How do you label yourself politically?

[More Than A Feeling]

Just takin' a snapshot of the political diversity here at DU! I've picked some of the various labels that show up on the left side of the political spectrum and put them into a poll. Of course, I couldn't put all the possibilities in, nor all of the variations of the ones that I did choose. If you want, you can pick the one closest to you, or if none of them really fit, leave your unique designation in the comments. Thanks a bunch!

[manic expression]

1. This should be interesting n/t

[JVS]

9. yes

[rug]

54. Damn, I was hoping for a Stalinist option.

[sam sarrha]

2. Anti-Fascist

[The Straight Story]

3. An Anti-Anti-Christ voter - keep all evil freaks out of power

All Hail Plankton!

[blondeatlast]

4. I don't, personally, but others have called me all sorts of things... nt

[Bucky]

5. Liberal: open-minded, pro-worker, pro-quality of life, pro-liberty, pro-science

Ah, and against all forms of regressive taxation.

[TahitiNut]

6. Curmudgeon

:silly:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. Sceptic. aka - Anarchist

[JVS]

8. nogoodnik

[EFerrari]

33. I voted leftist. Same dif.

:)

[salin]

10. question per definitions

as this seems to vary at the individual level - what is the difference between a liberal and a progressive, and where is the line between either of those catagories and 'leftist'?

Where does an FDR democrat, plus civil rights era democrat, plus extreme skepticism to Freidman economics, but one who believes in regulated capitalism fit? Add to that belief in military action in an active humanitarian disaster - but in a nonaggressive posture (my Mother, a pacifist and I disagree on some of the US military actions - but overall are in agreement)? Where among the labels put up does someone like me fit? Just saying that labels are on the one-hand in the 'eye of the beholder' but when "polled" and based on differing defnitions the results are a little funky.

[Prophet 451]

11. Damn, only one option

I would describe myself an anarcho-liberal i.e. an anarchist in principle but I doubt that would ever work in practice so I settle for liberalism.

[manic expression]

12. One thing (not a criticism)

I think anarcho-syndicalism (most common form of anarchism IMO) worked very well in Spain during the Spanish Civil War. Check out the way they collectivized, production skyrocketed.

[Prophet 451]

14. Good point

Perhaps I should have said that I don't think it can work in the modern world. That said, I'd love to be proved wrong.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

13. When Asked, I Always Say Either Democrat Or Liberal.

Generally, I usually say 'hard core Democrat'.

[Jonathan50]

15. I'm a libertarian leftist on the Political Compass

I was shocked and amazed to find that I have the exact same political position on the Political Compass as the Dalai Lama. My wife is even more libertarian and leftist than I am, my daughter came out very close to Nelson Mandela and my sister in law came in between Mandela and Ghandi, which pleased her very much.

The Political Compass is the most accurate gauge of political position that I have seen and I've taken several different tests over the years.

The PC charts you on a two axis graph with the vertical axis running from libertarian to authoritarian and the horizontal axis running from left wing to right wing. I would definitely urge anyone who is interested in politcs to take the test, you might find out something about yourself that you didn't know.

http://www.politicalcompass.org/

Welcome to The Political Compass™.
There's abundant evidence for the need of it. The old one-dimensional categories of 'right' and 'left', established for the seating arrangement of the French National Assembly of 1789, are overly simplistic for today's complex political landscape. For example, who are the 'conservatives' in today's Russia? Are they the unreconstructed Stalinists, or the reformers who have adopted the right-wing views of conservatives like Margaret Thatcher ?

On the standard left-right scale, how do you distinguish leftists like Stalin and Gandhi? It's not sufficient to say that Stalin was simply more left than Gandhi. There are fundamental political differences between them that the old categories on their own can't explain. Similarly, we generally describe social reactionaries as 'right-wingers', yet that leaves left-wing reactionaries like Robert Mugabe and Pol Pot off the hook.

