A break from partisanship...

TresW

I congratulate you as the author of this valuable subject---I can see it is already a success.

I'm conservative but only because I must take a label however certain conservative issues seem very unwise and devisive such as
-anti-abortion
tendency to favor big business over small enterprise.
-tendency to favor tax cuts as an incentive to create jobs---I would like those billions to go to entrepeneurs to create the next microsoft.

Those conservative issues that I favor
-Being ex-military I favor the hawkish hard line approach to rogue nations and I favor the concept of pre-emptive strike---not to conquer other nations but to remove dictators who are truly oppressive and detrimental to society.
-I very much approve of Secretary Rumsfeld even though recent uncareful wording has caused criticism----he is technically correct on both issues
-I very much approve of Secretary Powell's position on all issues.

I think Senator Lieberman is the most trustworthy Democrat and I would seriously consider voting for him but only if President Bush proves to be.wrong about big issues like the war and the tax cut.

Too wordy ---- Sorry.

Boy, Howdy! How in the world does one adequately catagorize himself given the sideboards in this thread? I actually applaud your efforts here, but I'm not sure I can do it. I consider myself to be a political rara avis, in that I am an elected Independent. I have stated publicly that I subscribe to the Groucho Marx theory: I wouldn't want to belong to any club that would have me as a member. Apparently, there is a segment of the population (at least in remote areas such as central Idaho) who can empathize with this position - I was unopposed on the ballot last November.
Back to the idea of the thread - I have long considered myself as a "right-wing liberal", but events of the past twenty years have forced further to the right, largely due to environmental issues. I still am a stauch defender of individual rights. I am strongly pro-choice, and that does not apply solely to the abortion issue. I believe this country was founded on the idea that an individual was capable of making his own choices as they applied to his own well-being, and it is up to that individual to make his existence better for him and for society as a whole. However, I do not believe that it is the responsibility of the government or the legal system to come running to his aid when those choices turned out to be bad ones. Out here, we live with our own triumphs and with our mistakes.
I further believe that modern science has become overwhelmed by political science in far too many areas. It has become the norm to ignore Koch's postulates, and instead to accept as divine revelation any theory that can not be proven incorrect, no matter how outlandish it may actually be. These notions are dominating ecological science, from global warming to ozone depletion to endangered species to forest management to urban sprawl. In the words of one of my constituents, "it seems that common sense has become rather uncommon".
Golly! I don't think I answered your poll question in all that diatribe. That may be appropriate, as I'm not at all certain that such a simple answer exists. I also can't think of a single individual with whom I totally agree or disagree, although a conglomerate of Tom Jefferson, Sam Clemens, and Will Rogers would be someone I'd really like to have around to share a drink or two.
Go Pirates!!!!

CowDoc- Hmmm Right wing liberal- has a nice ring to it! Seems that we are on the same wavelength, and I've never BEEN to Idaho!

I finally thought of a Republican position I can endorse - sort of. I support a death penalty, just one much restricted from the one now in place. Whew. I had all but given up.

I read somewhere that the Democrats are running toward socialism, while the Republicans are content to walk there.

1) I find people who accept such labels disappointing I consider the overwhelming majority of both extremities to be moronic. What others think of my political inclination depends entirely on their situation to the right or left of me.

2) I like little and find fault with much. I don't waste time supporting things when opposition campaigning is a far more economical use of political capital.

CowDoc, great to have ya here! A real live pollytician. Wow.

Craven, my first reaction was similar to yours, but I think this is one of those thought experiments that are interesting if a choice is made, even if you don't necessarily accept the label. Kinda like choosing between (ahem) theist or atheist.

Seems more like a choice between Hershey's or Nestle's to me



timber

I was referring to this.

ahhhh ... I see now, Soz: I missed that party ... looks like it was fun.



timber

I think static landmarks lend no relevant data to this excersise. It's impossible to complete this circular logic.

I've stated that I despise such labels, I was instructed to refer, in this situation, to the predominant take on my affiliation.

As I stated one's opinion will be vastly different depending on his/her own location on the spectrum relative to my own. Those to the left of me see me as right, those to the right see left. It is therefore impossible to determine a majority without employing sloppy guesswork in regard to the political affiliation of the majority and each said label is subject to the above guesswork.

The most relevant data I can put forward is that I like to run the opposition and will oppose any position devoid of merit, I like to pick on weak positions that require little time to debunk. I also like carping the knave (fill out the blank below), those who fall for anything.

I can only conclude that this makes me a ____________ (insert the political party most unlike the one you support). tee hee

The only politician I've opposed without reservation is Lula. I do agree with his efforts to improve his negotiations toward the creation of MERCOSUL

Gotcha.

I do like what I see as the overriding point of this, though (and correct me if I'm wrong, TW) -- that there is a lot of overlap and a lot for each supposedly acrimonious side to agree with on the other side, and an opportunity to articulate those agreements rather than going on and on with the disagreements is nice.

I should have qualified by saying I am not a Democrat or Republican. Usually vote Green.

Agreement is overated. I prefer vehement disagreement. :-)

Trespassers--

I have enjoyed your experiment here.

It goes a long way in revealing to most of the participants, who took your premise, that none of us are broad brushed in one direction.

I also think it has the capability to tone down the more hostile aspects of some of our discussions.

Enjoyed the comments of the people who gave it a go.

TresW

Great experiment---too bad everyone didn't see fit to follow your directions.

"This has been a test of my ability to simulate PMS"----I wonder if that is Pre or Post menstrual syndrome

I don't feel comfortable giving you medical advice. Please consult a doctor. :-)

Methinketh Craven is being a tad disingenuous - both in his declining to name - for HIMSELF - his own political position (which I think he would be well able to do, from his OWN standpoint) and his PMS stuff!!!!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

In my country, the debate is - still - but declining rapidly - to the left of US debate.

Here, the Liberals are the conservatives.

However - to try to fulfil Trespasser's instructions - hmmmmm - I am well to the left of your liberals, but I quite like our conservative's decision to review all invalid pensions - this is a category which I know is somewhat abused, and where I see some resources going into seeing if these people can be re-connected to the world of work - even only very part-time, or even voluntary - could have a good outcome on their mental health - as long as it is not done in a gestapo-like manner.

Politics deals with a myriad of issues. I can't condense them all into one label and then make my friends, form my opinions, and debate along those lines.

As I have said, others will hve their own opinion as to the label, and this depends on what their political opinion is.