As a Dem, are you left, center, or right ? (POLL)

[Blarch]

Do you belong to the ....

[Deja Q]

1. Other:

"I belong to no stereotype"

:D

[Blarch]

2. Thats simply not true.

Your views will place you in a catagory.

[grantcart]

10. Only if you accept that a 3 dimensional world can fit on a two dimensional line

[ourbluenation]

40. I'm a liberate. Liberal on some things, moderate on others. n/t

[Double T]

3. I'm a 'd'emocrat and I am INDEPENDENT.

The DNC can kiss my.....

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

4. Left,left,left!

and I'm also left handed :)

[craiga86]

5. I'm more of a conservative democratc

I've been a Democrat since before I could actually cast my ballot, but I do fall more between the Center/Right wing of the party for economic reasons but I'm more socially liberal. I've tried to become open-minded about possibly voting for a Republican for many years, but it's so obvious to me that their tribe is all about seperating people into groups and whoring to big business even if it doesn't make sense. Like the fact that some claim voting for Barack will make it harder for gas prices to go below $2/gallon. Hello! Record Gas prices and Record Profits under Bush, all the while Bush was giving these corporations huge tax cuts compared to the previous 8 years.

[calimary]

56. Welcome to DU! That's just the point. If you examine the other tribe, their

stands and statements just don't add up in the real world. It sounds nice. Basically, what they always SOUND LIKE is some version of: "Vote Republican - and We'll ALL be RICH!!!!!!" And man-oh-man, that DOES sound good, doesn't it? WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Yessirrr! I wanna get me some of that!!!!! Count me IN!!!!! The only problem is, it doesn't work. It doesn't hold up. When you scratch the surface below the talking points you find that there's no mechanism in place to allow for that. They always bellyache about how we Dems are lefties and socialists and communists who want to redistribute the wealth. Well, SO DO THEY! It's just that they're all about redistributing the wealth in the wrong direction - ALWAYS upward to those who already have plenty and don't need any more, or any help. The reasoning always seems to be that you help those who already are in good shape, and then they will turn around and help those below them on the economic ladder. Just magically. Out of the goodness of their hearts and their wish to share and spread the wealth on their own. And man-oh-man does that sound nice. Kinda like it should be. But the problem here is human nature. In most of these situations, the fortunate ones decide they like getting it all and because they're in good shape, they're somehow privileged and entitled and they don't feel like sharing so much, "because what's MINE is MINE and you go get your own." My dad always called it IGMFU - which stands for "I Got Mine, F-U." That's come to be known, rather famously, as "trickle-down." Which has been thoroughly proven by now not to work. They've been selling it to us since David Stockman, ronald reagan's first budget director, first spelled it out during the early reagan years. He later wrote a book detailing how it was all a bunch of fairy tales and nice wishes for good things - that never worked out the way they had it set up. It was all "magic asterisks" and "rosey scenarios" because their numbers under this planning and belief system just NEVER ADDED UP without factoring in some nice-sounding fictional rationalizations that had no basis in reality.

OUR tribe prefers it the other way - the help and the resources go down the economic ladder directly (instead of relying on "middlemen" who have strictly self-serving agendas) to those who DON'T have plenty (hell, too many of 'em don't have much at all, if ANY), and DO need the help. Somehow, at least to me, that just seems fairer, and yes, if you're throwing religion in as the GOP always does, WAY more Christ-like. After all, Christ was not about protecting or looking out for the rich. He never even hung out with 'em.

Glad you're here. Frankly, I don't see how ANYBODY can find ANYTHING about the GOP to be appealing, philosophically. As you said, even the stuff that on the surface sounds good always winds up proving to be a lie, a bunch of smoke-n-mirrors.

BTW, craiga86 - I very much like your use of the term "tribe" to describe each of our two leading political camps. That's a good way to frame it. It certainly has a tribal feel especially these days. A very primal tribal feel.

[tigereye]

6. how about somewhat left of center?

methinks you need more categories.... is there a website that pairs you with relevant left of center figures?


or you could say, "left of whom?" :rofl:

[begin_within]

7. Of what purpose is the center or right anyway?

[mondo joe]

8. Anti-authoritarian, pro-civil rights, pro balanced budget.

Whatever that makes me.

[Blarch]

9. cleary people are not being honest.

Hillary is from the rightwing of our party, she had alot of support here on DU ...but now nobody wants to admit they are from the right.

Edwards, certer right ...where are his supporters ?

[Justyce]

14. Not to mention Obama is anything but far left. nt

[Blarch]

16. Obama belongs to the leftwing of the party.

I agree, not far left ...but left.

[Justyce]

22. Kucinich was the closest we had to a

far left candidate. Unfortunately, all the others, not so much. I think Obama will be a great president, but he was actually a pro-free-trader, against gay marriage, etc. I originally supported Edwards because he was more liberal (though not nearly liberal enough) than the other two & speaking out against the free trade problem early on this election cycle. Maybe one of these years a true far left candidate will actually stand a chance at winning.

