American political views (current)

[Fishfan79]

I figured a good old political debate could be interesting. I have noticed there is 5 type of people in america when it comes to current politics. Please tell me your thoughts, am I off base? Rude and uncoth for suggesting this idea? Perhaps it is too simple and my percentages are wrong. Your thoughts?

 

1. Those on the far "religious" right= these often believe that bush always is doing the best, can do no wrong. Some actually believe in the line that god spoke to him. This group commonly will give partial quotes, believes in swiftboat type adds, and really normally will never see both sides of an issue.

15%

 

2. Those that are normal regular republicans or moderate democrats (regan democrats could be a good term here). They believe that some things like the war was needed or perhaps the handling of the economy is right. Normally disagree upon some areas and agree in some. They are willing to offer a good debate and will contend their reasonings with facts and good thoughts.

20%

 

 

3. Moderate democrats, and moderate republicans that dont like the effects the current administration is doing. Believe perhaps they have mislead, lied the regular people. Or halburton, etc.. Just could be incompetence in some area. But really they lean against the current administration. Like the aforementioned group they commonly put forth good reasoning and facts in their arguements and will bring out a good debate of issues from the opposite side.

 

25%

 

4. The extreme polar opposite of the first group. This group pretty much hates the grounds that Bush walks on. They will always take the side against anything of the administration. If the president jumped into a pool to save a child and gave him cpr. They would accuse him of pushing the kid in first. I am not saying they wouldnt be right though perhaps. Still they often have reasons for their anger, disagreement and believe in the trouble with those currently in power within this Republic. But, they normally wont take the sides of the prior two groups.

 

10%

 

5. Those whom simply dont care, dont vote, dont listen to politics. Seem to be an in endless void, if you asked them who their senator is they would be like huh? I think 30% of america falls into this area at least.

 

30%

 

 

That is my current view of american politics and how most folks seem to stand. If you disagree please say so. If not where would you fall?

[Guest Moneyball]

I'm definitely a #2.

[FutureGM]

I fall into your third category, and consider myself a moderate Democrat. I don't have that much of a problem with Republicans. My main concern is with Bush's neo-Conservative movement. That I have no respect for.

[Guest Juanky]

If you want to divide the country into a few key groups, you could say that they are: American Conservative, Modern Liberal, Classical Liberal, and Socialist. Probably around 80% (I'm being really, really, conservative with that guess) would be what's considered a Liberal ideologist - you believe in the system John Locke proposed and all that good stuff. A decent percentage would take stock in Karl Marx's Communist ideology for differing purposes. A rather small group would follow Edmund Burke's Conservatism, and the fourth and final group would mix and match to a 50/50 level.

 

Let's just assume everyone is a Liberal (Locke) here, because quite frankly everyone is whether you like it or not. Everyone believes in human rights, just most don't know to justify them. We all have the same central belief point, we just kind of sputter when it comes to the details. From there we can draw the four groups I laid out:

 

American Conservative- Republicans. Theoretically, they don't like government intervention in peronal matters. Want the government to keep its nose out of their wallets first and foremost, they give a little easier when it comes to social issues. Usually believe in punishment over treatment. Currently side with morality and action in foreign circles, though not long ago conservatives were the isolationists. In American terms, socially conservative and fiscally conservative.

 

Modern Liberal- Also known as FDR Liberals. These are Democrats. Believe in the liberal mentality of individualism, but believe in varying levels of government intervention to promote the greater good. Still believe in freedom of both finances and society, but usually side with social freedoms over financial freedoms. Believe in treatment over punishment. Once the warhawks, now have switched to a more diplomatic (not isolationism, that's dead) view of foreign affairs. In American terms, fiscally liberal and socially liberal.

 

Classical Liberal- Libertarians. Don't like government intervention in private matters (sense a theme here?). Stay staunch in their support of the individual's rights, in both financial and personal matters. In cases of foreign affairs, responses among classical liberals to things such as war differ though if it costs too much support will dwindle. Some see those that are classical liberals in a modern world as people who have Republican fiscal views (well, not current Republican fiscal views anyways) and Democrat social views. In global terms, liberal on both sides (social and fiscal issues) but in American terms fiscally conservative and socially liberal.

 

Socialist- Modern liberals but to an extreme. Believe in the greater good over individualism, granting the state the authority to act in cases where choices are necessary. Believes people should be equal in both social stature and financial stature, with all citizens receiving equal pay and equal benefits. In questions of social matters, freedom to choose is second to the good of the group. In American terms, fiscally liberal while socially conservative.

 

Foe those wondering about communists, these guys get a bit of a bad rep because Cold War mentality skewed the way the theory was interpreted (every 'communist' government in the world's history has really not been communist at all). Basically, they believe that capitalism will one day come up with a technology that creates an infinite surplus (think like a replicator in Star Trek). When this technology is created all forms of the division of labor (even the most basic one, the family) will break down as the proletariat (workers) revolt against the capitalists. After the global revolution, everyone will be equal because everyone basically will have everything they want thanks to capitalism having created the never-ending surplus. There will be no need for a government, since without private property no one has a reason to harm anyone else since Marx surmises all conflicts stem from issues of all different types of property. There's a lot more to it than that (like life determines consciousness and all that jazz) but that's the basic political aspect of communism.

