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I was always raised to think that Republicans were about limited government, about individual liberty, about fiscal responsibility, about balanced budgets, about a wariness of military adventures abroad, about responsible encouragement to business. There's a whole list of things I thought the Republican Party was all about, and these guys that presently occupy the White House, are categorically against every single one of those things. So if they're Republicans, I'm not. But I'm really not a very comfortable Democrat. I mean the Democrats in the last elections proved themselves to be a bunch of dithering pussies... and it was pathetic. So I'm just waiting until one party or the other actually gets a moral compass and a backbone.

John Perry Barlow#12

PoliticsIdeology

About this quote

What does it mean?
Barlow reflects on his disillusionment with both parties, finding Republicans no longer match his values and Democrats ineffective.
In plain terms
He feels neither party represents his ideals.
What can you take from it?
Look beyond party labels to find policies that align with personal principles.

Where it applies

  • voting decisions
  • political engagement

Putting it to work

  • evaluate candidates on issues
  • support independent voices

Questions to consider

  • What core values matter most to you?
  • How can you influence political change?

Another view

Party platforms are often broad, making precise alignment difficult.

More from John Perry Barlow

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  2. I wasn't tempted to vote for Bush, but I understand why people did: because he obviously had integrity. It was a terrible kind of integrity, but he does what h…

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  3. We will create a civilization of the Mind in Cyberspace. May it be more humane and fair than the world your governments have made before.

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