Question Political Spectrum

[MRNewman]

I know we have people here from all over the place - so I ask where does everyone fall on the political spectrum. It can be as nuanced an answer as needed or as simple as saying, "I like less government" or "I'm a socialist," depending on the person.

That said - my answer is nuanced. I'm conservative in the American sense on fiscal issues - I would like to see less involvement by the government in the affairs of peoples / company's finances, directives, requirements, etc. I feel that the greater freedoms that people / companies, etc have - the greater the nation will flourish. This same mind-set holds true to me for issues like legalization of drugs, right to own firearms, etc. Outside of the few legitimate functions of government (generally keeping the peace, organizing in times of war, protecting our rights, providing fair trials), the government does very little else well.

On other issues - I'm pro-life. I feel that the morning after pill is a form of birth control, but other than that - apart from the life of the mother I don't see why abortions should be necessary in western nations that have many different forms of birth control available. On same-sex marriage - I feel that if legalized, churches should be allowed to not perform said ceremonies without issue. Much as an Anglican Church should not be required to marry two Jewish people, a Roman Catholic Church should not be required to marry a same-sex couple. In each case it's contradictory to their faith and as long as we can respect that, I have no problem with legalizing same-sex marriage.

Let the discussion begin.

(Don't hate me because I happen to be more conservative *hides head*)

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I would say Republican simply because I think voting Libertarian is pretty much a waste. Not sure how much of a Libertarian I am anyway... conceptually, I think its fine. But... I cant say that here. I think less government and not more, and a tad conservative as well.

 

[Kean]

Is this just in relation to American politics?

 

[This Year's Girl]

I think that most of ones political views are a product of the enviroment people grew up in and the political climate there. Things I can't even imagine thinking because I grew up in Sweden may be something someone from another country is for. I try to keep that in mind, respect other peoples opionion and also stay out of discussions about politics here. I don't know if this is the best strategy, but for my own sake I think it's for the best, 'cause a lot of things I've read here in the past about things like prostitution and abortion has made me really upset and I don't want to fight on this board. I'll probably read this thread, I think it can be really interesting, but I won't join in the discussion. I think 🙂 Exciting thread though.

But, yeah, the question was were I stand. 🙂 I'm a socialist, but above all a feminist. I voted for this party in the swedish election: http://www.feministisktinitiativ.se/engelska.php?text=eu-valmanifest-2009

 

[MRNewman]

Is this just in relation to American politics?

Nope - just in general. Your general political philosophy...or however nuanced you want to be on discussing your general thoughts on politics / how government should be run.

 

[Professor Walsh]

I'm a fairly radical social democrat. That's probably a rabid leftie to you.

 

[Washburne]

To me it's about picking the least bad one. Probably is for most people. I'm just good at looking at the negative. As long as I stay away from parties that's for discriminating groups due to sexuality, gender, colour, religion or nationaly, that think walking all over a lot of people to get to a few is a great idea (Who cares if we make life miserable for some people as long as we get some "cheaters"), that's for guns, doesn't care for education (in my eyes) or health care I'm at least willing to listen.Might have forgotten even more no no's but it's a start.

I don't class myself as a certain something when it comes to politics. That doesn't mean that I don't belong in a category. I'm sure I do. I just haven't bothered to figure out what it is. It's what you think of certain subjects that are important to me, not what party you say you belong to.

 

[xfivebyfive]

I'm a Democrat. I think the country should be more run by the government and less by the businessmen whose only concern is themselves and how rich they can get. I'm somewhat a socialist. I think socialism is better then Capitalism.

I'm anti-war, particularly the ridiculous one we've been fighting for the past ten years. I'm Pro-Choice, because it should be the woman's right to decide what she does with her body. And I'm Pro-Gay marriage. I'm pretty liberal.

The school I went to was very liberal and anyone in my school was basically laughed at if they were republican. Not by me but by the majority of the students as well as teachers.

I'm actually conservative in comparison to my family though, because I support the Army and our troops, even if I don't support the war the troops have my support. Compared to my family I'm patriotic.

 

[Username]

I am not so politically involved, but I guess I'm a libertarian, I don't know.
And I'm okay with most things like prostitution and abortions, I honestly don't see any problems with it.
Gay marriage? I don't understand how that can still be an issue in some places.

 

[MRNewman]

I think that most of ones political views are a product of the enviroment people grew up in and the political climate there. Things I can't even imagine thinking because I grew up in Sweden may be something someone from another country is for. I try to keep that in mind, respect other peoples opionion and also stay out of discussions about politics here. I don't know if this is the best strategy, but for my own sake I think it's for the best, 'cause a lot of things I've read here in the past about things like prostitution and abortion has made me really upset and I don't want to fight on this board. I'll probably read this thread, I think it can be really interesting, but I won't join in the discussion. I think 🙂 Exciting thread though.

