[Athens]

I was reading this article Differences Between the Democratic and the Republican Party about the differences between democrats and republicans. I was thinking to myself what do I identify myself more with. I know my beliefs are more liberal but im also in favor for some Conservative ideas as well just not a whole lot of them. So with the limited scope of differences in this article I decided to see where I would sit with both Parties. No surprise Democrats won but I was surprised how many points Republicans scored with me. So I got a couple questions. Where do you guys fit in this and how does the Tea Party fit with the Democrats and Republicans. Are they a in between party with elements from both the Democrats and Republicans?

Here is my score list with tally at the bottom.


Where would I fit in the US Political System

Republican Party or Democratic Party.

Issues.

Republicans follow a conservative policy while the Democrats follow a liberal policy.


Republicans are opposed to abortion. They call it murder of the fetus. This is called the ‘pro-life’ stance. Democrats support the right of abortion. They argue that women should have a right on their bodies. This is called the ‘pro-choice’ stance.

+1 to Democrats

Republicans are opposed to same-sex marriage. Democrats want to legalize it.

+1 to Democrats

Unlike the Democrats, Republicans believe in a more robust version of federalism with greater limitations placed on federal power and a larger role for the states.

+1 to Republicans

Democrats support stem cell research. The Republicans are opposed to it.

+1 to Democrats

Democrats oppose the doctrine of unilateralism, which says that the United States should use military force without any assistance from other nations whenever it believes there is a threat to its security or welfare. They believe the United States should act in the international arena in concert with strong alliances and broad international support. Republicans believe that the United States should intervene unilaterally if its national interests are at stake regardless of world opinion.

+1 to Democrats

Democrats favor a higher minimum wage while the Republicans are opposed to it.

No Opinion

Republicans favor tax cuts. Democrats are opposed to it saying that the tax revenues are used to help the neediest.

no Opinon

Democrats want the government to pay for universal health care. The Republicans wants the individual or companies to pay for it.

+1 to Democrats

Republicans want more money to be spent on national defense than the Democrats.

+1 to Republicans

The Republican supports stricter immigration laws and border controls than the Democrats

+1 to Republicans

Republicans believe that strict environmental standards hurt businesses and hence support reductions in environmental regulations. The Democrats believe that the health of families and the strength of the economy depend on proper governance of the environment.

+1 to Democrats

The Democrats support affirmative action to help blacks, minorities and women. The Republicans are opposed to it.

+1 to Republicans

The Democrats support the right of privacy for the individual and oppose government monitoring. The Republicans argue that if the vital interests of the nation are at stake, monitoring should be permitted.

+1 to Democrats

The Democrats advocate gun control. The Republicans are fiercely opposed to it

+1 to Democrats

Final Tally

Democrat Points = 8
Republican Points = 4

[imitchellg5]

I don't really see eye-to-eye with either party, like you. As a voter, I find it really annoying that there is rarely any candidate who does anything besides follow the official party standard.

[Buckaroo]

I don't agree with you. Many of the stereotypes that you align to the Republicans are false.

[Chongo]

In regards to stem cell research. Consevitives are opposed to fetal stem cell research, They do support research using adult stem cells. To date all the stem cell breakthroughs have been made with adult stem cells, and none have been with fetal.

[Athens]

Originally Posted by Buckaroo 

I don't agree with you. Many of the stereotypes that you align to the Republicans are false.

That I? I didn't write the article.....

[Uncle Skeleton]

Originally Posted by Athens 

Republicans favor tax cuts. Democrats are opposed to it saying that the tax revenues are used to help the neediest.

no Opinon

Did you think we would forget this gem?

Originally Posted by Athens 

Anyways this is my solution to the problem
...
- Impose a profit cap .... Excess net profits is taxed at 100%

You sure do have strong opinions on things you ostensibly have "no opinon" on

[ebuddy]

The good folks at Buzzle.com really outdid themselves with such a comprehensive survey for party determination. I was particularly tickled by the "tax revenues for the neediest"!

[besson3c]

Maybe this sort of survey should be "people who insist on trying to simplify everything" vs. people who don't?

[Athens]

Originally Posted by Uncle Skeleton 

Did you think we would forget this gem?



You sure do have strong opinions on things you ostensibly have "no opinon" on

I was under the assumption they where refering to Personal taxes not corporate taxes. And besides I don't even see it being the same thing, tax rates vs profit cap. Tax rate would apply to whatever is being taxed before a profit cap. Majority of small and medium sized businesses would never even come close to the profit cap i had been discussing in that other thread so ya i have no opinion on a higher tax RATE vs a LOWER tax rate when decided who I like more, republicans or democrats.

