Political Labels - so what's the difference

[TGHusker]

Many of us come from different political points of view. We may have the same goal (health care coverage for all) but different paths in getting there.

Sometimes the labels divide us so much that we fail to see the good that each wants to accomplish. So, over the weekend I was thinking about labels. These labels reflect our political world view - how we view and make sense of the world politically. I think if we understand the world view of others, it can help us to see why they are coming from the point of view expressed and why they present a different (not wrong) path for solving today's problems.

 

I see myself as a Constitutional Conservative, vs a neo-con, or a progressive conservative. So, I like to see things 'get done' through the confines of the Constitution. If something is needful, but can't be done due to constitutional constraints, then use the constitutionally provided tool of the amendment process to "get'r done" (to quote a good Husker fan). I do like many libertarian positions, but I'm more conservative on social matters (can't go for the legalized drugs stuff at this time, etc. )

 

In practical terms, how would you define the following labels and how would each 'label' address 3 key areas: 1. Health Care, 2. War on Terror (or national defense generally) 3. Growth or size of Govt.

If you want to be bold and tell us what 'label' fits you the closes - feel free. This is not meant to be an 'attack the other guy's world view thread'.

You might have another label to add to these 7 - which cover the right to the left:

 

1. Progressive (is this just a modern day term for liberal?)

2. Liberal

3. Socialist

4. Neo-Conservative

5 Conservative

6. Constitutional Conservative

7. Libertarian (Is a libertarian the same as the old classical liberal: "Classical liberalism is a political philosophy and ideology belonging to liberalism in which primary emphasis is placed on securing the freedom of the individual by limiting the power of the government" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_liberalism ( the bold & underlined is not true of today's definition of a liberal)

[hskerprid]

I label myself as an American who wants the best non-bulls**t way of getting things done that benefits us all. All these different factions are what is helping to tear this country apart little by little IMHO.

No more labels no more special interest groups. The people are supposed to be running this country not a bunch of stuffed overpaid suits in D.C.

[zoogs]

'The people' have a variety of different opinions which is why they band together into political factions.

[The King]

I label myself as an American who wants the best non-bulls**t way of getting things done that benefits us all. All these different factions are what is helping to tear this country apart little by little IMHO.

No more labels no more special interest groups. The people are supposed to be running this country not a bunch of stuffed overpaid suits in D.C.

 

Maybe if the average citizen was more informed than a fetus, I'd agree. However, I'd say the people do run this country, but fail to do so in a positive manner, by continuously electing officials that have proven to be inefficient at everything but taking away your civil rights and encroaching upon our ability to follow the constitution.

[knapplc]

Agree, King, although (and this is a silly little quibble) I'd use the word "responsible" instead of "positive." Too many Americans take the vote for granted, or they see it as a burden. Well, when you aren't a responsible steward of the power you're given, that power is ripe for misuse by someone else.

 

Too many are also lazy, and allow someone else to do their thinking for them. We don't teach or encourage critical thinking in our youth and haven't for generations. That gets us a population unused to and often unwilling to do the brain work it takes to make sound judgments on candidates. They're far more prone to influence than they should be, and we have.... this mess.

[BigRedBuster]

Agree, King, although (and this is a silly little quibble) I'd use the word "responsible" instead of "positive." Too many Americans take the vote for granted, or they see it as a burden. Well, when you aren't a responsible steward of the power you're given, that power is ripe for misuse by someone else.

 

Too many are also lazy, and allow someone else to do their thinking for them. We don't teach or encourage critical thinking in our youth and haven't for generations. That gets us a population unused to and often unwilling to do the brain work it takes to make sound judgments on candidates. They're far more prone to influence than they should be, and we have.... this mess.

 

 

Which, I have come to believe that all citizens should be given every freedom to vote. However, voter registration drives actually water down the voting base of people who actually pay attention, care about the process and have an educated view of what is going on.

 

Instead, we have a bunch of people who were convinced that all of a sudden they should care about voting, show up to vote and have absolutely no clue.

[AgMarauder04]

Libertarian.