But, yeah, the question was were I stand. 🙂 I'm a socialist, but above all a feminist. I voted for this party in the swedish election: http://www.feministisktinitiativ.se/engelska.php?text=eu-valmanifest-2009

I try to keep an open mind when hearing other people's opinions. I know people from all over the map. In fact, my two best men at my wedding were both registered membrs of the American Green Party. As long as everyone can be respectful, I don't see the problem in explaining where one falls politically.

Then again, not everyone in the world is repsectful 😛

EDIT: Fixed link

 

[This Year's Girl]

As long as everyone can be respectful, I don't see the problem in explaining where one falls politically.

yeah, that was what I was trying to get across. It's the discussion part I'll stay out of. 🙂 I don't have a problem with other people discussing though, I actually hope that some people here will, 'cause I want to read it. 🙂 But for my own sake I'll stay out. 🙂

 

[zobothehobo]

I'm part of what you might call the far left. I'm pretty radical in my beliefs... I live in America but it's hard for me to call myself a Democrat because they're not liberal enough. But anyway, because I'm a quite radical person, I tend to try to keep my beliefs off the internet so I don't start fights. This is me leaving this thread...

 

[AndrewCrossett]

I'm not going to talk politics here, but for the record, I'm a progressive Democrat with a fairly strong socialist streak.

 

[MRNewman]

I'm not going to talk politics here, but for the record, I'm a progressive Democrat with a fairly strong socialist streak.

I was more hoping to see where everyone falls to see the variety of viewpoints than to spark a fight on the issues.

I don't want to see the same fights we all have at the polls played out here 😀

 

[Tueuse de Vampires]

I'm left wing. In the German system, the party I voted for was Die Grüne. That's pretty left wing, oriented mostly at protecting the environment, equal rights for everyone and a strong social system.

 

[Harley]

Im pro-life, pro-gun, anti-animal testing, anti-prostitution, pro-patting-down-at-the-airport, anti-KanyeWest and it doesnt bother me if gays serve in the military. I have no idea where that lands me on the scale but from past experiences Im severly more conservative than most everyone here. I dont belong to any specific party but the one presidential election Ive been old enough to participate in, I voted Republican because Obama is pro-choice.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Wishing Oceans]

Well, not yet old enough to vote, but at the moment I'm highly liberal and pro-choice...

 

[brinkster130]

I am registered as a Republican from California (go figure 🙂 ).

I believe that the government should have less control over the affairs of the people/business's and I support a free market. I am generally against affirmative action and pro-capital punishment.

While I am fairly conservative I am strongly pro-choice and I do support same sex marriage and think that Don't Ask Don't Tell is wrong.

Kudos on starting a political thread (I love politics) and it's nice to see that everyone is playing nice so far!

 

[mayfever]

I'm relatively left wing as in that I think the government should regulate the market and provide a sound social welfare system through taxation. I'm alsoa feminist, anti gun, pro gay marriage and anti capital punishment (technically, because we don't have that in Germany anyway) and I think all education should be free. I'm also very concerned about the environment, so the party I voted for in the last couple of elections was Die Grüne (Green Party; they don't have that pariah status here that they seem to have everywhere else).

The only thing in which I partly agree with the conservative agenda is their stand on abortion. I wouldn't say that I'm pro life, but I'm not pro choice either, at least not at any cost. Of course a woman should not be forced to carry a child against her will, but all in all I'm of the opinion that abortion has an extremely damaging effect on a woman's psyche and should not be undertaken lightly. Here in Germany it is fully legal, and despite the fact that there are regulations which say that a woman who wants to have one has to see a counsellor, in practice someone gives them a 2 minute speech and that's it.

Anyway, as you can see this is something I feel strongly about - it wasn't my intention to start a discussion but as I re-read my post I can't in all honesty see it not happen 😉

 

[prophecygrrl]

I love politics. I'm not old enough to vote yet (one more year!), but I'm very liberal, for the record. I'm planning on registering Independent because oi, mainstream U.S. politics is not pretty on either side.

I do prefer most Democratic candidates, but I can't say I'll act simply along party lines. Most of all, I'm a feminist. For me that means anti-sexism, racism, classism, ableism, sizeism, cissexism, homophobia, etc., whether institutional or overt. Yup, one of those anti-kyriarchical feminists who believes that all oppression is connected. Radical by most standards, but proud of it- I think there's a false correlation between radical and "crazy" out there.

tl;dr version: pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, pro-environment, pro-universal healthcare, pro-constitutional rights. Anti-war, anti-Islamophobia, anti-relying on the "invisible hand" of the market to fix everything.

How cool is it that this thread is friendly to all? 😀