NationStates Jolt Archive

For the longest time I have been sort of straddling the fence between conservatism and liberalism, and I ask the all-knowing politics gods of General for judgement.

Conservative views:
Agree with capital punishment.
Against the legalization of any drugs that are currently illegal.
I think communism is as bad as Fascism.
No problem with religion/prayer in schools, as long as there is no endorsement of a religion(s).
I think society is WAY too open about sex.
Am for small government and taxes.
Dislike WELfare, for WORKfare.
Pro-free market.
Pro 2nd-amendment

Liberal views:
For seperation of church and state.
For more rehabilitation in prisons.
For minority/Gay rights.
For abortion.
Anti-war
For business regulation, in moderation.
Dislike current Admin.
Do not trust Corporations.


I do realise that many of my perceptions about conservatism/liberalism may be false/stereotypical. Please point these out to me.

Really what I am looking for is a short, sweet summary of the two idealogies so I can find myself in one of them.

You're moderate. Good day.

May be slightly libertarian. or simply a moderate, not really sure.

Centrist/moderate.

<snip>

Going by your sig more then your post, you are indeed a moderate.

sounds center-right liberal to me

May be slightly libertarian.

only in it's utterly meaningless american usage

only in it's utterly meaningless american usage

then what do you call libertarians?

then what do you call libertarians?

in what context?

You want the death penalty? That's odd for a Michigander. Did you know that Michigan was the first democracy to ban the death penalty in 1847?

All these people who are calling you a moderate don't know the meaning of the term, because you're only a moderate in the sense that you have about equal numbers of what are traditionally considered liberal and conservative leanings. A moderate is someone who thinks there's a middle ground on nearly every issue, and tries to hold that ground. You don't sound like a moderate to me.

What you sound like is a person who takes stands based on the issue and says to hell with the labels--except, of course, for this thread where it seems you're trying hard as hell to grab onto one. Why, I have no idea.

Only one other point to make--you're self contradictory on the prayer in schools/separation of church and state issue, unless by prayer in schools, you mean kids are allowed to do whatever the hell they want to privately, which is what the situation is today. If the school takes part, however, the separation is gone.

For the longest time I have been sort of straddling the fence between conservatism and liberalism, and I ask the all-knowing politics gods of General for judgement.

Conservative views:
Agree with capital punishment.
Against the legalization of any drugs that are currently illegal.
I think communism is as bad as Fascism.
No problem with religion/prayer in schools, as long as there is no endorsement of a religion(s).
I think society is WAY too open about sex.
Am for small government and taxes.
Dislike WELfare, for WORKfare.
Pro-free market.
Pro 2nd-amendment

Liberal views:
For seperation of church and state.
For more rehabilitation in prisons.
For minority/Gay rights.
For abortion.
Anti-war
For business regulation, in moderation.
Dislike current Admin.
Do not trust Corporations.


I do realise that many of my perceptions about conservatism/liberalism may be false/stereotypical. Please point these out to me.

Really what I am looking for is a short, sweet summary of the two idealogies so I can find myself in one of them.

Well, the current conservatives are OK with Fascism. They're for big government and aren't for low taxes, just deferred taxes. Like only paying the minimum on your credit card. Your stance on prayer in school is the liberal stance. And they agree with the Catholic Church on child molestation.

I hope that helps.

All these people who are calling you a moderate don't know the meaning of the term, because you're only a moderate in the sense that you have about equal numbers of what are traditionally considered liberal and conservative leanings. A moderate is someone who thinks there's a middle ground on nearly every issue, and tries to hold that ground. You don't sound like a moderate to me.

What you sound like is a person who takes stands based on the issue and says to hell with the labels--except, of course, for this thread where it seems you're trying hard as hell to grab onto one. Why, I have no idea.

Only one other point to make--you're self contradictory on the prayer in schools/separation of church and state issue, unless by prayer in schools, you mean kids are allowed to do whatever the hell they want to privately, which is what the situation is today. If the school takes part, however, the separation is gone.
I wanted to say that stuff.:(

I'm pretty sure he means that he believes that it's okay to pray in school and for schools to allow kids to pray, so long as they don't try to tell them what they can and cannot pray.

You sound like a centrist/slightly liberal libertarian. Libertarians, as a whole, are completely against any kind of government regulation of private organizations.

Well, the current conservatives are OK with Fascism. They're for big government and aren't for low taxes, just deferred taxes. Like only paying the minimum on your credit card. Your stance on prayer in school is the liberal stance. And they agree with the Catholic Church on child molestation.

I hope that helps.

Well, thats the current administration. Many conservatives, such as myself, wish to go back to the old true conservativism, such as small government lower taxes, etc. I think what the issue is, is that the GOP controlled Congress must support the Pres.' policies, to keep from looking like idiots. I mean that in the sense of the party being divided. I play a many political sims, and thats what we must to alot of the time. Either that or get the PResident to support the Congress' policy.

What you sound like is a person who takes stands based on the issue and says to hell with the labels--except, of course, for this thread where it seems you're trying hard as hell to grab onto one. Why, I have no idea.

probably got lonely holding unconnected positions for no sound reason other than happening to feel like it

Well, thats the current administration. Many conservatives, such as myself, wish to go back to the old true conservativism, such as small government

in addition to the fact that that just doesn't appear to be true based on polling data, i find the idea that anyone even bothers to pretend that conservativism has ever promoted 'small government' just ridiculous

For the longest time I have been sort of straddling the fence between conservatism and liberalism, and I ask the all-knowing politics gods of General for judgement.

