Poll: What are your politics

[samsingh]

Which side of the political spectrum are you on? (expecting most to be left!)

56 votes, 2 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Slightly liberal
	3 (5%)
	Liberal
	12 (21%)
	Very liberal
	15 (27%)
	Progressive
	12 (21%)
	Conservative
	0 (0%)
	Very Conservative
	0 (0%)
	Libertarian
	1 (2%)
	Extreme Left
	7 (13%)
	Extreme Right
	0 (0%)
	Other? (what else is left?)
	6 (11%)
	2 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[samsingh]

1. good to see no right wing responses

[samsingh]

70. fair distribution strongly to the middle of the left

[Prophet 451]

2. Very liberal with Socialist elements

I think that, in some key markets (healthcare, gas, water, electricity, banking, possibly telecoms), the government should create and run a non-profit alternative. That would provide a bottom floor of service which private outlets would have to compete with.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

5. That would be a good step.

Although I wouldn't limit it to any particular markets, just require any government-run business to break even or make a profit on its own, without being propped up with taxpayer money. Allow 'start-up' funding using money that comes from the profits off of other government-run businesses. The more profitable enterprises a government can run, the less it needs to collect in taxes.

[Prophet 451]

12. Well, the first one would still need some seed money

The list wasn't intending to be exhaustive, just teh most urgent ones. That said, I strongly believe there should be a form of healthcare that is supported by taxes and free at point of delivery.

[freshwest]

30. That's my viewpoint. Scandinavian style socialism. The essentials and environment belong to all.

[southern_belle]

55. +100 n/t

[LP2K12]

3. According to all those online charts...

This is how I lean...

[img][/img]

[Kaleva]

4. This is my result

The quiz can be taken here:

http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz/quiz.php#

[deafskeptic]

21. According to the link that was provided, I lean left and toward libertarian.

I consider myself a left-libertarian.

[BlindTiresias]

24. Just a heads up

That test is really bad and is essentially a piece of right wing libertarian propaganda. I linked to two superior tests downthread, though.

[LP2K12]

91. Thanks for the update.

Sorry for posting a bad test then. I got it from another thread posted by a DUer.

Here's my new results from what you posted.

http://politicalcompass.org/index
[img][/img]
Economic Left/Right: -2.12
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -4.26

The second test states: You are a cosmopolitan Social Democrat. 13 percent of the test participators are in the same category and 42 percent are more extremist than you.
[img][/img]

[samsingh]

94. my result in more like Gandhi

i'm surprised.

i thought i was more to the middle

[BlindTiresias]

23. bad test

Please do not promote this piece of right wing libertarian propaganda.

[wyldwolf]

29. yup, it's designed to give the non-political person a libertarian result

[samsingh]

95. why do you think it's bad?

[Chipala]

80. Same here

Between Liberal, Libertarian and the centrist.

[Rhiannon12866]

89. I'd never taken that one, looks like I really am a liberal, LOL.

Your PERSONAL issues Score is 100%

Your ECONOMICS issues Score is 30%

This quiz has been taken 21,895,717 times

According to your answers, the political group that agrees with you most is...

LEFT (LIBERAL)
Liberals usually embrace freedom of choice in personal matters, but tend to support significant government control of the economy. They generally support a government-funded "safety net" to help the disadvantaged, and advocate strict regulation of business. Liberals tend to favor environmental regulations, defend civil liberties and free expression, support government action to promote equality, and tolerate diverse lifestyles.

[liberal_at_heart]

6. I'm not sure how to respond. If I'm far enough to the left to have some

socialist tendencies does that make me very liberal or extreme left?

[marym625]

14. wondering the same thing

This made me laugh. Though I suspect many won't like it. Not taking it seriously

http://prorev.com/proglib.htm

[daleanime]

7. What?

No option for us socialist?

[BlindTiresias]

25. The reason why

The test was made by a right wing libertarian group for their own ends: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_Smallest_Political_Quiz

They intentionally lump "statists" together into a big camp in an intellectually dishonest way, which basically groups anything ranging from nazi germany to the USSR and all that is in between into the "statist" category, which as anyone who is not a libertarian loon will know is an absurdity. As a socialist you are in the statist camp, which is so large so as to be incoherent. It is a Bad Test.

I linked to two superior tests downthread, it has a better model and much more granularity.

[samsingh]

92. i ran out of spaces - could a socialist be considered extreme left?

[yuiyoshida]

8. I don't know...Liberal I guess..

Oh, I took the test from above, but it doesn't seem to break down into things like progressive...

