Political ideology poll - what do you consider yourself?

[mvd]

Poll question: Political ideology poll - what do you consider yourself?

With all the new members, I thought it was time to do this poll again. I'd describe myself as a very liberal Democrat based on my positions on these issues:

- Universal health care; everyone has decent coverage. Work towards free care.

- Pro-choice

- Higher taxes for the rich; 50% federal rate for income over $300,000. This is so the budget can be balanced as I want increases in spending. $50-100,000 no change (unless we have a surplus); drops start for under $50,000.

- Limit the outsourcing of jobs.

- More help for the poor who need housing and clothing - and more bankruptcy protection

- Strong separation of Church and State; prefer God be taken out of the Pledge, but it's not one of my big priorities.

- Get rid of the Patriot Act and revamp with the couple good parts.

- Everything should be a civil union under the law.

- Get rid of the death penalty to ensure fairness. I think heinous murderers with no remorse kind of deserve it, but there are other things to consider: fairness, cost, compassion, having the state not be hypocritical.

- In addition to background checks, I favor registration of guns. Also, a required safety course. I also support the assault weapons ban. Bring the ban back while we adjust it to make it less based on cosmetics. Undecided on concealed carry; would have to look at the statistics.

- No privatization of social security

- War as a last resort only

- Go back into the international treaties we broke, including Kyoto and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

- Keep a form of Affirmative Action - I'm not big on it, though. I feel it needs to adjust.

- If there are good checks, we can keep immigration at a solid level.

- Strong enviornmental regulations, including protecting our national parks and treasures

So how would you describe yourself based on your political stances?

[bluestateguy]

1. Solidly liberal

Here are the exceptions:

I oppose gun control

I endorse the death penalty, especially for white collar supercriminals

[mike_c]

2. voted very liberal democrat but in fact I'm a Green now....

But I was a Very Liberal Democrat for 30 years, and the poll doesn't include Too Liberal for the Present Democratic Party....

[WLKjr]

3. Is there such thing as a Liberal minded Conservative Democrat???

I am socially liberal but I also tend to be very fiscally conservative while still puttding things in place to help people who need it.


Is there such a thing as a Liberal Conservative Democrat???

[mvd]

4. You can label yourself anything you want

I was limited in options for the poll. :hi:

Based on all my positions, I'm close to a socialist, but not quite IMO.

[Bucky]

16. I think you just described a moderate. Or maybe a liberal.

Liberal doesn't mean big spender--don't buy the hype. You're a liberal if you favor personal freedom and civic responsibility.

[mvd]

20. I'm big on personal freedom

I wish I would have expanded on that in my OP.

I agree that the poster you are referring too seems moderate.

[The Doctor.]

5. Actually, I consider myself a moderate Republican...

Don't let the Religious Right define my party - they make me sick.

We may need guns if we have to take the country back from the Neo-Cons. (Most states already require a course to own a handgun.)

I support cutting out those who Blatantly abuse the welfare system.
(I used it myself when my first wife died and I had to raise a son alone.)

Choice is more constitutional than not, but I abhor those who abuse that 'choice'.

I agree with Kyoto and good environmental policy. (Gail Norton?!!?!!)

I believe in the Divine... but if this 'Faith Based Initiative' takes root I'll start the First United Church of Satan (In flaming red letters), provide community services (feed the hungry, house the homeless, teach battered women how to hide the bodies of their 'dispatched' boyfriends/husbands/whatever), apply for government subsidies, and watch the Jerry Falwell/Pat Robertson/Religious 'Christian' Right hypocrites come out of the woodwork!

WHO'S WITH ME!!!?

{ON EDIT} - Oh yeah... I favor a balanced budget which is a fairly 'conservative' position. So what the hell is wrong with these morons?
50% taxes? Ouch - I'll become a libertarian first.

[Still_Notafraid]

6. You sound like a Clinton Dem

id say your more moderate Dem,don't insult your self with the republican thing.Clinton cut welfare down from 12 million to 4 million,said he would sign a bill that if it came across his desk that prohibited abortion unless in case of death of mother or rape and incest.the majority of Dem's are for gun crime control not getting rid of guns,we are the true defenders of the constitution its those damn repubs always trying to add to it or blur its lines.

