Your political inclinations - who do you vote for?

I belong to the economic left but the social conservative side of politics. I firmly believe that infrastructure such as water, gas, electric, rail, roads, schools, hospitals, fire services, judiciary, telecoms etc. should be run by the state with no private ownership whatsoever. They're run semi-inefficiently by the state but the lack of a profit motive, tends to mean that services actually work better.


If I was in the US, neither the Republicans or the Deomcrats comes close to this, so I'd vote for a third party, out of spite.
If I was in the UK, neither the Tories, Labour or the Lib Dems comes close to this, so I'd vote for a minor party, out of spite.
Living in Australia though, neither Labor or the Liberals or Nationals comes close to this, so I vote for a minor parties, out of spite.

The big difference in Australia to both the UK and the US being that because the Senate in Australia has proportional representation, more than just the majors are often represented; sometimes they even hold the balance of power. And in the case of the House of Reps, the indies and the Greens became kingmakers in 2010.

[quote="Rollo"]I belong to the economic left but the social conservative side of politics. I firmly believe that infrastructure such as water, gas, electric, rail, roads, schools, hospitals, fire services, judiciary, telecoms etc. should be run by the state with no private ownership whatsoever. They're run semi-inefficiently by the state but the lack of a profit motive, tends to mean that services actually work better. [quote]

The profit motive you seem to detest would very likely lead to a more efficient system. In the U.S. there are obviously a few outstanding public schools (they would be considered private in the U.K.) but, generally speaking, private schools here deliver a far superior education on several levels.

Likewise, the government-run and tax-payer funded mail service here is a complete and utter financial nightmare--they always operate in the red, losing billions each year--whereas UPS, Fedex, and DHL seem to do just fine.

We do not have a state-run telecom but I am convinced it would run inefficiently.

Not saying these couldn't work--they may indeed work in other countries--but our free market system has proven to work well. Of course, they must be regulated to an extent.

Needless to say, I am a fiscal conservative. Socially, I'm liberal, but not the off-the-charts variety. I'm pro-life (except in unusual circumstances) and anti-death penalty.

I most closely identify with the Libertarian Party, something the Republican Party is becoming more like.

Wow. After reading through all of this I find that I am rather complicated. Not only do I not really identify with any particular political party here in the US, I really don't line up with any particular general ideology, either.

I am pro-gun, anti-abortion (except in special circumstances) and I believe that there are way too many entitlement programs allowing people to choose to stay out of work (it is rampant in my area, I see it everyday), that big government is a bad thing, that the federal government has way to much say in our daily lives, that alot of things could be handled by the state and local governments much more efficiently than at the federal level, and that there are way too many duplicitous departments spending tax money to do pretty much the same things. I believe that having a Department of Education at the federal level is absolutely ludicrous. I believe we need to expand our search for oil not restrict it. I believe that we should be standing up for an indviduals (and organization's) right to pray to God or whatever god they choose, not restrict it. I believe our legal system here in America, especialy on the Civil side is as screwed up as it possibly can be and that it is far to easy to sue someone-serious legal reform is needed. I believe that we are not tough enough on crime, that a 10 year prison sentence should mean a criminal actually spends 10 years in prison, not 2 years with time off for good behavior.

All that right there should make me a far right wing Rush Limbaugh quoting conservative Republican from post-experimental hell, right?

Well, actually-

I believe the rich make far too much money compared to everyone else, that they don't pay anywhere near their fair share in taxes, that there are truly poor people out there that really do need our help (kinda contradicts what I said above, I know), that we don't invest anywhere near enough as a country in technology and science. I believe we are slowly killing our planet and lack the political will to do anything about it. And although I believe that we need to find more oil, I also believe that we need to do way more to expand our use of renewable energy, because those fossil fuels we need to be drilling and digging for will run out, eventually. I believe we need to stop discriminating against homosexuals (well really anyone who we may view as "different", tbh). I believe that we as a society don't do anywhere near enough in recognizing and treating people with mental health issues. I believe that health care should be universal, that a person shouldn't have to pay so damn much just to see a doctor. I believe we aren't doing anywhere near enough to make our education system better. I believe that the use of the death penalty has run its course and should be done away with. I believe we should de-criminalize Marijuana and tax it heavily-treat it just like alcohol.

All that right there should make me a far left wing tree hugging Nancy Pelosi quoting liberal Democrat from post experimental hell, right?

