Poll: Where do you stand?

[Eddie Coyle]

 
       Now I voted lean left...

      That said, it's NOT the right wing that prevents me from buying a goddamn Mountain Dew or Orange Fanta on "City of Boston" property. The worst type of Bloombergian nanny state shit. If you like Fresca or other forms of low calorie horse piss, then you're all set.

[Tara]

I bet those who lean right have a net worth several times that of the leftists.  And you can be sure we righties are taking steps to protect our assets given this administration.  There is nothing like wealth earned through hard work, saving, and investment.   Ah, the pleasures of the right wing.   

[Treading Water]

I used to think I was pretty much middle of the road.  Until I took that test and spewed "green".   

But I really can't consider myself hard left because I agree with Paper*Boy and The General sometimes.  Although, I try to avoid the political topics at ALL costs...  Don't know how I ended up here.

Anyway, I always thought this forum had far more right-leaners than left.  Maybe it's because we(I) tend to hear other/opposite views more than those we(I) agree with.  Whether we listen or not is another matter.  Dunno. 

Maybe it's because I grew up in Pennsylvania, the land of Sandusky and Santorum.  When I was 40 and pregnant a man actually came up to me in the grocery store and called me a godless harlot.  Guess he noticed my lack of wedding jewelry.  And, no, I was not using food stamps or any other "entitlement" program.  Totally out of the blue.  I changed grocery stores. 

Oh, well.  We just seem to have some pretty scary folks 'round here.   

[ShayP]

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.

I voted 'lean left.'  It all depends on the issue for me.  stevesh seems most compatible to my belief.  I will lean stevesh. 

[McPhallus]

I voted 'lean left.'  It all depends on the issue for me.  stevesh seems most compatible to my belief.  I will lean stevesh. 

stevesh in 2016.  It can happen.

[Eddie Coyle]

godless harlot.

Awesome band name of the day.
   

[Nucky Nolan]

When I was 40 and pregnant a man actually came up to me in the grocery store and called me a godless harlot.

LMAO (truly)! I thought that you were a man until I read that.

[onan]

I bet those who lean right have a net worth several times that of the leftists.  And you can be sure we righties are taking steps to protect our assets given this administration.  There is nothing like wealth earned through hard work, saving, and investment.   Ah, the pleasures of the right wing.

Umm I lean left... way left, and I will match my net worth against several here. Ahh the pleasures of hard work doesn't separate liberal from conservative. I know lots of conservatives with less net worth than a budweiser 6 pack.

[b_dubb]

I'm imagining an experiment where Mitt Romney Respond to this poll every day over the course of a year and see if there's a definite trend left or right or right down the middle

[Zircon]

Most people who are conservative or vote republican aren't hard right. Today's right is to the right of the migration of our society to the left ever since say, Eisenhower's days (1950s). That is roughly 60 years ago when the shift began.

Social changes reflected in sympathy for minorities in the south, introduction of rock-n-roll as a legitimate music style (based largely on black music) and no immediate threat arriving in your town so people began to relax the strict morals a bit - the young primarily. So today's moderately/leaning right is still to the left of the traditional "center".

The ultra-right and ultra-left are basically identical and represent a fringe in both cases. Many will disagree but Hitler was an ultra-leftist like Stalin and Mao and other revolutionaries. We are seeing some of that now as successful companies are "chosen" (Goldman Sachs) while unsuccessful companies (Lehman Bros.) are cut loose to sink. Government funny money is keeping things afloat. As long as our treasuries are being bought we can keep up this ruse. China has figured this out and is starting to say "nah! to buying more". We are buying our own like white blood cells attacking red blood cells of our own body - leukemia, if I'm not mistaken?

Anyway, I have no real problem with gays and lesbians as long as they're not receiving special rights/quotas for so being. I've worked with many and find gay men aren't a threat to me. Lesbians hate men most often, don't really hide that fact, so I don't like them. Abortion. Both my wife and I are personally against it to include our son and daughters. They are also against the death penalty - my wife and I are not. Are we hypocrites? To some blatantly so for stating this but taking a life, especially a child's or an aggravated murder, deserves death. Too bad the survivors of the victim can't be the ones to chose and apply the sentence. I think you'd see murder drop if this was allowed. Of course, many survivors will "forgive" the perpetrator. If this be the case then life without the possibility of parole - in the general population. Pedophiles and child murderers will be subject the the prisoner's code of justice then.