[Kanary]

13. Oh yes, and people died because of Clinton's cuts.

Celebrating that????????????

[Still_Notafraid]

15. Nope

I think it is important to take care of our week and helpless i favor hand up programs,its one thing i did not like about clinton.i say get rid of corprate welfare not screw the little man.

[MissMarple]

21. We are pretty close.

Laying out the issues does get us away from the confusing dogma. And pragmatism can be a good thing when it comes to promoting the general welfare. We just need to be effective in our efforts. And as for taxes, I think the middle class is supporting the corporate interests with their tax dollars.

[Mr_Spock]

7. I find your positions to be fairly moderate - not VERY liberal.

And I don't mind calling myself a Democrat as long as the party shares my values - mostly what you have stated above. Now Bush has made the Republican party into the hate party, so I can't even consider voting for one again unless they totally rebuke the Preznit and stand for most of the values above - there are actually a few brave souls who remember the good ol' days of moderate Republicans. Not that I give two shits about Republicans, but there are a few who haven't drunk the kool-aid.

[mvd]

9. I don't know - nowadays my positions seem off-the-charts liberal

The Repukes have redefined the center too much.

[Mr_Spock]

18. No way do I accept any redefinition of "center". I will fight them to the

bitter end and NOT give up any more ground to these Cretins. Some crap they do I fight on principal, but isn't all that important. Some issues take time before we see the devastating results - these are self-correcting to some extent (idiotic Dumbya environmental law gutting).

I can't prove global warming yet so that is a really sensitive issue.

The Nuke proliferation crap is gonna bite us in the ass as more countries say - "fine, oh and go fuck yourself, we're gonna make our own nukes". This may be Bush's dumbest move of all in some ways.

Abortion is still legal (if that changes, civil war will break out shortly after).

I'm ready to riot about how awful health-care has gotten - this is gonna hit the fan soon.

I am totally shocked at the Repuke stand on outsourcing - I used to consider myself conservative on this issue because I was like Lou Dobbs WRT many economic issues - another real issue for the Dunce in WH.

Cutting taxes was stupid and we'll pay for this at some point, cutting for the rich was just plain stupid - trickle down - yeah, my leg!!

Church and state is another civil war issue - they better calm down or risk destroying our country.

The gays will get their civil unions and move to more liberal states too.

Death penalty is an almost resolved issue right now. If Dumbya wants to play with guns, he better hope the economy gets better soon or crime will start rising - and they love his guns.

Of course we can make all of our lives easier by voting the leader of the warmonger neocon crew out of office!

[Bandit]

39. I can't prove global warming yet so that is a really sensitive issue.

I don't think anyone has ever denied that Global warming is occurring. It is the cause that is in contention. Most scientists believe that humans are a major contributing factor and Republicans think that is BS. Only thing I believe about it is that we know it is happening and we know what things can be done to delay or stop it no matter what is the cause. Why would we not do those things we know can alleviate the problem no matter what caused the problem?

[IrateCitizen]

43. There's actually little contention over the cause...

The "uncertainty" surrounding the cause of global climate change is the direct result of a sustained effort by industry and RW think-tanks to muddy the issue. The overwhelming majority of non-industry scientists believe that climate change IS occurring, that it WILL be catastrophic, and that the primary cause of it IS due to human industry and pollution.

The problem is that there is little or no political will to really do the things that will be needed to stave it off. The RW has been successful in exploiting this lack of will to their advantage.

[Mr_Spock]

66. Well, I think this issue needs more homework

Scientists need to nail this thing down as to what is causing the warming and the timetable before it causes a disaster. I just had a thought that we may not even have enough of the offending resources left in the world - who knows.

[Still_Notafraid]

8. we would have a surplus

if those making over 300,000 would just pay 34% many of them have so many tax loopholes half of them pay less then 10%,a firm 34% would get us where we need to be.i say 34% and inforce it! not lay off the IRS.

[TahitiNut]

10. None of the above.

:shrug:

[Rowdyboy]

11. By your standards, I'm a liberal Democrat

By DU standards, I'm a moderate-conservative Democrat. Go figure...

[Burma Jones]

12. Hmmmmmmm.................

Health Care - Universal Coverage, single payer system. Still allow private insurance.

