Board political breakdown.

[Upchurch]

I was rather surprised at the low conservative turn out in my Marriage Poll. I don't know if that was due to the subject matter was not of interest to conservatives, or if the board is just predominately moderate to liberal.

If you would, please take the time to click on one of the above choices that best fits your world view. I know it is a complex world out there and people can have both steriotypically liberal and conservative view points on different issues (or even the same issue, from time to time). What I'm asking for is, if you had to put yourself down as one or the other, which would it be?

 

[Jocko]

I agree, there has been a complete political breakdown on this board.

(Social moderate, fiscal conservative)

 

[Upchurch]

I agree, there has been a complete political breakdown on this board.

Touche.

 

[Bandersnatch]

diLiberal.

 

[BPSCG]

I put fiscally conservative, socially moderate, which may come as some surprise to someone who recently insinuated my preferred evening attire would be a white sheet and a hood, with a torch and a rope for accessories. Be interesting to see what a poll question, "How do you rate BPSCG on the political spectrum?" would show.

 

[Dr Adequate]

Mind you, having voted, I don't think any USAian would think I was "fiscally moderate".

They can't spell "aluminium" either, you know.

 

[Upchurch]

Mind you, having voted, I don't think any USAian would think I was "fiscally moderate".

Speakin' o' which, it was my intention that this poll be open to the entire board, not just the Americans, but in case there is any confusion, lets go with the American flavors of liberal and conservative.

 

[ImaginalDisc]

Since I was unsure whether advocating socialized healthcare and socialized retirement constituted "moderate" under *American* definitions, I voted fiscally liberal, no matter how mainstream that is in Europe.

 

[BPSCG]

Since I was unsure whether advocating socialized healthcare and socialized retirement constituted "moderate" under *American* definitions,

Of course they do. We have Medicare and Social Security.

Now, if you mean more socialized healthcare and socialized retirement, or totally socialized healthcare and socialized retirement, that's another story.

 

[Jocko]

Since I was unsure whether advocating socialized healthcare and socialized retirement constituted "moderate" under *American* definitions, I voted fiscally liberal, no matter how mainstream that is in Europe.

You chose accurately.

 

[ImaginalDisc]

Of course they do. We have Medicare and Social Security.

Now, if you mean more socialized healthcare and socialized retirement, or totally socialized healthcare and socialized retirement, that's another story.

Ha! Universally avilable? No. If it's not universally avilable it fails to meet the criteria for "socialized".

 

[BPSCG]

Ha! Universally avilable? No. If it's not universally avilable it fails to meet the criteria for "socialized".

What Jocko said, then.

 

[Upchurch]

Ha! Universally avilable? No. If it's not universally avilable it fails to meet the criteria for "socialized".

I'm not overly familiar with Medicare and Social Security, but I believe it both are universally available, excluding some age requirements. I think what they're talking about is that for each individual it may not provide 100% of their coverage.

 

[ImaginalDisc]

I'm not overly familiar with Medicare and Social Security, but I believe it both are universally available, excluding some age requirements. I think what they're talking about is that for each individual it may not provide 100% of their coverage.

Well, let's not turn this into a debate over the merits or demerits of our social safety net.

 

[Upchurch]

Well, let's not turn this into a debate over the merits or demerits of our social safety net.

Fair enough.

As of this writing, only one person has identified themselves as socially conservative, which surprises the heck out of me. I realize I probably need to give at least a day (and a week would be even better), but I'm still surprised.

 

[Cheesejoff]

I didn't vote because Socialisism/Communism isn't on the poll. Liberals, although left-wing, believe that socialist goals can be acheived within the current capitalist system, whereas socialists believe in overthrowing capitalism.

I guess you could put an "other" category up for anarchists, commies, fascists, etc.

 

[Jocko]

I guess you could put an "other" category up for anarchists, commies, fascists, etc.

If I wasn't a social moderate, I'd have you rounded up and put against the wall just for suggesting that.

 

[Darat]

Speakin' o' which, it was my intention that this poll be open to the entire board, not just the Americans, but in case there is any confusion, lets go with the American flavors of liberal and conservative.

Quite seriously what's the difference between the USA flavours of liberal and conservative? It can't be that the Democrats are liberal and the Republicans are conservative since you need a feeler gauge to measure the differences between the parties.

(ETA)

I do need to know to be able to vote!

I'll have a stab at it a USA Liberal is for small government, as little intervention into personal life as possible by the state and wide provision of social services. The USA Conservative is for a larger government, increased regulation on industry and more state policies to control personal freedoms but less social services?

 

[Ducky]

Planet X!

 

[Jocko]

I'll have a stab at it a USA Liberal is for small government, as little intervention into personal life as possible by the state and wide provision of social services. The USA Conservative is for a larger government, increased regulation on industry and more state policies to control personal freedoms but less social services?

That could not be more backward if you tried (with the exception of social services).

ETA: I'm talking platforms, not any specific issue. As Upchurch points out, there are significant points of deviation from the norm.