Where On The Political Spectrum Are You And Why?

[SpiderManFan2002]

I thought this question would be interesting because when I used to be incredibly involved with politics on here, most people I interacted with seemed to consider themselves right-wing and conservative. I don't think I've been greatly involved with politics on here for a few years, like yeah, I've still be involved in discussions and all but like 4-5 years ago I was the most involved I used to waste so much time on here was ridiculous💀

If you're wondering about me: I don't identify with a political label. For me, I think it's better not to because people will just paint a picture of your views based on what they perceive about your political label and I think that can be really counterproductive when you want to discuss certain topics. I think remaining unlabelled gives me the freedom to express myself, my views, and helps me be more open-minded because I feel no loyalty toward any side.

What about you?

Left

Right

Centrist

I don't identify with a political label

[nightdrot]

Voted "Right," but I always, when I see this kind of question, have to put an asterisk over it.

First, to start, the terms "right," "left" and so forth, are not terribly helpful. The usage comes out of the French revolution, when supporters of a republic sat to the left of the Speaker's chair in the National Assembly, while supporters of the Church and the monarchy sat to the right. While these are common usage in contemporary politics, they actually don't say very much.

Second, beyond that, your update is an historically inaccurate observation that misunderstands the taxonomy of political philosophy. In fact, it was "the right" as you are using that term, that founded the welfare state.

As to being "outgoing" and "socially adept" I hardly know what that means. Suffice to say, these are personal and psychological classifications having little to do with political philosophy. I would be interested in seeing the empirical data you offer - besides your own biases to support your proposition.

Good of you, thought, to allow that there may be exceptions to the rule that you have not demonstrated. Good of you, if analytically problematic.

At any rate, my conservatism is not what Americans typically call conservative. Because what Americans call conservative is, historically speaking, not conservatism but is, rather, classical liberalism.

(As an aside, what Americans call "liberalism" is actually "radical" liberalism. "Radical," here not meaning as we use the term today, i. e., extremist, but rather as the ancient Greeks used it, meaning "to the root of." The radical liberals agreeing with the classical liberals that liberty is the purpose of government and politics, but arguing that differences in wealth and power in society make that liberty problematic.)

My conservatism, which for convenience I will call classical or Tory conservatism, traces its intellectual pedigree through Aristotle, St. Thomas Aquinas - and probably most importantly - the 18th century British statesman and political philosopher, Edmund Burke, and also the British Prime Ministers Benjamin Disraeli and Lord Salisbury.

In an American context, it shows up in the thinking of Alexander Hamilton and then - almost by historical accident, the American Whig Party, and the former Whig turned Republican, Abraham Lincoln. (It is a great historical "what if" as to what the GOP would have looked like had Lincoln lived and the radical Republicans not gained the ascendancy.)

Classical conservatives believe, unlike American conservatives and liberals, that the purpose of government is to answer Aristotle's first questions of politics, "How ought we to live? What kind of a people do we wish to be?" To which classical conservatives respond that the purpose of government is to nurture civic virtue. To reinforce those habits and customs that make a harmonious and stable social order possible.

Classical conservatives believe in the free market as a tool, rather than an end in itself. They recognize that it is a powerful wealth creator, efficient to some degree, and a guard against an overweening state. However, they believe, as Burke said, "The effect of liberty to individuals is that they may do what they please. We ought see what it will please them to do before we risk congratulations."

Consequently, classical conservatives support an ameliorative welfare state. (The welfare state was invented by two conservatives - Disraeli and Bismarck.) In this they differ from American liberals who see the welfare state as a lever to engineer social transformation.

Tories believe that political philosophy should take as it starting point not human reason, but human nature. That political rights are developed through historical usage, and are not abstract pre-existing.(They don't deny that such abstract rights don't exist. Merely that they are of no practical benefit or use in civil society and law.)

Suffice to say, I could go on, but this summarizes the issue.

[nightdrot]

P. S. My apologies for the remark about the "Update." I was answering a similar question to yours' at the same time and I meant to delete that paragraph. Suffice to say, you made no such comment.

[FunkyMonkee]

I'm sort of the same. When I vote, I don't go by party or label, I vote for the best person to do the job. Isn't that what we're SUPPOSED to do? Otherwise, all you're doing is telling people which side of the fence you're on! That doesn't solve or help anything.

Back in the `60's there were a LOT of people that were against the war, the establishment and all that good stuff. They wanted world peace and that's what I wanted. Those people (you know, the hippies and Woodstock crowd) were mostly democrats so, when it came time for me to register to vote for the first time, I went democrat. Nixon and the Bushes proved to me that republicans were the wrong people to back. For the longest time, I didn't vote at all, mostly because I knew next to nothing about politics and, the way these people were presented on t. v., it looked to me like neither one was any good so, what's the point of choosing between the lesser of two evils? You can vote for diarrhea or you can vote for good solid turds but, either way, you're still voting for shit!!
When Trump ran in `16, what he was selling was a LOT better than the shit Hitlary was shoveling all over our shoes so, I went with him. Like he said, what have we got to lose? And, I was NOT disappointed!! Promises made, promises kept!! And, he damn near handed us world peace on a silver platter!! Isn't that what MOST people want? And, I'm SURE we would've had it LONG ago, had Joe not stolen the election and SEVERELY fucked up the country!!!
The last 7 years, now, I've seen what a bunch of whining little spoiled rotten fucking BRATS the lefties have become and, this is NOT what I signed up for back in the late `70's!! OBVIOUSLY, they DON'T WANT world peace!! Because, if they did, there wouldn't have been all this killing, stealing, destruction, riots and hatred coming from them over the strong chance that we could've had it 2 years ago!!! What honestly peace-loving person WANTS to go around destroying statues and burning down buildings, let alone hurting and killing innocent people? These fuckers are FLAT OUT INSANE!! And there's NO two ways about it!!!
Anyway, I saw what Trump stood for and what he could do to help the entire WORLD and THAT'S what I want and THAT'S who I voted for!! The best person for the damn job!!! And, I'm STILL registered as a democrat!! The party I belong to has NOTHING to do with how I vote!!

