NationStates Jolt Archive


Age and politics

New Genoa
05-02-2005, 20:57
sorry, I couldn't include all ages and stuff..
Super-power
05-02-2005, 21:02
10-18; libertarian
New Genoa
05-02-2005, 21:03
10-18, libertarian

(by undecided, I could also mean centrist and/or moderate... sorry, I only had 10 options to use)
Dakini
05-02-2005, 21:03
18-30, liberal
Chicken pi
05-02-2005, 21:04
10-18, liberal (although I think libertarianism has it's good points, too)
Nadkor
05-02-2005, 21:06
10-18 Liberal and Libertarian mix up thingy
Europaland
05-02-2005, 21:06
16 - Libertarian Communist (voted Liberal which I am probably closest to on the American scale, although Liberals in the UK are centrists.)
Zombie Lagoon
05-02-2005, 21:07
10-18 liberal
Mikilla
05-02-2005, 21:08
10-18 Conservitive

hopefully the people who voted communist will eventully realize communism doesnt work
Zeppistan
05-02-2005, 21:10
30 and over. Social liberal. Fiscal cnservative.
Sskiss
05-02-2005, 21:10
42 and don't really care. I relate to people only on an individual level. Politics is just "too big".
Salutus
05-02-2005, 21:11
very interesting idea for a poll.

although i'm surprised that no 10-18 year-olds have voted conservative.

edit: (perhaps still young enough to maintain a childlike belief that everyone is inherently warm and fuzzy inside)

i recently took an international relations class and am definitely leaning more right after more closely examining the world political stage. it would seem that republicans are more...i know this isn't the right word...cynical when it comes to internat'l relations.

edit: but cynicism is not necessarily a bad thing in today's world, especially with terrorism and what not. better to expect the worst.
Conceptualists
05-02-2005, 21:11
None of the above.

18-30 - Anarchist.
MNOH
05-02-2005, 21:14
What a narrow poll. No place for socialists, communists, anarchists, fascists...
Chicken pi
05-02-2005, 21:15
What a narrow poll. No place for socialists, communists, anarchists, fascists...

You're only allowed to have ten options in a poll.
New Genoa
05-02-2005, 21:15
What a narrow poll. No place for socialists, communists, anarchists, fascists...

and how would you incorporate that for three age groups with only 10 options, buddy?
MNOH
05-02-2005, 21:18
and how would you incorporate that for three age groups with only 10 options, buddy?
Well, you might as well just generalize, rather than being so specific. "Right Wing" "Left Wing" "Moderate". More inclusive that way... of course, then someone would be complaining that it's TOO general.
New Genoa
05-02-2005, 21:25
can a mod change the last option to read "Other (state your age)", please?
New Anthrus
05-02-2005, 21:37
I'm a 10-18 conservative, but I'm liberatarian on most social issues (except abortion).
Eichen
05-02-2005, 21:40
18-30 libertarian (28)
Arenestho
05-02-2005, 21:44
10-18 and 'Liberal'.

For people who are whining that the pole is narrow, think of instead of Liberal, Left-wing; Conservative Right-wing; and Libertarian Centrist. That's what I did.

I don't see what age has to do with anything however. It is what is inside that counts, not how long you've been here.

"The child's mind is perhaps the most truthful. For it has not had the amount of exposure to the superimposed 'reality' of life," - Me
Dakini
05-02-2005, 21:45
10-18 Conservitive

hopefully the people who voted communist will eventully realize communism doesnt work
communism isn't an option.
Swimmingpool
05-02-2005, 21:52
I'm in between liberal and libertarian (see my sig), and I am 18 years old. Which option should I vote for?
Conceptualists
05-02-2005, 21:55
communism isn't an option.
Didn't you realise, Liberal is just a synonym for Communism ;)
Keruvalia
05-02-2005, 21:58
Over 30 ... very liberal.
Andaluciae
05-02-2005, 22:00
19, Libertarian, of sorts.
BastardSword
05-02-2005, 22:10
Didn't you realise, Liberal is just a synonym for Communism ;)
You know Jesus said in his Second Coming we will live like Communist. Sharing things and all. Equality, etc. However, unlike a few communist places there will be freedom of religion and speech and stuff.

Anyway 18-30 (21) Liberal.
Eutrusca
05-02-2005, 22:11
61 ... whatever works.
Alien Born
05-02-2005, 22:13
Only 3 Conservatives, so far. As one of these istoo young to vote, how did Bush get re-elected?

over 30 Libertarian, of the choices available.
Eutrusca
05-02-2005, 22:14
You know Jesus said in his Second Coming we will live like Communist. Sharing things and all. Equality, etc. However, unlike a few communist places there will be freedom of religion and speech and stuff.

