[scandium]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Well, you're wrong on both counts:
1) No, there are many kinds of everything, and

There are 3 kinds of republicans. As I said, there is overlap among the categories and each category could even be broken down into further sub categories, but I didn't have the time or the inclination to further elaborate on what I'd already written in what was already a lengthy post.

2) No, you don't think.

Hit a nerve did I?

I'm not a Republican, but I do tend to be more conservative than liberal. That said, I've been accused of being both due to my opinions on various subjects. I know many extremely intelligent people who listen to Rush Limbaugh (he is quite witty, after all); not so many of them like Hannity or Coulter.

Based on what you've written here and elsewhere I would put you squarely in the "dittohead" category. Why? Because based on your personal info you obviously don't fit category #1, being not even close to the socioeconomic class that defines that category, and which is the only class that benefits from republican policies.

I also get the feeling you don't vote based on whatever candidate Pat Robertson endorses, or based exclusively on any of the usual wedge issues that republicans bring up around election time to get out the category 2 vote (gay marriage, flag burning, immigration, abortion) even if you happen to agree with their positions, its not enough to get out your vote.

However you fit category 3 to a tee. You claim your an "independent", you admit you're a Rush fan, and you probably voted for Bush both times in spite of the fact that his policies have not only done absolutely nothing for you personally (your share of his biggest political plank, tax cuts, being not only next to nothing but grossly offset by the price of everything else that has increased since from the trippling of oil prices to state and municipal taxes that have had to have been raised, along with indirect federal "taxes" that have been raised or increased to make up for the shortfall and usually aimed directly at the middle and working classes) but have likely factored into a worsening of your personal circumstances since he came into office and began slashing funds to the VA and cutting back on other social programs that you may have benefitted from before or been able to benefit by now if they were still around (though you'd never admit it).

You, on the other hand, usually come across as just as opinionated and lock-stepped as the people you like to point fingers at. I don't see you as any more open-minded or thoughtful in your arguments than some of the people on the "other side of the fence". You seem to already know that you are right and those who disagree with you are wrong, misguided, lying or just plain stupid. Of course that's true of a lot of conservatives as well.

I'm very opinionated. My opinions, though, are not formed from listening to the RNC talking points pushed every night by Rush Limbaugh, but from a social science background that includes many courses in sociology, criminology, economics, and political science augmented by a regular reading of news and editorials from a variety of sources. That doesn't make my opinions "right", or "wrong", as opinions are just that... I am open, however, to accepting proven facts that the Reps have made a science out of downplaying and I'm immune to their particular brand of belligerent nationalism (being Canadian would probably account for the latter).

I myself try to see all sides of situations and leave myself open to reasonable debate.

Of course, after all you're an "Independent".

[Edit] Recommended reading: Confessions of a Former Dittohead. I'm assuming you have a library card, periodically use it, and you claim to be open minded... and this isn't written by a left-wing kook, but by a lifelong conservative... its also a quick, light hearted read.