The Democratic Underground and the ideology of its members

[Anarcho-Socialist]

I only have spaces for 10 choices and I've had to combine choices to fit them on the poll. Apologies if your choice is not included.

I've often wondered how people on DU describe themselves ideologically, as not all of us (though possibly most of us) are Liberal. Vote away, I'll be interested in the results... and post a message if you can.

[Just Me]

1. Where would I fit as a person who believes,...

,...social & economic justice are prerequisites to a healthy democracy?

[Anarcho-Socialist]

4. Democratic Socialists believe that more than most

Social Democrats, Liberals and other elements listed also do, but not to the same extent.

[Just Me]

6. So, I am non-ideological.

Yes?

[Anarcho-Socialist]

9. You could say that if you aren't able to narrow yourself down

to a particular category. You would be non-ideological if you approach political choices and issues on a case-by-case basis.

[Just Me]

17. Thank you. eom

[Undercover Owl]

2. just a garden variety liberal.

More liberal than most people.

[meisje]

3. Push Poll!!!

[Bouncy Ball]

5. What's the Democratic Socialist one mean?

What I think it means? Because I am really liberal, but also have socialistic tendencies.

So, whereever that would be on the chart...

Oh and I love progressive populism. I'm a hodge-podge!

[Anarcho-Socialist]

7. Democratic Socialists

Deeply believe in social justice (which is why they call themselves socialists). Philosophically they are for collective responsibility and working together in society. They are for very progressive taxation and higher pay should only be based upon merit. They also believe that there should be gradual reform of the economy from a capitalist system to a socialist one. They believe that major industries should be run by the government and administered for the needs of the people rather than for profit.

[Bouncy Ball]

15. Hmmm, sounds pretty good to me.

[welshTerrier2]

21. if you really want to know, please read this ...

http://www.dsausa.org/about/where.html

[DrGonzoLives]

8. Progressive Populist

You know, like a few people you might have heard of: Birch Bayh, Harry Truman, etc...

[saltpoint]

11. Bring Birch Bayh back now!

I miss him.

[Art_from_Ark]

33. While we're at it, let's bring back Mike Mansfield, Frank Church,

Scoop Jackson, Bill Fulbright, George McGovern, and Thomas Eagleton, too! Heck, even Everett Dirksen and Margaret Chase Smith! They were all head and shoulders over most of what pass for Senators these days!

[saltpoint]

34. Hi, Art from Ark. You know, I do miss the senators of --

-- that era, the ones who were nominally partisan but actually public servants. Frank Church is a really good example. I'm partial to Bayh because my aunt was a co-delegate with him to two conventions and I got to hobnob with him and a handful of other Dem celebs. Thrilled the hell out of me.

You mention T. Eagleton. What is he doing these days? I think we gave him the bum's rush in 1972 when he was doing his part to help our cause. Eagleton's son Terry was interviewed by a newscaster the night of his father's nomination. I think Terry must have been about 7 or something -- pretty young anyway. I remember that the kid got the best of the newscaster and then some.

[justy329]

10. other- moderate liberal n/t

[ExclamationPoint]

12. I voted Radical Liberal

Because I'm always talking about politics, and so I wouldn't consider
myself just a person with generally liberal ideas. But I suppose I couldn't say I'm liberal to the point of an insane partisan. Yet I only know a couple people who are as leftist, progressive, and any other synonym for "Massachusetts Liberal" you can think of as me. I stand by my open-minded thoughts.

[saltpoint]

13. Good post, AS.

Thank you.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

16. Thanks, I appreciate your comments n/t

:toast: :)

[Anarcho-Socialist]

14. Some useful definitions from Wikipedia

Democratic Socialism: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Socialist

Social Democrat:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_democracy

Libertarian Socialist:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarian_socialist

[Anarcho-Socialist]

18. More definitions...

Progressive:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressivism

Communitarian:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communitarian

[imenja]

31. Wikipedia is actually a good encyclopedia

surprisingly so. It seems better than others I've looked at.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

32. I agree, I can lose hours just looking up random things on it

:)

[American Tragedy]

19. I call myself a libertarian liberal

It would be too time-consuming to try to explain my entire philosophy and all of my political positions, so I'll try to hit the major points. I believe in Western individualist tradition, not in the conservative mold of unmitigated avarice, but rather in the sense of individuals enriching themselves intellectually, freely engaged in diverse cultures, countercultures, and lifestyles.

I generally follow the principle that consenting adults should be free of government impositions on their minds and bodies. If their behavior or expression offends someone or some group, they can try to work that out amongst themselves. The government and the courts should rightfully intervene only as a last resort, to protect citizens' rights, not to merely punish people who violate someone else's view of the status quo.

I support Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, prescription drug coverage and price negotiation, welfare, progressive income tax, raising salaries of teachers and others in the public sector, funding for infrastructure and road reconstruction, corporate regulations, labor protections, etc. However, I am intensely opposed to waste of taxpayers' dollars on elective wars, punitive drug law enforcement, pork barrel spending, redundant weapons projects, propaganda campaigns, politicians' luxuries, and other excesses, especially when there is public debt.

Overall, my ideal government would be significantly smaller than the current administration, which is the most bloated bureaucracy in history, and my ideal economy would spend considerably less (which certainly defies the stereotype of leftists as big government and big spending).

[The Backlash Cometh]

20. Social Pragmatist.

Which is a tough-love liberal.

[Catchawave]

22. I voted for Democratic Socialist.....

..though my husband (a R-wingnut) tells his friends I'm Left of Revolution!

[ZombieNixon]

23. Progressive Populist

Or at least that's what I was according to this quiz I took in government class once.

Belief in social equality + "You deserve a well-paying job" + "The government needs to get the hell out of your personal life and stay there" = Progressive Populism.

[imenja]

24. Thank you for a representative poll

Much better than the other one based on three shades of liberal.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

26. Thank you, I appreciate your comments

:toast:

[formernaderite]

25. I met a Libertarian socialist guy in Maryland...

what a piece of work, basically a neo-Nazi. I certainly hope his ideological stripe wouldn't be hanging around DU.

[phusion]

28. Hmm...

I doubt he was a libsocialist.

Chomsky considers himself a libertarian socialist...

I think neo-Nazi's probably consider themselves fascists more than anything :)

[Aristus]

27. Liberal by the grace of God and his liberal Jew son, Jesus!

Liberal till I DIE! :bounce:

[Syrinx]

29. libertarian (small-L) socailist here baby

:hi:

[Solar]

30. Social Democrat

Capitalism is just like government, it needs to have checks and balances set on it. There are just too many important situations where government needs to step in and corperations step out.

[Darkhawk32]

35. Frankly, I have no clue what category I fall in... except it's mine. n/t

[gorbal]

36. I hate labels

I took one of those tests, and it said I was hanging out with the Dalai Lama ideologically. I like his books, his writting makes me feel good.

[mogster]

37. Other. I'm in favor of Direct Democracy

The ideology in question is less important, as long as the decisions taken are rooted in the people by democratic participation, and with a free flow of information to make that decision come out right ;-)