A perfect Christian community would indeed hold all things in common and those who had would give to those who need. However, this presupposes human beings perfected and would not involve the coercive power of government in any way, manner, shape or form.

This is why those striving to be true Christians learn to "not want." The true enemies of Christianity are materialism and selfishness.
Alien Born
05-02-2005, 22:15
You know Jesus said in his Second Coming we will live like Communist. Sharing things and all. Equality, etc. However, unlike a few communist places there will be freedom of religion and speech and stuff.


With the second coming of Christ, doesn't freedom of religion sort of become a moot point?
Dogburg
05-02-2005, 22:17
Problem is, people have different ideas about what "libertarian" is. The stance of the Libertarian party of the United states is economically far-right (in the "government doesn't interfere" sense) and socially far-left (in the "do as you like" sense).

I think a lot of socialists/big government adovocates might consider themselves libertarian because of their social "do as you like" philosophy, but these people aren't really libertarians if they advocate economic restrictions like high taxation, nationalised industry or outlawing private property.

So perhaps the reason so many 10-18s voted libertarian is because half of them don't fully understand what libertarianism is. (There are plenty who do though, I'm just saying that might account for the high margin of majority as far as "libertarian" is concerned)

Libertarianism is capitalism with widespread social freedom. I didn't think so many young people thought capitalism was cool.
Pure Metal
05-02-2005, 22:22
18-30 liberal, going on socialist now methinks...
The Lightning Star
05-02-2005, 22:34
10-18, and (mostly) conservative(I'm 13.)

Now, I know alot of people here won't listen to me because of my age, but to them I say phooey. Why? Listen, when you have your life immeresed in Politics and world happenings as much as you do, then you'd understand. Being the child of a U.S. Diplomat opens your eyes to things. I've lived in bustling Bangladeshi cities, walked among the ruins of ancient Pakistani civilizations, walked among the trees of the Panamanian rainforest, drove through the Mozambique Sahara, looked at towering waterfalls in Zimbabwe, and that's only in places I have lived.

I watch news about 70% of the time I watch television, I have read the Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, Mein Kampf, Rubicon, and other historical/political books. Not to mention, being the son of a diplomat, I have heard much about the REAL inner workings of our government. I believe that I am more qualified than most americans, due to the fact that they are ignorant to the rest of the world.

Now, while I am not some red-neck who thinks that we should kill all non-christians and turn our country into some christian dictatorship, i believe that alot of what Bush has done is good for the world.

For example: outsourcing. In countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Panama, this is great for the economy. Jobs are popping up left and right. People can afford a kind of living they never had before!

Also, the War on Terror. This is also good for third-world countries. They are too often plagued by radicals who blow up innocents left and right. This war on Terror has helped to stop terrorists from damaging these already fragile nations.

What I DON'T agree with the Republicans is:

Cloning and Stem Cell Research: I believe that cloning and stem-cell research could potentially help extend human lives alot. We could live better, longer, healthier lives. However, under a republican administration, I don't see that happining.
Swimmingpool
05-02-2005, 22:38
61 ... whatever works.
You are a left-leaning centrist in a conservative's brain and a lesbian in a man's body, apparently.
I think a lot of socialists/big government adovocates might consider themselves libertarian because of their social "do as you like" philosophy, but these people aren't really libertarians if they advocate economic restrictions like high taxation, nationalised industry or outlawing private property.

So perhaps the reason so many 10-18s voted libertarian is because half of them don't fully understand what libertarianism is. (There are plenty who do though, I'm just saying that might account for the high margin of majority as far as "libertarian" is concerned)

Libertarianism is capitalism with widespread social freedom. I didn't think so many young people thought capitalism was cool.
No, I think people know their definitions here. They know that libertarian = capitalist. The libertarian socialists vote "liberal" in this poll.

It appears that we young people do, in fact, like capitalism!
New Genoa
05-02-2005, 23:27
I don't see what age has to do with anything however. It is what is inside that counts, not how long you've been here.

It's more or less an analysis to see if people generally are more conservative as they're older, or more liberal... I'd expected more of the young people to liberal and etc etc
The White Hats
06-02-2005, 00:08
It's more or less an analysis to see if people generally are more conservative as they're older, or more liberal... I'd expected more of the young people to liberal and etc etc
Except you have a skewed sample. Conservative oldsters are more likely to be down the golf club than messing around on an internet forum. (Especially at the weekend!)
Rangerville
06-02-2005, 04:59
I'm 27, and very liberal.
Dempublicents
06-02-2005, 05:32
sorry, I couldn't include all ages and stuff..