[Anonymous]

I was raised in a more liberal home and was very liberal in high school and especially university. But I consider myself moderate in general now. I don't really identify with either political party anymore.

Republicans have kind of self-sabotaged in recent years, especially with Trump. What a joke all of that was.

But I have become super disenchanted with the democrat party. I'm disgusted with all the woke stuff and the insanity going on with the left today. I truly think the left has been the biggest reason behind the decay of western civilization. I genuinely fear for the future of my country (the US) with the course it is on today and the path the left is leading it down.

[Aerissa_Jade]

Not really either, I'm a constitutionalist/libertarian, which more often than not means conservative to many or Republican.

I've been called a right winger simply because I believe in following a old outdated piece of paper that should be ignored, by left wingers.

I'm for less government control and less regulation in most aspects of our lives.

While most of this is considered right, there are concepts that I match with Bernie Sanders on and agree with him, and there are things I do not agree with Republicans on.

I'm independent but leaning right, simply because the liberals often want more government handouts and more government control, except on certain things.

[Fuentes]

Lol I was. Bernie 2016 fan too but he pussied out so I said fuck him but he was cool at first.

[Aerissa_Jade]

@Fuentes I can't say I'm a Bernie Fan per say, but I love his solution to fixing Social Security, along with a few other idea's, most of his stuff though is way too socialist.

[Lliam]

I share the views that you expressed in your last paragraph, SpiderManFan2002.

My parents were Democrats. By high school, I considered my views liberal - 60s liberal: support for civil rights, women's rights, equal opportunity, equal treatment under the law, open mindedness, tolerance, liberty, freedom, peace, love, opposition to war, and distrust of authority. Does that sound like modern liberalism? Because, although my values haven't changed, I have little in common with modern liberals. In fact, I find many conservatives who share similar values to my own.

I watched the Democratic party adopt full neoliberalism (corporatism; fascism) by the 1990s. For the first time in my life, I voted independent instead of Democrat when Bill Clinton ran for his second term.

I continued to vote independent until Obama ran. I got duped into voting enthusiastically for Mr. Hope and Change. But his campaign promises turned out to be lies and he also became a war monger. I call him Dubya II.

I went back to voting independent after his first term.

The first time I voted for a Republican presidential candidate in my life was for Trump in 2020. He hadn't done a horrible job as president and I had to try to keep Biden and the Democratic party out.

The differences between the parties are superficial. They both share much of the big picture agenda - globalism. But I think the Democratic party has actually become more evil than the Republican party. They are rabid war mongers and their social agenda is designed to tear this country apart.

So I have no political partisanship. I don't believe anything politicians say.

I don't identify with labels like liberal and conservative for the reasons you described. I can't be defined by a label.

My common sense guides me. Mainstream media is propaganda, and I don't give a damn about social pressure or consensus. I formulate opinions on individual issues based on research and logic. My opinions evolve as more information becomes available. Identification with some ideology or political party plays no part in my decisions.

[Cubus]

Do you think that yesterday left-winger is a today's right-winger?

[Lliam]

@Cubus. No. I think many on the left have embraced woke culture, which is very authoritarian. Call it what you will, communism, fascism, dictatorship. There's little difference in application. They want to use Big Brother to enforce whatever shallow, ill-conceived opinions they hold. They disdain the constitution, individual liberty, and the opinions of others. Their opinions are the result of Democratic party and "liberal" mainstream media propaganda. Those liberals are almost cult-like in their adherence to manufactured consensus and official narratives, and associating ONLY with like-minded people. They see others as enemies because that's what they are told to do.

On the other hand, many liberals who do research and use their brains to think for themselves, reject the radical, off the rails wokeness because they see it as part of the larger, globalist agenda to undermine the constitution, representative government, and civil liberty. The agenda is designed to tear society apart so that the New World Order/One World Government/Great Reset puppet masters can take control.

Smart liberals and conservatives have abandoned labels and political partisanship. They look at issues objectively and are willing to embrace their brothers and sisters who may hold some different opinions. In doing so, they realize that we all have more in common than the agent provocateurs would have us believe. Working together against our common enemy is better than bickering among ourselves.

I've been to large rallies at which people of all races, religions and walks of life - young/old, LGBT/straight, liberal/conservative - all united for one cause, be it civil liberty, anti-covid mandates, or anti-imperialism/war.

[Lliam]

I live near a cute, historic town of about 18,000 people. Much of it is rural and it's mostly white even though there are people of other races, including Native Americans.
One night, a few years ago, a black teen from a very good family was harassed by some white kids in a car when he was walking home. They hurled racial epithets and threats. He was shaken up but unharmed. The incident hit the local news.
The following Sunday there was a gathering to support the kid and condemn racism. It was so large that the police blocked both ends of the street to traffic and turned it into a street party.
The local police department, rednecks, bikers, conservatives, liberals, and people of all faiths were there acting like brothers and sisters. There was no hint of acrimony anywhere. I love that!

It reminded me of some of the civil rights rallies I attended in high school during the early 70s.

[bayoubob]

@Lliam Finally. Some one who makes sense. Someone who learns from mistakes. Someone who has no political affiliation. One who either votes with actual sense, or votes independent, 3rd party or not at all!

[Lliam]

Thanks, bayoubob.

[WhiteBoyChill]

Were you one of those hippie pot smoking “peace and love” anti-Vietnam war protester types?