That's about as much as we should tell you for now. After you've responded to the following propositions during the next 3-5 minutes, all will be explained. In each instance, you're asked to choose the response that best describes your feeling: Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Agree or Strongly Agree. At the end of the test, you'll be given the compass, with your own special position on it.
T
he test is entirely anonymous. None of your personal details are required, and nothing about your result is recorded or logged in any way. The answers are only used to calculate your reading, and cannot be accessed by anyone, ever.

[TahitiNut]

18. Yup

[Jonathan50]

29. Actually the charts look like this and I'm right where the Dalai Lama is.

[TahitiNut]

30. Yes, indeed. That's EXACTLY the company I want to keep.

Gandhi, Mandela, and the Dalai Lama ... I can't possibly imagine a better 'neighborhood.'

To paraphrase Einstein, I find it amazing that people like them have been in the same planet as me. If I can stay in their 'neighborhood,' I must be doing something right.

FWIW, I ran a DU poll a couple of years ago, and this is how about 200 DUers 'mapped' ...

[More Than A Feeling]

31. Thank you for the chart!

Very revealing!

[Jonathan50]

32. That's quite revealing

I fall just about on the crosshairs between the 59% and the 10% and my wife is solidly in the 59% sector.

While she was taking the test I heard her snort "fuck no" several times, I got a real chuckle out of that. The only question that she had a little trouble with was the one about the advantage of a single party state being that there weren't all the arguments that you have with a democracy. She kept thinking that it really was an advantage for whoever was running the show, sorta like Dubya, eh?

[Odin2005]

69. I'm in the upper left 13%

So I'm basically far-left economically and a moderate social libertarian.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

34. That is very interesting~

I just took the survey, it puts me in the 10% area. I wish they had more examples of the people in that block.

[johnaries]

36. I am almost right on the crosshairs of the Left-Libertarian quadrant.

Does that make me a "Centrist", DU-wise?
:evilgrin:

[TahitiNut]

48. Well, just a tad low and to the left of Kucinich and Sharpton ... a looong way from the others.

:evilgrin:

I'm perpetually perplexed that folks seem so willing (and even eager) to have a candidate further from their own values and perspectives than Kucinich. It's a bit like self-abuse, I guess.
:silly:

[piedmont]

49. Every time I take that quiz I move a wee bit down the libertarian axis.

I was already going that way before 2000, but I think my (and many other liberals') move toward libertarianism has been helped along by the demonstration by the current regime of gross abuse of governmental power.

[TahitiNut]

50. Don't confuse the 'libertarian' axis with the 'Libertarian Party.'

They ain't the same ... at all. Once upon a time, the label 'libertarian' didn't mean people in favor of unregulated and unharnessed corporate power. Historically, 'libertarians' favored the abolition of corporations and were appalled at their "artificial personhood." They would see corporations as government sponsored (and licensed) power structures contrary to individual liberties. No longer. The label has been hijacked by folks who support such enforced privilege and entitlements - anathema to traditional libertarians.

[piedmont]

56. Yes, I know that. I'm a LEFT-leaning libertarian.

Which is why I said I move down the libertarian axis, not the Libertarian axis. :) See my post down thread.

[distantearlywarning]

64. Exactly.

To me, there is little difference between a government-controlled state and a corporation-controlled state. Either way the individual gets screwed, and there certainly isn't a free market in either case.

I have no idea why corporate capitalists call themselves "Libertarians", nor do I know why some DUers think that "libertarians" would like anything about corporate capitalism.

[Odin2005]

71. "Libertarian" used to mean, "not quite Anarchist"

IIRC it used to be a label for us leftists that have Anarchist leanings but are not Anarchists in the strict sense.

[LaPera]

16. Being liberal is a great word!

Only the lying greedy hateful racist cold hearted conservatives republicans don't like it (and wimpy moderates).

Liberal means tolerance of others points views, accepting, moving forward, personal freedoms and caring.