Taxes - 50% rate starts kicking in at $1,000,000 annual income for a couple filing jointly. Same rates as now for those earning less than a million. Estate Tax at 50% after the first five million dollars. Tax all money earned and/or kept in the USA, in other words, no Offshore Havens.

Outsourcing - Provide incentives to keep jobs here, BUT recognize that the abundance of blue collar work is gone forever. Pretty much agree with Clinton here, we have to move beyond.

Environment - You pollute - you go to prison. If you kill with your toxins, you go as a murderer. Corporate liability will be turned into personal criminal liability. Encourage Sustainable farming. Strict regulation of all genetic experimentation. Big incentives to get off fossil fuels, take the USA to the next big business opportunity. No more blowing tops off of mountains, close the Nuke Plants, tell the assholes in teh Hamptons that there are going to be wind turbines offshore.

Helping the dispossed - As the economy is shifting mightily, we need to have the sort of public works projects as was done in the 1930's. We need a cleaner infrastructure. Along with that, there needs to be a way of transitioning people from the old to the new economy.

Social Issues - Very Libertarian. Civil Unions as government policy - you would get a civil union license. Marriage is a religious thing - it's your own damn business, but the state must not discriminate. Legalize Soft Drugs. No Death Penalty, Life without Parole, in solitary, for the worst of the scum.

BUST UP THE MEDIA MONOPOLY/OLIGARCHY - A Cable or Broadcast Network would have to be independent, NOT a division of a larger conglomerate. Media outlets must be owned independently from content providers.

War - Not a tool for chickenhawk moneygrubbers to make money. Destroying the Taliban after 9/11 - Good Thing -
Going to Iraq was as scummy a thing as this nation has done. The military is a good thing, it's how we use it that has gone very bad.

Litigation - If you are going to deregulate, the ONLY recourse we have is through the courts. IF, and I mean if, we have strong government protection of the citizenry from unscrupulous businesses, then some appropriate protection could be offered to businesses.

Social Security - I've paid into it for 20 years now, I'm going to want mine when I'm eligible. It is a contract that we need to keep.

Education - More money for college. More money for Head Start type programs. Tax on Video Game equipment to pay for such expenditures.....

The FCC - Tell People to Change the Fucking Channel - leave Howard alone, leave Opie and Anthony alone, leave Janet Jackson alone. If the Bible Thumpers want to live in isolation, let them throw out their TVs and radios.

Abortion - None of my - or the government's - business. I am not a doctor and am not a woman.

I also want the Smithsonian to stay open until 9:00 PM again.

[Cozmosis]

14. Liberal to moderate democrat n/t

[Room101]

17. Liberal Independent - nt

.

[VOX]

19. By these choices, liberal Democrat.

But sometimes more liberal, sometimes less -- depends on the issue.
:kick:

[Zero Division]

22. Liberal Democrat - usually side with "very liberal" but open to moderate..

Democratic ideas on individual issues. Fiscal conservative when it comes to the budget (but really, who isn't one these days?). Pragmatism often drives me more toward the liberal democratic range than the "very liberal" range. Such as the fact that I would love to see a form of nationalized health care, but I think we're going to have to work toward a compromise in the short term.

[WhereIsMyFreedom]

23. Very liberal Democrat

But I'm willing to make concessions (with the moderate Democrats) to get things done.

Universal health care is totally the way to go. It should also cover counseling (marriage, family, anger, etc...).

I'm so liberal on abortion that I'd get flamed by most women on this board, and I'm a guy.

Raise taxes on rich, lower on middle class, none for poor. Remove the damn loopholes for the rich and corporations. And NO corporate welfare! Lower sales tax and raise other 'fair' taxes to compensate.

Significant raises to minimum wage. Increase welfare significantly. No one in this country should go hungry or have to sleep on the streets. No one with a full time job should be living in poverty.

Basically, I want a massive shift in equitable distribution of wealth. I'm not sure exactly how to accomplish it but we need it.

Double teacher's salaries, k-12. We need to alter how public education is funded so it is evenly distributed based on children, not local property value. Completely pull religion out of public schools.

Marriage for everyone, but I'm perfectly happy with civil unions for everyone instead.