Military, strong. True, there is an awful lot of waste. However this can be eliminated in a sane and safe manner then do so. NO federal taxes or social security taxes applied to active duty personnel. Insist on not only a HS diploma but a competency test with no IQ less than 100 being regarded as acceptable. Pay them well enough to feed their families and maintain an acceptable standard of living. Insurance is provided. If you want quality you have to pay for it. That is the way it used to work in private industry so I see no reason to skimp on it when it comes to ensuring those defending you are well taken care of.

The states are required by constitutional law to have a balanced budget each year. The same should apply to the federal government since to expect more from the underlings of the big daddy federal government than the parents itself isn't a display of responsibility. Make it a hard fast rule that only congress can authorize the creation of monies. They control the purse, not the executive.

Education. Get rid of a large number of "chiefs" as they are pure overhead. The teachers are largely idealists when they begin but have to learn to not give a damn about anything but their own ass and the union they belong to. That and not being caught up in a kid's life - that will get you into court. And receiving your MEd in 3 or so years. That is what is stressed. Compliance with the status quo - screw the kids (figuratively, of course). A lot of teachers don't like that approach. Those are usually your former teachers.

Test teachers and test students. Minority teachers in particular do not like this. They call it racist. Nothing like a "rational" mind is there? Especially a self-serving one where you cling to your perceived inferiority as gospel.

More points but I'll stop there as most are probably bored to death if they bothered to read this far.

[coaster]

you're not a hypocrite if you're against abortion but not against the death penalty. I don't see how pro-life people can even make a comparison. Im surprised that I agree with most of Zircon's views. Except for the gay thing. I dont think "lesbians hate men". Just another stereotype.

[PB the Deplorable]

... The states are required by constitutional law to have a balanced budget each year...

Interesting all the State and local bonds out there, when their budgets are required to be balanced.  Not to mention the unfunded liabilities mostly for pension payouts down the road.  An awful lot of states on the brink of bankruptcy considering these people are required to manage their budgets prudently.

How easy it has become to evade or just plain ignore the laws.  How uninterested in any of this the Corrupt Media and the citizens themselves have become. 

... Make it a hard fast rule that only congress can authorize the creation of monies. They control the purse, not the executive...

It already is.  Article I, Section 8:  "The Congress shall have the Power To lay and collect taxes... to pay the Debts... To borrrow Money on the credit of the United States... To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof...

Congress with the agrement of President Wilson illegally gave the power to coin money and regulate it's value away in 1913, when the Federal Reserve was created. 

As for how the rest is being conducted, we have a few too many 'Constitutional scholars' out finding loopholes and applying sophistry, too many Judges, Congressmen and Presidients that refuse to follow the Constitutuon.  And too many citizens and voters that don't seem to mind.

... Education. Get rid of a large number of "chiefs"... the union...

The US Department of Education needs to be abolished.  As do the Departments of Education in all the States.  What little they are doing that is worthwhile - if anything - can be transferred to other departments or agencies.

Thousands and thousands of 'expert' meddlers interfering with parents and teachers, writing rules that are harmful and expensive to implement, embedding Leftist crapola into the school system.  These Educrats are also in the 'Teachers' Unions, and their votes swing the election of union representatives.  Way too much precious tax money earmarked for education ends up in the state education bureaucracies in the form of lush salaries, benefits, pensions, offices, conferences, and perks for these people - not to mention the usual waste and graft.

One thing sure, these people make damn sure the schools suck, the teachers are underpaid, and books and supplies are scarce.  The game is to come back to the voters year after year - crying poor - to get more funds.  Funds that will never find their way back to the schools.

[PB the Deplorable]

you're not a hypocrite if you're against abortion but not against the death penalty. I don't see how pro-life people can even make a comparison...

It's the pro-'choice' people that make the comparison.  Ignoring the fact that they vote pro-abortion but against the death penalty.

It's just another way to confuse and distract.

[Mind Flayer Monk]

Umm I lean left... way left, and I will match my net worth against several here. Ahh the pleasures of hard work doesn't separate liberal from conservative. I know lots of conservatives with less net worth than a budweiser 6 pack.

