I think for most people whether they're democrat or republican, it comes down to a couple key issues they feel strongly about, and that is what they base their political orientation or their vote on.

What is it for you? The economy? Taxes? Abortion rights? The environment? Just curious to hear what issues are the key deciding factors in your political reasoning.

__________________
Read my recent blog: My Frugal Mistake
Check out the Mommysavers Group on Facebook

Let's see a Mommysavers Member featured on Oprah! Click here for more information

I would say that DH & I are Republicans but it depends on how the candidate stands on some issues that are important to us. Issues that are important to us are abortion, stemcell research, education(DH is a teacher), taxes and the environment. There have been times that we have agreed with a democrat on some issues and not a republican & then vice versa. When we vote we usually vote republican though.

__________________
Mommy to Ariana 8/11/01 & Davis 4/11/05
I love my kiddos!

[/url]

Enviroment and education.

I also will say the war in Iraq is a major concern as well - though truthfully I don't know what should be done with it at this point. From the start I never thought we should have gone in but we did and to just pull out now several years later when things are not finished? I don't think that is possible now either. Truthfully, I'm just glad I don't have to make these decisions.

I agree with melsb on all the above!! I am also big on personal freedom issues such as abortion, gay rights, religious freedom, etc.


(Gee, bet you can't tell where I stand politically )

__________________
~Happiness is a large family~

Abortion rights, health insurance, and the economy are my top issues. Iraq is also an issue, but like Melsb said, it's such a mess over there and no one really knows what to do about it.

There are a lot of issues that are important to me and NONE of them are being taken seriously at the moment.

The Iraq issue needs to be resolved. We are currently in a no win situation.

Health Care is in desperate need for reform. It is quickly becoming out of reach for so many.

The enironment needs to be a priority. If we don't have a healthy environment to live in, none of the rest really matters at all!

Our economy is not going in a good direction and the majority of people are suffering. We are becoming a two class system and the poor are winning the race. This has to stop.

Personal freedoms are very important to me.

1. personal freedoms
2. education
3. someone who can get us out of Iraq (I think it should be divided into 3 different countries for the main sects of people and we come home)
4. economy. Someone who can save the middle class that is fading away.
5. Personal consumer protection (food contamination here in the US and someone who has the balls to ban anything from China till they can get their crap together and stop trying to poison me, my children, or my pets )n my soapbox:

I was raised as a conservative republican, but I have libertarian leanings, strong libertarian leanings. I have become disgusted with both republican and democratic parties.

I honestly don't believe anything can get done because they are all worried about is getting re-elected. There are very few in Washington who actually want to get something done, and get it done right. But I digress. Here are my issues:

1. The tax system. It's a mess. It penalizes people who work for a living (did you know that 50% of Americans pay 96% of the taxes, and that if you gross $90K/year you are considered in teh top 10% of income earners, and that group alone pays 36% of all taxes paid???); it penalizes small businesses; and it's own employees can't even figure it out.

2. Immigration. Again, it's a mess. I am all for immigration - Hell, my great grandparents emmigrated from Italy. However, I believe in doing it legally. We live in a country with a Rule of Law; by coming into this country illegally, you are breaking the law. We must first secure our borders and then work on what to do with the estimated 20 million illegal immigrants.

3. Health Care and the Insurance Lobby - this one just creeps me out. We are moving closer and closer to socialized medicine, and it's a bad idea. We need to get the insurance companies out of the legislative process; put limits on malpractice claims so that doctor's can actually afford their insurance, and do something with the pharmacutical companies (although what I don't know, b/c it's a double edged sword: they spend a boat load of money on research, and we have some wonderful new drugs; but I think something needs to be done about how a drug is brought to market).

4. Education - I believe in school choice and vouchers. If you want to send your child to private school, you should be able to do that. I believe that competition will make public schools better, and will help make our kids smarter. Oh, and I also think that we should scrap the SOLs and go back teaching the basics.

5. Less Government - smarter government. I know, I know, but a girl can dream, can't she?

__________________
check out my blog: http://anniebananie.wordpress.com

Good one Deemom!!! I can't believe I didn't write that one.

Wow, I have to agree with everything you said here and all I have to add is I am for morals and family values.

I too am disgusted with republicans and democrats and am taking more of an independent or traditional stance on things.