You also seem to have forgotten that many people don't fall so neatly into little categories, being moderate and all.
New Genoa
06-02-2005, 06:23
You also seem to have forgotten that many people don't fall so neatly into little categories, being moderate and all.

I was going to have moderate as a choice, but ran out. I asked for the poll option of undecided to be changed to moderate/centrist, but a mod hasn't seemingly seen this thread yet.
The Plutonian Empire
06-02-2005, 06:42
I'm 20, and I think I'm both Liberal AND Conservative.... :hmm:
Bodies Without Organs
06-02-2005, 07:19
None of the above.

30+ and anarchist.
Zahumlje
06-02-2005, 07:30
QUOTE=The Lightning Star]10-18, and (mostly) conservative(I'm 13.)

Now, I know alot of people here won't listen to me because of my age, but to them I say phooey. Why? Listen, when you have your life immeresed in Politics and world happenings as much as you do, then you'd understand. Being the child of a U.S. Diplomat opens your eyes to things. I've lived in bustling Bangladeshi cities, walked among the ruins of ancient Pakistani civilizations, walked among the trees of the Panamanian rainforest, drove through the Mozambique Sahara, looked at towering waterfalls in Zimbabwe, and that's only in places I have lived.

I watch news about 70% of the time I watch television, I have read the Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, Mein Kampf, Rubicon, and other historical/political books. Not to mention, being the son of a diplomat, I have heard much about the REAL inner workings of our government. I believe that I am more qualified than most americans, due to the fact that they are ignorant to the rest of the world.

Now, while I am not some red-neck who thinks that we should kill all non-christians and turn our country into some christian dictatorship, i believe that alot of what Bush has done is good for the world.

For example: outsourcing. In countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Panama, this is great for the economy. Jobs are popping up left and right. People can afford a kind of living they never had before!

Also, the War on Terror. This is also good for third-world countries. They are too often plagued by radicals who blow up innocents left and right. This war on Terror has helped to stop terrorists from damaging these already fragile nations.

What I DON'T agree with the Republicans is:

Cloning and Stem Cell Research: I believe that cloning and stem-cell research could potentially help extend human lives alot. We could live better, longer, healthier lives. However, under a republican administration, I don't see that happining.[/QUOTE]

OK for 13 you have done more and seen more than a lot of people WAY older than you are. I have to grant you've done more reading on political matters too. At least you come by your opinions from having thought them through, which is better than NOT thinking them through.

The ONE point I would like to run by you, is that your thinking could change greatly from experienceing more history. The one thing that your experience won't give you is historical perspective, that comes with years of observation. However you are better equiped than the average bear to take advantage of it. I hope you will take advantage of these oportunities and experiences and go on to in turn serve America in the diplomatic service.

I am a bit more on the liberal to socialist end of the scale, I'm 30+ (53 in a week)
I have to say that there is one thing on political opinion, and that is that experience tends to confirm me in my opinions, but it tends to do the same thing to other people and their very different opinions and ideas.

Again, I'd rather deal with a person, what ever their worldview, who has thought their ideas over and seen a bit of the world. At least even if there is a disagreement, it's comeing from some level of being informed.


Now as to that whole outsourceing deal, I'm rather against some of it on security grounds. It is one thing to outsouirce a bunch of low level tech support jobs, but quite another if the Pentagon for example needs tech support and has to call some office in Bombay. Do you have any idea how many Islamic extremists are floating around in India? Who do you think is busy blowing stuff up in Kashmir?
That would be my big problem with outsourceing of jobs in the tech-support sector. Islamic extremists are often well educated and can hold down these jobs on their merits.
Back in the 1970s my first time at University, you could hardly throw a rock without hitting an Iranian, an Iraqi, a Saudi, an Indian or a Pakistani who was here to study nuclear physics! If Iran has the bomb, if Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, well that's our own damn fault for letting them come here and learn that stuff.
Nixon was President when that was going on. We were too busy worrying about the Soviet Union to think this over carefully enough. Maybe we thought they'd just go learn nuclear physics in Russia, and then we'd still be screwed.