[InsecureLivesMatter]

Afuckinmen

[Lliam]

@WhiteBoyChill. Yup. I began high school in the fall of '69 and got along well the the hippie clique among others. I was also a surfer and rocker. "Peace, love and dope, man." LOL

[WhiteBoyChill]

Well I wasn’t around when hippies were a thing but I imagine there still were ordinary conservative kids from religious families who didn’t partake in the hippie culture.

[Lliam]

@WhiteBoyChill. Of course there were. Some kids were religious, some were nerds, some were focused on college, some were in ROTC. We never clashed.

I'll note that we were a few years too young to be hippies. The true hippie movement was in the 60s. The Summer of Love was in 1967. Woodstock was in 1969. So, even though we liked hippies styles and free wheeling attitudes, we weren't true hippies.

As I mentioned, I was actually more of a rocker. I played lead guitar and sang. I went to hundreds of concerts and festivals throughout the 70s. I had my own car, partied like a Viking, and had fun, fun, fun.

I lucked out when the draft was discontinued the same year that I became eligible.

[bayoubob]

Um, there's too many details left out. This black teen might be from a very good family, but is he a "very good person" himself? He might be a black sheep, he might be a gangbanger, he might be all sorts of bad. What is a racial epithet in this day and age? What if I was a no good scoundrel with a pristine family back ground and I did all sorts of bad shit, and blacks in a fluent upper middle class decided to call me a cracker? That doesn't make the news. And it shouldn't. I'm not offended by much. I have a tough skin. I don't go creating a movement like BLM, to make it a right to loot, burn, murder in the name protest, simply because you feel you have no other option that equates PEACEFUL protest.

[JamesDiaz11]

I would generally fall under "right wing," but that doesn't really encompass my political beliefs. First, I believe Democracy is a farce. We should return to kings, queens, and nobility. There should be a channel where someone can get into nobility, but it cannot be simply bought (celebrities already have outside influence, despite being braindead).

There should be some channel where referenda are held to gauge public support, but we don't need professional corrupt politicians telling us what we want to hear to get the most VoTeS.

I'm conservative, but I'm not militantly pro-life. I believe a fetus is an unborn baby, but we have far too many useless people in the country who shouldn't breed. If abortion and forced neuterings need to occur then I'm fully on board. The poor, stupid, lazy, etc. should not have many, if any children.

I also don't believe a "multi-cultural" country should, or can exist. In this way I'm a nationalist, and believe that if we don't have a coherent ethnic, religious, cultural people then we can't pursue our interests coherently (it would always be taking from one to appease another).

I'm not a believer, but religion should be a part of the state apparatus. Something that instills morals, values, and loyalty to ones family, community, and country.

The state should have influence on the economy, and do what's needed to grant it's populace jobs (or purpose) and a good standard of living. If this includes outsourcing manufacturing, so be it. The populace should have a high standard of education- although now that I mention it we should do something about women's education. Statistically as women's education rate rises the fertility rate declines, currently below replacement. Marriage rates decline, divorce climbs, and women (despite reporting they're happy have extremely high rates of mental illness) are miserable. In the name of social stability women should have caps/ channels to their education, and encouraged to marry in their early 20's. Pay should facilitate a single earner making enough to support a family, and corporate greed should be prosecuted aggressively.

[bayoubob]

@JamesDiaz11 You are Commie, without saying you are Commie. Quote from you "If abortion and forced neuterings need to occur then I'm fully on board. The poor, stupid, lazy, etc. should not have many, if any children." Who are you to say what anyone should do? Once again, another case of a dumbass who "PRETENDS," "THINKS" where they are on the political spectrum. I don't care what you "THINK," you are not Conservative in my mind. What you are is how I perceive you. YOU don't "believe a "multi-cultural" country should, or can exist." ? Huh? How is that FREEDOM? Simple answer. It isn't. COMMIE. COMMIE LEFTY is what you are. Get your head out of your butt!

[SpiderManFan2002]

Interesting take, there's quite a lot I disagree with here. I do agree that the family unit and community should be encouraged and valued, and I also think religion having influence on the law can be a good thing, but religion wouldn't be a motivating factor or justification for everybody because some people just don't believe, and I find it interesting that you a non-believer would support religion having influence over law but I think the vast majority of non-believers would disagree and would need other justifications for laws.

Interesting you say democracy is farce, and support a monarchy but it is possible to have both. I'm from the UK, we have a monarch and democracy- unless you think the monarch should have power over the state and not a Prime Minister or President. I'm personally not a monarchist though.

I think where we completely disagree, is monitoring who should have children based on class and what you perceive to be "stupid" and "lazy" and then your ideas about multiculturalism and women's education.

And can I ask if a woman were to wait until she were say 30+ to get married, do you think that is a bad thing? I don't, and I know a lot of people use the fertility argument, but most women can still have children in their 30s and 40s, yes, it's easier in your 20s in the sense that you are younger and stronger but it's not impossible to have kids in your 30s and 40s. Additionally, I think it's important to acknowledge not everyone gets married to have children, some people just want companionship and nothing more. Then some people don't want to marry at all and would rather remain single for the rest of their life.

As I said I do disagree with your opinion, but I actually find the opinions I disagree with some of the most interesting ones because it creates room for a diverse and interesting discussion, and I think those are the kinds you learn from the most, so thank you for sharing.

[SpiderManFan2002]

@bayoubob Eh, even if he is a commie I wouldn't get so riled up about it. People are entitled to believe what they want, and if you really want to change his mind, calling him a dumbass isn't going to persuade him. I disagree with a lot of what he said too, but I see no point in getting irate about it. I mean if you want to, you have the freedom to do so, but it's a little pointless in my opinion, like banging your head against a brick wall.

