Poll: Where do you stand?

[MV/Liberace!]

I often see comments on the forum about how heavily tilted CoastGab's membership is toward the right-wing perspective.  I just don't see that.  Perhaps I'm wrong, but political tendencies here look pretty evenly spread to me, usually.


So, just for the sake of quantifying this in some sort of way, where do you fall?  Left or right?


"Centrist" or "moderate" were deliberately left out.  Commit to something, for fuck's sake.

[McPhallus]

I think there is a right-wing tendency among the ranks.  But the minority on the left is incredibly shrill.

[korrine]

what about us weirdo independents? i def sit on the fence regarding a lot of issues

[BobGrau]

Commit to something, for fuck's sake.

Never!

...maybe. Who knows?

[Zircon]

I'm mostly a fiscal conservative. Believe in a strong military, solid education and an informed public. Sadly all of those points are not held in high regard anymore. People will argue with my statement but people seem to be satisfied with superficial information with fewer willing to do any heavy mental lifting. Let the government worry about it. True apathy, whether recognized or not by the individual, can be very, very dangerous.

[Juan]

Small "l" libertarian.  I refuse to join much of anything, particularly the hard left or hard right.

[Nucky Nolan]

I lean to the right on many issues, but I have political views to offend anybody. My views range from far left to left to leftish to center to rightish to right to far right to "none of the above". I've changed my mind on certain ideas and issues during the course of my life. My changed positions weren't all in the same direction.

I care more about the person than their political beliefs when it comes to real life. I like both Paul (unfortunately recently retired) and Kucinich (ideological opposites) as individuals. Both are honest, sincere people who say what they think. Their positions aren't dictated by lobbyists.

For the sake of quantifying the majority of my political beliefs, I'll post my results of the political test that a few members took this month. I think that Real Cool Daddy-O linked to it on another board. I found the quiz to be more accurate than most such polls. Two or three of my answers might have skewed my scores, though.

Candidates:
Johnson (90%)
Romney (78%)
Goode (56%)
Stein (55%)

Parties:
Republican (81%)
Libertarian (70%)
Green (51%)
Democrat (43%)

My scores were a bit like those from somebody with MDP. I consider "libertarian" to be the best personal fit, but it's difficult and unrealistic to be a pure libertarian IMO. My views on Israel probably raised my GOP score. The environment, as well as social safety nets, played roles in my results too.

[Eddie Coyle]

             Depends who is aggravating at me at the time. At any given moment I can be sympathetic towards Mao, Enver Hoxha, Pinochet, Allende, Papa Doc, Ian Smith, De Gaulle, Nasser, Begin, Eden, Eamon de Valera, Pol Pot, Suharto, Nixon, Mitterand...and Nero.
       
            Because of my being in the public sector in terms of employment for most of my life...I lean left. I couldn't vote for a Paul Ryan...it would be like a turkey voting for Thanksgiving.

[The General]

Only one hard right vote so far? 





ok it was me.

[stevesh]

Right on most stuff, 'left' on the social issues where other people's behavior doesn't affect me (drugs, gay marriage).

[Sardondi]

Speaking purely experientially, it seems as a cultural phenomenon the American-oriented internet as a whole tends to be somewhat left of center of the US population. There are some sites which because of their very nature draw a younger and generally left-leaning commentariat. Thus the comments at many otherwise non-political sites trend left.

I'm certainly not trying to start anything here, because I'm just tired of it all, but my experience has been that the American left has simply gotten out of the habit of give-and-take in the public square. On those non-political websites whose readership might tend to lean left, dissenting views are often unwelcome and can even be "shouted" down. Even in the nameless, faceless internet, free speech can be chilled or even throttled merely because dissenters are uncomfortable being considered "other". A mob can exist even in virtual "form", and individuals' fear and loathing of the mob's instinct for savagery can be nonetheless real for all of that. I know many times I have experienced that "other" feeling, and I'm embarrassed to say I have often remained mute or self-censored because I knew my input would have been very unwelcome and would have upset. I'm not talking mere good manners, goodwill or discretion - we all do that, and every day. It's how we survive in a diverse society. I mean remaining silent and deniable as Peter at cock crow, afraid to speak for bringing the mob's rage down on me. That's happened more times than I can count. Of course it goes the other way too, but in almost 20 years online my sense is it happens more, at least in that time, that conservatives feel muzzled. YMMV.

I know all this is a gross generalization and purely anecdotal. I can only tell you what I've seen and what it's felt like. And my opinion is the American left has gotten out of the habit of hearing dissent. IMO it is a tragedy of American society that the Alinsky model of strongarm politics, which includes shouting down dissent as a method to seize and maintain power, has gained such open acceptance and use. One of the results is that all too often when those on the left who have become habituated to hearing only gradations of their own views are confronted with opposing viewpoints, some tend to think the site is "right-leaning"; when in truth the community is merely decent and mature enough to permit an array of views without throwing a hissy fit.

