Liberal or Conservative? Why? - General

[QUOTE=Falubii;43060697]I bet you're all considered communists by modern right wing standards.[/QUOTE] Conservative is right wing. Plus, Liberal because I'm for all of the people, not just for the rich people.

I guess I would say Conservative, however, there are a lot of stances on both sides that I could agree and disagree with.

I can only really describe myself as totally independent. I form my own opinions and I really can't label myself as either of the two. I like and dislike policies from both sides, though I do find myself disliking Conservatism more often.

Depends on the stance but I've been leaning right on most stances because I disagree with the majority of leftists and the Democrats on a lot of things.

I'm the most chaotic good one can be on social issues, but I try to stay out of economics as I'm not too researched in that area to make an informed opinion. It boggles my mind on how anyone can still be socially conservative in this day and age.

[QUOTE=Timebomb575;43061837]So do you agree with their stance on, say, LBGT rights? Just curious [editline]e[/editline] whoops didnt see that you already addressed that [editline]e[/editline] So what conservative social platforms do you agree with?[/QUOTE] I agree with their stance on abortion, and I believe, whether this is a Conservative platform or not, that all people are equally able to be successful. Among other things. Also my stance on LGBT rights isn't fully supportive, I do think gays should be able to marry, but I'm not so positive for transgenders and the like.

Liberal through and through. Socialist, pro-marijunana (Though only for medical uses to be honest, and mostly so this fucking war on drugs can stop, pro-LBGT, pro-choice, pro-control (Though not as extreme, the most I'd do would be to ban Handguns because they are way more fucking deadly than a rifle), just anything you can fucking think of about liberals I'd probably support it.

I generally prefer to have opinion on specific issues I know stuff about. Without studying politics or economics I don't feel qualified to say I definitely support one particular ideology, though intuitively I'm more left-leaning. That said, I certainly think the US government (and to a lesser extent the UK government and probably many other western governments) is horribly corrupt and really needs a major rework to prevent its politicians (both parties) from being in the pocket of corporations, banks etc. That's the only way you're going to get any sort of progress; liberal or conservative doesn't matter if all the politicians are corporate robots who do what's best for the guys that pay them rather than what they think is best for their constituents.

I'm willing to vote either depending on whose running. I find it hypocritical that a lot of republican party members wants the government to stay out of a persons personal business, unless their gay, then better make sure they don't marry.

[QUOTE=TornadoAP;43062501]Liberal through and through. Socialist, pro-marijunana (Though only for medical uses to be honest, and mostly so this fucking war on drugs can stop, pro-LBGT, pro-choice, pro-control (Though not as extreme, the most I'd do would be to ban Handguns because they are way more fucking deadly than a rifle), just anything you can fucking think of about liberals I'd probably support it.[/QUOTE] Even though you are a liberal, it intrigues me that you aren't someone to blame the ar-15 on everything. I don't think I have ever heard any lib say they'd ban handguns over rifles. +1 for interesting opinion!

All those online political tests have given me one solid opinion, that is, I'm a libertarian socialist who leans both to the left and the right. But I'm pro personal choice in nearly all aspects as long as nobody is getting hurt from your choices It seems like I'm turning into a libertarian centrist

[QUOTE=mntwins7;43062888]Even though you are a liberal, it intrigues me that you aren't someone to blame the ar-15 on everything. I don't think I have ever heard any lib say they'd ban handguns over rifles. +1 for interesting opinion![/QUOTE] Most people who subscribe to liberal views aren't drooling nutcases like your lawmakers like to act like (and right wing radio pundits like to believe). A good number of remotely educated people for gun control realise that rifles aren't used in most crime, but still push for a near total ban on use in defence as it has a lot of benefits (but that is for another thread). You don't seem like you have that much exposure to liberal ideas and stuff. It's a massively wide spectrum, not just the left the US has, which is still fairly conservative.