[bayoubob]

I don't care. I'm not here to change minds. Much less his mind. I'm not really irate. I just point out the facts, much like the ALMIGHTY Twitter account. LibsofTIkTok. If that's offensive I don't care. I'm simply stating what they say in a different light. I didn't make up anything.

[SpiderManFan2002]

@bayoubob I wouldn’t call you offensive, you just seem a little butthurt which is kind of funny💀✋🏾

[JamesDiaz11]

@bayoubob A communist doesn't believe a state should exist, that's a Socialist. The "goal of socialism is communism." I don't believe people should have "each according to their needs, from each according to their abilities," because hard work, initiative, and intelligence should be rewarded (even if it's unearned, e. g. intelligence), but nothing I said in there advocated for equal distribution- I simply said people should be paid (and the economy structured) so a single person can support a family.
You don't make a very good point, nor do I think you understand the definition of the labels you use.

[JamesDiaz11]

I don't think we disagree, per se, I think we have differing opinions based on first principles. What I believe is valuable, and of higher priority is not the same as you.
Stability is important to me. Tradition is important, in that is removes uncertainty, which reinforces stability and ultimately human contentment (free range child rearing showed how humans thrive within set guidelines).
A benevolent king/ queen has the interest of the country at heart, not their own interests (money/ power). The populace, as a whole is stupid and easily swayed. People simply don't think as a group- they feed into their baser desires, and are riled up by provocative words. A country over 25M could never be a functional democracy without rampant corruption by self-interested politicians.
Lastly, I don't think women should forego family until their 30's. Having children is a biological imperative, and a social imperative if you want to propagate the civilization. "Women empowerment" has destroyed the family, and has turned the sexes against each other. Stability in ones role works better for a vast majority of people, but I agree there should be channels where women are not forced to marry/ have children, nor deprived of expressing extreme talent/ genius (most people don't possess this). However, I'd say most women and society do not benefit from women gaining a mundane, non-specialized education and working in general, administrative positions simply for the ego boost of "having a career."

[bayoubob]

Butthurtism creates butthurtism. It's a revolving door. You are stuck in the maelstrom too. Like packing all of us together in a revolving door wedge. We can't stand each other and then just want to bolt when we get fresh air.

[SpiderManFan2002]

@bayoubob I don't know man, I mean I forgot that you existed until I logged back onto G@G so I don't think I can't stand you, you're just another person on the internet who I don't know that well so I don't really have any feelings toward you.

[bayoubob]

I'm a simpleton. I stand for what I stand for. I stand for the most two important Amendments. Freedom of Speech and the Freedom to Bear arms. What gets my goat is those that simply bitch because they want to KILL BABIES. They want to be so woke. They want to GLUE themselves to NBA arenas. They will glue themselves to PAVEMENT. For what? Chickens? But they want to fight for WHAMEN's rights. To off BABIES. What I say and say again. Is HUMAN LIFE is paramount. Me or you will take in DOGS and CATS. When we can't. We try to send them to NO KILL SHELTERS. They can opt for ER's or Fire Departments when it comes to HUMANS. It's not virtue signaling. It isn't. You think we will not take in HUMAN lives. We will.

[bayoubob]

I'll take it. @spiderman2002 Fuck Freely. Don't mind contraceptives. You need to be responsible.

[RangerBlue22]

Funny thing is if I had the same beliefs today I would be considered a liberal back in the 90s. Many “mainstream” liberals today would be considered radical lunatics back in the 90s.

Does that mean I believe everything was better back in the 90s? Well besides movies/music being more original and creative back then that is all up for debate.

But the reality is the entire country has moved to the left. The only I do mean only government change was the overturning of Roe vs. Wade. That’s a sore spot for many of you so I won’t get into it.

But the bottom line comes down to this and this only: are Americans generally happier nowadays compared to 30 years ago? That’s a complex question but I do know the political division is historically nasty as it has ever been since the Vietnam war.

I just have to ask this other question: what is the lefts ultimate long term goal? They always use vague and wistful terminology about “diversity” and “freedom” and “equality”. But equity is not the same thing as equality. Equity requires heavy handed government intervention and that’s been tried before in history. It’s called communism.

[FilmGuy93]

I'm definitely more left-leaning. I generally dislike the priorities that so many conservatives seem to have, particularly where budgeting and taxation are concerned. There seems to be this conservative hesitation to use any kind of communal funds for the public good, to avoid abuse of those funds. While I understand why they feel that way, the stuff that conservatives tend to spend money on instead often leaves the problems people face entirely unsolved.

Whether you favor asylum for illegal immigrants or not, for example, the reality is that there are a shitload of illegal immigrants and we have to find something to do with these people, because it's not feasible to send them elsewhere. Rather than saying "oh, well I'm sorry that you've come all this way, but we can't afford to take you in," I would rather say "hey, we can use you in this country, but we need to tax you at a higher rate to pay for the social services you'll need to use during your time here."

[bayoubob]

Your LEFT LEANING makes no sense. None at all. What you may "bitch" about the right is simple irony and hypocrisy. Where as many people on the LEFT simply want to align themselves with "whamen's" right to kill babies. I simply align my self with a party that defends the two most important Amendments. The 1st and 2nd. I believe in freedom. What makes the US so great is the fact it's the GREATEST EXPERIMENT, to ever EXIST. We don't want to be Commie, we don't want to be like the rest of the WORLD. The WORLD in general is a GREAT EXPERIMENT. We learn from MISTAKES. The fact is we NEED FREEDOM, we need law and order. We need to be correct. There is right and wrong. When you double down and triple down on the LEFT. You are always wrong. It's a fact.