uuuuh wrong answer because the Russians didn't allow that sort of thing, in Russia you could nto be 'politically suspect' or a foreigner to get in those programs. Here you could not get in those programs if you were politically suspect, but you could get in if you were from Iran, Iraq, India or Pakistan. I thiink frankly neither a foreigner nor someone who disagreed with the American way of life should have been allowed into programs to learn nuclear physics or programs where they could learn how to make chemical weapons.
Incidentally this sort of short sighted stupid stuff is still going on and we ought to stop it.
I don't have a problem with people in India haveing better jobs, and better lives, but it's not fair to American workers to export these jobs without some way of replaceing these jobs.
My other big problem with outsourceing is some of these jobs which have been outsourced, are medical transcription, reading of X-rays and medical codeing. There have been serious breaches of medical privacy in a couple instances. There was a woman in Pakistan who was doing medical transcription. The guy who hired her did not pay her so she released medical records of people. This of was really bad for the people who'se privacy was violated. This was in 2003. There is also a higher error rate due to less comand of the English language, less mastery of medical terminology.
This used to be a line of work that physically handicapped Americans. For example blind people used to do the bulk of medical transcription in the States. This meant that they were less dependant on SSI, and paid taxes rather than being a tax burden. Is it fair to take that job away from a whole class of Americans? Further, is it fair to risk the medical records of Americans?
That is the part the conservatives who favor outsourceing are not looking at, and it's only fair to say it needs looked at.

Just some food for thought.

As to the War on Terror, there is some validity to the points you raise, it's probably as well that Saddam Hussein is out of power. He was hardly a shining example of righteousness. There are some very bad groups out there and they DO harm small fragile countries with their bad deeds. The problem is there are some very bad guys we're FRIENDS with. Bad guys out there like that chap that runs Uzbekistan and likes to boil his enemies to death. It is not becomeing to be friends with that kind of guy. Not moral, and plain not nice.

As to cloneing and stem cell research, that would be one of the few places I heartily agree with President Bush! :)
I think it's a technology with a lot of promise but there is an even greater potential for abuse, for damage to humanity and the natural world.
In this case I am a Luddite.

I think that anyone who doesn't take your thoughts seriously because of your age is being a dummie. That's why I decided to go ahead and reply to some of your points, because I take you seriously.
Dempublicents
06-02-2005, 07:33
I was going to have moderate as a choice, but ran out. I asked for the poll option of undecided to be changed to moderate/centrist, but a mod hasn't seemingly seen this thread yet.

Ah. Ok, I'll pick that one. I'm 24 btw.
Free Soviets
06-02-2005, 10:44
No, I think people know their definitions here. They know that libertarian = capitalist. The libertarian socialists vote "liberal" in this poll.

unless we're frelling with you...
Dobbs Town
06-02-2005, 10:50
American political nomenclature makes my teeth fuzz over. By American standards, I'd be a frothing commie. By Canadian standards I'd be socialist, or 'centre-left' to put it more simply.
The Lightning Star
06-02-2005, 16:24
I think that anyone who doesn't take your thoughts seriously because of your age is being a dummie. That's why I decided to go ahead and reply to some of your points, because I take you seriously.

Yay!
Liskeinland
06-02-2005, 16:25
No place for me - 15 years - Welfare state/free market, moderate establishmentarianist, eco person.
BastardSword
06-02-2005, 17:42
With the second coming of Christ, doesn't freedom of religion sort of become a moot point?
You have the right to deny reality before your face than :)

You have the right to plug your ears when Jesus talks to you and go, "La lalalala I can't hear you, Lalala".

So its not 100% moot.
Bitchkitten
06-02-2005, 17:44
Over thirty and liberal.
Eutrusca
06-02-2005, 17:50
You are a left-leaning centrist in a conservative's brain and a lesbian in a man's body, apparently.

How ... interesting.
Eutrusca
06-02-2005, 17:52
10-18, and (mostly) conservative(I'm 13.)

Now, I know alot of people here won't listen to me because of my age, but to them I say phooey. Why? Listen, when you have your life immeresed in Politics and world happenings as much as you do, then you'd understand. Being the child of a U.S. Diplomat opens your eyes to things. I've lived in bustling Bangladeshi cities, walked among the ruins of ancient Pakistani civilizations, walked among the trees of the Panamanian rainforest, drove through the Mozambique Sahara, looked at towering waterfalls in Zimbabwe, and that's only in places I have lived.

I watch news about 70% of the time I watch television, I have read the Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, Mein Kampf, Rubicon, and other historical/political books. Not to mention, being the son of a diplomat, I have heard much about the REAL inner workings of our government. I believe that I am more qualified than most americans, due to the fact that they are ignorant to the rest of the world.

Now, while I am not some red-neck who thinks that we should kill all non-christians and turn our country into some christian dictatorship, i believe that alot of what Bush has done is good for the world.