[Berry Cool]

29. I still don't believe that chart has any credibility at all

and only a way left Dem would believe it does.

[Justyce]

32. So you're calling me a 'way left Dem'?

Cool! :hi:


;)

[CitizenLeft]

69. I've taken that test (graphic result above) twice, and each time...

...I wind up where Gandhi was on their example chart - about a square to the left of Nader. But I've always considered myself "left of center" instead of full-leftwing, which is odd, because according to my views and answers on the test, I'm left of Kucinich by a good 4 squares. I think I have a strong streak of (gasp! RUN!!!) SOCIALISM in me that puts me over there (LOL).

[sandnsea]

68. Obama is the center of the Dem Party,

Left of center of American politics. Kucinich is from the left of the Dem Party, and left of American politics. If you are left of Kucinich, you're probably close to a very far left socialist, which is what at least half of DU is made up of. For some reason, it's heresy to say so.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

34. Yes. The Hillary supporters cannot bring themselves to defend her DLC status.

They just accuse anyone who dares criticize those position as hating HER and the Clintons. It reminds me so much of cognitive dissonance from the right.

I would characterize Obama as a moderate, straight down the middle. He could be center-left on some issues and center-right on others. But he's a moderate through and through.

[blue_onyx]

41. What's everyone's problem with DLC

I started following politics in 2003 (start of the war) and I never really heard much about DLC until coming to this board (sometime during the primaries). I understand the DLC is more conservative and many call DLC members "Republican-lite." But didn't Howard Dean push the 50 state strategy for the purpose of including all type of Democrats (liberal, moderates, and yes, conservative ones). I think it would be more effective to criticize Hillary Clinton's specific positions rather than just calling her a DLC member as if that was a slur (kind of how Republicans tried to turned the word liberal into a slur). Personally I like Hillary. I disagree with some of her foreign policies positions like her vote in favor of the war. But I also like Obama (who I think is pretty similar to Hillary) and would have voted for him in the primary had we had a primary.

[Blarch]

44. Where to start ?

They tend to agree with the pubs more than the rest of the party.

They pushed for the war.

They cave to the pubs time after time after time.

They also cave to corporations time after time.

Lieberman was Chair of the DLC from 1995 - 2000, here is a quote from him ..

"Even before I came to Washington in 1989, I felt the DLC was my political and intellectual home."

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

67. Most DUers on GD are Liberal left and that is always expressed in polls there.

I hardly ever came to this forum until after Obama became our nominee. And also, how many Hillary supporters left DU after she lost the nomination? There are variables since the primaries.

[awoke_in_2003]

71. I supported Kucinich...

there are a lot of people here who did not have Obama (or Clinton) as their first choice. However, when the candidate was named we fell in line. You can not make the party go left at the federal level- you have to start at the local level. Once you get more left local candidates, they trickle up and eventually become part of the national party.

[lapfog_1]

11. Years ago I would have said center.

But as time has progressed, and the Republican ideas have been proven so horribly wrong on EVERYTHING, I have been moving LEFT, LEFT, LEFT. To the point I'm probably as radical leftist as I was in high school (in the early seventies). That's like SDS left, weatherman left... ok, I'm not into violence of any kind, so the last is hyperbole.

I guess posting this makes me unfit to serve at a high post in the Obama administration. They want all of your blog aliases so they can check what you have written. Fair enough. But if I'm now radical left, it's because of the bombardment of messages from the hate mongers on the radical right.

[AndyTiedye]

17. Somewhat Conservative in College, Liberal Now. My Views Haven't Changed Much

The country has been dragged so far to the right in the past 40 years that I'm now quite a bit left of "center".

[lapfog_1]

19. Eisenhower would be considered a "radical leftist"

today. "National Highway system which isn't operated as a toll road by a private contractor! What form of communism is this! Military Industrial Complex! What the hell is he talking about? Why does he hate America?!"

[AndyTiedye]

60. Not to Mention What Eisenhower Said About the Military-Industrial Complex

"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.

We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together."

President Dwight Eisenhower, Farewell Speech, January 1961.

[grantcart]

12. I am a 35.6 is that center, right or left?

[sandyd921]

13. Depends on your definitions

Given that a majority in the country want things like universal single payer health care (a supposedly "left" policy) I would propose that what we may have thought of as "left" during this dark era of repuke/conservative influence and rule is actually the center!

[Upton]

15. I'm to the left except for two things

I don't believe in gun control or forgiving illegal immigrants.

[NV Whino]

18. Left

Not that that means a whole lot with this party.

[slackmaster]

20. I am at the dead center of the party and of the Universe itself

Everyone else is to the left or the right of me.