[SpiderManFan2002]

@bayoubob For some reason I can’t reply to your original opinion which is a shame because I did want to. Anyway you said you were far-right so that’s a red flag in itself in my eyes, anyways… I know you’re gonna hate what I’m about to say but crazy fact I genuinely don’t care. You remind me of those like far-left, ultra-woke, chronically online people who get offended about everything I know you’re on the exact opposite end of the spectrum but you definitely give off the same energy as them and I find it so funny💀💀💀✋🏾✋🏾✋🏾

[bayoubob]

@SpiderMan2002 I don't hate what you have to say about me. I could be more philosophical like @Lliam. I could turn the other cheek to simply make you like me more. I won't do that. It's not in my prerogative to do so (I'm not a politician). There is right and there is wrong. I maybe crass about it. I don't care. Tough love. It's needed. Dr. Younan Nowzaradan aka Dr. Now, of TLC My 600 lb life fame is the master of tough love. Is he evil? Nope. Not at all. He takes on cases that blows your mind. You don't mess with him though. You start pussy footing around, you waste his time, and you won't get his help. The LEFT is simply a movement. A movement that prays upon the weak. Simply for votes. A movement for irony and hypocrisy. It boggles the mind.

[bayoubob]

The LEFT is nothing more than something that equates to enabling. Enabling everything that is wrong. The RIGHT says screw that. Stop being a pussy.

[dowser19]

Abdicating my citizenship this year to go live a life of true personal. freedom-in Mexico, and this caption is 1 of the main reasons why. The American people. They are INCREDIBLY dumb... and EASY to lead by the nose. This country's finished... they're pitied now. All you need a Hollywood celeb on tv to shill for you, a few sound bites, yakk on and on and on and on and on and on AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON... about the same bogeymen year after year that FREEZE THEM IN UTTER FEAR (race, immigrants, mass social paranoia)... to get them to vote against their OWN interests and not even realize it, etc. Basically, become a 1 dimensional, TOTALLY OUT OF TOUCH with reality far left/far right zealot who's CONVINCED that anyone not a clone of yourself has NO CLUE what real freedom is because YOU'RE the open minded one and no one else possibly can be, etc. What a joke. I choose... bye bye, and watch your asses at Walmart, your workplace, school, bistro, etc... for the bogeyman because it'll be ONE OF YOUR OWN PEOPPE... try to not miss it though... you'll have to see through the fog that the 47 medications and 12 different kinds of dope you've been given just to cope🙄🙄🙄. Good riddance, The Free World.👋

[krsterne5280]

I'm a Libertarian, so I don't think I could fit in with the polls you just gave in this post.
Essentially speaking, I'm a bit anarchic but mostly Minarchism. Since I still see the importance of government but not that a lot, I generally prefer places where there's direct democracy, free market economy, etc.
And I often found countries like Switzerland and Liechtenstein as a dream country for me.
https://youtu. be/h_P0xxVGGOU
https://youtu. be/btDWmWZ3ro4
https://youtu. be/RGeOGnsSayc
https://youtu. be/N_zOkljLqS4
And the reason why I'm a libertarian in the first place, is because I live in a semi-socialist and semi-communist country called Indonesia. And after living and experiencing life in a "Pancasila" state (similar to how North Koreans founded "Juche"), I have quite developed an anti big government stances against my current government and I actually lost my patriotism little by little. After the government decided to take care of people's virginity than helping my country to achieve a free market society, socialist countries like Indonesia is already becoming a joke and I absolutely started to have less and less fond of Socialism, Communism, etc.
So that's basically why...

[SpiderManFan2002]

Okay interesting, thank you for your opinion. Now I think I should have put an "other" option lol.

I have heard of Libertarianism, but I haven't done a lot of reading on it. I'd love to watch the links you have provided, but they don't work. Nonetheless, thank you for sharing your opinion and sharing your experience.

You don't have to answer this question if you don't want to but if you are comfortable with answering: When did you start to dislike your government? What were the things that happened that made you lose your patriotism little by little? Is there anything you like about Indonesia?

[krsterne5280]

Sorry for the late reply, so here we go...
"When did you start to dislike your goverment?"
Answer : ever since 2016, the government started to stab someone behind their back. Which is the former Governor of the Special Capital Region of Jakarta, Basuki Tjhaja Purnama or Ahok in his Chinese name. He was being arrested for "asking citizens of Indonesia to not mix religion with politics" which the Indonesian Muslims consider his statements as a blasphemy to Islam. So in 2016, he's been throwned out and jailed in 2017 and recently released in 2022.
"What were the things that happened that made you lose your patriotism little by little?"
Answer : from government corruption, Beurocracy, incompetent law enforcement, etc. It's almost a nightmare to live in to begin with, you can have the law on your side at all. Even with the recent cases with our police generals who murders a rookie cop for sleeping with his wife, he was not jailed but rather being fired. And then mentions a Muslim clerk named "Muhammad Rizieq Shihab" which made the court didn't even bother to punish him at all. And remember Muhammad Rizieq Shihab is also responsible for Ahok's imprisonment, so this guy has more power than the government. Just because he's a religious clerk.
"Is there anything you like about Indonesia?"
Answer : as of now, no. I've started to hate my country even more and I'm planning to move abroad this year in order to avoid more chaos, because my country is slowly creeping into becoming an Islamic state just like Iran. And since the majority of citizens here are disappointed at Jokowi's Presidency and his Cronies' atrocities. Many are asking Indonesia to become an Islamic state or a Caliphate.

[RolandCuthbert]

I guess this is because you are young. But certain people are going to label you no matter what. So it doesn't matter if you pick a label or don't. I think it is much more important for you to know what you believe in and why. You will meet so many people who have certain political beliefs because they watch a television show or follow a youtube channel. All I can say is do your own research, build your own specific life philosophy and vote accordingly. I could care less about a person's views as long as they are consistent.

