan, to project virility, and save face. Republicans are corporatists, but are willing to co-opt and pander to militarists and other authoritarians, plutocrats and wannabees, racists, xenophobes, homophobes, misogynists, and other sexually repressed zealots. It's hard to vote for them.

--IMM

[madokie]

4. I voted for a repuke in an election for county somthing or other years ago

but only once have I strayed. I will proudly say it'll never happen again.

[BeFree]

5. Yes, but

If your vote is not counted as cast, a possibility that is all too possible, then your vote may have gone to a Publican.

Do you KNOW where your vote went? When, in 2004, the e-voting machine ate my vote I told my election officials that would be the last time that machine was gonna be used to eat my vote, and I made sure that was the last time. But even tho in 2006 I marked a paper ballot, I still had a reasonable doubt that my vote was not counted as cast.

It is fine and dandy that we vote Dem, but if we have a reasonable doubt as to how our votes are counted does it really matter?

IMO, bushco was never elected. Can you guarantee me that the next president will be the one that really was elected?

[warrior1]

6. Movement for change

has, must make a impact. I'm not sure who said this, "It matters who's elected."

With bush we have seen the results.

With the new sheriff in town with the Waxman, etc. shit is getting done.

I'm hoping that the reforms in the voting boxes it will come. Remember how many corrupt Republicans were swept from power. It matters.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. I've been voting Democratic because it's generally the lesser of two evils.

But, I have voted 3rd party a couple of times when the candidates acted more like Repugs. As I've grown older, my nose holding ability has lessened and just having a (D) after a candidates name and "not as bad" is no longer as strong a motivator for my vote as it once was.

"I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever, in religion, in philosophy, in politics, or in anything else, where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent. If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all." --Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 1789.

"Were parties here divided merely by a greediness for office,...to take a part with either would be unworthy of a reasonable or moral man." --Thomas Jefferson to William Branch Giles, 1795.