Reply #77: In answer

[RandomUser]

to the topic question, I'm a democrat because I'm a social liberal, and a fiscal conservative (i.e., the social programs need to be funded on something other than deficits or ever-increasing taxes).

I'm a democrat because I'm pro-choice (but support banning late-term abortions with medical exceptions).

I'm a democrat because I'm pro-affirmative action (with a 20 year deadline, as per Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's opinion).

I'm a democrat because I believe in progressive taxation and balanced budgets (not tax and spend or tax-cuts and spend).

I'm a democrat because I support multilateralism (not retreating from the UN and the WTO).

I'm a democrat because I support quality labor conditions and standards and good wages (but not to the point where labor interests impede business development).

I'm a democrat because I support free/fair trade (but not protectionism or pulling out of NAFTA, renegotiating it maybe).

I'm a democrat because I support civil unions, also gay marriage if America is ready for it, and the right of gays to live without prejudice.

I'm a democrat because I believe in strong separation of Church and State.

I'm a democrat because I support protecting the environment (through the use of business and technology). Old growth forests have their place, but so do tree farms.

I'm a democrat because I believe in using military force as a last resort and only if the circumstances are dire (but I want our military to be well-funded, well-trained, and prepared).

I'm a democrat because I believe government has an obligation to help the poor or those in need and should spend money on social programs instead of prisons (but these programs need to be part of a balanced budget).

I'm a democrat because I believe in supporting education and experimenting with competitive education reform (i.e. pilot programs of mixed systems in troubled areas. There was a city, might have been philly, that was doing really well under a mixed multi-competitor program).

The republican-lites would call me a left-wing extremist.
The leftwing extremists would call me a republican-lite.

I just call myself a registered democrat (who votes republican, green and 90% democratic). Of course, some would say I should join the republicans, or join the greens, or just go independent.