Good luck.

[SpiderManFan2002]

That's true, people are going to label you regardless but if the reason they give you label is baseless, then it doesn't really mean anything in my opinion. Also, I don't really care what other people call me, I'll still remain without a label because I define what I am, not them. I do read and I watch YouTube channels, but I try to watch a diverse range of people so I'm not trapping myself in an echo chamber- different people have different perspectives and raise different points, if you only watch or read books by people with the same or similar views, you're not really allowing yourself to delve deeper into the topic because you're only learning about it through one type of lens if that makes sense.

Thank you and you.

[tiamatx]

Free market, absolute social freedom.

Small government, but to a certain limit, the state should intervene eg to destroy monopolies. No social benefits given by the state - only by private charity. No subsidies to coal and other polluting industries.

Legalize at least soft drugs - some of them are already legal, eg alcohol, weed in some states.

Complete separation of state and religion, pro-scientific attitude of the state.

Complete transparency of governing bodies at all levels, from the presidents to the leaders of small communities.

[Sparks32]

left right and centrists can't not be define easily. so I said right because I believe in values that most would consider to belong to a person on the right. For instance

You shouldn't ask for things that you wouldn't be prepared to give yourself.

(those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones) Don't vilify others for thing you do yourself.

And I'm not afraid to ask questions about things that might expose a double standard like. Why do only white people have to pay for their past sins? And make true statements like.

I'm White and don't hate myself.

[ObscuredBeyond]

This is difficult to answer, since the labels have lost all sensible meaning. I used to be defined as just slightly right of center. That was 30 years ago. The kook fringe, shrieking demon left has so completely hijacked so much of the mainstream and turned it into Psychoville, that anyone not to the left of Stalin is now branded a "right-wing extremist."

By us not policing the kook fringe diligently, they've turned our society into everything McVeigh, Koresh, and Kascinsky were so terrified of. We've literally validated the worst fears of the most vilified men of the 90s! They can now comfortably preach the message of Ledger's Joker to us: "I wasn't a monster. I was just ahead of the curve."

Life isn't supposed to be like Far Cry, where the villain is always right about the single most important plot detail, no matter how much else they get wrong.

[Lynx122]

I'm more left wing. I tend to see things in a way that as a species we should try and solve problems so everyone can benefit and do well. Capitalism and selfishness doesn't help everybody we've seen enough evidence of that. I live in a country where everyone gets taken care of and the system is working. All the lies that get told to people to vote against their own interests. I live in a place that disproves them so it's easy to see through that. Unless you're a millionaire or a billionaire saving money on taxes is nothing compared to the benefit you'd get from good infrastructure, nice public spaces, good schools, reliable health care, social safety net etc. But I don't just follow an ideology I make my mind up on each issue individually.

[Guy13]

I’m so passionately Conservative on issues that there are times when I reflect (hear/see myself in mind’s 👁) upon discussions, amongst one-time fellow lobbyist, that my own on sphincter tightens.

But yet, the LGBT, Big Green, Buddhists, and Muslims on/off soccer pitch want to talk Jesus with me…ask questions etc.

The Problem is YOU if you do not have friends that are not just like you. I have not written anything here that I have not said face-face to Abortionist and LGBT but yet, they send me new local area clients….

[call_me_scar]

I voted left but I'm more of Bernie sanders type not the corporate Nancy Pelosi type as for my reasoning on why I'm on the left it many of the policies just work in other countries like in Japan they get less than a dozen gun deaths a year now obviously we can never get it that low in the u. s but it does show that with proper regulation we can cut down the numbers. And as for social issues I believe you should have the right to do something if it doesn't hurt others which is something the right just doesn't believe in for example the right for gay people to marry this hurts no one but the second the right had a minute to themselves they tried to take it away and now we have a crappy middle ground we're people can refuse to marry a game couple

[HippieVeganJewslim]

C or D. I don’t want anyone killing unborn sentient babies, but find it OK to abort if the embryo has been a few weeks inside. I hate taxation where the money goes to animal testing. All that dough should go to animal shelters and stuff. Pet shops ought to be abolished. I don’t want to be treated like an outsider or differently just because I’m an immigrant. Cigar (ette) s should be highly taxed. Marihuana should be legalised. There should be a freedom of religion, faith, or the abstinence of it. If you don’t want to pay a religious organisation, the government shouldn’t tax you. One thing I can tell you is you got to be free, but you can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you might find you get what you need.

[AmeerX]

I think I am on the left but not Communist left. I think people should stop fighting about who got what. Or blame others for what they don't have.

People's lives should be improved. They should be provided food, shelter (apartments albeit on rent), education and health facilities regardless of what economic background they belong.

Punishment should come only after this is given in sufficient quantity.

What is happening is people don't have a house to begin with and they are deprived especially in African and Asian countries to a massive level and then expected to be working there fullest

[Agape93]

Centrist libertarian. My biggest thing is personal freedom and autonomy of self. The right and left don't offer that and actively put restrictions on freedom and self determination.

Plus I have various leanings that are deemed left and right, and that pisses off a lot of people from both sides.

[AviatorTom]

I'm a middle-of-the-road Independent with some liberal beliefs and some conservative beliefs. Both Democrats and Republicans try to recruit me to their side, and my ballot usually looks like a mix of the various parties, including some of the smaller parties.

[CrazyGirl2]

I hate politics, but I hate labels more. I most assuredly do not identify with any political party or any political labels. I would say that I was way more progressive, but the “woke progressives” would just probably call me a sexist racist homophobe/transphobe because I don’t agree with everything they believe! It seems that the Left left me long ago!

[NaultD]

I'm hardcore leftist.