[Monkeyman]

17. Activists

[Warren DeMontague]

19. Left-Libertarian.

And witnessing some of the arguments continually put forth by authoritarians on DU, for government running people's personal lives, keeps pushing me further and further towards the Libertarian side of the axis:

http://politicalcompass.org

[distantearlywarning]

28. Left-Libertarian here also.

Anti-bush, anti war on drugs, anti war in Iraq (costing us too much money and isn't accomplishing a damn thing), don't like the state interfering with people's lives, pro gun ownership, pro abortion rights, big believer in the separation of church and state, sick and tired of the corporate welfare state (supporting big business at the individual taxpayer's expense), a bit hawkish on the use of violence in general but don't think the current administration should be allowed to play with squirt guns much less armies, don't like political correctness either.

The "left" part of that left-libertarianism is that I am also a bit of a softy who doesn't have the heart to viciously condemn every sad person in the world. I am also aware of the impact of social forces on human behavior, and do not believe that people have total free will (thus, are not totally responsible for all of their outcomes). I also recognize the great value in the state taking care of certain amenities that benefit us all, and have no issue with that at all, although I think we need to rethink this income tax thing.

If I had to sum up my life philosophy in one quotation, it would be: If your neighbor has trouble, be a decent person and help him out a little (because you'd want him to do the same for you). Otherwise, leave him the hell alone (because you'd want him to do the same for you). If he tries to take your stuff, put a cap in his ass. :evilgrin:

There's one poster on DU who, whenever the word "Libertarian" gets mentioned, always posts something to the effect of, "Libertarians are just Republicans who want to smoke pot". Well, I don't smoke pot, although I certainly support my neighbor's right to do so in the privacy of their own living room. I have also never voted Republican. In my eyes, half of today's Republicans are a bunch of religious nutjobs who are more worried about Janet Jackson's tits than about fiscal responsibility, and the other half are a bunch of greedy assholes who want to throw away the prosperity of 300 million citizens to line their own pockets. In this country, we have completely confused capitalism with corporate capitalism. I support the former, but despise the latter (which is what we have now).

[Warren DeMontague]

37. Yep, yep, yep and yep.

There's always a group here who go nuts at the "L" word. Yeah, I like that thing about "Republicans who smoke pot"-- when, as you mention, the social conservative wing of the Republican Party is far more frightening. AFAIC, if there ever was a political party that could use more potheads, it's the GOP. I'd rather have a republican who smokes pot than one who thinks dancing is a "sin".

And I don't smoke pot, either, although I sure as hell did in my reckless youth-- and I certainly didn't find it half as dangerous as alcohol, which is legal. But at the same time, I sure as shit don't want $40 Billion a year in tax dollars wasted trying to "fight" it. I definitely think that what consenting adults do with their own bodies in their own homes shouldn't be the government's business, although I'm a realist in that I think a "harm reduction" and public health approach - like they have in the Netherlands- probably makes sense with the harder, more dangerous drugs rather than outright legalization. Treating them as a law enforcement issue sure doesn't work. And there's NO reason pot, in my opinion, shouldn't be legal, regulated, and taxed.

For me, the "left" side of the equation comes in where I don't think that corporations need more freedom just as individuals do. They are separate entities with separate responsibilities and impacts on society. Environmental regulation, a SPHC system, a liveable minimum wage- these are all ideas I support which I think are compatible with a left-libertarian approach to things. And you're right- what we have now isn't real free market, level playing field capitalism so much as it is a crony network, where the biggest welfare system on the planet is our government's subsidy of industries that don't make anything consumers are remotely interested in buying- namely, the military/industrial complex.

[piedmont]

52. Yeah, quite a lot of DUers confuse libertarian with Libertarian

The American Libertarian Party IS pretty much just repubs who want to smoke pot (or pollute, or whatever their pet issue is). But left-libertarianism seems more philosophically pure-- not to mention a whole lot more logical.

[Deja Q]

20. I'm just a square peg...

But really a moderate. if not Independent. (but not in a fishy Joe way...)