For example: outsourcing. In countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Panama, this is great for the economy. Jobs are popping up left and right. People can afford a kind of living they never had before!

Also, the War on Terror. This is also good for third-world countries. They are too often plagued by radicals who blow up innocents left and right. This war on Terror has helped to stop terrorists from damaging these already fragile nations.

What I DON'T agree with the Republicans is:

Cloning and Stem Cell Research: I believe that cloning and stem-cell research could potentially help extend human lives alot. We could live better, longer, healthier lives. However, under a republican administration, I don't see that happining.

For someone 13 years old, you seem to have your intellectual and political act quite together. My hat's off to you! :)
The Lightning Star
06-02-2005, 20:58
For someone 13 years old, you seem to have your intellectual and political act quite together. My hat's off to you! :)

Yay!


I'm getting alot of compliments from old(er) people!
Zarbia
06-02-2005, 21:05
I'm 17 and I'm very liberal.
Free Soviets
06-02-2005, 21:37
Also, the War on Terror. This is also good for third-world countries. They are too often plagued by radicals who blow up innocents left and right. This war on Terror has helped to stop terrorists from damaging these already fragile nations.

except that the number of terrorist incidents is either way up (in the middle east, for example) or at the same levels as always since before the start of the 'war on terror'.
The Lightning Star
06-02-2005, 21:47
except that the number of terrorist incidents is either way up (in the middle east, for example) or at the same levels as always since before the start of the 'war on terror'.

Not everywhere. You have to remember, there IS a larger world outside of the Middle East.

For example, here in Panama, the U.S. government has begun to send more aid to stop the Narco-terrorists from crossing into the country, and their numbers are going down.
Hoo Doo
06-02-2005, 21:51
10-18 (15) conservative
Zouloukistan
06-02-2005, 23:28
What's the libertarianism?
Haloman
06-02-2005, 23:39
16, and mostly conservative.
Battlestar Christiania
06-02-2005, 23:40
18-30, libertarian-leaning conservative.
Soviet Haaregrad
06-02-2005, 23:44
None of the above.

18-30 - Anarchist.

Ditto.
Free Soviets
06-02-2005, 23:46
Not everywhere. You have to remember, there IS a larger world outside of the Middle East.

For example, here in Panama, the U.S. government has begun to send more aid to stop the Narco-terrorists from crossing into the country, and their numbers are going down.

the number of terrorist incidents in all of latin america has declined back to its pre-'war on terror' level, after a spike in 2002 (mainly in columbia, iirc). but it hasn't gone down to its level in the mid 90s and is on par with what it was throughout the 70s and 80s.
Bodies Without Organs
06-02-2005, 23:53
Also, the War on Terror. This is also good for third-world countries. They are too often plagued by radicals who blow up innocents left and right.

We are talking here about the US military aren't we?
Eutrusca
06-02-2005, 23:56
Yay!

I'm getting alot of compliments from old(er) people!

As well you should! You seem to have actually given things a bit of ... you know ... thought. That's more than I can say for many, many of those on here ten to twenty years older than you. A lot of people on this Forum who should know better seem to be merely parroting the thoughts of their parents, or simply rebelling against them, which amounts to the same thing.
Maraque
07-02-2005, 00:20
16, liberal.
Sel Appa
07-02-2005, 01:00
10-18, liberal
The Lightning Star
07-02-2005, 03:03
As well you should! You seem to have actually given things a bit of ... you know ... thought. That's more than I can say for many, many of those on here ten to twenty years older than you. A lot of people on this Forum who should know better seem to be merely parroting the thoughts of their parents, or simply rebelling against them, which amounts to the same thing.

Funny thing is...

my dad hates Bush O_o...but he's a republican.

Does that mean I am rebelling against him AND parroting? Or just thiking something else and the same at the same time?....
Corisan
07-02-2005, 03:49
17 year old Libertarian Communist.
Windly Queef
07-02-2005, 04:00
Libertarianism is capitalism with widespread social freedom. I didn't think so many young people thought capitalism was cool.


18-30 leaning-libertarian ....23 years old.

A libertarian's primary premise, is that the initiation of force is wrong. I just happen not to believe in all the commonly held dogmas of the mulitiple libertarian movements--thus I lean. Although you can't be a libertarian and believe your justified in initiating aggression towards another.

I wouldn't say it's [Capitalism] cool, I would just say that a free market has been proven to enhance the overall standards of life. It's just common sense to have a morality and government that serves it's purpose, not it's demise.
Corisan
07-02-2005, 06:12
improve the standard of life for a few maybe.