My fundamental belief is "we can only build so high with how strong our foundation is." "We are only as strong as our weakest line of defense"

On a political philosophy i believe everyone having the basic necessities readily covered the greater humanity will achieve. With that in mind basic necessities grow over time and so our mission will be ever lasting. to say we are at the end of history is the day we lose our humanity.

[ShellyB]

I want people to be nice and try to solve problems, I do not like arguing about politics so I do not get involved in political discussions online, no matter what you say somebody will get mad and start arguing, there is no point, nobody changes their mind so it's just a form of entertainment for people who want to argue I think. I will talk about specific things w people I am comfortable with and those conversations do not follow this way of dividing things. JMO!

[Puppystarfish23]

Honestly in the UK both parties are terrible. I try to be a free thinker and go with what I think is right but when it comes to voting I'm lost because both Tories and the lefty's are as bad as each other in there own ways. I'd rather just not vote but then I feel it's my duty to as a woman as many other women don't get the right to vote.

[Puppystarfish23]

I usually go conservative if I'm honest but they have been shit the past couple of years

[Cubus]

From my country's perspective - both parties in Great Britain are very similar, especially on the world-view issues. Tories that are said to be right-wing move left, implement no-fault divorce and cenzorship zones among abortion facilities, while Labour are supposed to be left-wing but in recent months hit patriotic notes and "feeling proud of being British". Economically it looks different, but still.

[NathanDavis]

neither...

I don't take sides... especially not extreme and opposite views

life and people are way too complex too simply reduce it all to go with A or B and that is it... I've never voted in my life and I never will

and that makes me happy, it allows me to get along with pretty much everyone (sane) which is what community and society should be about, anyway

[D_Bone_Steak]

I was -3,-3... so left of center and more sort of libertarian than just centerest. That's what a quadrant political test where left and right means economic and up and down means libertarian or authoritarian.

I'm a Trump guy though... Ron DeSantis, Ron Paul, or maybe even a Tusi Gabbard. I absolutely hate most politicians though. I can't stand this identity politics of the WOKE, and all that bullshit. I'll keep it to that... that's just how I feel.

[RavVid]

I have an eclectic set of politics. For example I think the gov't should take over the drug industry and hand them out cause gov'ts destroy every industry they touch, so it is a sure way of fixing the drug problem.

Mostly I orient right because the left wants to fix what it perceives to be problems. Not only do they spend a lot of money on this but inevitably they make the problem worse and create several new problems. I am more pragmatic so I orient right.

[bayoubob]

This is kind of a dumb question. People like to "PRETEND" or "THINK" they are this and that, or a mix. Once I know your values and opinions on certain things, I make the DISTINCTION of who you are. Your idea of what you are is not reality. What you are is what people "PERCEIVE" you as. That being said, I will simply say I'm as far right as Steven Crowder, without being religious. I basically agree with him 95 to 99% of the time. But not always.

[Anpu23]

Depending on the issue I may fall on either side of the political spectrum. Im a second amendment supporting, abortion supporting, climate change believer that feels its fair for all people to marry whoever they please, falling deep in the mens rights, antifrminist movement, vegetarian antivivisectionist.

[libsaretards]

My answer is based on the assumption that "Left" is liberal leaning, "Right" is conservative and that "Centrist" means someone who is somewhere in the middle. I have Right-Wing leanings but do not believe in Far-Right radical ideas. I lean more with Republican ideals on most issues, but I am for Student Loan Forgiveness. Take that answer as you want.

[Moose304]

I have always been of the opinion the Political Spectrum is NOT a straight line. It is more of a large circle. At the bottom is totalitarianism and at the top is freedom. Go either way on the Political Spectrum you end up at the bottom. Once at the bottom it takes bloodletting to get back to the top.

[ArtemisSilver]

Neither/both.

I judge each issue on it's own merit or lack thereof without relying on groupthink and the idiot braying of the herd.

The right left game is just that a game to create spectacle and give the illusion of choice to the subdued public. I would prefer an honest tyranny to the illusion of freedom that cracks under scrutiny.

[AngryCarl]

Although most American users would doubtless want to pigeonhole me as a liberal my political views are actually very complex. I don't belong to either the left or right wing, being moderate in all things including politics I drift around the centre. According to current political theory I am probably considered slightly left-leaning, but only in certain respects.

[exitseven]

I consider myself Right. I used to be pretty moderate but the democrats have gotten so crazy over the last ten years I seem more conservative by comparison.

[Aerissa_Jade]

That is common to hear around here, people who used to be Democrats say, my beliefs haven't changed but now I'm considered a right winger cause the left went so far left.

[exitseven]

@Aerissa_Jade yes, if JFK was alive he would hate what has happened to the democrats

[Cubus]

World view - right wing
Economically - I would say common sense. I am against many of the social programs as I believe they are a waste of money that could have been spent in a better way, but I'm not a staunch liberal

I only voted once in my life, in a presidential election for a centrist candidate.

[ShadezMcgee]

Libertarian, but a good chunk of my values tend to lean right. Which has led to fuckheads on here to immediately call me right wing. Either way, beats the bullshit that progressives and leftists try to push.

[DoctorSex]

Anyone who still lives within the Matrix is silly as hell.

Kind regards,

DoctorSex

[Anonymous]

Probably left side. I really liked Kamala Harris on how she said we should solve root causes of migration meaning we should help them instead of trying to hurt them. Donald Trump wanted to bomb Mexico and Central American countries so that turned me off because I think that would be really scary to have a Middle East 2.0 in our backyard all over again.

[InsecureLivesMatter]

Former Democrat, former Republican, former libertarian (both lowercase and uppercase l), former independent, current American Solidarite.

I believe in the free market and I believe in supporting a Christian theocracy and I believe in democracy. That being said, I also believe the people with the highest voting power should be given to middle-class parents who have 4-8 kids.