Truth is, if I were so inclined to run for office (not that I ever would, I despise politicians, they seem to be all on the take or soon will be) I would be un-electable. I would never make it through the Primary process of either major party. My primary "opponents" would pick me apart on those things that go against the party line that I never could make it to a general election-and even if somehow I were to make it that far, voters would focus in on all things they don't agree with on either side, and not on the things they agree with.


Well there ya' go. You asked, I answered. I generally try to stay away from the political debates around here because of the labeling that inevitably happens, but there it is.

Wow, slorydn1, you're right...you wouldn't make it in either primary with those beliefs, but you could start a 3rd party and call it the Common Sense Party.
For every issue that arises, you'd simply tackle it with a common sense approach. That would be a very popular thing, I'd bet.

But...I would never vote for you...y'know...because of that Harvick thing...

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Originally Posted by slorydn1

Wow. After reading through all of this I find that I am rather complicated. Not only do I not really identify with any particular political party here in the US, I really don't line up with any particular general ideology, either.

I am pro-gun, anti-abortion (except in special circumstances) and I believe that there are way too many entitlement programs allowing people to choose to stay out of work (it is rampant in my area, I see it everyday), that big government is a bad thing, that the federal government has way to much say in our daily lives, that alot of things could be handled by the state and local governments much more efficiently than at the federal level, and that there are way too many duplicitous departments spending tax money to do pretty much the same things. I believe that having a Department of Education at the federal level is absolutely ludicrous. I believe we need to expand our search for oil not restrict it. I believe that we should be standing up for an indviduals (and organization's) right to pray to God or whatever god they choose, not restrict it. I believe our legal system here in America, especialy on the Civil side is as screwed up as it possibly can be and that it is far to easy to sue someone-serious legal reform is needed. I believe that we are not tough enough on crime, that a 10 year prison sentence should mean a criminal actually spends 10 years in prison, not 2 years with time off for good behavior.

All that right there should make me a far right wing Rush Limbaugh quoting conservative Republican from post-experimental hell, right?

Well, actually-

I believe the rich make far too much money compared to everyone else, that they don't pay anywhere near their fair share in taxes, that there are truly poor people out there that really do need our help (kinda contradicts what I said above, I know), that we don't invest anywhere near enough as a country in technology and science. I believe we are slowly killing our planet and lack the political will to do anything about it. And although I believe that we need to find more oil, I also believe that we need to do way more to expand our use of renewable energy, because those fossil fuels we need to be drilling and digging for will run out, eventually. I believe we need to stop discriminating against homosexuals (well really anyone who we may view as "different", tbh). I believe that we as a society don't do anywhere near enough in recognizing and treating people with mental health issues. I believe that health care should be universal, that a person shouldn't have to pay so damn much just to see a doctor. I believe we aren't doing anywhere near enough to make our education system better. I believe that the use of the death penalty has run its course and should be done away with. I believe we should de-criminalize Marijuana and tax it heavily-treat it just like alcohol.

All that right there should make me a far left wing tree hugging Nancy Pelosi quoting liberal Democrat from post experimental hell, right?

Truth is, if I were so inclined to run for office (not that I ever would, I despise politicians, they seem to be all on the take or soon will be) I would be un-electable. I would never make it through the Primary process of either major party. My primary "opponents" would pick me apart on those things that go against the party line that I never could make it to a general election-and even if somehow I were to make it that far, voters would focus in on all things they don't agree with on either side, and not on the things they agree with.


Well there ya' go. You asked, I answered. I generally try to stay away from the political debates around here because of the labeling that inevitably happens, but there it is.

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Not much to dislike there at all. I'm still trying to wrap my head around Obamacare.

úp cho ngÃ*y cu?i tu?n nÃ*o :D

85% of our congress should be taken and released in the wilderness of Montana and then "open season" should promptly be declared.

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Originally Posted by Roamy

85% of our congress should be taken and released in the wilderness of Montana and then "open season" should promptly be declared.

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Only 85%??

I'm watching Nascar with my - up to now - far fetched dreams of seeing him win an oval race, and I'm reminded of a quote that I'm sure most of you have heard before.
Wouldn't it be great if our U S of A congressmen and women would ware sponsorship badges as they do in NASCAR.
Now that would be a sight to behold.

It's a travesty and we in the USA deserve it because we allow it to continue.

Oh cool! Juan's top 30 with 100 laps to at Bristol. :)

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Originally Posted by EuroTroll

That's a surprise, I must say. I had you down as a social conservative.

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I am a social conservative. Leave us alone. Is there anything more conservative than that?