I'd say I'm a mix, but I'm also an authoritarian and a collectivist and that goes against the defined ideologies of both American liberalism and conservatism. If conservative means having high social and moral standards that don't interfere with egalitarianism, I'm a conservative. If liberal means egalitarianism (on the basis of physical, mental, and socioeconomic factors), even if it means restricting certain rights, then I'm a liberal. I'm fine with judging people and freedoms based on anything they do that affects others beyond the point of "offending people!!!". That implies that I don't think liberty is an inherent good, which both liberals and conservatives seem to think. They both have very different views on what "liberty" really is, though. If the economic/political spectrum is based on left and right and conservative and liberal, then I'm in a nonexistent vector position.

Modern day liberals seem to be bent on destroying any kind of hierarchy; they parade and harp on the suffering of individuals and discourage those who overcome their disadvantages. They are very bound to groupthink and try to focus away from the merit of each individual. It's quite a schizophrenic way of thinking. For more information just read the Unabomber's Manifesto. He outlines it quite precisely. Now on the other hand, while conservatives are bent on this 'groupthink', it's for a different reason. The objective of this is to solidify a cultural or national identity for their people and use the success of each individual to stroke eachother about how 'great' their 'group' is because someone of their race/nationality/religion did something good. It's borderline racism (not really in the social justice sense of the word, but we all know it can turn violent). Conservatives are right about economics but wrong about everything else. You see the pattern here? You can't have 'pride' for something you didn't choose. So I reject this false dichotomy of left versus right, as neither side is even remotely sane in their beliefs.

I find it funny how much of a polar opposite the two leanings are. Fiscally, conservatives push for privacy and personal freedoms but, heavily restrain alternative lifestyles. On the other hand liberals are very open to social differences yet work towards heavy government interference. Why can't the big-wigs in the system get over their petty differences and sort out the good from the bad? Healthy balance is my policy so I'm definitely more independent.

I prefer to align myself as "unaffiliated", but I am fiscally conservative and more socially conservative than socially liberal, but that's mostly because the only social issues I have views on are gun control and the ACA fiasco. The other social issues I just don't care about at the moment because economics are far more important at the time being. Being raised in a conservative household, however, my leanings can be generalized as conservative. [editline]3rd December 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=mntwins7;43062888]Even though you are a liberal, it intrigues me that you aren't someone to blame the ar-15 on everything. I don't think I have ever heard any lib say they'd ban handguns over rifles. +1 for interesting opinion![/QUOTE] I wish I could rate you agree. :(

Liberal growing up in a conservative home. I value the basic rights of people above all else and while anywhere else conservatives wouldn't be so hard line against giving some people the rights they deserve (Such as LGBT, Minorities, Immigrants, Women, etc.) As it stands in the US the majority GOP members in power are adamantly against the granting of those groups rights. No I don't think there should be a big gun ban though. I would like to see some stricter regulation but I've felt that way far before this school shooting fiasco.

[QUOTE=hexpunK;43062933]Most people who subscribe to liberal views aren't drooling nutcases like your lawmakers like to act like (and right wing radio pundits like to believe). A good number of remotely educated people for gun control realise that rifles aren't used in most crime, but still push for a near total ban on use in defence as it has a lot of benefits (but that is for another thread). You don't seem like you have that much exposure to liberal ideas and stuff. It's a massively wide spectrum, not just the left the US has, which is still fairly conservative.[/QUOTE] Believe me, I have quite a bit of exposure. I will however say, the ones I know or hear from are the "nutcases". Only a few lib friends are actually educated and I really enjoy having discussions with them.

[QUOTE=mntwins7;43063370]Believe me, I have quite a bit of exposure. I will however say, the ones I know or hear from are the "nutcases". Only a few lib friends are actually educated and I really enjoy having discussions with them.[/QUOTE] Interesting, because I think you're far more likely to meet educated liberals. College students seem to be more liberal usually.