Totally overhaul our punishment for crime in this country. It is broken beyond belief. Prison should not be for 'punishment' but as a place to keep people while they are rehabilitated for integration back into society (primarily violent offenders). For non-violent offenders community service should be the norm. Drug offenders get rehab (axe the war on drugs). Ken Lay pays his workers' pensions out of his own pocket.

Severe cutbacks on military spending. It's time to foreclose on the military-industrial complex. Our military is for national security. International security should be handled through peace keeping troops led by the UN.

Much stronger environmental regulations. Levy a pollution tax that gets invested in pollution-free research.

De-privatize (or at least regulate) utilities.

Larger investment in nation-wide public transportation.

Those are some of the stronger issues that come to mind at the moment.

[Kanary]

24. Reading your description of yourself is very discouraging.

Everything you list is simply good government, and the mark of a decent society. To label that as "very liberal Democrat" makes me realize just how far we have fallen.

All other industrial nations would consider your position to be conservative.

Is there any hope for this country at all??

Kanary

[mvd]

25. Well universal health care and a lot more help for the needy..

sound like they would be looked upon favorably in Europe. :shrug: And I was a Dennis Kucinich supporter like you.

I do find the fact that Kerry had to go to the center discouraging, though.

[Kanary]

26. I think maybe you misread me. I agree with all you listed, of course.

I just don't see it as "very liberal".

Just good government, and where we should have been a long time ago.

Where the Europeans, (and some 3rd world countries!) are now.

This country has gone so far to the right that even what we were in the 60's seems radical. Hell, even Nixon seems like a liberal!

Now, how sad is that.....

:hi:

Kanary, who doesn't think that Kerry *had* to go center...... and it may still end up being his undoing......

[mvd]

29. I'm glad you think it is good government

My positions have been fairly steady with some minor changes after reading more. A balanced budget became more important to me, regardless of how much we spend. I won't change what I label myself, but thanks for the different perspective - there's nothing wrong with being thought of as plain liberal, either. :hi:

[Kanary]

30. A "balanced budget" ALWAYS means cuts to poor folk.

It's short hand for cutting any benefits that may still exist.

But, as I've said in another thread, I no longer even hope that Dems will care anymore about poor folk. It doesn't happen here , with very very few exceptions, and it doesn't happen at the national level. Poor people will continue to die qietly, and it will increase and increase.

Oh well...... as long as gay people can marry, I guess that's what counts.

Kanary

[mvd]

32. I see it as harmful in the long run

I would be spending a lot more on things that help them: health care, education, etc.

[Kanary]

33. What is "it"?

[mvd]

34. Not balancing the budget

[Kanary]

38. Yeah, and people will die.

Oh well, that's never been important on DU, so I wouldn't expect anything different now.

When everyone here finds themselves in that same poverty boat, then attitudes will change. Until then, people die and nobody notices.

Kanary

[mvd]

41. I'm not affecting the poor

It will be fine. If I was taxing the poor more to balance the budget, it would be different.

[Kanary]

47. I guess you didn't read my first reply to you?

Of COURSE "balancing the budget" affects the poor!!! That's shorthand for cutting benefits, as I already said.

Y'know, I'm not getting any sense of concern from you at all. NONE. It isn't FINE NOW. How is it going to get any FINER? Did you read my post about people not getting their benefits in Colorado, losing their home, not having anything to eat, no medical care? Did you read that? Yet, more cuts are NOT going to affect the poor at all? "It will be fine"?

As I said, when all of you middleclass people end up in the same boat I'm in, there will be a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Kanary

[mvd]

51. What benefits am I cutting?

I didn't mention one thing about cutting services. I'm talking about increasing spending while raising taxes on the rich by quite a bit. And yes, I read all of your replies. And I never said things are fine NOW.

[Kanary]

53. ONE MORE TIME

*ALL* "balance the budget" proposals always include cuts to social services. Always has, always will. Look up the history of it, before you go touting the value of it.

Or not. People will die, without anyone even knowing about it, yet the cuts will be heralded as great for the economy.

There is huge outcry for the deaths in Iraq going without notice...... but nobody gives a rip about the deaths of poor people that get NO ATTENTION.