[lpkmckenna]

"Republicans follow a conservative policy while the Democrats follow a liberal policy." I stopped reading at this statement, since it is both false and meaningless.

[Kerrigan]

Originally Posted by lpkmckenna 

"Republicans follow a conservative policy while the Democrats follow a liberal policy." I stopped reading at this statement, since it is both false and meaningless.

Agreed.

[andi*pandi]

better quiz:

Advocates for Self Government

[Athens]

I seemed to score almost the same

Left (Liberal)
Liberals usually embrace freedom of choice in personal matters, but tend to support significant government control of the economy. They generally support a government-funded "safety net" to help the disadvantaged, and advocate strict regulation of business. Liberals tend to favor environmental regulations, defend civil liberties and free expression, support government action to promote equality, and tolerate diverse lifestyles.

I was just outside of the central box

[CRASH HARDDRIVE]

Originally Posted by Athens 

Left (Liberal)
Liberals usually embrace freedom of choice in personal matters, but tend to support significant government control of the economy. They generally support a government-funded "safety net" to help the disadvantaged, and advocate strict regulation of business. Liberals tend to favor environmental regulations, defend civil liberties and free expression, support government action to promote equality, and tolerate diverse lifestyles.

Only a liberal wouldn't notice all the ridiculous contradictions in all of that.

[andi*pandi]

What was your result Crash?

Mine was dot on the line between left, libertarian, and centrist. I guess that makes me reasonable.

[sek929]

I'd vote for that party!

The Reasonable Party has a nice ring to it.

[olePigeon]

Rent's Too Damn High Party.

[lpkmckenna]

Originally Posted by andi*pandi 

better quiz:

Advocates for Self Government

These quizzes are stupid. Any quiz from the Libertarian side will be biased in favour of Libertarian results. Look at these questions:

Government should not censor speech, press, media, or internet.

This is a pointless question, since virtually all liberals and libertarians and conservatives support free speech.

Military service should be voluntary. There should be no draft.

Another stupid question. Almost no one in the States (or Canada) advocates a return of the draft.

There should be no laws regarding sex for consenting adults.

Another stupid question. Almost no one, conservative or liberal, advocates laws affecting consenting adults.

Repeal laws prohibiting adult possession and use of drugs.

A "true libertarian" would not only permit drug possession, but also drug production and sale, just like the repeal of alcohol prohibition permitted production and sale. This question is essentially phrased to be as agreeable as possible.

End "corporate welfare." No government handouts to business.

No research and development for military projects? No research and development for disease research? This question is nothing but weasel wording.

End government barriers to international free trade.

Allowing foreign companies with gov't subsidized pricing to flood our country with products?

Let people control their own retirement; privatize Social Security.

Finally, a real Libertarian question.

Replace government welfare with private charity.

Another one. Amazing.

Cut taxes and government spending by 50% or more.

An arbitrary number. Stupid question.

[CRASH HARDDRIVE]

Originally Posted by andi*pandi 

What was your result Crash?

Mine was dot on the line between left, libertarian, and centrist. I guess that makes me reasonable.

Reasonable is what we need more of.

My result is pretty predictably libertarian, with a slight shift toward left, not right. (which according to the over-simplified definitions I'd say is accurate since I do tend to disagree with the right and agree with the left on matters like gay marriage and government 'legislating' morality.

But I actually agree with lpkmckenna ( there's a first!) that several of the questions are practically meaningless.

The definitions on that site do reflect a belief I have; notice the libertarian view is the ONLY one that doesn't revolve from the core around some level of having to shove one's beliefs down everyone else's throat using a bullying, over-powerful government.

Virtually everything on the left involves the gross contradiction of requiring government 'control' to cram all the rose-colored cool-aid down someone else's throat and must be funded via endless govt. sanctioned theft, vs.the far right which delves into government 'control' of moral and lifestyle issues.

The libertarian view is the only one that's basically at the core: "Liberty. IE: everyone -individual and government alike- mind your own friggen business."

[Doofy]

Doof = one up (along the edge) from the Libertarian/Conservative divide.

But the questions were crap...

Q: There should be no laws regarding sex for consenting adults.

Of course there should be laws. I don't want to see the local pryders sucking each other off as they trot their floats down the high street.

[andi*pandi]

Then let's add "behind closed doors" to that question for you.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by andi*pandi 

Then let's add "behind closed doors" to that question for you.