[knapplc]

Agree, King, although (and this is a silly little quibble) I'd use the word "responsible" instead of "positive." Too many Americans take the vote for granted, or they see it as a burden. Well, when you aren't a responsible steward of the power you're given, that power is ripe for misuse by someone else.

 

Too many are also lazy, and allow someone else to do their thinking for them. We don't teach or encourage critical thinking in our youth and haven't for generations. That gets us a population unused to and often unwilling to do the brain work it takes to make sound judgments on candidates. They're far more prone to influence than they should be, and we have.... this mess.

 

 

Which, I have come to believe that all citizens should be given every freedom to vote. However, voter registration drives actually water down the voting base of people who actually pay attention, care about the process and have an educated view of what is going on.

 

Instead, we have a bunch of people who were convinced that all of a sudden they should care about voting, show up to vote and have absolutely no clue.

 

I don't think you can make that claim. That's a pretty broad brush. People who weren't prone to vote, who sign up to vote, are not necessarily more or less educated on the issues than those who vote often. There are way too many people who have no idea what the issues are, who go into the booth and just vote party line.

 

What we need is a better education system, and responsible parents. We need to educate kids at school on the purpose of voting, and teach them how to be discerning (not just in voting, but in general). Parents need to teach their children responsibility and that voting matters, and that they need to be up to date on the issues they're voting on.

[carlfense]

I'm progressive on social issues but I'm probably more fiscally conservative than many on the left. I definitely skew more towards libertarian than authoritarian.

[BigRedBuster]

I know it's a very broad brush and possibly a bit unfair. However, I'm a firm believer that most people who go through life, get into their mid to older life and never have voted aren't educated about issues and don't care till someone knocks on their door.

 

I have absolutely no data to back this up but it's just my opinion from viewing the process.

 

And...yes...the people who just vote party lines are many times uneducated also.

[The King]

Agree, King, although (and this is a silly little quibble) I'd use the word "responsible" instead of "positive." Too many Americans take the vote for granted, or they see it as a burden. Well, when you aren't a responsible steward of the power you're given, that power is ripe for misuse by someone else.

 

Too many are also lazy, and allow someone else to do their thinking for them. We don't teach or encourage critical thinking in our youth and haven't for generations. That gets us a population unused to and often unwilling to do the brain work it takes to make sound judgments on candidates. They're far more prone to influence than they should be, and we have.... this mess.

 

I would agree that responsible is probably a better word. I really hate to use this as an example. but the Jimmy Fallon (I believe) skit where he interviewed people asking if they preferred the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare says a lot about what is wrong with our current status; furthermore, people are voting for their dislike of the other party (even if they don't know that platforms real identity) when they should be voting for the party they want. For instance - a lot of people who aren't necessarily democrats, voted democratic because they just hated Romney that much. I think if we made a basic political science and econ class mandatory (which will not happen, because the current parties in charge would see a significant dip in their numbers with an informed populus, in my opinion. and if they did, I'm sure they'd have some interesting restrictions on curriculum) at some stage in a students schooling career, it would certainly help put us in the right direction. The want and will to be an active citizen in your country cannot be forced upon one, though.

[The King]

For what its worth, I probably identify closely with the Libertarian Party, but I am not big into party affiliations. Each year (since I've followed politics) I make a list of the key issues, in my opinion, and how I would handle them under current conditions.

[BigRedBuster]

Didn't everyone take some type of American Government or Political Science in High School?

[The King]

Didn't everyone take some type of American Government or Political Science in High School?

 

I believe government, yes.

 

I think Political Science is a lot more than "American" government though...

[JJ Husker]

Didn't everyone take some type of American Government or Political Science in High School?

 

I believe government, yes.

 

I think Political Science is a lot more than "American" government though...

 

I agree that more educated voters and people being aware of the issues would help immensely. However, I don't know if a "poly sci" class would serve that purpose. Where does the curriculum come from? Who is teaching it and what predispositions do they have? I took poly sci at UNL and much of it took the form of indoctrination rather than honest, positionless, education.