Some say there is no difference between the two major political parties.
Some on the far right even call Republican elected officials "RINO", meaning they are Republican In Name Only. They say things like everyone needs to go home or we must defeat the GOP before we begin to fight the Democrats. They name call everyone who does not meet their purity standard.
Tell me what in the world determines if a person is a "REAL" Republican? If winning the Republican primary to become the party's nominee does not make you Republican, what does?
There are also folks who believe so strongly in their own thoughts and beliefs that they consider themselves above having a political party affiliation. These people declare themselves independents.
They are not speaking of the independent political party, folks, but rather declaring to be an independent agent voting for the "MAN" or should I say, candidate? As though they have some secret intelligent way to determine how a person will perform when elected to a body.
Do they think a single person elected to any governmental body can make a decision alone in the work of that body? Do they actually think this person will work independently of their party affiliation?
In both these cases, it is apparent that perceived intentions are much more important than actual behavior.
Should the party affiliation of a candidate tell you anything about the person? Yes, it should. When choosing a political party, each candidate is choosing a platform to stand on.
Let's take a look at one issue, abortion. Yes, I realize abortion is legal and has been since January 22, 1973. We have been taking the lives of innocent human babies for over 40 years. Our two major parties have very different opinions on this issue.
Potential candidates are aligning themselves with this plank in one of the two platforms.
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The Republican Party Supports a human life amendment; oppose abortion funding
Faithful to the "self-evident" truths enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed.
We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment's protections apply to unborn children.
We oppose using public revenues to promote or perform abortion or fund organizations which perform or advocate it and will not fund or subsidize health care which includes abortion coverage.
We support the appointment of judges who respect traditional family values and the sanctity of innocent human life.
We oppose the non-consensual withholding or withdrawal of care or treatment, including food and water, from people with disabilities, including newborns, as well as the elderly and infirm, just as we oppose active and passive euthanasia and assisted suicide.
Source: 2012 Republican Party Platform
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The Democrat party Strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade
We oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right.
Abortion is an intensely personal decision between a woman, her family, her doctor, and her clergy; there is no place for politicians or government to get in the way.
We also recognize that health care and education help reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and thereby also reduce the need for abortions.
We strongly and unequivocally support a woman's decision to have a child by providing affordable health care and ensuring the availability of and access to programs that help women during pregnancy and after the birth of a child, including caring adoption programs.
