ChiodosSaryrn wrote:
I'm not trying to insult people, I just want to know why people allow themselves and even promote themselves as liberal, democrat, republican, conservative, etc. If you don't stand for absolutely everything they stand for, isn't it a bit of an insult?
That's a pretty strange expectation and a partially nonsensical statement--"allow themselves as liberal, etc?" People do so because they find it agreeable, practical, and effective.
Agreeable. If I like turkey sandwiches with lettuce, tomato, peppers, and tablespoon and a half of mustard, then I'm still going to be quite happy with a turkey sandwich with lettuce, tomato, peppers, and a tablespoon and a quarter of mustard. Few would be so picky as to discard something that so closely approximates what they want ideally because it simple isn't perfect. Especially considering that the alternative is nothing near what you want.
Practical. When voting is used to determine so much of what occurs in our government, you need people to vote with you. That often means making small compromises to achieve a close approximation of what anyone in a political seat ideal desires.
Effective. Branding helps sell products, if for no other reason than it gives you strong name recognition. As a candidate attaching yourself to a political partly that already closely meets your views conveys numerous benefits such as increased recognition, potential endorsements, and easily tapped existing base of voters.