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Cobalt Violet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 12:13 PM
Original message
Poll question: How Liberal or Conservative are you?
How would you rate yourself on this scale?
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firebee Donating Member (260 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 12:22 PM
Response to Original message
1. This is kind of a trick question..
Are you asking if we're conservative or liberal on the issues or are you asking if we're conservative or liberal on thought process.

I'd say I'm centrist on the issues... However, I'm extremely liberal in thought process. Of fuck it... I'm a liberal.. their, I said it.
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JudyM Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 12:25 PM
Response to Reply #1
4. Curious - what's liberal on thought process by centrist on issues mean?
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Cobalt Violet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 12:26 PM
Response to Reply #1
5. Just what ever those words mean to you.
Edited on Sun Nov-14-04 12:28 PM by Cobalt Violet
Where you feel you fall on that scale by your own definition of those terms.


For instance some one could be very liberal and not be for gun control, yet they may still feel they are very liberal.



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firebee Donating Member (260 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 01:33 PM
Response to Reply #5
14. Bingo...
I'm open to women making their own choices on abortion, but I wouldn't want "my" girl to have an abortion if things came about. However, I wouldn't try making abortion illegal just because some girl I boinked had an abortion. It's her decision with her body and I really have no say in the matter.

As for guns... "I voted against them before I voted for them". I really didn't think it was necessary for people to have assualt weapons, but with the new S.S., I've flip flopped on that position. I do think their should be way more regulation on purchasing weapons, but NOW... I also think people should have the firearms necessary to defend themselves from tyranny. Who would've thought that would actually be a valid argument?

I guess I'm saying their are things I agree with and things I don't agree with, but I don't have to enact laws to enforce my views. Less individual regulation and more regulation of the corrupted Corporata.



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The Wielding Truth Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 05:26 PM
Response to Reply #14
27. Yep, your a Liberal .You Think. Proud to have you here.
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formernaderite Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 03:52 PM
Response to Reply #5
25. I'd argue in the true sense of the word being liberal....
...is not supporting gun control. I have to agree with my Libertarian wife on these issues...liberal should mean supporting rights and freedoms...not clamping down.
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Cobalt Violet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 05:21 PM
Response to Reply #25
26. I don't believe in an unarmed left.
And a fully armed right. That's for sure.
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Cobalt Violet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-15-04 12:00 AM
Response to Reply #26
45. kick
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bryant69 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 01:33 PM
Response to Reply #1
13. It also depends on whether you mean the standars of the moment
or the standards in general. In a sane society or a sane political spectrum i might very well be a bit right of center. But that's not what we have just now.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com
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Bush was AWOL Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 02:39 PM
Response to Reply #1
17. Left of Center
pretty left on Social issues-support equal rights for gays and lesbians, Support Roe v. Wade, support stem cell research.

Center right on Foreign Policy-I strongly oppose the war in Iraq. However, I completely support Afghanistan.

Center left on Economics-against cutting taxes during war, but cutting taxes is not always a bad thing.
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xultar Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 12:24 PM
Response to Original message
2. Conservatives = Regressives...new DU meme n/t
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signmike Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 12:24 PM
Response to Original message
3. My philosophy
My whole philosophy of life is somewhere to the left of "Whoo-pie!"
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Darranar Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 12:33 PM
Response to Original message
6. Extremely ultra-liberal...
though I prefer the term "radical leftist"....
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nonconformist Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 12:38 PM
Response to Original message
7. I picked 'very liberal'
I actually used to consider myself somewhat of a centrist, or maybe just a shade left of that. I had always been pretty far left on social issues (I have the basic mentality of - do whatever you want, just don't hurt anyone) but more centered on economic issues.

Since 2000 I've moved farther left for a number of reasons. One of them being the Bush junta, one being that I'm much more informed now that I was then, and yet another being maturity.

Corruption breeds extremism. I don't consider myself extreme, but I do understand that comment more than ever these days.
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Martin Eden Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 01:05 PM
Response to Original message
8. other -- Z axis
Categorizing one's political philosophy along a line stretching from left to right along an X-Y axis confines one's political thought along a 2-dimensional train that constricts it along conventional ideological lines. I prefer a vertical perspective along the Z axis in which both conservative and liberal thought can be synthesized into practical solutions for governing a nation as huge and diverse as the United States.