 

Now, as in everything in life, there is grey area here. I've always said people don't change (they don't), but through education they can be enlightened to a perspective they had never considered before. People also vary back and forth based on specific issues, like a Republican woman who takes a pro-choice stance, or a Democratic man who believes in the death penalty. But I'd say everyone in America, whether they consider themselves attentive or apathetic to politics, will fall into one of these four categories. There's a lot more to it than that, but that's your basic crash course into the theoretics of our modern American political system.

[MarlinFan10]

I'd say I'm about 20% 1, 60% 2, and 20% 3.

 

Right now, I'm very annoyed at Bush.

[Beinfest4Prez]

Juanky, your assessment is pretty comprehensive. Good job. Of yours, I consider myself a FDR Democrat/Modern Liberal.

 

 

 

Additionally, I have one question for you FishFan. What in God's name is a Reagan Democrat?

[Dodge]

I can't really put a thumb on any of these for me

[Guest Juanky]

From which list? And what would you look at as your core beliefs?

 

Just because you're in a group doesn't mean you're very much stuck in it. Like I said earlier, there is a lot of grey area.

[FutureGM]

You forgot to add Neo-Conservative:

 

-Socially Conservative

-Fiscally liberal to the point of insanity

[Guest Juanky]

No, I didn't. I had forgotten to describe socialists (did communists instead, of which I left in case anyone wants to read it). Neo-conservatives fall on the path heading towards socialism.

[MarlinGuru]

Hmmm, no #6?

[Dodge]

From which list? And what would you look at as your core beliefs?

 

Just because you're in a group doesn't mean you're very much stuck in it. Like I said earlier, there is a lot of grey area.

 

 

Either list. I suppose if we're talking about on paper, I'm suppose you could put me in the modern liberal category, although I can't stand 99% of politicians in the Democratic party.

[Guest Juanky]

Well, political views and political parties are two different things.

[Dodge]

Well, political views and political parties are two different things.

 

 

Yes, and thankfully.

[Fishfan79]

I am a registered republican that is more modern liberal

[Mabdul Doobakus]

Well, I don't see how anyone wouldn't find themselves in one of FishFan79's categories. Basically, it's divided into people who love the Bush admin, people who like it, people who don't like it, people who hate it, and people who don't give a sh*t. If you're not one of those, I'd like to hear about it.

 

Juanky's categories are a little more informative, but I suppose they won't cover everyone. I'm basically a Classical Liberal by Juanky's definition. Fits me pretty well.

[Baldeagle037]

I think you left out Dixiecrats. These were the Democrats in the south that owned slaves.

[Guest Juanky]

No, I didn't. I wrote the groups based on ideology, which is what political beliefs are supposed to be structured on. They vary from issue to issue, like slavery, but one the whole you'll find yourself mostly in one.

 

But, like I said in the last line, there is a lot more to it and there is a lot of grey area. Nothing in political science is set in stone.

[FutureGM]

I think you left out Dixiecrats. These were the Democrats in the south that owned slaves.

 

I didn't realize this was 1854. :mischief

[Accord]

I fall into your third category, and consider myself a moderate Democrat. I don't have that much of a problem with Republicans. My main concern is with Bush's neo-Conservative movement. That I have no respect for.

 

 

You don't meet all of the criteria of #3:

 

3. Moderate democrats, and moderate republicans that dont like the effects the current administration is doing. Believe perhaps they have mislead, lied the regular people. Or halburton, etc.. Just could be incompetence in some area. But really they lean against the current administration. Like the aforementioned group they commonly put forth good reasoning and facts in their arguements and will bring out a good debate of issues from the opposite side.

 

:mischief

[FutureGM]

I fall into your third category, and consider myself a moderate Democrat. I don't have that much of a problem with Republicans. My main concern is with Bush's neo-Conservative movement. That I have no respect for.

 

 

You don't meet all of the criteria of #3:

 

3. Moderate democrats, and moderate republicans that dont like the effects the current administration is doing. Believe perhaps they have mislead, lied the regular people. Or halburton, etc.. Just could be incompetence in some area. But really they lean against the current administration. Like the aforementioned group they commonly put forth good reasoning and facts in their arguements and will bring out a good debate of issues from the opposite side.

 

:mischief

Or so you think.

[Marlin Nation]

I'm a Whig, myself.

[FutureGM]

I'm a Whig, myself.

 

I have no idea what they supported.

[Marlin Nation]

I'm a Whig, myself.

 

I have no idea what they supported.

 

Me neither it was a crappy joke. :confused

[Beinfest4Prez]

Well, the Whigs were a precursor to the Republican party. Many of the Whig members jumped to the Republican party when the former disbanded and the latter formed.