Barry - you'll probably have to carry the load on one side but - that's okay.. without getting all "mushy" here - I very much respect your viewpoint on most any subject. Same goes for everyone here..
Unfortunately when we talk "politics" I simply have a terrible time really understanding the "other" side..
Okay - let's take the "Big Four"...
Gun Control.. My wife's uncle and I talk about this one all the time.. Problem here is when you say "gun" I think about my grandpa's squirrel rifle. He (city born and bred) thinks about the gangs on the street corner with UZIs. This is a deal-breaker for me - mostly based on the "slippery-slope syndrome".
Pro-Life/Choice.. This one I slip out of my "conservative" views. I am decidedly Pro-Choice. I do not think abortion should be used as a "regular" form of birth control but - in cases of rape or incest.. I simply can't fathom not giving the victim a choice. I could be swayed on some "regulation" here - late term.. etc.
Unions.. If we were talking religion here.. I'd join Thump as an "agnostic". I don't have real strong feelings one way or the other. I was a card-carrying carpenter for a few years and other than the wages I made, the union did me 0 good. Never once got a job out of the "hall" and in fact in the end - they screwed me over. I know any number of people who are every bit as conservative as me but are staunch Democrats because they "vote their jobs".
Entitlements.. (here I'm talking mostly welfare in its many forms) Again, my liberal uncle in law (great guy by the way - just misguided ) thinks I have no compassion. He "thinks" a leg-up for the poor homeless who are that way though no fault of their own. I "think" of the two families who lived a few miles from me who are now on their fifth generation of welfare. Not a damn thing wrong with any of them except they've concluded working the system is better than working the shovel. If they'd cut out (or cut back on) the booze, cigarettes and pot - they'd be living better than I do. I'm against - it pretty much once you get by widows and orphans.
The whole "liberal" thing just escapes me. I honestly see their views as. "Send me all your money and I'll take care of you." My theory is, of course, I believe I'll keep my money and take care of my own damned self."
So - both sides - is there a "deal-breaker" for you or do just mostly find your thinking more in line with one party or the other?
I will say - it's been a long time since I voted for the man - rather than (imho) the lesser of two evils.