Besides, the philosophies that constitute conservatism and liberalism change over time and cannot be accurately described along the X-Y axis. Conservatives used to be for fiscal responsibility and against military adventurism. Liberals have been a little more consistent in advocating government solutions to domestic problems, but personally I would be far left on some issues and conservative on others.

I think a successful political movement cannot succeed if it confines itself somewhere along the existing preconceived line stretching from left to right. We need a higher perspective and some fresh thinking -- not a resumption of political battles along the old front between left and right (a battle we have been losing).
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Martin Eden Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 01:07 PM
Response to Original message
9. dupe (encountered an error when posting)
Edited on Sun Nov-14-04 01:08 PM by Martin Eden
Categorizing one's political philosophy along a line stretching from left to right along an X-Y axis confines one's political thought along a 2-dimensional train that constricts it along conventional ideological lines. I prefer a vertical perspective along the Z axis in which both conservative and liberal thought can be synthesized into practical solutions for governing a nation as huge and diverse as the United States.

Besides, the philosophies that constitute conservatism and liberalism change over time and cannot be accurately described along the X-Y axis. Conservatives used to be for fiscal responsibility and against military adventurism. Liberals have been a little more consistent in advocating government solutions to domestic problems, but personally I would be far left on some issues and conservative on others.

I think a successful political movement cannot succeed if it confines itself somewhere along the existing preconceived line stretching from left to right. We need a higher perspective and some fresh thinking -- not a resumption of political battles along the old front between left and right (a battle we have been losing).
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pilgrimm Donating Member (187 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 01:20 PM
Response to Original message
10. I fancy myself Independent
Much like Bill O'Reilly claims to be independent, but is really just a closet Conservative. I say that I am independent, when in fact I'm just a closet Liberal
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Hippo_Tron Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 01:26 PM
Response to Original message
11. Either 'liberal' or 'very liberal' depending on the definition...
On DU I'd probably be considered liberal. Not amongst fellow democrats/liberals I'd probably be considered 'very liberal'.
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Donating Member (56 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 01:30 PM
Response to Original message
12. Extremely Ultra Liberal
It is but a label. In the world of politics Extremely Ultra Liberal best defines how my principles are defined.
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JHBowden Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 01:49 PM
Response to Original message
15. Somewhat to the left.
I tend to be center-right on foreign policy, center-left on economic policy, and far-left on social issues.
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durutti Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 02:34 PM
Response to Original message
16. Why are those the only options?
A socialist is very different from a liberal.
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Cobalt Violet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 03:23 PM
Response to Reply #16
20. There is always the "other" option for those who can't relate to any...
of the other choices.
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ulysses Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 02:44 PM
Response to Original message
18. I believe in helping
those who need the help, in universal education, in protecting the environment and in sacrificing lives only in cases of extreme need. I am a liberal.
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Jack Schitt Donating Member (535 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 02:45 PM
Response to Original message
19. Ok, who voted "extremely ultra-conservative"??
Is there a test where I can figure out how liberal I am? I don't know where I rate on the liberal scale. :shrug:
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pilgrimm Donating Member (187 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 03:34 PM
Response to Reply #19
21. This ones pretty good
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Pushed To The Left Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 06:28 PM
Response to Reply #21
32. Here's how I did on that one:
Economic Left/Right: -4.12
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -4.21

Very unusual questions on that one.
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FuzzySlippers Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 08:07 PM
Response to Reply #21
40. I took this. Thought I'd never get done.
Economic Left/Right: -9.00

Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -8.26

Guess that's pretty liberal.:shrug:
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Jack Schitt Donating Member (535 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 08:54 PM
Response to Reply #21
42. I got a -6.12, -6.46
for Economic Left/Right and Social Libertarian/Authoritarian, respectively.
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Anarcho-Socialist Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 03:37 PM
Response to Original message
22. Extremely Ultra Liberal is closest to what I am
Although some might have guessed that from my name.
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IronLionZion Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 03:39 PM
Response to Original message
23. world's smallest political quiz
if you don't know where you are:

http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html

or if you have time, go to politicalcompass.org for a longer one.
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C.C.D. Donating Member (101 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 05:59 PM
Response to Reply #23
29. That quiz gave me Libertarian...
I am in strong support of platforms to do with preserving the environment and limiting gov't spending and power...that leans me left politically.