[Alex8736]

my main focus is on who does their job regardless if they are Democrat or Republican. There has to be a happy medium and what is best for the citizens of the US who pays taxes whether it's good paying jobs and keeping charities at home for instance the mental health crisis and homelessness

[Red-Blaze]

I dont really set my self on any side
I belive both have some good points and can have good plans, then I vote for the party that I belive has a chance and is most likely to push the best things for everyone

[Cubus]

So you're a centrist.

[Red-Blaze]

Nop, I am not in any center, I observe ideas on there merit and there good not matter the side there from, because center, right, left is just a way to separate so people can have an enemy or apply tags
I am not going to it at all

[FreyaRed]

D

I support some left ideas, some right and some from center. I don't have to support entire program of an ideology just when I support few of their ideas.

[SpiderManFan2002]

So true. Thanks for sharing.

[Vinnygraphix]

Republican honestly democrats are ruining this country specially with immigration money being sent to Ukraine is redundant.
Why give a country money when we need to better our schools fund more programs for children homeless vets disability programs for those with life threatening health issues. Not to include inflation is at the worst period ever.

[Anonymous]

I am in the middle. What you call a classical liberal. Whats sad is, according to the left im a right wing racist and a dozen other ists. and according to the right im too left leaning to be right wing. The following graphics explain me to a T

[CateM]

Left. My parents are Democrats and to me it's just common sense

[SpiderManFan2002]

Is it common sense because your parents are Democrats or common sense because you have learned about leftist ideology and agree with it? If it's because your parents are, I encourage you to question what you believe and really explore different ideologies so you can come to your own conclusion. :)

[Anonymous]

Constituionalist. I would say i'm 60% Republican 40% Democrat. I find myself voting Republican more often than not. I have Republican ideals but the Republican party stopped representing me long ago. I would probably be a moderate Democrat if the the Democratic party actually represented the working class, but they don't. I believe in small gov't. I think the free market should be left alone except in cases where it is proven it is unable or unwilling to regulate itself.

[Dargil]

I am a MAGA Republican but with selective libertarian social leanings. For example. I support gay relationships and (!) prostitution but not abortion. Where there is no victim, there is no crime.

[Anonymous]

"“You and I are told we must choose between a left or right, but I suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down. Up to man's age-old dream -- the maximum of individual freedom consistent with order --or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism." Ronald Reagan, 1964.

[SpiderManFan2002]

Thought provoking quote.

[Dalisay409]

Right because I believe in freedom, individuality, accountability, merit, rule of law and a color blind world.

[mrmonogamous]

I am so far to the right I make Ronald Reagan look like a incredible liberal. I believe the United States was a better place back in the 1950s.

[DaisyM23]

economically left but i have social opinions from the left and right so maybe i'm centrist but i think i'm probably more left centrist

[SpokenTruth]

Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

This is where I am on the political spectrum.

[HighValue]

Where I stand, I look to my left, use some binoculars and can finally see Mitch McConnell. Lol

[Exterminatore]

Right wing. Because the trash those on the left stand for is repulsive and ignorant. I despise their values and moral degeneracy combined with warped logic and emotional reasoning.

[Ryfyle]

You could not define me on you silly little line. I have the political savvy That makes Kissinger look like a high-school student government vice president.

[SpiderManFan2002]

I admire your confidence.

[dragoblack]

I'm a progressive. And the spectrum isn't linear, it's circular. I vite based on not only a society progressing platform, but also on the pilutician having a history of keeping their promises and fighting for the stuff they talk about.

[Fuentes]

Independent who leans right because the left Is a 🤡 🌎 that I refuse enter.

[Fuentes]

To**

[SpiderManFan2002]

I don't think the left is a clown space because I think whether you're on the left or right most people are pretty reasonable, but the far-left, ultra-woke, chronically online space is ridiculous I can't lie and I can agree is a clown space help help, and the same can be said about the far-right, neo-Nazi, probably living in a dingy dark basement with fantasies of being warriors but never fought a day their life side.

[Fuentes]

Lol the far right rejects I don't associate with and I also don't like the far left but no if you came to the US the left is pushing for children surgery, Beto O Rourke lost gladly, to take our tax dollars and give Ukraine billions after billions meanwhile Americans are homeless, open doors to illegal immigrants and make us pay for it by giving them free heslthcare and housing. We're in high inflation and everyone seems to think putting the money else where but helping Americans is the best decision ever made hahaha. The left has become a walking Circus completely the online version just makes them look worse hahaa

[LiamJHayden]

I am quite libertarian on most issues.

[motownplayer2000]

For me, every last one of them is dumb, power hungry, not caring about the average person or human. That’s where I sit. We need some form of government, without the greedy people running it

[Randy888]

centrist, Republicans and Democrats each have their own great and terrible ideas.

[Revvl6pro]

Right, but I respect the left. I have zero respect for moderates.

[Revvl6pro]

Open borders are dangerous. The number one killer of young people is fentanyl. Murderers and rapists are now welcomed into the country, because of the new Chinese president.
You either love this concept or you hate it. If you're neutral, you're a coward.

If you love children dying, then I won't agree with you, but I will respect that you took a stance. If you don't take a stance, I have zero respect for you.

[Revvl6pro]

Firstly, I don't give a shit how many people come into your country illegally. The more the better.

[Revvl6pro]

I already told you.

[Revvl6pro]

I love my country don't give a shit about yours. Is that complicated to you?

[crossdressingrihno]

I’m a centrist but I’m slightly right leaning and I’m a heavy authoritarian

[genericname85]

in the middle. meaning i'm the asshole for people on the left AND on the right.

[SpiderManFan2002]

You must have so much fun💀✋🏾

[genericname85]

I'm just not easily convinced by black and white reasoning.