What is your ideology?

[Francisco Montana]

This is a continuation of a discussion going on in the awards thread. I'm starting this thread, becasue I see potential for some real substantial debate (and to spare the awards thread)

Ok, in light of some complaining about my political identity, I have a new category I think I should win hands down.


Most difficult to label politically -- Lord Alameda

Most Likely to Vote "All of the Above" In an Election - Lord Alameda

That's weak SM. Saying I have no conviction? Maybe I don't blidly follow a party and vote my conscience instead. Gesh, nm, I was trying to be light-hearted, not trolliing for insults against me.

Nice job SM.


Though I do believe you are overreacting. He was also trying to be light hearted (I think)

I have voted in every single election since I turned 18 in 1987. I have voted down party lines except once in San Francisco when our last mayoral election was between a lefty Demorcat and a Communist Green Party candidate.

That's the only time I voted outside my party. Now, just because I vote for a party, doens't mean I think it is perfect and deosn't mean I shouldn't try to change it from with in.

I'm a republican because I believe the republican party is the best starting point for me and my beliefs. If I come across as liberal on some issues, it's because I'm here trying to have an honest debate and trying to find the best route for us all.

Change is needed. If you want change you have to start within your own party, which is what I'm doing.

Ok, this thread has been utterly ruined by this tyrade and I apologize. But I'm sick of people thinking just because I don't agree with the repubs on everything that I'm some sort of spinless wimpy intellect and a closet liberal.

I may be a Lib, but I'm no liberal. It's Libertarian, thank you very much.

(And I am sorry for the over reaction, but your post to me sure sounded like sour grapes)

Hey, I'm a liberal, sour grapes? Nah, it was thinking about your singnature: "When two parties are screaming emotionally at you from opposite sides, the truth is usually somewhere in the middle. That's where you'll find me. --Lord Alameda" And what else is an electin?

I think "most likely to vote none of the above" is a better category for alameda, and myself for that matter.

Surely they're basically the same thing?

@AP, yea, that's where I may be headed. But the truth is I was raised to believe if you don't vote, you have no room to complain. That's why I vote, even if I'm only voting for the 'lesser of two evils' like in the SF mayoral election.

So, I doubt I would stay at home and not particiapate (as frustrated as I may get).

When I saw your original post on this topic, SM, I saw you saying "Yea, alameda will vote for anyone and everyone" which would suggest I'm just a sheep with no conviction. That could not be farther from the truth.

Maybe I'm an enlightened voter, maybe I'm naive.

But what I'm really just trying to do is follow my heart and my gut, not a party platform.


Peace, enjoy, I hope this can start a solid talk about why you vote the way you do and how you identify yourself politically.


Personally, as I've said before, I consider myself a Conservative Libertarian. Less govt in both our social and private lives.

[Tom Paine]

Whereas I see you, from the line in your signature, as a committed and convicted (well you know what I mean) middler...

[Atheist Peace]

Well, I didn't literally mean that you'd vote for nobody, I wouldn't do that either. What I meant was that alternatively to Squeakus saying you might vote for "all of the above," in other words, liking everybody, you would seem more likely to be dissatisfied with the majority of candidates and vote based on precise personal views, rather than party lines, like me.

[Francisco Montana]

Well, I didn't literally mean that you'd vote for nobody, I wouldn't do that either. What I meant was that alternatively to Squeakus saying you might vote for "all of the above," in other words, liking everybody, you would seem more likely to be dissatisfied with the majority of candidates and vote based on precise personal views, rather than party lines, like me.

Oh, I hear ya AP, and I wasn't taken back by your comment at all. I just wanted to clarify my position a little better.

[Tom Paine]

It depends whether or not you see the best or worst in people.

[imb39]

I think I follow Lord Alameda's views on many things. The trouble with political parties is that they inevitably are broad churches. I have voted both conservative and labour in general elections - it depends what party closest models my thoughts.

I am aware that I am becoming more conservative in terms of the welfare state but I am not averse to taxes IF they are used appropriately.

[Tom Paine]

Why are people only ever offended by me?
More to the point, if you had the option, would you vote more likely for all of the above or none of the above?

[Francisco Montana]

More to the point, if you had the option, would you vote more likely for all of the above or none of the above?

Well since you know I'm a reason based individual (whether you agree with my reason is a different story lol) I would have to point out that since you can only vote for one candidate, and you are able to stay at home and not vote, that the latter option is logically the ONLY choice I could make.

If we had 2 Communists running and I had to pick one.... I'd probably jump off the Golden Gate Bridge.

How's that for an option? :laughing:

Why are people only ever offended by me?

Well, now you've made me feel bad.

Ok, maybe not! hehe.


@Caudex Maximus - A man after my own heart!
^^^^^^
I'd vote for him! :wink:

[RusskiSoldat]

I'm unique
*feels special*
It would take me forever to write down my full idealogical view on things, just read some threads where I've posted and make up your own mind about me.

[Caudex Maximus]

In the short time I've been around here, it is my opinion that Lord Alameda has very thoughtful and well-concieved views on things. Of course, it helps that I generally agree with him .

I became disenchanted with both of the major parties and viewpoints a long time ago (before I could even vote actually). I tend to follow my own ideas on right and wrong rather than tow the "party-line." My disdain for the major parties arose from the fact that I disagree with what I percieve as the Democrats' main premise (a large, protective government) and I don't always like the Republicans' viewpoints (I support gay marriage for instance).

Generally, I approve of a small, unobtrusive, efficient, and accountable government which is what the Republican party claims to support although I have my doubts. I dislike the idea of a welfare state (charity is fine, but that's not the government's responsiblility) and I hate pork-barrel spending, as any responsible person does I think and which both parties are responsible for. Government waste is especially galling to me since I come from the state of the self-proclaimed "pork-master general," Sen. Robert C. Byrd. I abhor him with a passion.

[Tom Paine]

Theoretical choice under the current parties if the options "None of the Above" and "All of the Above" were added, though?

[TheKwas]

I've basicly narrowed my ideology down to "Social-democratic evolutionary methodist ParEconist De Leonist Libertarian-socialist primitivist technocrat".



Unfortunately, such a label is useless to anyone that isn't me.

[Tom Paine]

I would have thought the label was useless to you too...

[TheKwas]

Oh no, it does wonders for shutting up other people that like to label me incorrectly. ^________^

[Hamelkart]

Rational egoism. Every individual has a right to step out and say what he thinks and to posess some things which will make him special (not being just another drop in the ocean). On the other hand, for every important thing, people in charge should listen to people and accept majority's word as a law but also try not to hurt minority in any way (no ministers!).
And finally, turn world into one single nation, but with its citizens still keeping their legacy of former republics of USA, China, Russia, Germany, france...