Much of my actual life, though, is quite "conservative". So much so that others are surprised to learn that I don't support this administration.

Fwiw, I hate that they have associated their bullsh*t with the word "conservative" -- there is NOTHING conservative about these fellas.
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Pushed To The Left Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 06:14 PM
Response to Reply #23
30. I came out "Liberal" on that one
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GreenPartyVoter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 03:40 PM
Response to Original message
24. I am down and left of Dennis K, The Greens, and the Socialists
on the political Compass.

Does that make me ultra-liberal?
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Hippo_Tron Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 07:13 PM
Response to Reply #24
34. It depends on the definition, part of it is dictated by American views...
For example, Communism and most forms of Socialsim aren't even viable views in American Politics and thus are averaged out of the charts when determining liberal or conservative. In American politics, you'd be very liberal by the objective observer, ultra liberal by the corporate media, and off the charts (Stalinist) to a RW pundit like Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity. In reality, when you factor in communism/socialism as acceptable political philosophies, I'd put somebody like say Paul Wellstone as moderate-left, Dennis Kucinich comfortably left (liberal), and you somewhere to the left of that, depending on how more liberal you feel that you are than Dennis Kucinich and the Greens.
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eauclaireliberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 05:56 PM
Response to Original message
28. other
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zippy890 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 06:23 PM
Response to Original message
31. I am more worried about the
Edited on Sun Nov-14-04 06:24 PM by zippy890
2 extemely ultra conservatives than I am about all the ultra liberals

what would your 'moral values' be, as an extreme ultra conservative?
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Pushed To The Left Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 06:56 PM
Response to Original message
33. Here's yet another quiz
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Hippo_Tron Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 07:19 PM
Response to Reply #33
36. Libertarian-Leaning Liberal
I don't understand how they use the term populist vs. libertarian in that sense though. Isn't populism just what it sounds like, supporting things that help the masses such as labor unions?
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Pushed To The Left Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 07:26 PM
Response to Reply #36
37. I think so
Populists would be to the left on economic and labor issues, while libertarians would be on the right.
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69KV Donating Member (444 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-15-04 12:17 AM
Response to Reply #33
47. "Populist-Leaning Liberal"
Personal score 60%
Economic score 12%

That one looks like the old Libertarian quiz with more questions added. I assume a very low economic score means very liberal.
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Padraig18 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 07:16 PM
Response to Original message
35. Center-left/populist.
I'm a pay-as-you-go liberal. Like the late Sen. Paul Simon, I don't believe that 'liberal' and 'wastrel' need go hand-in-hand.
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Sleepysage Donating Member (148 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 07:29 PM
Response to Original message
38. In the spirit of Thanksgiving...
I yam what I yam.

I have friends who think I'm conservative... well, okay, one. The rest think I'm a pinko. ;-)
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RawMaterials Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 07:36 PM
Response to Original message
39. I'm an independent
i like to figure out for myself the best answer to any issues, if i was going to pigeon hole my self to a title the only one would be fiscally Conservative, i think you should balance budgets and save, and invest in the right things(science, energy, stem cells) the only thing that solves todays problems is tomorrows innovations.
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Cobalt Violet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 08:43 PM
Response to Original message
41. Kick
:kick:
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Cobalt Violet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 10:21 PM
Response to Original message
43. Not one somewhat to the right?
Out of 184 votes?
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Blue_Tires Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-14-04 10:30 PM
Response to Original message
44. unrepentant left-wing extremist here
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getoffmytrain Donating Member (575 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-15-04 12:10 AM
Response to Original message
46. Libertarian.
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hux4000 Donating Member (17 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-15-04 12:56 AM
Response to Original message
48. done
kick
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Cobalt Violet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-15-04 02:16 PM
Response to Reply #48
49. Kick
For anyone here today that wasn't here yesterday.
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