Kanary

[mvd]

54. No proof here

Again, read my reply as I edited it. How would increasing taxes on the rich while increasing spending CUT anything?? I'm just saying that increases in spending will be matched with taxes on the rich. That's a different form of balance than what is being proposed.

[Kanary]

56. AGAIN

*ALL EFFORTS TOWARD "BALANCING THE BUDGET" HAVE INCLUDED CUTS TO THE "SAFETY NET"*

Your cold statement "no proof" shows me all I need to know about your concern. I haven't heard one word of concern from you. Not one.

NADA.

Have you written and called about this issue?

Did you write, call, protest about the cuts Clinton made????

You show *me* proof that your demand for some "balanced budget initiative" won't include cuts to social services.

YOU KNOW THERE AREN'T GOING TO BE TAX RAISES!!!

Get real about that. You know that is a pipe dream.

You haven't said one word about how YOU will do everything you can to hold back cuts.

NADA.

It simply doesn't register on your little meter.

Kanary

[mvd]

58. Um, I'm saying what I would do

You're focusing on how current politicians have it set up. You seem to be misunderstanding me completely.

[Kanary]

59. No, you haven't said *anything* about what *you* would do

You just dismiss everything I say about how this always affects poor people.

I've never seen your name in any thread having to do with poverty issues. Clearly, it is not of interest to you.

Kerry is NO DIFFERENT from any other politician.

You have not responded at all about the deaths from Clinton's policies. Yet, you expect me to care about what you propose? Caring is a two-way street.

This is all amazing.

And devastating.

Not that it matters.

Kanary

[mvd]

60. I don't dismiss anything

I have to go for now. I have offered enough proof IMO. You have not shown how cuts would occur. And now you're getting personal and assuming things that are untrue about me.

[Kanary]

62. PROOF?????

Because you *want* something, that makes it PROVED?

amazing.

and, you have the power to ban me, so have at it.

Kanary

[mvd]

63. I'm not banning anyone

This discussion just isn't going anywhere.

What I am proposing is unlike anything we've tried. Surely there can be adjustments. I would do everything in my power to make sure the tax revenue is enough so no cuts would have to me made. If cuts occur, then I'd look it things again.

[Kanary]

70. Since you made it a personal issue, and wouldn't respond to my

concerns, DO NOT write me personally again in PM. I am responding to you publicly, and I expect honest answers publicly.

Oh, and once the cuts are made, it's too late.

That much should be obvious.

I will repeat that I'm sickened by the lack of concern for human beings on this forum. *THAT* certainly doesn't qualify as "liberal Democrat".

So long to you, also.

Kanary

[Selwynn]

45. But K, it doesn't HAVE to -- all you need to do...

is take in as much revenue as you spend. So take in more revenue, i.e. undo the tax cuts and exemptions to the mega wealthy and corporations

[Kanary]

49. Excuse me? All *I* need to do??? What kind of control do you think *I*

have???? Where in the hell is all this power I'm supposed to have????

You know as well as I do that Kerry isn't going to raise taxes. You know the DLC would scream about "losing the moderates".

You know as well as I do that Kerry will cut benefits the same as Clinton did.

Do you realize that people died because of Clinton's cuts???? Does it matter?
I sure as hell didn't have any power to stop Clinton and I don't have any power to stop Kerry.

All I can do is to try to educate Dems about what is *REALLY* happening underneath all the rhetoric, which didn't used to be the case. It *USED* to be that Dems cared, and were knowledgeable, and fought for others, not just for themselves.

Those days are clearly gone, and it's everyone for themselves.

Remember that when you are asking (and telling) people what it is they are supposed to be doing for the party.

Kanary, completely heartsick about the lack of any compassion

[Selwynn]

73. Sorry, I meant "we" not you - as in our government

I wasn't blaming you. But I agree with your heartsick feelings. :(

[Kanary]

77. Thank you, Selwynn.... yes, heartsick! :( :( :(

And, I've come to the point where I want this issue understood by all!

I guess part of it is trying like hell to come to the realization that there is so little understanding, and so little concern, that when my death comes from these damnable cuts, not one damn DUer will give a shit. Afterall, I'm not in the currently popular sympathy groups...... I'm not military, I'm not gay, I'm not a child. The rest of us can just stuff it.