Conservative views:
Agree with capital punishment.
Against the legalization of any drugs that are currently illegal.
I think communism is as bad as Fascism.
No problem with religion/prayer in schools, as long as there is no endorsement of a religion(s).
I think society is WAY too open about sex.
Am for small government and taxes.
Dislike WELfare, for WORKfare.
Pro-free market.
Pro 2nd-amendment

Liberal views:
For seperation of church and state.
For more rehabilitation in prisons.
For minority/Gay rights.
For abortion.
Anti-war
For business regulation, in moderation.
Dislike current Admin.
Do not trust Corporations.


I do realise that many of my perceptions about conservatism/liberalism may be false/stereotypical. Please point these out to me.

Really what I am looking for is a short, sweet summary of the two idealogies so I can find myself in one of them.


Conservative views:
Agree with capital punishment, and not just for murder.
No problem with religion/prayer in schools, as long as there is no endorsement of a religion(s).
Am for small government and taxes.
Dislike WELfare, for WORKfare.
Pro-free market.

Liberal views:
Support the legalization of any drugs that are currently illegal.
I think society is WAY too neurotic about sex.
For seperation of church and state.
Think communism is alright in principle (but not practice)
For more rehabilitation in prisons.
For minority/Gay rights.
For abortion.
Anti-war
For business regulation, in moderation.
Dislike current Admin.
Do not trust Corporations.
Oppose second amendment.
Oppose any censorship not crucial to national security.

I suppose that makes me more liberal, but still not really a liberal.

You want the death penalty? That's odd for a Michigander. Did you know that Michigan was the first democracy to ban the death penalty in 1847?

Its also home of the only Monarchy in US History.

Only one other point to make--you're self contradictory on the prayer in schools/separation of church and state issue, unless by prayer in schools, you mean kids are allowed to do whatever the hell they want to privately, which is what the situation is today. If the school takes part, however, the separation is gone.

I meant without the participation of the schools, I thought the situation today was that no kid was allowed to pray on school property....

He's either Libservative or Conserveral. Yay for making up words!

I meant without the participation of the schools, I thought the situation today was that no kid was allowed to pray on school property....It's a common misconception fostered by people who want to erase the separation of church and state. Kids can pray on school property as long as they're not disruptive. You know the old saying "there are no atheists in foxholes?" There are no atheists before calculus tests either.

Have you ever considered National Socialism?

Seems to be the next logical political move.

Well, the current conservatives are OK with Fascism. They're for big government and aren't for low taxes, just deferred taxes. Like only paying the minimum on your credit card. Your stance on prayer in school is the liberal stance. And they agree with the Catholic Church on child molestation.

I hope that helps.

I think you mean the current republicans..... they are anything but conservative.

It's a common misconception fostered by people who want to erase the separation of church and state. Kids can pray on school property as long as they're not disruptive. You know the old saying "there are no atheists in foxholes?" There are no atheists before calculus tests either.

actually around here students can lead prayer groups also, as long as the teacher assigned to them doesn't pray or speak about the Bible (just there to make sure they aren't breaking rules....or you know running a casino in the classroom) and that it's before or after school and doesn't interfere with anyone (like not in the cafeteria preaching loudly while others are trying to eat breakfast)

I think you mean the current republicans..... they are anything but conservative.

Yup. Current Republicans are more fascist then anything else these days.

Neither. You're a centrist, someone in the middle of the political spectrum.

It's a common misconception fostered by people who want to erase the separation of church and state. Kids can pray on school property as long as they're not disruptive. You know the old saying "there are no atheists in foxholes?" There are no atheists before calculus tests either.
What I find rediculous is that many conservative Christians probably discourage their kids from praying in school by telling them that it's not allowed, when it actually is. In effect, they are the ones suppressing their children's freedom of religion.

What I find rediculous is that many conservative Christians probably discourage their kids from praying in school by telling them that it's not allowed, when it actually is. In effect, they are the ones suppressing their children's freedom of religion.

if they do it's because they get emails like I do everyday that say that kids can't pray in school, can't bring their Bible, can't say the pledge with the word God in it..... I check them out and find them to be frauds, but most people don't..... :(

if they do it's because they get emails like I do everyday that say that kids can't pray in school, can't bring their Bible, can't say the pledge with the word God in it..... I check them out and find them to be frauds, but most people don't..... :(
Often they don't check it out because it feeds into the mindset that they're oppressed, set upon by evil on all sides. It's the whole "the Devil is a raging lion, seeking to devour someone" bit, and it's common among any religious group. In order to maintain a certain level of control over their members, the leaders foster the idea that everyone on the outside of their group is an enemy and is looking to harm them in one way or another. It becomes an "us against the world" mentality, which makes no sense objectively when you're a member of a group that comprises roughly a quarter to a third of the world's population.

You are a person with opinions. Have a good day.

Its also home of the only Monarchy in US History.

You mean that Mormon kingdom that was on Beaver Island?

Neither. You're a centrist, someone in the middle of the political spectrum.

However if they moved to Europe they would be an extreme right winger