Don't consider yourself Liberal or Conservative? Here's your place!

[ejs]

I refuse to label myself with a liberal or conservative title. I have thoughts and feelings on individual issues, not a party-line. And, to be honest, I don't understand why more people don't view it that way instead of going along with whatever their political party says. I agree with Republicans on some issues and Democrats on some others. I like some Democratic politicians and I like some Republican ones.

So if you're like me and want to talk about issues, here's your place.

[amyloo]

Sign me up!! I have always felt like a traitor because I lurked in both threads over at the other website. If I remember my pol sci class correctly- I believe my views fall into the libertarian party... whoever they are! ;)

[betsyboop]

I'm a libertarian too! I'm not really that into politics and it's probably because I never seem to agree with either candidate on vary many important issues. I think there are probably more libertarians out there than anyone realizes, but people don't know enough about what libertarians think to know that they are one. Did that make sense?

[ejs]

Here in the SF area, we have a talk radio host who is a Libertarian. I know that I do agree with him on some issues. I guess I just prefer to think of myself as an independent.

I'm pro-choice, but I'm conservative on some other social issues. I'm not happy we're at war, but I think the focus should be on what do we do now, not to keep assigning blame on why we're there.

As I said, I definitely look at individual issues.

[angelraven]

I'm absolutely an Independant. I'm even registered that way. There are too many issues and too many factors to identify with one single party. It makes it difficult to decide who to vote for. Anyone else have that problem?

[pride&prejudice]

Count me in! There are just too many views for me to fit into one party. I always feel like I'm coming out of the closet when I say to people that I have no political affiliation, I just believe what I believe. So glad that there are "other people" like me out there. :)

[kris97]

So happy to find a thread like this. I loathe party politics. I hardly ever find that one candidate represents all my beliefs, let alone one party. Moreover, party loyalty just seems to make party members overlook the real failings of other people within the same party - and I just hate that. It seems so hypocritical to me - criticize the Republicans (or Democrats) when they do X, but look the other way when a member of your own party does it.

My favorite politicians are individuals like the mayor of NY, Michael Bloomberg, who care far more about solving problems than garnering party support. He's nominally a Republican, but so not a real one by G.W. standards.

As far as beliefs go, I'm "liberal" on abortion, gay rights, and other social issues; "moderate" on economic issues, and "conservative" on criminal justice issues (until recently I was a prosecutor).

Great to see other likeminded women. :)

[honeygirl]

Count me in. I've been independent for the last 8 years or so. I was raised republican (right-wing) and am a social worker by profession (very liberal), so I fall somewhere in the middle.

Party politics drive me crazy! I feel like I can't trust any of them with all of the agendas flying around. I end up listening to a variety of news sources and figure the truth is in the middle somewhere.

Mostly to be honest I avoid politics because it is so frustrating.

The hard part of being independent is that I fail both sides. In other words, I'm not liberal enough for my profession, yet way too liberal for my family.

[amyloo]

I was talking to a friend of mine who's in law school about that supreme court fiasco that is brewing. Long story short- she was shocked to discover that I have no opinion on abortion. I'm not sure what I think about all of it. I feel that I am reasonably well informed and I just don't think I could say which is correct. Anybody else simply not have an opinion on a hot button issue?

Just wondering if I was the only wierdo... Don't get me started on Social Security! ;)

[PG-rated]

Sadly, I'm not even sure if I belong here! I was a hard-core independent for a long time, but registered as a Democrat for the last election because a) I wanted to vote in the primary, and b) I'm so completely fed up with the Bush administration. The last 4.5 years have pushed me much further to the left than I used to be...or maybe the country has moved that much further right. Anyway, I hope nobody minds if I lurk along.

amyloo, if it makes you feel any better, I don't have a real opinion on the death penalty. I think it's wrong for the government to put someone to death, but I feel that it should still be an option in sentencing, if that makes any sense. Every time I try to rethink my position I just end up going round in circles. I'm not the type to do that, so it's very frustrating!

[Rico'sAlice]