Which IMO is what we have here. I don't think this site "leans right". In fact I think it tends the other way, although not as much as a lot of other non-political sites. I do find it telling the person (persons?) who made the "accusation" that this site leans right not only tried to muzzle opposing views by repeated appeals for censorship by the site administrator, but s/he also left in an angry huff when s/he was unsuccessful. But s/he was certainly not shy about throwing elbows him/herself while here. IMO the complaining party whose complaint excerpts we have seen was trying to achieve an echo chamber where only a gratifying and pure doctrine could be heard; certainly not a full and free exchange of views. And that's not healthy for anyone.

This site IMO leans somewhat left, but on the whole tolerates opposing views quite well. Which is both an achievement and something to be valued.

[stevesh]

I'm certainly not trying to start anything here, because I'm just tired of it all, but my experience has been that the American left has simply gotten out of the habit of give-and-take in the public square. On those non-political websites whose readership might tend to lean left, dissenting views are often unwelcome and can even be "shouted" down.

Amen. I amused myself for a while commenting on the various Hollywood celebrity blog posts on the Huffington Post. Not trolling, just presenting another view of whatever news item or social meme the celeb had posted about. Most of the replies I got made Eddie Coyle and Blinko's recent exchange look like a lovefest.

I do have to say, though, that trying to inject differing views into the politically-related threads of gun-related forums will elicit a similar response.

I hadn't thought about it before this, but I also consider CoastGab to be fairly balanced between right and left.

[PB the Deplorable]

... I'm certainly not trying to start anything here, because I'm just tired of it all, but my experience has been that the American left has simply gotten out of the habit of give-and-take in the public square...

... I know all this is a gross generalization and purely anecdotal. I can only tell you what I've seen and what it's felt like. And my opinion is the American left has gotten out of the habit of hearing dissent. IMO it is a tragedy of American society that the Alinsky model of strongarm politics, which includes shouting down dissent as a method to seize and maintain power, has gained such open acceptance and use. One of the results is that all too often when those on the left who have become habituated to hearing only gradations of their own views are confronted with opposing viewpoints...

They're re-named themselves 'Progressives', and told everyone they are the only ones moving society forward (Progressing), and therefore the only ones with a valid viewpoint.  It is thus fine to shout everyone else down and resort to name calling and smearing.  Because they are in the right and everyone else is wrong. 

The easily led have fallen for this, so we get elections swinging on womens contraception and who's for or against gay marriage instead of annual deficits of $1.5 Trillion dollars and whether our foreign policy is just a little too tight with Jihad.


To answer the question, I'd say I'm for:

Property Rights

Free Exchange of goods and services

Personal Responsibility

Limited Government

Low Taxes

Rule of Law and respect for the (entire) Constitution

Opportunity for Everyone

Strong Military - not a meddlesome one, but to protect our national interests


I guess the items on that list can mean different things to different people, or at least people I disagree seem to claim to support many of those items too, so in a cetain sense they can be considered generalizations.  But does the Left still truly believe in these things?   I'm thinking no.  Does that make me Right-wing?

[stevesh]

 
Property Rights

Free Exchange of goods and services

Personal Responsibility

Limited Government

Low Taxes
 
Strong Military - not a meddlesome one, but to protect our national interests

Does that make me Right-wing?

These certainly make you (us) right-wing in today's US.

[onan]

I think our political leanings tend to mold our perspective on many issues this one included.


Every time I use my email I first see a page from timewarner that makes me think more people using the webs are conservative.

[Juan]

but my experience has been that the American left has simply gotten out of the habit of give-and-take in the public square. On those non-political websites whose readership might tend to lean left, dissenting views are often unwelcome and can even be "shouted" down.

I have an actual friend on facebook whom I consider an intelligent, articulate, reasonable woman.  She skews center-left, but I know she has friends who are all over the political spectrum.  Last week, she asked a question on her facebook page "Have you ever unfriended anyone because of their political views?"  She got about 25-replies - all from people saying they had unfriended "right wingers", "conservatives" or "Romney supporters."  Not one was from someone unfriending a liberal.
Anecdotal, but interesting to me.

[Pragmier]

Property Rights

Free Exchange of goods and services

Personal Responsibility

Limited Government

Low Taxes

Rule of Law and respect for the (entire) Constitution

Opportunity for Everyone

Strong Military - not a meddlesome one, but to protect our national interests


I guess the items on that list can mean different things to different people, or at least people I disagree seem to claim to support many of those items too, so in a cetain sense they can be considered generalizations.  But does the Left still truly believe in these things?   I'm thinking no.  Does that make me Right-wing?

Many of the terms on the list are subjective as you state.

How 'strong' is a strong military? Why do we have to spend more than any other nation? Does that mean China and Russia are not protecting their interests, or that they're doing it more efficiently?
How 'low' are low taxes? We can probably agree 90% is too high, and 10% too low, but that leaves a lot of room for discussion. Just look at the actual rate differentials Reps & Dems are currently fighting over.
Opportunity for Everyone - does that include gay marriage? Children of immigrants? Those arrested under the Patriot Act?
Free Exchange of Good & Services - prostitution? drugs? etc
Limited Government - a big military and domestic spying included?