[BlindTiresias]

22. Its a terrible libertarian quiz

Highly inaccurate, stupid model, and uses idiotic terminology like "statist" as a political classification which would stupidly lump entities like the USSR and Nazi Germany together into the same camp. I linked to two superior quizzes downthread which I recommend instead of this right wing libertarian nonsense.

[yuiyoshida]

57. okay

http://politicalcompass.org/index

[davidpdx]

60. Interesting

Here is mine:

Economic Left/Right: -6.88
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -5.38



I'm a little further to the left and a tad higher up toward the middle

[Liberal Lolita]

84. We are in a good group.

Gandhi, Dali Lama, Nelson Mandela....
I would much rather be grouped with these guys, than the examples sited in the other quadrants.
http://politicalcompass.org/facebook/pcgraphpng.php?ec=-8.62&soc=-6.10
Edit, how do I get this to show up as an image?

[yuiyoshida]

86. I had to make a copy of it

than post it on tinypic.com and take the address and post it here
You can make a copy of it to Paint, and make it a jpeg, which is easier.

[NRaleighLiberal]

9. Very liberal but the liberal/socialist/progressive labels are not consistent. Both quiz results

Last edited Sat Nov 29, 2014, 11:56 AM - Edit history (1)

Surprised a bit it is not more at the left edge!

Other is -7.12 and -8.31 - lower left corner

http://politicalcompass.org/facebook/pcgraphpng.php?ec=-7.12&soc=-8.31

[hifiguy]

10. "Very Liberal" I guess

I call myself a Social Democrat - Scandinavian style with a socialist bent on economic issues - with a strong libertarian streak on civil liberties and personal decisions (privacy, reproductive rights, weed, free speech).

ETA:

[Prophet 451]

13. I''m similar

[brooklynite]

11. How interesting; you didn't put "moderate" in the list...

[2banon]

15. Socialist Libertarian as in Noam Chomsky stripe.

[RiverLover]

16. What is the difference btn "Very Liberal" & "Progressive"?

???

[samsingh]

93. I think Very Liberal is to the left of Progressive.

[mvd]

18. Voted very liberal

I have some socialist tendencies. Here are my positions:

- I am for single payer health care
- Support 50% tax rate on some income and up to to 90% when needed for revenue
- Support closing tax loopholes for the rich
- I am pro-union, pro-government job creation, pro regulations that rein in Wall Street excess, banking, and protect the environment - and think the government should strive to create at least a basic living for all
- I support limits on the power of big corporations
- I am pro choice
- I am for GLBT equality
- Support licensing for gun owners and registration of guns
- Am anti-death penalty. When I was younger, I supported it in certain cases, but my position changed
- Even though I am not anti-intervention in all cases, I am very dovish on foreign policy

[Hatchling]

19. Other

Whenever I take that political compass test, I'm always to the left of Ghandi.

[BlindTiresias]

20. The test upthread is not very good

It is also derived from a libertarian political model and uses the absurd term "statist". Ridiculous.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_Smallest_Political_Quiz this clearly was made by a right wing libertarian organization.

This is a better test: http://politicalcompass.org/index

This is also a good, very fine grained one: http://www.politicaltest.net/

[Rex]

26. You're missing one of the largest groups - moderates.

You should add that group.

[TheKentuckian]

75. No they shouldn't because the term is utterly meaningless in practical definition other than maybe

generally secular and not overtly bigoted corporate conservative.

[Rex]

76. I have to disagree with that, I think you are talking about Centrists - which are not moderates imo

A Centrist is a self-described economic libertarian. A moderate is one that tries to seek middle ground within the Democratic Party. Centrists try and seek a middle ground between the Democratic party and the GOP. Which not only does not work...lost us a huge number of seats on Nov. 4th.

This is also why I think after the 4th, we saw a Centrist invasion of DU...demanding we vote for Hillary or else.

[TheKentuckian]

82. I've seen neigh onto zero push back from "moderates" as they have been conflated and cooped

for at least 20 years and as such they have become indistinguishable.

It also seems like a fantasy Label as provided here because the right wing of the Democratic party is damn difficult to discern from the rest of the right wing in many critical policy areas with no more regard for the positions of the left than the so called centrists though with less hissing and spitting about the left perhaps.

If "moderates" are not "centrists" they seem to mostly work and allow them to hide out amongst them for them come policy time. I can't see any practical difference in outcomes or aims.

[LeftishBrit]

27. 'Very liberal' probably is the best fit here; but I would call myself a Europaean socialist

I nearly picked 'extreme left', as I probably am by American standards; but the term often implies the non-democratic left. I am a firm believer in democracy; and also in there being some role for the private sector, within a mixed economy with a strong public sector.