[DCofVA]

21. I'm a Socialist Liberal and proud of it!

Capitalism is killing this country and the world. A Government that is truly of the people, for the people, and by the people, can only be a Socialist Government.

[Blarch]

25. I agree.

[frogmarch]

23. Left n/t

[Hope And Change]

24. Left.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

26. Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right...

:D :evilgrin:

[Blarch]

27. I call BS.

I read threads and posts all the time on the DU. And this board is NOT A LEFT-WING BOARD.

The majority of posters are center to right. Perhaps the right-wing doesn't want to vote in this poll...somting is up.

[nevergiveup]

28. I consider myself

in the center but on some social issues I am a radical leftist. I am also fairly conservative on some fiscal issues. I really am all over the board and difficult to categorize but I suppose if you averaged everything I would fall a little left of center.

[NaturalHigh]

30. As far as the national party is concerned...

I'm definitely on the right, probably the far right. In Oklahoma, I'm moderate or maybe even a little left.

There is no generic definition of a democrat, for which I'm grateful. I don't see any reason for all of us to have to march in lockstep or swear loyalty to party tenets to which we don't subscribe.

[JimboBillyBubbaBob]

31. Here, there, and everywhere.....

It depends on the issue. To wear one title would create too much restriction. Not a way to deal with reality.

[Blarch]

33. Put it this way...

Pick a group from Congress..

Fiengold
Sanders
Obama

Clinton
Murtha
Feinstein

Edwards
Reid
Levin

[JimboBillyBubbaBob]

36. Interesting

The question was how do we view ourselves. I must say that your list speaks for itself. Those fine folks all have done some good work from time to time. I strive to avoid any cult of personality. It proves so stifling.

[Blarch]

38. How decisive of you.

[JimboBillyBubbaBob]

39. Thank You!

It is inevitable that people gather in like-minded social groups based upon a multitude of variables. As a result, the existence of outliers is not exceptional. In the format of this question, that is where I find myself. Now, in a full scaled issues measurement it would be interesting to see where I would find myself. Has anyone in this forum put together an instrument with a solid sense of reliabilty and validity? I'd be happy to engage it.

[bvar22]

43. Obama does NOT belong in the group with Sanders and Feingold.

In the two major votes this year (Telecom Immunity and Bailout), Obama placed himself firmly in the Clinton/Murtha/Feinstein grouping.

*Escalating the WAR in Afghanistan

*Increasing the size of the military

*Advancing Free Trade

*Mandatory health Insurance vs HealthCare


No, Obama does not belong with Sanders and Feingold.

[blue_onyx]

46. Yeah, I was thinking the same thing

I think Obama is more similar to Clinton than Sanders/Feingold too.

[Blarch]

61. Complete list of republican talking points, take a bow.

REPUB TALKING POINT: *Escalating the WAR in Afghanistan

REALITY: "Finishing the war in Afghanistan"


REPUB TALKING POINT: *Increasing the size of the military

REALITY Increase the size of the ground forces


REPUB TALKING POINT: *Advancing Free Trade

REALITY:Obama says NAFTA is "unfair" and he will "renegotiate it" ...."we can't keep passing unfair trade deals like NAFTA that put special interests over workers' interests."

Take a bow.

[bvar22]

72. Republican Talking Points.....Thats just bizarre.

Since when have the Republicans ever been against:

*Escalating the WAR in Afghanistan

*Increasing the size of the military

*Advancing Free Trade

How can these be Republican Talking Points?
They ARE Republican Policy.

[Doremus]

35. For this to be accurate, we'd have to compile a list of litmus issues

Like a questionnaire. The sum of our answers would place us on a grid.

There's a website that does that. I can't think of the name of it.

[NancyG]

37. Fiscally conservative and socially (very) liberal

averages to moderate, which I'm not.

Fiscally conservative in the 'conserve' sense, not the Republican sense.

I believe in fiscal responsibility so we can pay for the many social programs that I believe in.

[demwing]

42. I'm in the Demwing of the party

dur!

[Greg K]

45. I believe in gay marriage, and in the death penalty. The right to own guns and women's choice.

None of the last three of those things should be unrestricted, however.

I'd prefer taxes lower whenever possible, but also believe nationalized health care should be enacted ASAP and I'm willing to pay more taxes for that.

What does that make me?

[RedLetterRev]

65. I don't fit anywhere either

I'm gay, own guns, believe in social programs, and believe that a leg-up isn't a hand-out. The current modality is often a trap (I see it first-hand). I'm frustrated at the lack of equality and justice, but believe that democracy is a participatory system that demands us to use the power we have in our hands. National healthcare isn't just a right, it's necessary for a productive society. A healthy society is a society at work and being productive; it's also following the commandment of every gentle teaching/religion there is, to take care of those who can't take care of themselves. Compassion isn't weakness, it's just common decency. I'm no great proponent of the death penalty (too many abuses have come to light) and believe that war is a very, very, very last resort.