At least 50% and maybe more of most people's net worth is from the value of their home.
If you think of the left-leaning areas-mostly-cities, such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Boston--having a $600k home is the floor. Owning a $600k home is not unusual.
If you look at right-leaning areas such as South Carolina or Kansas, its unusual to own a $600k house (not farm, but a house).

The big net worth hit is a divorce. Overall, divorce rates are pretty much the same by political party.
The other big net worth hit is a major sickness, and I can't discuss my point of view on this and related issues.

[onan]

It's the pro-'choice' people that make the comparison.  Ignoring the fact that they vote pro-abortion but against the death penalty.

It's just another way to confuse and distract.

Pro choice people make the comparison because the issue is complex and needs more discussion than a bumper sticker. It is the religious wackos that make the argument that human life is sacred, therefore those facing death must be of concern if they too are sacred.

Personally I think abortion should be legal until the 24th trimester, to paraphrase Dennis Miller.

[Eddie Coyle]

 
           As of right now, we're 54.5 % Godless Commies, 45.5% Jesus Freak Nazis.

         

           
                                       

[PB the Deplorable]

Pro choice people make the comparison because the issue is complex and needs more discussion than a bumper sticker...

If the pro-choice people think the two issues are complex and need discussion beyond a bumper sticker, then why do they lump the two together, bumper-sticker-ize it and simply say it's contradictory (and thus hypocritical)?

It's the Left that cover their cars - or bikes - with bumper stickers.

[Sardondi]

Permit me this observation/suggestion. The issues associated with any discussion of abortion have the emotional force of nature. While it's certainly possible to discuss them maturely and dispassionately, it is very easy for it to spin out of control. I also wonder about the efficacy of it, because I'm unsure whether any minds are changed in such discussions. I'm not saying this means it can't be discussed or that one "side" or the other need cede the field just because they're more polite and cautious than the other. All I'm saying - proceed with caution.

[onan]

If the pro-choice people think the two issues are complex and need discussion beyond a bumper sticker, then why do they lump the two together, bumper-sticker-ize it and simply say it's contradictory (and thus hypocritical)?

It's the Left that cover their cars - or bikes - with bumper stickers.

That's right only liberals have bumper stickers.

And no I am not going to get into an internet argument about abortion. I am just really fuckin tired of PB's refusal to admit there are two sides to anything. really fuckin sick of it.

[Zircon]

Thanks for the feedback folks.

If I may, I'd like to add something regarding teaching credentials. In today's system one can major in Education leading to a BS or BA and ready to take a the teaching license exam(s). Say someone wanted to be a Biology teacher. Good. Learning and teaching science is a major need in our schools these days. However, a person will only have to take something like 20 semester or 30 quarter hours of Biology (5-8 courses comprised of zoology, botany, maybe some micro, anatomy and a physiology course), a couple of semesters of basic freshman inorganic chemistry and perhaps a freshman sequence in physics (using trig rather than calculus). That and a ton of education courses covering methods, psychology and sociology. Are they truly versed in biology? No. Do they have enough chemistry to effectively discuss physiology? No.

I'd recommend and insist upon any teacher, in any subject, be it English, Physics or Music to have a fully qualified four year degree in that field of study - just like a person getting a BS or BA who plans to attend graduate school in the same area of study. I'd require a fifth year of college where methods were then taught on how to teach with the latter half/final quarter of the fifth year actual classroom exposure. That way a biology teacher would actually have a degree in biology rather than a BEd in Science Education with an emphasis in biology. What they now get for an area of concentration is barely more than a minor with a standard Ed degree.

I'd start their pay out higher once they passed exams in their major, teaching exams and a psychological test. They must be vetted. This makes it safer for them and safer for your children. Give them 5 years to earn their Masters so they can concentrate on being a successful teacher rather than running an obstacle course seeking out that MEd sheep skin.

The federal government has an extremely bad habit of lying. They contribute 10% max to a school district yet practically set the guidelines from top to bottom on how things are to be done. The NEA is one of the top contributors to the democratic party. They are powerful. Administrators and principals become nothing more than implementers of government policy which is a nightmare of paper work designed to tangle and imprison our educational system. The NEA must be disbanded as they are not interested in teaching children as their own head of the NEA stated - video and written confirmation of this can be found if you search the web.

[ChewMouse]

It took one septic uterus in the ER during nursing school clinicals and a nursing instructor yapping in my ear about the days before Roe V. Wade for me to have a long hard sit-down with myself and the issue of abortion.

