What's the Most Important Issue in Politics?

[Husker_x]

Midterms campaign season is already underway and is about to see a healthy surge in interest over the next few months. Polls open in three months––some voters already have itchy trigger fingers. Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Anarchist, Socialist, Communist, or Fascist––if you had to pick one reason above all others that would get your vote or your support for a candidate, what would it be?

 

Or, as broadly or narrowly as you like, what is the most important issue in politics?

[Manhattan]

In a general sense, Government control and regulation and social acquiescence to these ends. The embrace of the marginalization of liberty.

 

 

In a specific sense, the government's distrust of capitalism and gradual formation of a socialist state.

[Husker_x]

In a general sense, Government control and regulation and social acquiescence to these ends. The embrace of the marginalization of liberty.

 

 

In a specific sense, the government's distrust of capitalism and gradual formation of a socialist state.

 

As in you want that to happen or it is happening and you'd prefer it not to?

[zoogs]

Having a good, well-educated background and articulating a general philosophy and mindset, rather than packaged plans. Our needs are going to be addressed by smart people interested in seeking and addressing them rather than people armed with bulletined lists on how to "solve" ____ "problem". Open-mindedness is a plus.

 

I don't know how you can be JUST 'liberal' or JUST 'conservative'. The way candidates talk usually, it's as if their own step-by-step plans are flawless, while their opponents are fully and thoroughly ludicrous. There's the whole stigma of 'you must be consistent and not change your mind once you make a plan or a promise'...BS, IMO. You can't promise to cut taxes for so-and-so demographic by so-and-so percent. You CAN say "Here's the situation, here's why it might make sense to cut taxes and the consequences of doing so, and if this or this changes, the advantages of cutting those taxes changes thus-and-thus."

 

I guess that's more an answer of 'what's the most important thing to look for in a politician' rather than what the biggest issue is. But IMO, the focus on issues is way overblown, and the focus should be on the candidates instead.

[sd'sker]

it is the economy, you knuckleheads. that is all that ever matters. unless the economy is doing well, then it is something trivial.

[Manhattan]

In a general sense, Government control and regulation and social acquiescence to these ends. The embrace of the marginalization of liberty.

 

 

In a specific sense, the government's distrust of capitalism and gradual formation of a socialist state.

 

As in you want that to happen or it is happening and you'd prefer it not to?

 

I do not want approve of this trend.

[Husker_x]

In a general sense, Government control and regulation and social acquiescence to these ends. The embrace of the marginalization of liberty.

 

 

In a specific sense, the government's distrust of capitalism and gradual formation of a socialist state.

 

As in you want that to happen or it is happening and you'd prefer it not to?

 

I do not want approve of this trend.

 

Phew. Me either.

 

I'm trying to narrow down my political philosophy into something that might be able to answer my own question is a succinct way. I don't think I'll quite make it, but here goes. Feel free to print this on a T-shirt, but if anyone does, make sure I get my F(*&ing royalty checks.

 

Hrrg. Hrmm...

 

Don't take my money. And don't tell me what to do.

 

I know, I know. Just let it soak in. I'm for legalizing drugs, prostitution, gambling, etc. I'm against taxes that go a penny over what is absolutely necessary to keep this country from sinking into the ocean. I understand that the government has a role, but it has far exceeded it and has instead begun social engineering, which leads directly to a dependence on the state, which is sowing the seeds of tyranny. My vote will go for the candidate who maximizes freedom and minimizes taxes almost every time. Whether he's religious or not, gay or not, black, white, purple or not, homo sapien or not, that's my horse.

[Manhattan]

Grammar fail.

[Hingle McCringleberry]

In a general sense, Government control and regulation and social acquiescence to these ends. The embrace of the marginalization of liberty.

 

 

In a specific sense, the government's distrust of capitalism and gradual formation of a socialist state.

 

As in you want that to happen or it is happening and you'd prefer it not to?

 

I do not want approve of this trend.

 

Phew. Me either.

 

I'm trying to narrow down my political philosophy into something that might be able to answer my own question is a succinct way. I don't think I'll quite make it, but here goes. Feel free to print this on a T-shirt, but if anyone does, make sure I get my F(*&ing royalty checks.

 

Hrrg. Hrmm...

 

Don't take my money. And don't tell me what to do.

 

I know, I know. Just let it soak in. I'm for legalizing drugs, prostitution, gambling, etc. I'm against taxes that go a penny over what is absolutely necessary to keep this country from sinking into the ocean. I understand that the government has a role, but it has far exceeded it and has instead begun social engineering, which leads directly to a dependence on the state, which is sowing the seeds of tyranny. My vote will go for the candidate who maximizes freedom and minimizes taxes almost every time. Whether he's religious or not, gay or not, black, white, purple or not, homo sapien or not, that's my horse.

 

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights"

 

I am with ya, dont tell me what to do... The day we started to think the government gave us rights was the day we screwed ourselves. I think most people find the word "unalienable" to be the most important in this line, I disagree, I think "endowed" is. No matter what they say we HAVE these rights, they CANNOT be taken away, you dont have to believe in God, you just have to believe that something bigger than man (and mans flawed government) gave you your rights. I think the last "true" president was Reagan, he thought he was part of the problem, and We are the solution. Ask Obama (or Bush for that matter) if he believes that. All they offer is slavery.....

[carlfense]

Balance the budget. Cut military spending in areas where it isn't needed (like ballistic nuclear submarines . . . the cold war is over.)

 

And a flat tax with few or no exemptions.

[killer cacti]

The most important issue in politics is doing what's best for the people they represent, not what's best for their party.

[Husker_x]

What is best for the people?

[killer cacti]

What is best for the people?

Different places = different needs = different bests.

 

I'm just sick and f'ing tired of politicians making decisions based on the party that they represent, so that the party will support them for the next election.

[Husker_x]

What is best for the people?

Different places = different needs = different bests.

 

I'm just sick and f'ing tired of politicians making decisions based on the party that they represent, so that the party will support them for the next election.

 

Oh I hear you, and that's why I asked what you think is best, because it (necessarily) depends. What's 'best' can be anything.

[knapplc]

I don't think you can boil this down to one thing that is "most important," because that changes from election to election, sometimes day to day, and certainly from region to region. The country as a whole has varying needs based on the day, the election year, the era. This is a really hard, if not impossible, question to answer.