I would think that, when told of the issues, and what the actuality is that people in poverty are facing, most Dems would want to know how they can help. They would *want* to write and call, and spread the word to others. I know if the situation were reversed, and *I* was hearing about these issues, I sure would want to know what I can do! Yet, most of what I get is defensiveness, and demands for "PROOF". Pah. The death of compassion is going to kill this country more than any war, more than any crooked politician. *THAT'S* the part that's up to us.

The other part was watching Robert Kennedy last night, and seeing the obvious compassion in his eyes as he looked at poor people and black people, and hearing his words documenting how he had grown in understanding and compassion through his own suffering. I don't want to believe that people now can't care because they haven't suffered enough.... I *REALLY* don't want to believe that. But, maybe it's true that most in this country are just too damned affluent to have much heart left. And, I'm not taling about the RW... I"m talking about Dems. *THAT'S* the part that hurts the most....... experiencing so much dismissal from my fellow Dems. I don't think anyone where can grasp just how hopeless that makes me feel.

The full impact really hit me last night....... there will never be another Robert Kennedy. There is simply not enough heart left in this country to bring a Robert Kennedy to power.

Gone. Poof.

Kanary

[Terran]

75. Did you not get that this discussion is theoretical?

You keep saying that balancing the budget is shortahnd for reducing aid to the poor. And historically you are correct. But I believe the idea here is to describe what our values and goals are and how to label them. Balancing the budget is relatively simple if you 1) raise taxes on the rich and 2) cut military spending. The poor in this country get a pittance as it is compared to the military, so it would be easy, in the theoretical world under discussion, to massively *increase* the amount of aid the poor get without causing the budget any big problem. For instance, if we took that notorious $87 billion and gave it to the all the agencies working to end homelessness nationwide, we *would* actually end homelessness as we now know it. But again, this is theory under discussion, not practice.

I don't understand why this seems to be so difficult to grasp.

[ghostsofgiants]

27. Socialist

Or "Democratic-" (despite the fact taht i consider socialism to be inherently democratic) or "Libertarian-socialist" if you wanna get technical (encompassing both social -libertarian- and economic -socialist- aspects of my politics into my political identity).

Check out the NDP of Canada. That's, generally speaking, my party of choice.

[TankLV]

28. Dead center moderate.

The rest of the friggin country has turned so far right, that Gengis Khan would be considered left wing.

[slackmaster]

31. Moderate fits best but doesn't describe me very well

My philosophical roots are libertarian and green (lower case 'l' and 'g').

[in_cog_ni_to]

35. VERY Liberal

and VERY proud of it.

[RebelOne]

36. I am a very liberal Democrat with one exception.

I do believe in the death penalty. There are some scum in prison that I do not believe we should support with our tax dollars. They are better off dead.

[noonwitch]

37. Very liberal democrat

I do favor the assualt weapons ban, but support the right of law abiding citizens to own handguns, shotguns and hunting rifles.

I am pro choice and believe that Roe v Wade should always be the law of the land. The rights of a fetus should never supercede the rights of the woman on whom it depends for it's existence.

I support affirmative action, and look forward to the day when it is no longer needed to ensure that minorities are able to seek jobs without fear of discrimination. I also support finding a way to have reparations for slavery that doesn't involve a cash payment to every descendent from slavery, but that benefits african american communities-a school improvement program that would also benefit every white kid in targeted communities, a properly funded program to remove lead paint in big cities-this is a much bigger problem than many realize, and more programs like Clinton's Empowerment Zone program, that helps cities develop businesses and rebuild neighborhoods.

I think war should always be the last resort in solving world problems, unless it is a response to an attack. I support the efforts in both Afganistan and Iraq at the time, because our troops are in those places trying to rebuild nations, but I believe we didn't need to invade Iraq.

I support public education and do not want my tax dollars to support parochial schools. Further, if kids want to pray in public school, they have a lunch period and recess to do so. Class time is for learning.

I believe that the death penalty is always wrong. It is a punishment that can't be taken back if human error is discovered. It is about revenge, not justice. I do understand why people want it and I don't denigrate their emotional reasons for supporting it, because much of their fervor comes from having lost loved ones to senseless violence. No one should have to go through that.

I support the government assisting the poor and disabled. I support the social security program to provide for us when we are older and retired. I support programs that help train people for better jobs and to get them off of welfare.

I support environmental regulation and polluter pay laws.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

40. Democratic Socialist

We've gone so far to the right in favoring big business and the military-industrial complex that only a major swing to the left will fix all the damage that twenty years of Republicanism and conciliation of Republicanism have done to this nation

[kayell]

48. Count me as above also.

[robbedvoter]

42. Liberal. No longer Democrat.

[Selwynn]

44. More liberal than the Dali Lama (http://www.politicalcompass.org)

[IrateCitizen]

46. Democratic Socialist here

I believe that market mechanisms are the most effective means for many activities in society -- but I also believe that they must be balanced by a healthy commons and vigorous democratic processes. I think that the commodification, commericalization and branding of everything around us is a dangerous phenomenon, and I believe that the government should be the agent of promoting the public welfare and protecting the common spaces (public lands, academia, Main Streets, etc.) from which vibrant culture and innovation springs forth.

[Blue_Tires]

50. DU as a whole is a little to conservative for my tastes

but i find a way to cope....lol

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

52. Socialist. Ideally, an Anarchist.

Socialism works and is possible in this country. Ideally, Anarchism could work. Or, if Anarchism brings visions of mobs in the streets, (which isn't what Anarchism is about) think communitarian.

[Bread and Circus]

55. Mods, why no choice for Independents aside from "other"?

I consider myself liberal/progressive but independent of a party.

[mvd]

57. Because when you put other, you have the option to explain

:hi:

[Bread and Circus]

61. Thanks, because I am about the same as Ghandi, politically...

I took the test as recommnened by others in this thread.

I am 5 boxes Left of center and 2 boxes Libertarian South of center,
right about where Ghandi's dot is.

So, if anyone wants to challenge my political beliefs here on DU,
they better take it up with Ghandi first !!!!

Hah !!!

:hi: :headbang:

[mvd]

65. I was the same way on the test

It's another reason I put "very liberal" down to describe me.

[ProfessorGAC]

64. A Liberal Anti-Republican

I'm not registered as a Dem, but i wouldn't vote for a Repub right now at gunpoint.

I'm less interested in being a Democrat than i am in defeating everything the neoconservative wing of the Repubs stands for.

I'm highly liberal in almost every way (there are some minor exceptions, i would guess, but i'd have to think about it to name them), but i'm first and foremost anti-Republican.

They have been wrong about nearly every quantifiable position they've taken since 1970, and not once have they admitted they were wrong. I cannot accept that level of hubris. They must be made to pay a price for their arrogance. Defeat at the polls will crush their spirit.
The Professor

[LiberalPersona]

67. Very liberal democrat

The only reason I don't say I'm a socialist is because I believe even though socialism is far better for most things, capitalism is acceptable for certain things.

[welshTerrier2]

68. Can you help ... I don't know what label fits me ...

for starters, i agree with most of the views stated in the base post ...

however, my "central political belief" is that capitalism cannot co-exist with democracy ... i do not believe we will ever be able to adequately regulate "big money" whether that money (and power) is held by corporations or individuals ... toward that end, i would tax 100% of all income and accumualted wealth over some amount ... perhaps this amount would be in the $1 to $2 million range per individual ... i just do not believe there is any way to prevent the buying of our government when such massive wealth exists ...

i would tax unearned income (e.g. gains on sales of stock or dividend and interest income) at rates far HIGHER than rates for earned income ... the efforts of workers should always be valued more highly than those of investors ...

i would eliminate the electoral college and the Federal Elections Commission ... our electoral process does not serve the public interest ...

i would outlaw all guns ... sorry NRA types ...

on defense, much more emphasis on personnel and much less emphasis on weapons systems ...

i would require balanced budgets in all but very limited circumstances ... deficits are bad for the economy in the long run ...

i would put much greater emphasis on education ... our failing education system is the greatest threat to this country ... when we are unable to compete economically, all other systems will fail ... i'm afraid this has already started to happen ...

so, those are my basic beliefs ... am i a Socialist? a Social Democrat? a psychotic? can anyone help get me a label ???

[HEIL PRESIDENT GOD]

69. I'm just a realist.

The US government is never going to respond to my desires or fulfill my personal or political needs.

I vote as a foreigner supporting stability in the world, in the form of President Kerry, as 95% of the world's population does. I was born here but I never felt like the country belonged to me, nor I to it. The US is going to break up someday; maybe then I'll feel at home somewhere. Until then I'm mostly concerned with:

-Too much police power. There are too many people in prison. The "war on drugs" is destroying other countries too. And, cops are assholes whose presence takes the enjoyment out of life, and they don't deserve the salaries they get. Less cops, less prisons, more teachers, more schools.

-Protect small farms and local production networks. A safe food supply.

-Yes, Joe, freedom FROM religion.

[deutsey]

71. Democratic Socialist

http://www.dsausa.org/dsa.html

[welshTerrier2]

72. questions about Democrat Socialists

i went to the site you posted and read their "q&a" page ... their positions strongly match my own views ...

however, at the bottom of the "q&a" page (http://www.dsausa.org/What%20Is%20Democratic%20Socialism.pdf), they have a form you can fill out to join their "party" ... what was weird on the form was that they asked you for your area of special interest ... a series of checkboxes was provided ...

the areas listed were: labor, religion, youth, anti-racism, feminism, gay and lesbian rights ... all of these are certainly important causes but nothing was specifically mentioned about economic justice (e.g. de-powering corporations, tax fairness), election reform, foreign policy, defense issues ...

my core objective is to remove massive wealth from the political process so that our government and its policies are not up for sale ... given the options provided by DSA, none of which seemed to directly address my objective, i'm left a bit confused by their mission ...

[info being]

74. Green Socialist Anarchist...or just "Green"

[Terran]

76. I guess I'm a Socialist

I believe that too many of our societal ills exist because we've let the free market try to treat them, and it has proven to be an utter failure. The impending death of our ecosphere as we know it is a direct result of giving the free market free reign.

I also believe that the intersection between money and free speech in this country is a very great ill, and needs to be fixed. But our First Amendment values prevent that from happening, and prevent most people from even admitting that there's a problem.

I don't believe in limiting individual behavior very much, except where it impacts the health of the community. But I do strongly believe in limiting the behavior of groups, corporations, and institutions in ways that few liberal Democrats would be willing to accept.

[NoPasaran]

78. Dean Democrat

Socially progressive
Fiscally responsible

[Heyo]

79. Other...

...registered indie but I am a libertarian.. not in the sense of the L party, they are not a viable political force in this country right now.. but in ideology I am a moderate libertarian.. and an unapologetic die hard capitalist... if I get flamed I get flamed, but I figure I owe an honest answer.

Heyo

[Cats Against Frist]

80. small "L" libertarian

anarchist, anarchosyndicalist, and even a little Big L libertarian thrown in on a few issues.

PLEASE NOTE: I am not a disaffected right-winging GOP anarchocapitalist.

I believe in the feminist-Marxist critique, and I share with the Democratic party the desired outcome of society, as opposed to the "bleak Social Darwinian grossness of shit, piss and the Civil Church of the Blonde Jesus" that IS the GOP.

I always stand with the Dems. I've always voted DEM, and will continue to do so, until the small-l libertarians can beat back the GOP, which would only be if the Christian Right walked on the GOP, or if there were a total collapse of the whole system.

I was a former state socialist/Social Democrat for almost 10 years, until I met "Big Government GOP Style," and decided that government isn't the answer to everything, and rather than believing that the left is saving some poor, exploited underclass, that we're saving millions of apathetic, lazy, greedy middle class Americans from themselves (and saving ourselves from our own selves! I'm no total ascetic, myself).

"Personal Responsibility" goes beyond cheap shots labeled at Welfare recipients. Personal responsibility applies to ALL Americans -- Mothers, Fathers, Sisters, Brothers, Extended Families, CEOs, Churchgoers, College Students, Hippies, Freeper Assholes, Politicians, Police, Judges, Professionals. We're all supposed to be making this a better country, and taking better care of ourselves -- stewarding our democracy, giving to and participating in our communities, stewarding the environment, being responsible and discriminating consumers and laborers.

I honestly believe this. Call me idealistic all day long, but I still vote Democrat.