[truebluegreen]

28. politicalcompass.org is a way better and more nuanced test.

Also shows international political figures and candidates in past elections...

[Johonny]

31. I consider myself part of the political up

I find the other side such a downer but they always correctly say to me "up yours."

[GGJohn]

32. I lean liberal.

http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz/quiz.php#

[DemocratSinceBirth]

33. Left Liberal

[Kalidurga]

34. Extremely anti-authoritarian, I was born this way.

[Blue_In_AK]

36. That's about where I fall on that test,

maybe just a tiny bit more northeast, but not much.

[Kalidurga]

38. I think more people do if they are honest with themselves.

[cbayer]

35. Without definitions it is impossible to make choices here.

What one person describes as liberal another would say was right wing.

You see that every day here.

[Neoma]

37. Socialist.

[Silent3]

39. Out in the US at large, I'm definitely liberal to very liberal. But on DU...

...I sometimes feel only slightly left of Augusto Pinochet.

[baldguy]

44. I been called a fascist by people who suport Stalinist purges of the Democratic Party.

I've been called a DINO by people who cheer for Democrats to lose, and I've been called a Republican by people who emulate the Tea Party's political tactics.

Seems I'm in good company.

[LostInAnomie]

46. +1

[bluedigger]

40. Anarcho-syndicalist, same as I ever was.

Your political compass

Economic Left/Right: -7.00
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -5.79

http://politicalcompass.org/index

[hifiguy]

69. Political Compass is quite good

Accurate for me, at least: Very strong Left/Libertarian

[donco]

41. Here i am/

[LostOne4Ever]

42. Left-wing libertarian / very Liberal (nt)

[rhett o rick]

43. I find the poll a kick in the pants. Most of the Conservatives among us

call themselves Liberals. I guess they define Liberal as H. Clinton and Pres Obama.

[RiverLover]

51. I noticed that too. Cognitive Dissonance?

Or maybe it was because conservative, third way, &/or centrists weren't options.

[rhett o rick]

53. Conservative is an option. The problem is that Conservatives have a bad name and for good reason.

So it is Cognitive Dissonance.

[brooklynite]

66. ...but "Moderate" is not

[rhett o rick]

67. I think one should be able to commit between "Slightly Liberal" and "Conservative".

Moderate is a good hiding place for Conservatives.

[TheKentuckian]

78. Because it is a temperament rather than an ideology at this point and has been rendered meaningless

to any discussion of policy, issues, or goals.

At most, it is a lame philosophy of ordering the medium soda regardless of it's actual volume or how thirsty one is. All that seemingly matters to the person placing the order is they not be given what is labeled large or small even if it indistinguishable in quantity from one of the shunned cup size labels.

[brooklynite]

83. So someone who isn't moderate is choosing to define moderate...

...well, okay then.

noun

a person who is moderate in opinion or opposed to extreme views and actions, especially in politics or religion.

(usually initial capital letter) a member of a political party advocating moderate reform.

[TheKentuckian]

88. Meaningless. What is "extreme" and what isn't? There is no standard candle and as such becomes

something to say with no practical meaning and far more often a deflecting statement for conservatives and corporatist to hide behind as they push extreme and unsavory positions from an advantageous and camouflaged position even though they were previously rejected from the usual corners.

A framing tool almost always to press the right wing agenda and little more. Bullshit ass triangulation.

[rurallib]

45. when I was young I was kind of moderate. My views have changed little

but now I am probably considered far left wing

[cyberswede]

47. Proud lefty. nt

[samsingh]

85. me too

[sakabatou]

48. What's the difference between very liberal and progressive?

[RiverLover]

52. That was my Q. I put "progressive" just because they looked lonely & had fewer votes. haha

But they're the same to me.

[onehandle]

49. I said 'Extreme Right.'

Because no matter what your beliefs (and that is not mine) it doesn't matter at DU as long as you 'don't break the RULES' and click on ads frequently.

[scarletwoman]

50. What does "extreme left" mean?

That's your only category for "left". Do you think that anyone who identifies as a leftist is "extreme"?

Screw that. I'm a leftist, I'm not "extreme".

[rhett o rick]

54. LOL. If you are left of H. Clinton-Sachs you are viewed by some as "extreme". If you want single

payer or the Patriot Act repealed, you are extreme. It's intended to be pejorative, but I will wear the label proudly.