I am in a pretty weird place politically at this point. I'm not really moderate on anything. I have extremely liberal views in some areas and very conservative in others. I am a bible-thumping bornagain Christian & a Socialist. I believe any sex outside of marriage is wrong, but think sex-ed in schools should cover a full spectrum b/c "abstinence only" doesn't work. Along similar lines, I persoanlly believe sexual relations between members of the same sex is a sin, however I do not support "sodomy laws." I think the government should not recognize any sort of marriage at all, leave that to religious institutions/society- instead only have civil unions/domestic partnerships, open to all people willing to commit themselves to a legally binding partnership (be that traditional married couples, common law spouses, same-sex couples, two old-maid sisters, etc.) I believe the Earth was created in 6 days but do not feel threatened by other teachings in science class. I oppose the death penalty & abortion. I am in almost universal opposition to war but do support armed revolt/revolution from within a society. I believe that healthcare, education, food, shelter should be provided to all people through heavy taxation on the rich.
For the most part I end up supporting politicians like Ralph Nader, Dennis Kuchinich, etc. I tend to agree w/ green party, etc on most things except abortion. However, I don't really feel that any one elected official (including the President) is really going to turn around the abortion laws in this country, so I don't really vote on that issue. Also, on a practicial level, one of the most effective means to reduce the number of abortions is a strong economy so I think this issue was better under Clinton than Bush.
Also I don't understand why, if human life is so precious, why it is ok for Iraqi children to be killed?

So, I guess I kind of touched on a bunch of different things...again not really sure what I'd be labeled....

[mermccau]

I think I belong here too. I sway more toward Dem than Repub but sometimes when I talk to some liberals, I wonder what the heck they are thinking.....

[wendalah]

I always liked this thread, even when it was on WC. Lots of interesting thought!

[lawyerlee]

Please take a moment to read this announcement:

http://www.constantchatter.com/announcement.php?f=9

Thank you. :)

[bookworm]

Sadly, I'm not even sure if I belong here! I was a hard-core independent for a long time, but registered as a Democrat for the last election because a) I wanted to vote in the primary, and b) I'm so completely fed up with the Bush administration. The last 4.5 years have pushed me much further to the left than I used to be...or maybe the country has moved that much further right. Anyway, I hope nobody minds if I lurk along.

Can I echo PG-rated here? Although I changed back to "unaffiliated" immediately after voting in the Democratic primary (not for Kerry, FWIW).

I used to be pretty conservative, and I know that as I got older and saw more of the world, I grew more liberal (not suggesting there is/should be a correlation for all people (age+travel=more liberal); this is just my own experience). However, I don't know that I have changed my views that much . The right seems to have gone more right, in a way I don't like/respect. But some on the far left seem to be....not grounded in reality.

Anyway, I am not undecided on the death penalty (I do not believe a civilized society kills people), but I find it hard to get passionate about it. For the most part, we're talking about people who have done really bad things. So I'll vote against it, but probably not protest or donate $ to the cause.

Apparently I'm feeling controversial tonight....2 posts that are not about books, cooking, or travel :rolleyes: .

[ejs]

How does this group feel about John Roberts? I'm torn. I wish there was a way to guarantee that his religious beliefs wouldn't impact his judicial decisions, but I know that's not possible.

Here's a question: How many of you think that the President actually makes decisions? I think that his advisors pretty much decide.

[bookworm]

How does this group feel about John Roberts? I'm torn. I wish there was a way to guarantee that his religious beliefs wouldn't impact his judicial decisions, but I know that's not possible.

I think he's as good as I can hope for. I might wish for someone with more experience, but this president will appoint someone he likes, which pretty much guarantees it's someone I won't like.

I do think an intelligent person can separate her personal/religious beliefs from matters of law. I actually have a lot of respect for people who are personally against abortion, but don't want to make it illegal. Rather, they work to lessen the "need" for it by working to alleviate poverty, reduce violence against women, educate people about birth control, etc.

Anyway, my greater concern is about a judge who refuses to talk about privacy. I know that was the rationale behind Roe, but I think in this day and age a right to privacy conveys so much more than that. I actually think the belief that I have a right to be left alone to go about my business and not tell you about it is a fairly conservative position (historically, maybe not now).

Here's a question: How many of you think that the President actually makes decisions? I think that his advisors pretty much decide.

I think the President has final say on many things, but more importantly, a president chooses her advisors. Poor choices by advisors are absolutely a reflection on a president.

[mermccau]

Here's a question: How many of you think that the President actually makes decisions? I think that his advisors pretty much decide.

I think that is up to the person holding office. I think Bush really leans on his advisors. I was listening to a radio talk show. The guest was a man who wrote Bush's Brain. I have not read anything in this book or on the website. Anyway, he was saying that Bush really listens to Karl Rove (no secret there).

Anyway, he stated that he met the president and Bush said to him, "Did you write that book that states that I am Karl Rove's puppet?" The writer stated, "no sir, I just stated that Karl Rove is smarter than you." Bush laughed and found this quite comical.

The writer also went on to say that Bush has always been good about surrounding himself with very smart people. I think Bush really leans on them. I think he has to.

