Tracy Press

I read an interesting blog posted at http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/5/8/101535/6117 that I think worthwhile to share. (Note: Daily Kos is a largely-liberal political blog]
It's the story of how a staunch Republican became a Democrat, then a Republican again, and now a Democrat. Don't think of it as an endorsement of any particular party (though he does end up a Democrat) but rather an illustration of how fragile someone's party loyalty can be when trust is betrayed.

I only seem to remember the Red/Blue terminology cropping up in the 2000 campaign season at the earliest. It was only after 2004 that it really become firmly rooted in the public discourse. It fascinates me how readily people pick up such symbols and apply them to themselves.

My journey was drastically different: I started out disgusted with the Democrats, became disgusted with the Republicans, and eventually realized that the whole mess was disgusting in its totality. So it makes me wonder what could trigger that loss of faith in the majority of people, most of whom are too busy with their own lives to consider what current policies will lead towards. I think we're seeing stirrings of something on that scale now, with the unexpected popularity of fringe primary candidates like Mike Gravel and Ron Paul. Mainstream candidates tend towards the banal middle, and the only people in the middle who take a strong stand on the dominating war issue are preaching a message that many people are tired of. This leaves people to seek out new ideas, and that might reinvigorate interest in the process.

The last time there was a strong sentiment for change with a weak outlet designated to it by the media, Ross Perot popped up. Hopefully something interesting will happen this time.<br><br>Post edited by: Ian Stewart, at: 2007/05/10 09:18

Since &quot;red&quot; and &quot;blue&quot; have been banned by the school districts due to their &quot;gang&quot; connotations, then they should be banned from the most dangerous &quot;gangs&quot; in the U.S.
Until voters begin actually picking people instead of soundbites and &quot;party&quot; nominees, the country will continue in the same direction.

That's not true! The majority of the population doesn't fall into that category! They just don't even bother to vote!

removed sorry it needed more editing see nexted post<br><br>Post edited by: nancy, at: 2007/09/23 06:07

i have been rep and the dem. then i decided it really didn't matter i voted for a dem or two when i was a rep. and vise a versa when i was a dem. i just liston to the person and decide on how they might fix the issuse's

when you think about how our country is devide with red or blue it always makes me think a country devided can not stand. We are the untied state it dose not mean we all think alike or worship alike. It means we are willing to stand up next to each other and be united for freedom to all. And we need to go back to what all past elderes yours and mine. they have tried to teach us. we need to relearn the the basics on how to get along. And it is ok to disagree.<br><br>Post edited by: nancy, at: 2007/09/23 06:03