Then I don't care.

[OAW]

I too agree that the questions were stereotypical at best. Based on those questions it had me pegged as liberal. Which given my answers to the questions presented i can see why. Yet I'm a guy who thinks most gun control legislation is a waste of time, supported welfare reform during the Clinton administration, thinks the estate tax is some BS, and thinks that the Fair Tax or a flatter tax structure isn't a bad idea. Which ought to place me more center-left IMO. Go figure.

OAW

[lpkmckenna]

Originally Posted by CRASH HARDDRIVE 

The libertarian view is the only one that's basically at the core: "Liberty. IE: everyone -individual and government alike- mind your own friggen business."

Not quite. Here's a real libertarian quiz:

1) Do you support cancelling all public funding, administration, and regulation of education and leaving parents to pay their own way in the free market?

2) Do you support cancelling all public funding, administration, and regulation of medical care, including the cancelling of medical programs to assist the poor, aged, and disabled?

3) Do you support cancelling all public funding, administration, and regulation of welfare/charity, including unemployment insurance, aid to orphanages and the disabled, and worker's compensation?

4) Do you support the repeal of all anti-discrimination laws, permitting private businesses to deny employment and service to whatever racial, sexual, or religious group they wish?

The purpose of the Libertarian movement was "freedom," which they claim couldn't be found in the Republican or Democratic party. But Libertarianism has become worst of all possible "big-tent parties," with pro-life/pro-choice, pro-war/anti-war, pro-religion/anti-religion, pro-Objectivist/anti-Objectivist, pro-/anti-everything factions of every imaginable sort.

Libertarianism is a gong-show of ogres and retards.

[smacintush]

Originally Posted by lpkmckenna 

The purpose of the Libertarian movement was "freedom," which they claim couldn't be found in the Republican or Democratic party. But Libertarianism has become worst of all possible "big-tent parties," with pro-life/pro-choice, pro-war/anti-war, pro-religion/anti-religion, pro-Objectivist/anti-Objectivist, pro-/anti-everything factions of every imaginable sort.

Libertarianism is a gong-show of ogres and retards.

…which is what happens when you try to advance a political philosophy that has no metaphysical or epistemological basis.

It's funny when people put the Democrats or Republicans down for not being "open" enough to having members of their party with "alternate" viewpoints. We can see where that leads with the Libertarian example. (aside from the D and R duopoly situation of course) The end result of acknowledging and supporting principles other than your own is that you water down and fail to advance the principles YOU believe in.

A party should have consistent principles and then stand by them.

[lpkmckenna]

Originally Posted by smacintush 

…which is what happens when you try to advance a political philosophy that has no metaphysical or epistemological basis.

Good luck on that ideologically-pure Objectivist party then. If only obsessive navel-gazing created relevant political parties.

A party should have consistent principles and then stand by them.

A party of clones, then? How about something sensible, like a party based on mutually-agreed principles with some wiggle room for controvertial issues?

[smacintush]

Originally Posted by lpkmckenna 

Good luck on that ideologically-pure Objectivist party then. If only obsessive navel-gazing created relevant political parties.

No, I realize that political parties based upon actual thought isn't exactly realistic.

A party of clones, then? How about something sensible, like a party based on mutually-agreed principles with some wiggle room for controvertial issues?

Yes…I want a party of clones.

What is the value in allowing "wiggle room" on principles?

[CRASH HARDDRIVE]

Originally Posted by lpkmckenna 

*spew*

Libertarian ≠ libertarian.

I thought that was fairly obvious, but then, I forget, you have to account for the aforementioned ogres and retards.

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by smacintush 

What is the value in allowing "wiggle room" on principles?

Not flying airplanes into buildings.

[Shaddim]

Democrat here, but I'm pissed over what the Socialists are doing to my party.

[imitchellg5]

I vote for whoever has the best logo.
Actually I don't, but I think that a candidate's design of campaign materials can say a lot about that candidate.

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by Shaddim 

Democrat here, but I'm pissed over what the Socialists are doing to my party.

What socialists? Who are they, and what makes them socialist?

[Hawkeye_a]

A phrase that accurately defines my 20s:
If you're not a liberal at 20, you have no heart. If you're not a conservative at 30, you have no brains.

At 20, in college i was very liberal and very idealistic, no to war, no to pollution, etc. At 30, after joining the workforce and supporting myself, all i want is small government, low taxes, and a government which has MY working-class interests on the agenda. Not a government which wants to please everyone, and ends up doing nothing for anyone. I don't want a government which spends all the time talking and not enough time doing. So as a "conservative" now, i guess i'm a Republican.