[QUOTE=Winters;43063335]Liberal growing up in a conservative home. I value the basic rights of people above all else and while anywhere else conservatives wouldn't be so hard line against giving some people the rights they deserve (Such as LGBT, Minorities, Immigrants, Women, etc.) As it stands in the US the majority GOP members in power are adamantly against the granting of those groups rights. No I don't think there should be a big gun ban though. I would like to see some stricter regulation but I've felt that way far before this school shooting fiasco.[/QUOTE] Well, do remember, a lot (i'd like to say) most of us conservatives base our views of the LGBT community based on our religious views. That's why I feel there is such a hard line between us and them. On the other hand, "Republicans" (in the blandest of terms) are turning into democrats in my eyes. Take a look at McCain. He was like an undercover democrat all along. There are plenty of them like that. I kind of separate Conservatives and Libertarians from the term "Republican" because our views are mostly based upon religion and moral, as well as the constitution.

I'd say I'm more of a middle leaning socialist and liberal with some conservative view points.

[QUOTE=Falubii;43063408]Interesting, because I think you're far more likely to meet educated liberals. College students seem to be more liberal usually.[/QUOTE] I failed to mention, I live in the southern states. So often times is Republican, Independent, or uneducated liberal.

[QUOTE=mntwins7;43063493]I failed to mention, I live in the southern states. So often times is Republican, Independent, or uneducated liberal.[/QUOTE] What about uneducated Republicans? I think there might be one or two in the South.

[QUOTE=Falubii;43063538]What about uneducated Republicans? I think there might be one or two in the South.[/QUOTE] No doubt. I'm sure there are many around. Many are just influenced toward parties (such as: their parents are Rep. and because of that, they are too. Same goes for all parties). In the end, not many people educate themselves in politics, which is quite unfortunate, because political run this country.

It's funny with the wording here - usually if you say Liberals in Australia, you'd be referring to the right wing party of the same name while the lefty side here (debatable anyway) are called Labor. For the sake of the thread I'll just say I'm socially liberal, but I'm fiscally moderate. It's kind of hard for me to say because I have no qualification or degree in economics though. In Australia though, I tend not to equate myself to either major party even though FP is very Labor-biased. Which I think is very shortsighted, but that's another kettle of fish altogether.

[QUOTE=mntwins7;43063413]I kind of separate Conservatives and Libertarians from the term "Republican" because our views are mostly based upon religion and moral, as well as the constitution.[/QUOTE] I also am a firm believer in separation of church and state soooo... (Something mentioned in the deceleration) Also mentioned in the constitution is that all men are created equal and are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Restricting someone's freedoms (like the right to marry or equal pay or build houses of worship where they please) is taking away two of these entitlements.

[QUOTE=Combat Wombat;43063042]I find it funny how much of a polar opposite the two leanings are. Fiscally, conservatives push for privacy and personal freedoms but, heavily restrain alternative lifestyles. On the other hand liberals are very open to social differences yet work towards heavy government interference. Why can't the big-wigs in the system get over their petty differences and sort out the good from the bad? Healthy balance is my policy so I'm definitely more independent.[/QUOTE] the funnier thing is that behind all this rhetoric and idealism, the american liberal is actually a moderate conservative and an american conservative is a borderline nationalist. no, conservatism in america is not about limited government. republicans are just fine spending money on bullets, bombs, and tanks. they are fine spending money enacting moral laws and hiring the police, judges, and lawyers necessary to enforce those laws. they are not for individual freedom when they actively campaign against gay marriage or try to close borders. they are fine giving out huge subsidies to oil companies. and the democrats don't endorse government control of everything. the aca was gutted of any provision that gave it a resemblance to a single-payer system. democrats are mostly against gun regulations. they aren't a party of anti-war except when it is politically convenient. as an actual leftist, looking at american politics is both funny and depressing. neither party really serves the interests of the people who vote them in. they are superficial parties that hide behind fancy rhetoric.

Centre-right. I guess I'm part-conservative, part liberal, although more conservative than liberal. This is because I believe that equality is impossible, and that the government should only be funding non-excludable goods that the private sector would not invest in (such as street lights), or that it is better for society for it to be provided by the government (eg. defence) I also do believe in having the market as unrestricted as possible, so long as it maximises society's welfare.

You should go for social liveralism. It works for Scandinavia.

I'm libertarian. Freedom for everyone! But seriously, freedom doesn't mean free stuff.