[paiger]

I am registered 'unaffiliated'. I was raised by a 'So Far Right He can't See the Middle' father, and I always knew that I didn't agree with everything he said. However, it wasn't until the Repub party went 'way right' that I started associating myself w/ the Democratic party. However, 'voting for a party' is still not something I will do. I am VERY pro-choice and pro-gay rights/marriage, but their are some economic posistions that I don't know enough about them to make an educated decision. However, I don't know where I stand on the death penalty as I am for it, but I recognize that sometimes people are found guilty when they aren't. I am also not for governmental gun control. I am from a county that guns are prominant, and I believe that parents/schools should be more responsible in their teaching. So, that's why I would tend to post in the liberal thread as being pro-choice and pro-gy rights is more important to me than being anti-gun control, but even some of those posts, I might not totally agree with.

In the South, party lines are so ambiguous. You have people that say they are democrat, b/c that's what their father, grandfather, etc. were, but they are the most conservative people you'll ever meet. You really have to read about local candidates, b/c they will be registered one party to get the 'party voters'. However, all of their stances are clearly not aligned w/ that party. On the otherhand, when I lived in SC, I had friends that would vote Republican ticket. They wouldn't even look at the candidates, which some were not qualified at all for those positions. Even my very conservative ILs would say that some of the Republican candidates were totally wrong for the job, but people voted for them b/c their church would say that they should vote for this party's beliefs. It is unbelievable at times down here!

[PG-rated]

I think he's as good as I can hope for. I might wish for someone with more experience, but this president will appoint someone he likes, which pretty much guarantees it's someone I won't like.

I do think an intelligent person can separate her personal/religious beliefs from matters of law. I actually have a lot of respect for people who are personally against abortion, but don't want to make it illegal. Rather, they work to lessen the "need" for it by working to alleviate poverty, reduce violence against women, educate people about birth control, etc.

Anyway, my greater concern is about a judge who refuses to talk about privacy. I know that was the rationale behind Roe, but I think in this day and age a right to privacy conveys so much more than that. I actually think the belief that I have a right to be left alone to go about my business and not tell you about it is a fairly conservative position (historically, maybe not now).
I agree with pretty much everything you wrote, and you've also neatly summarized my views on abortion. :D

And as for Roberts, I'm MUCH more worried about his general respect for civil liberties than his feelings on abortion. Slate had a good piece on one of his recent opinions: Thank You, Mr. President (http://slate.msn.com/id/2123055/).

As for whether Bush makes his own decisions, I think he does, but his advisors shape the debate. He chooses from among the options they offer him.

[Toonces]

I refuse to label myself with a liberal or conservative title. I have thoughts and feelings on individual issues, not a party-line.

This is exactly how I feel. Just thought I'd bump this thread up. I'm really looking forward to the next Pres election.

[Toonces]

I found this quiz on the Libertarian party web site - Are you a Libertarian? (http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html)

My results (link didn't work):

You are a LIBERTARIAN. LIBERTARIANS support maximum liberty in both personal and economic matters. They advocate a much smaller government; one that is limited to protecting individuals from coercion and violence. Libertarians tend to embrace individual responsibility, oppose government bureaucracy and taxes, promote private charity, tolerate diverse lifestyles, support the free market, and defend civil liberties.

I fell slightly to the right with my Personal Issues score = 60% and Economics Issue score = 80%.

[HeatherFL]

I got this:
CENTRISTS espouse a "middle ground" regarding government
control of the economy and personal behavior. Depending on
the issue, they sometimes favor government intervention
and sometimes support individual freedom of choice.
Centrists pride themselves on keeping an open mind,
tend to oppose "political extremes," and emphasize what
they describe as "practical" solutions to problems.
Your PERSONAL issues Score is 60%.
Your ECONOMIC issues Score is 70%.


I'm a registered Independent.

~H.

[MrsBeckyLP]

I also came up with "Centrist," but right along the left line. I'm not much into politics, but I would say that my views differ between subjects. I could never consider myself Republican nor Democratic. When I was younger I used to say I was a Republican, but I noticed in last November's election I voted for more Democrats.

[msnicolea]

In a shocking development, I am a LIBERAL!!!!

[ysolde]

I am a Libertarian!

Personal Issues: 100%
Economic Issues: 80%

[mpc863]

Apparently I am also a Libertarian (with the red dot closer to Left than Right).

Your PERSONAL issues Score is 90%.
Your ECONOMIC issues Score is 70%.

[Rico'sAlice]

Your PERSONAL issues Score is 90%.
Your ECONOMIC issues Score is 20%.

[LIZNKEITH]

I'm a Libertarian as well, but I already knew that. ;)

Your PERSONAL issues Score is 100%.
Your ECONOMIC issues Score is 90%.

[c'est la vie]

I also don't feel any one party represents my views on the major issues.
According to the quiz, I came up as "Centrist," but right along the top border with Libertarian. :)