I dunno. I'm no philosopher and I'm certainly no great thinker. Just an ole hillbilly who prefers to go along and get along as peacefully as I can in this world. I don't mind drawing a line in the dirt with my toe when injustice is going on, though.

I guess the question is, what does that make us, other than humans who can think and feel outside of ourselves? That's actually a pretty mellow state of being and I'm at peace with it, without having to label it.

[HughMoran]

47. I've never been a big fan of generic classifications

I just find this sort of exercise one that only shows up during battles here and doesn't serve any purpose that to stir the pot further. Not unexpected, but not useful either.

[ebdarcy]

48. I'm a proud leftwinger.

I don't think socialism is a bad thing, and I don't think liberal is a bad word. I believe the death penalty is immoral in all cases. I think the drug-war needs to end. I believe in equal rights for the LGBT community, because separate but equal is bullshit. I believe that the Constitution is more than just a scrap of paper to be ignored when convenient. I believe we're global citizens, and we need to stop thinking we're better than everyone else. I think people should learn more than just one language, and I believe multiculturalism is a wonderful thing.

[Blarch]

49. well said.

How can anybody disagree ?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

50. the poll results are a joke .nt

[Blarch]

51. I agree.

It would seem claiming you are left-wing is hip all of a sudden.

This board is center-right

[La Lioness Priyanka]

53. yup, not just in support of politicians but also of policy

i make the distinction because sometimes we are stuck w. centrist politicians, so we vote for them

however even in policy matters the discussions run center and at best center left. i think this board is populist.

[Two Americas]

52. more importantly..

Which of the two Americas do we stand with? People over profits? Labor over capital? Do we stand with those working and producing, or with those investing and speculating?

I stand with the poor, with the working poor, with the homeless, with the persecuted, marginalized and abused. I stand with the workers, not with the investors and speculators.

The conservatives within the party will call us "left wing" but they will not allow themselves to be called "right wing." They love to put us into a box, but then will resist being put into a box, resist having their ideology revealed or described. They will say they belong to no side, fit no stereotype, are "post-partisan," are practical rather than ideological.

By claiming to be "practical" they are then free to assault the leftists as crazed ideologues, as purists, as a fringe element, as unrealistic and impractical and this relieves them of the obligation to clearly and honestly state their own views and debate them on their merits.

When this comes from the Republicans, it is easy to see and resist. But coming from within our own ranks, it is much more insidious and destructive.

"But the resolute enemy within our gates is ever ready to beat down our words unless in greater courage we will fight for them."

FDR

[kurt_cagle]

54. I'd call myself a left-center Dem

Strong civil liberties, think that there has to be a balance between government intervention and personal initiative, believe the US should define a budget and balance it, pro-gay rights, believe that abortion should be available but only when all other methods have been exhausted, believe in the right to die, think that government should be made smaller, but in the same way that computers are made smaller - by integration of intelligence at the key juncture points and establishing a very clear communications network. Strongly pro-science. Believe banks and financial institutions should be better regulated, but this usually means better tools for tracking and enforcing regulation rather than adding even more regulations to an already overburdened system.

Not really sure where that puts me. I certainly am not wild about the left/center/right definition, as I think it collapses a lot of useful information into a largely absurd metric.

[tpi10d]

55. voted leftwing

Socially liberal.

More libertarian than authoritarian. Live and let live. As few restrictions on people's lives as possible.

Fiscally moderate-liberal. Believe in progressive taxation, infrastructure investments and education. Govt role in health insurance to replace private industry. Medicare option for all.

[1awake]

57. I guess I am to the right,

but I see it more of down the middle such as Socially liberal / fiscally conservative. But in relation to this board.. yea, I admit I'm most likely to the right.

[Lorien]

58. It's easy enough to find out the truth:

http://www.politicalcompass.org/

many people taking the test might surprise themselves.

[Oak2004]

59. Happily, proudly, on the side of progress and the people (as opposed to entrenched power) (left) nt

[ecstatic]

62. Isn't that subjective...?

I would describe myself as left, but I know there are people on this board who might consider me more centrist.

[kurt_cagle]

63. This is embarassing

I'd consider myself a centrist, but according to the above "quiz" I seem to be somewhere to the left and more libertarian than Mahatma Gandhi.

http://www.politicalcompass.org/printablegraph?ec=-6.75&soc=-7.13

Oops.

[vanderBeth]

64. lol, me too. That's weird because I consider myself a centrist too.

I think the quiz is bogus. Most online or in magazines are.

[TexasObserver]

66. I always come out near Gandhi.

[enigmatic]

70. pragmatic socialist n/t

[Hepburn]

73. Waaaaaaaay left....

....really, waaaaaaaaaaaay left! :hi: