A Political Note

[CameronCN]

Over the past couple of years, my political views have been inexorably changing. This is not due to the reasons one would expect (ie, Bush's failures had very little to do with it.) The process has been driven by a deeper understanding of my religion (I've mentioned that I'm a Mormon, right? I'm pretty sure I have), which has, oddly, made me more "liberal." Or, more accurately, Libertarian. See, I used to be a fairly run-of-the-mill Reaganite, a moderate Republican, but now I'm quite obviously a moderate Libertarian (ie, still socially conservative--no legalizing hard drugs for me), and bit of a pacifist. I don't want to start a political debate, I'm just telling you guys, just so you know (because I like to think of you as my friends) that I'm not a Republican, and haven't really been since grade school: it's just taken me a while to realize it. So now I'm just as anti-Irag as you guys.

Any thoughts on this matter? Really, it's just me venting, so there's no need to say anything.

[Muninn]

I don't think anyone here will chastise you for your political leaning, unless it's too far into the extremes I suppose.

I think quite a few moderate Republicans are questioning their allegiance. I remember reading about a conversation between Barry Goldwater and Bob Dole during the 90's of how they were considered liberals in the Republican party, ever since the Christian Right had gained influence. Of course the various scandals of this administration aren't helping either.

Does anyone have a link to that political compass quiz, the one where they plot you out on a graph? It used to be on the I Read This forums.

[Richard K Niner]

http://www.politicalcompass.org/ <--this one?

(Though if you're thinking of the graph that kept coming up in that thread, it was made in Excel by one of our members.)

[Muninn]

I don't mean to trivialise possible discussions with the compass. A friend was asking about it, and I thought I might try it too again.

[osprey]

I've never been one to judge people by their beliefs (except some extremists who take it too far and hurt people). You're cool Cam, and to be honest, if you hadn't told us, I wouldn't have guessed that you came from a Conservative background.

[KJ Fellie]

Just a random interjection... My roommate the ninja penguin is also Libertarian. I'm Independent. Politics are usually not a big deal for us, only stupidity in politics. That annoys us.

By the way, the compass puts me in the same area as Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama. *smirk*

EDIT: Mine came out as:
Economic Left/Right: -3.62
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.26

[Richard K Niner]

The problem is, all that stupidity has ramifications...

[Steve the Pocket]

I'm just telling you guys, just so you know (because I like to think of you as my friends) that I'm not a Republican, and haven't really been since grade school: it's just taken me a while to realize it. So now I'm just as anti-Irag as you guys.

Now that I think about it, militarism/pacifism ought to be a third dimension of the political graph. Traditional conservatives are not nearly as universally pro-war as the current Republican party. Or more accurately, the current administration, as it seems several Republicans are now pushing to pull out of Iraq.

[Rooster]

Mine came out at: Economic Left/Right: -6.38
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -7.33

Who knew I was more left/lib than Ghandi?

[Richard K Niner]

Mine came out at: Economic Left/Right: -6.38
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -7.33

Who knew I was more left/lib than Ghandi?

If you're short on cash and have a hash pipe, it's a lot harder to justify not being in that corner...

For fun, my initial time through the test, I got the exact same economic score, with a more moderate social score (same quadrant). I've sinced gone notably further left, and slightly more libertarian.

[Tom Flapwell]

Well, we don't hear much on Gandhi's drug policy....

[nickspoon]

Economic Left/Right: -6.25
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -6.51

Well would you take a Gandhi at those values?

[klimt]

that chart puts me marginally right and down from dead center. the first time i took that (years ago) i was in the same general area as ghandi.


what do you know, opinions change over time.

[Richard K Niner]

Hmm, I moved again:

Economic Left/Right: -9.00
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -7.23

(Compare to (-6.38,-4.87) and (-8.13,-5.85))
*continues making his way to the green corner*

what do you know, opinions change over time.

Got more conservative with age?

[Arloest]

Economic Left/Right: -2.25
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.92

About what I expected.