Of course my opinion above is stated in very broad strokes.

Cheers

[lpkmckenna]

Doesn't everyone just love it when a profound and meaningful quote is mangled into something absurd and bitter?

[Hawkeye_a]

I hate it when you drop a piece of toast and it lands on the floor butter-side down.

[andi*pandi]

You should have strapped a cat to it then it would always land butter side up.

Then you just have to deal with an angry cat.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye_a 

...a government which has MY working-class interests on the agenda.

Got news for you, the Republicans don't give a shit about your interests either.

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by andi*pandi 

You should have strapped a cat to it then it would always land butter side up.

Then you just have to deal with an angry cat.

Unless there is also catnip strapped to the cat.

[Hawkeye_a]

Originally Posted by andi*pandi 

You should have strapped a cat to it then it would always land butter side up.

Then you just have to deal with an angry cat.

But wouldn't the toast force the cat to land on it's back, and so on and so forth ...thus creating a cat-toast-engine ?

[andi*pandi]

Unless the pull of the butter-side-down force exactly equaled the pull of the cat-feet-down force, in which case would the cat and bread spin, or just float in midair?

[andi*pandi]

relevance:

xkcd: Nolan Chart

[el chupacabra]

Democrats

Thinks government is their safety blanket.
Pays little to no taxes either by claiming to be poor or by writing off children.
Prefers to have lots of babies they cant afford then get the government to pay for them with welfare checks or foodstamps.
Has a sense of entitlement.
Though they don't pay their share of taxes, they take advantage of all the services, get lots of free stuff through subsidies and government handouts; they still throw raging fits, foaming at the mouth, veins throbbing, about how everyone else is GREEDY for not charging less for products.
Believe they have RIGHT to luxury and experience hedonistic pleasure at any cost. Everyone should put up with them, have more open minds about their perverted beliefs, and make way for their happiness. Then when their 'open-minded way' of life doesnt work out for them or the people around them, it is somehow somebody elses fault; then the rest of us have to listen to them complain and clean up their mess for them with some kind of social program or bailout.
Spend their money very ostentatiously, never save. Buys every electronic, gadget, nice cars, alcohol, and other drugs.
Believes that when they get a job, it is for life, and believes they should never have to prepare for lay-offs.. or anything else for that matter.
Believe that saving for retirement is the government's or a corporation's responsibility. They expect a paycheck every 2 weeks of their life... from somebody... could be mommy and daddy.
Never learn from history and think socialism needs to be tried again and again every few decades.
Believe in a happy start trek Utopian world where everybody's a scientist, nobody's a manual laborer, everyone just gets along.
Believes religion is the root of all evil and wars even though haven't read any religious text. Only a Stalin like mind of atheism can save the world and is the ultimate philosophy of guidance,
All of them want to work for a big corporation when they grow up.
Believe that every place they've never been is better than the US, and the US should mimic everyone else.
Are very emotionally sensitive.
When they can't think of a counter argument they just start calling people racist.
Claim to be colorblind, use minorities for talking points, yet they segregate themselves away from minority areas as much as the rest.

Republican
Believes they are conservative, more likely to live by their means, are not wasteful. Yet when it comes to non-renewable natural resources they believe in squandering every last drop as fast as possible... they believe this for no reason.
Many drive SUVs and trucks just because they think if annoys environmentalists.
The only patriotic party. The meaning of life is having pride in nation, pride in kids, pride in military's ability to blow people up, pride in texas, pride pride pride.
They make a mockery of the bible.
Believe the bible dismisses the importance of being good stewards of the environment, when in fact it does the exact opposite.
Believes Islam is conspiring against them.
Believe that every republican politician is their personal friend; if one tells them that 9/11 was a personal attack on them because Muslims are jealous of our freedom, then it must be true.
Are obsessed with their right to guns for no reason. Refuses to see how a gun isn't much of a defense against anything.
Think that god has ordered them to have lots of kids to bring meaning to their life.
Believe in free handouts just like democrats as long as its for a big corporation like big oil, or Halliburton who takes bribes from competing trucking companies in the middle east to allow one to blow up the facilities of the other.
Believes the next Saudi Arabia of oil is conveniently under each wildlife refuge in America.
Secretly think that white people are less criminally inclined failing to remember madoff, enron and their white politicians and other corporate thugs who have no reason to steal yet do anywa.

Neither is the right party. Become independent.