And I will say not one more word about the issue.

[Nucky Nolan]

Pro choice people make the comparison because the issue is complex and needs more discussion than a bumper sticker. It is the religious wackos that make the argument that human life is sacred, therefore those facing death must be of concern if they too are sacred.

Personally I think abortion should be legal until the 24th trimester, to paraphrase Dennis Miller.

When was the last time that a fetus was charged with murder? That's not from a bumper sticker BTW.

[Eddie Coyle]

septic uterus

Awesome band name of the new day.

[Nucky Nolan]

      Awesome band name of the new day.

They'll join Godless Harlot on their black metal tour of northern Europe. They'll be in Stockholm on the 27th.

[Zircon]

I've noticed that in most forums I participate in, the folks discussing abortion are usually men. I realize that the forums I frequent are probably not women-centric or gender-neutral by choice. I like football forums to you see what I mean. I find more in science and new age type forums however.

Not being a woman I can't truly appreciate pregnancy - if "appreciate" is truly a term a pregnant woman would use. I'm conflicted on abortion to be honest. On the one hand, we have a living human being in the womb. Now people will argue it has no real identity in the first trimester. Well, if "it" isn't a human than somebody better tell me what else it could be. The DNA indicates human and its temporary "residence" is human so ... is it a stretch to say "it" is"human"? So, we have an embryo that if allowed to grow, will dream, hear music and conversations, suck its thumb and possibly even get PO'd as only an embryo could be PO'd when a position isn't favorable to its comfort.

Now we have the terrible situations of rape and incest. Honestly, I don't now how to go when this is the case. The mother was violated. The pregnancy, in either case, was almost certainly not intended but there you are - pregnant with a child. Say the mother is healthy. I still don't know which way to go with it. Say the mother doesn't want the carry the baby to term. She had better decide quickly as the child becomes more viable with time.

I regard partial birth abortion as an heinous, aggravated murder. To decide to terminate a pregnancy when you have a viable child through some of the most inhumane means imaginable is disgusting and should be prosecuted as murder. Yes, the baby isn't born and therefore doesn't have a birth certificate. A tap of the foot/slap on the ass to get the child to start crying/breathing and piece of paper defines you? Please.

Roe v. Wade has its points and negatives. Even if overturned it would revert the decision making back to the state level - not disallow abortion across the entire United States. Abortion as a convenient means of birth control is dark to say the least. Remember that Planned Parenthood was designed by Singer to keep minority children and other "undesirable" children to a bare minimum. Abortion rights were pushed for back then. The western world was almost exclusively white and many people wanted to keep it that way.

[Eddie Coyle]

They'll join Godless Harlot on their black metal tour of northern Europe. They'll be in Stockholm on the 27th.

    I'll be the guy wearing the "Free Count Grishnackh" shirt...while dousing petrol near the closest place of worship...which at this rate in Sweden is probably a mosque.

[Zircon]

    I'll be the guy wearing the "Free Count Grishnackh" shirt...while dousing petrol near the closest place of worship...which at this rate in Sweden is probably a mosque.

Good one Eddie (mosque).

[Nucky Nolan]

    I'll be the guy wearing the "Free Count Grishnackh" shirt...while dousing petrol near the closest place of worship...which at this rate in Sweden is probably a mosque.

Ordinary American: "They burn churches in Stockholm? I've never even seen a Black Swede."

Yeah, I'd like to see those bored amateur satanists try that crap on a church that ain't Lutheran. I doubt that they even have the guts to draw a cartoon or a comic book of Muh....artin Luther, yeah, that's the ticket, "Martin Luther".

[Eddie Coyle]

Good one Eddie (mosque).

Check out Michael Radu's "Europe's Ghosts: Tolerance, Jihadism.."  a rather stark, depressing account of what's going on in Europe since the 1960's. It's a long book...but interesting.

[Eddie Coyle]

Yeah, I'd like to see those bored amateur satanists try that crap on a church that ain't Lutheran. I doubt that they even have the guts to draw a cartoon or a comic book of Muh....artin Luther, yeah, that's the ticket, "Martin Luther".

        Members of Mayhem have gone on record saying that burning churches is old hat and the "new arrivals" are now who they want to target. But coverage of that scene has quieted in the past few years.