Doing some thinking (regarding politics and LE)

[Question]

Rest of RP to Question: Noooo, don't "think" again!

I believe I can safely say that most LEOs (though not all) support the Republican Party. Now my first thought was that since LEOs had to enforce the law, they would support bigger government. Republicans of course support smaller government. And even on many social issues, such as gun control and certain speeding laws, they support more freedom. (Republicans were the ones to push for the repeal of the 55 MPH law).

So it seemed kind of ironic initially that police would support the Republicans. After all, weren't police "adversarial" instead of "democratic"? But as I thought about it some more, it made sense to me why LEOs would support the GOP. Sure, LEOs have to act authoritarian in their roles, but who are they acting authoritarian against? Drug pushers, thieves, murderers, thugs and people of those likes. As a law-abiding citizen, I've never been "harrassed" by the police. It seems to me that the only people who have troubles with the police are those that break (common-sense) laws. Therefore, LEOs are acting adversarial so they can protect freedom for the vast majority of the population.

I want to hear what both LEOs as well as non-LEOs think about this.

[acreature]

IMO the government size issue is that of a personal affiliation issue, not necessarily that of an LE issue.

My reasoning for backing Repubs as an LEO is that of basic moral and ethical code. The Repubs/Conservs believe in a basic principle of Moral and Ethical Conduct. The Repubs/Conservs believe in Self Responsibility and Consequence for ones action.

[ngcsubutterbar]

and I as a non republican/conservative "don't" ? :D

[cecilVA]

IMO the government size issue is that of a personal affiliation issue, not necessarily that of an LE issue.

My reasoning for backing Repubs as an LEO is that of basic moral and ethical code. The Repubs/Conservs believe in a basic principle of Moral and Ethical Conduct. The Repubs/Conservs believe in Self Responsibility and Consequence for ones action.

What he said. Generally speaking, conservatives support a strong criminal justice system and advocate responsibility for one's actions as opposed to liberals who tend to focus on getting to the reasoning behind criminal's actions which sometimes leads to apologetic attitudes towards criminals.

As far as the big/small government, that is usually referring to the Federal level. I believe the Feds shouldn't be spending inordinate amounts of money for local law enforcement. Thats up to the state and municipal governments.

The only possible exception to this is those police departments that have unions representing their members. Unions have always been Democrat territory. Granted the member of a union may vote differently from the union's endorsement.

I'm speaking in generalities here, obviously there are exceptions to this. I mean something has to explain Oscar :D

[oscarmitre]

What he said. Generally speaking, conservatives support a strong criminal justice system and advocate responsibility for one's actions as opposed to liberals who tend to focus on getting to the reasoning behind criminal's actions which sometimes leads to apologetic attitudes towards criminals.

It's the difference between the two main approaches to explaining crime. Conservatives come from the classicist view, they emphasise rationality and free will and of course that focuses on personal responsibility. Liberals (progressives) take a positivist approach and look to causes beyond the individual, such as genetic, biological, psychological, social environmental causes. The conservative position is simple and easy to understand - it's the individual's fault, punish them and make sure there are plenty of deterrents for the others. The progressive position is much more complex and difficult and sees crime as a product of a myriad causes, one of which is free will.

(snipped the bit about funding)

The only possible exception to this is those police departments that have unions representing their members. Unions have always been Democrat territory. Granted the member of a union may vote differently from the union's endorsement.

I'm speaking in generalities here, obviously there are exceptions to this. I mean something has to explain Oscar :D

I blundered into a police career and decided I liked it so I stayed ;)

[cecilVA]

Hmm I call his name and he appears. Freaky. Kinda like the spotlight and Batman...only not really. ;)

[rdp]

Just work under the 9th Circus court and see how bad liberals screw up the laws and our country and you would easily see how any cop would be against them.

Evem if you weren't a cop and had half a brain, you should be able to see how they are destroying our country.

[hitnrun]

Just work under the 9th Circus court and see how bad liberals screw up the laws and our country and you would easily see how any cop would be against them.

Evem if you weren't a cop and had half a brain, you should be able to see how they are destroying our country.

Funny you mention that. I just read something somewhere that said the 9th Circut has 95% of ALL their rulings overturned at somepoint. Buncha jackasses trying to change the world as they see fit.

[cecilVA]

The 9th circuit are the yahoos who took "Under God" out of the Pledge. They have the distinction of being the most overturned court in the country.

[Star]

The Republican Philosophy

WE BELIEVE:

THAT the right of the individual to achieve the best that is within him, as long as he respects the rights of others, is the source of our Nation's strength.

THAT government exists to protect the freedom of opportunity in which each individual's creative ability can flourish.

THAT the government activities should be limited to those things which people cannot do at all, or cannot do so well for themselves.

THAT the most effective government is government closest to the people.

THAT those who cannot provide for themselves should be assisted by both government and society, but that every effort should be made to help them become self-supporting, productive citizens with pride in their independence.

THAT equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunitv belong to all, regardless of race, creed, age, sex or national origin.

THAT the preservation of our Nation and the security of our citizens depend upon the Constitution, the laws, and the courts, and that respect for them is the responsibility of every individual.

THAT government is accountable for maintaining sound money and a responsible economy. Individual rights, liberties and properties are continually eroded when citizens are oppressed by excessive taxation, inflation, government waste and over-regulation.

THAT government is responsible for national defense and that only a strong America can remain a free America.

If you asked me, which no one did :D , I think the beliefs of a Republican closely match those of a Law Enforcement Officer. As a Republican, we are FOR the government. As a LEO, we WORK for the government. HOWEVER (insert oxymoron here), I usually do not mix my political views with following policy at work. We're not trained Republicans there...we are trained law enforcement. The two don't have anything to do with each other at that point. The only real politics involved in my job are following my Code of Ethics and Professionalism and representing my County, State and US LEO's. Other than that, politics have no place in Law Enforcement. We do what we are trained to do regardless of our political affiliation. As my informant "DooDoo" would say, "That **** don't mix, homie".

[Wifeofadeputy]

The 9th circuit are the yahoos who took "Under God" out of the Pledge. They have the distinction of being the most overturned court in the country.

"Under God" was added to the pledge in 1954. When was it removed again?

[rdp]

It was removed for all states under the 9th Circus for a short time. Our school district had a set time before they would begin enforcing it......it went to the US Supreme Court prior to that.

The Court stated the petitioner in this case had no legal standing on the issue and tossed the case. They didn't even make a ruling about it......which left the door open for more legal challenges.

[Wifeofadeputy]

Ok, I remember the case... it was all over the news. It will be interesting to see what comes of it in the future.