So I say YES, the left can believe in these things, and still disagree with the right.

[PB the Deplorable]

Many of the terms on the list are subjective as you state.

How 'strong' is a strong military? Why do we have to spend more than any other nation? Does that mean China and Russia are not protecting their interests, or that they're doing it more efficiently?
How 'low' are low taxes? We can probably agree 90% is too high, and 10% too low, but that leaves a lot of room for discussion. Just look at the actual rate differentials Reps & Dems are currently fighting over.
Opportunity for Everyone - does that include gay marriage? Children of immigrants? Those arrested under the Patriot Act?
Free Exchange of Good & Services - prostitution? drugs? etc
Limited Government - a big military and domestic spying included?

So I say YES, the left can believe in these things, and still disagree with the right.

Much of the time I think the 2 parties are 1) the people in DC, and 2) the rest of us

[stevesh]

How 'strong' is a strong military? Why do we have to spend more than any other nation? Does that mean China and Russia are not protecting their interests, or that they're doing it more efficiently?

Strong enough to protect the US and our essential interests elsewhere. We spend more than any other nation because we're doing more to 'protect' other nations. Way too much more, in my opinion.

How 'low' are low taxes? We can probably agree 90% is too high, and 10% too low, but that leaves a lot of room for discussion. Just look at the actual rate differentials Reps & Dems are currently fighting over.

I wouldn't agree at all that 10% is too little. We're overtaxed because we're overserved by the federal government. First order of buisiness should be to abolish any cabinet-level department whose Secretary can't be named by 25% of the electorate. Goodbye Commerce, Veterans Affairs, Energy, Education, Health and Human Services, at least, and good riddance. We won't miss them (other than those who are currently receiving a check from any of them).

Opportunity for Everyone - does that include gay marriage? Children of immigrants? Those arrested under the Patriot Act?

I think Paperboy meant economic opportunity, but yes, gay marriage, yes, legal immigrants and yes, if they are tried for whatever crime they're accused of and acquitted.

Free Exchange of Good & Services - prostitution? drugs? etc

Yes, and yes.

Limited Government - a big military and domestic spying included?

A 'big enough' military (see above) and no, but domestic spying is more the purview of the nanny-state Left.

So I say YES, the left can believe in these things, and still disagree with the right.

Agreed, but the terms have to be defined a little more closely.

[MV/Liberace!]

funny how the poll bars are shaped to resemble a raised middle finger.  perhaps that should tell me something.

[Jasmine]

This is a rather difficult question to answer, as I find that different areas/facets of life require me to take varying political positions. I myself find it utterly impossible to classify myself as wholly conservative or wholly liberal (sorry, MV! I  simply can't commit to one specific political hat). I just don't understand how a person can be completely left-wing or right-wing in every department. It boggles my mind, but, that's merely my opinion. When it comes to any issue, I ask myself what is the correct and just stand with which to take, and usually stick with it. Thus, I'm liberally-minded when, for example, it comes to gender and race equality, and gay civil rights, but lean to the conservative side when it comes to financial/business issues and matters of national sovereignty come into play.

Let's just say I'm a woman who just can't make up her mind? 

[ItsOver]

Left? Right? Who knows?  I do know that Noory sucks.

[Jasmine]

Left? Right? Who knows?  I do know that Noory sucks.

Well, I say Who's on first, What's on second,  and I Don't Know's on third.

[MV/Liberace!]

This is a rather difficult question to answer, as I find that different areas/facets of life require me to take varying political positions. I myself find it utterly impossible to classify myself as wholly conservative or wholly liberal (sorry, MV! I  simply can't commit to one specific political hat). I just don't understand how a person can be completely left-wing or right-wing in every department. It boggles my mind, but, that's merely my opinion. When it comes to any issue, I ask myself what is the correct and just stand with which to take, and usually stick with it. Thus, I'm liberally-minded when, for example, it comes to gender and race equality, and gay civil rights, but lean to the conservative side when it comes to financial/business issues and matters of national sovereignty come into play.

Let's just say I'm a woman who just can't make up her mind? 

what if you were to imagine yourself on one side surrounded by hard leftists, and on the other surrounded by hard right wingers?  which group would annoy you the most?  vote opposite.

[coaster]

I'm on the fence, but if I had to choose, I'd say I lean right.

[stevesh]

what if you were to imagine yourself on one side surrounded by hard leftists, and on the other surrounded by hard right wingers?  which group would annoy you the most?  vote opposite.

So much depends on the defintion of 'left' and 'right', but the Left annoys me the most, mainly because of their narcissism. I'm not your typical right-winger, though, since I hold no religious beliefs at all.

[ChewMouse]

OFF TOPIC....Coaster, I meant to get your old avatar for my files! I loved it.

[coaster]

OFF TOPIC....Coaster, I meant to get your old avatar for my files! I loved it.

the noorymare at 20,000 feet? here it is. wish i still had the original, it was much larger.

[ItsOver]

the noorymare at 20,000 feet? here it is. wish i still had the original, it was much larger.

Great avatar.  It killed any desire for a window seat.

[ChewMouse]

Thank you!!