[pacalo]

56. I'm an FDR/JFK/Carter/EW/Sanders Democrat.

[Odin2005]

58. I'm an unrepentant Trotskyist.

I only support Dems as so far that the Left and Center needs to unite to destroy the Ultra-Right much like how we united in the 40s to destroy the Fascists.

[oberliner]

59. What is the difference between Liberal, Very Liberal, Progressive, and Extreme Left?

Can you take an issue or two and delineate the distinction among those four groups on those issues?

[samsingh]

62. it's about degrees on an issue

I think it's about degrees of acceptance and expectation. I was interested to see how people viewed themselves. My definitions would be something like the following, but these are not hard and fast and there will be lots of overlap.

- Liberals support ideas such as free & fair elections, civil rights, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, free trade, and private property.

- Very Liberal - same as liberal but also supportive of universal healthcare, training, support systems

- Extreme Left - same as Very Liberal but very strong in all the expectations.

- Progressive - a mix of some liberal and libertarian beliefs. More towards the centre of the political spectrum.

[oberliner]

68. Gotcha

Personally, I think that the terms mean different things to different people. I'm not entirely sure I've sorted out for myself what the distinguishing factor is between progressive and liberal. I don't know if I agree with your summary of what a progressive is, but, as I say, I guess it depends on the person. It is interesting though in this poll to see how some DUers identify themselves.

[davidpdx]

61. Ha! The four who voted Libertarian

Have an average of 640 posts.

[PDittie]

63. I'll answer to socialist

and this one

http://politicalcompass.org/facebook/pcgraphpng.php?ec=-8.75&soc=-8.10

[samsingh]

65. that's a good one.

[devils chaplain]

64. Pretty much this:

[Bettie]

71. I'm right in the Left-Liberal section

I don't know how to get the image to show up.

[Shoulders of Giants]

72. Pro Universal Healthcare, Pro Choice, Anti Drug War...

Pro Progressive tax, Pro Education (but reform some outdated concepts in it though), anti discrimination, anti prison industry, anti war (unless absolutely and I mean absolutely necessary), anti censorship (including "obscenity" whatever that means, pro legalization of prositution, anti victimless crime laws (including seat belt and helmet laws, its not the role of government to protect you from your own dumb self), pro sensible gun laws (people do not need to own ak47s), pro governmental safety net (but anti lazyness at the same time, pro gay rights.

I hate putting a label on myself, but you can label my positions however you want.

[NuclearDem]

73. Ideally collectivist anarchism.

[ScreamingMeemie]

74. It depends on who you ask.

To my family, I am a liberal.
To my neighbors, I am a far-left liberal.
To my fellow DUers I'm a crazy conservative, freeper troll asshole when they disagree with me.

[Chipala]

77. Liberal/Libertarian

I believe in government thus im a liberal. I believe government is mostly incompetent and corrupt thus libertarian.

[socialist_n_TN]

79. I see these self-identifying polls on here fairly often, but this one....

is the first one that didn't have a spot for socialists, either democratic or Classic Red. Considering that the Socialist Progressives group currently has 294 members, this lack seems to be an extreme oversight.

I picked "other" since I'm a Trotskyist, aka., a Classic Red.

[tularetom]

81. I hate these terms

Seems to me that being "liberal" is something we should all aspire to. At least as the word is described in the dictionary as "loving freedom" or "generous".

At the same time, it's not so bad to be "conservative", since it's synonymous with "modest", "moderate" or "frugal".

Many political "conservatives" are the farthest things from modest, moderate or frugal.

I hope I've been "liberal" (generous) in my dealings with others my entire life. At the same time, I believe I've maintained a "conservative" (frugal or modest) lifestyle in terms of living within my means.

So I believe these labels are a lazy way for the news media to compartmentalize people and not at all descriptive of most humans.

[WinkyDink]

87. Socialist.

[Revanchist]

90. I refuse to limit myself to one catagory

I can be conservative on some issues, liberal on others, and progressive on still more.

For example, I support universal health care, think a tiered system would gain the most support here. Everyone gets free basic care, but you can also purchase private insurance that would allow private rooms, a greater selection of durable medical devices such as eyeglasses (basic coverage would be allowed a limited selection of free frames and lens types, but other styles and contacts would be out of pocket or covered by the supplemental insurance) I consider this position to be a mix of conservative and liberal/progressive viewpoints. There are many other issues that I have a mixed opinion on that will not fit neatly into a single category.

[damnedifIknow]

96. Liberal/Progressive

[NaturalHigh]

97. Depends on whom you ask.

Where I live, I'm probably considered a left-wing loon. Compared to the majority of posters here, I'm pretty conservative.