Depends on the candidate and the issues; that's how it's always been - but for a while I was a stern "3rd party only, summarily forget all the others" type.

[mondo joe]

21. Smug Gay Atheist.

I don't know how to label myself politically because I don't really know what all those labels mean any more.

[Prophet 451]

22. LOL n/t

[Warren DeMontague]

23. Or Smgatheist, for short? nt

[manic expression]

24. In case anyone was wondering

I'm a communist (Marxist-Leninist with a good deal of respect for Trotsky's ideas).

I see the communists, anarchists and socialists have a decent presence here.

[More Than A Feeling]

27. I find that very interesting also.

Those ideologies rarely show up in the popular discourse (or if they do, it is in a negative light) and yet, they remain.

[manic expression]

65. It is somewhat surprising

that after 100 years of condemnation, propaganda and suppression, leftists are still around and active. Usually, as soon as someone gets past the crap and discovers what its actually about (someone gets interested about Che, reads the Communist Manifesto, talks to an anarchist friend, etc...), they get drawn to it. The belief in a classless society can't be killed as easily as Joe Hill or Fred Hampton.

[More Than A Feeling]

75. I looked up Hampton and Hill. Billy Joel was right.

Only the good die young.

[Dorian Gray]

25. When I registered years ago

I did so as an Independent. But, I'm a fairly moderate Democrat. Liberal on some issues while more moderate on others. I don't believe that I hold any truly conservative views.

[PhilipShore]

26. Ultra Liberal

[Warren DeMontague]

38. New and Improved Ultra Liberal

Now, with twice as much cleaning power as your regular liberal.

[Quantess]

35. I like "progressive".

I'm not "liberal" on every issue, and I'm not like an old-fashioned liberal type (i.e. a hippie). Somehow "progressive" fits me.

I notice you didn't offer a choice for "conservative", though some people call themselves "conservative Democrats".

[Warren DeMontague]

39. I must be old, cuz I consider old-fashioned liberal types to be like FDR.

But, then, I'm a hippie. Old fashioned? Pah!

[Quantess]

41. LOL. I had a split second of hesitation while I typed that...

..guess I should listen to my instincts.

"Old fashioned" is a relative term. There's nothing wrong with being "old", and wise, either.
No offense intended. :hi:

[Warren DeMontague]

43. Nah, it was funny. And I'm really not even that old.

I'm like, one of those later model hippies.

[Vidar]

40. socialist/progressive.

[Dumak]

58. Same here

Socialist/Progressive.

I'm strongly in favor of advancing science, technology, and infrastructure while preserving the environment, but the changes can happen at a much faster pace than peoples' ability to re-educate and find new occupations, so there must be a very strong and deliberate effort to make sure everyone still has work and a good income, even if it costs us much more money overall and requires a redistribution of wealth to do so.
The very wealthy and their corporations are destroying our civilization in many ways, and there has to be very strong and direct action to limit the damage they can cause.

[Odin2005]

72. Ditto!!! n/t

[Vidar]

74. There goes my party of one, lol.

[Colobo]

42. Moderate

With liberal tendencies. :)

[Cobalt Violet]

44. I'm a mix.

Democrat
Leftist
Liberal
Progressive
Socialist

[piedmont]

45. Left-libertarian

The two things that make my skin crawl: authoritarians and religious fundamentalists.

[dysfunctional press]

46. proud liberal.

about most things.

[Left Is Write]

47. I label myself a Democrat.

[WindRavenX]

51. other: radical

NT

[treestar]

53. Liberal

of the Libertarian get the government off our backs sort.

I can abide an amount of socialism that keeps people out of misery, and capitalism and no government involvement above that. I think by now the US is rich enough to make sure no one suffer absolute poverty.

[mvd]

55. Liberal

Not leftist, because that implies that wanting a strong social safety net, wanting peace and not war, and wanting equality for everyone are somehow extreme values.

[Proud MD Liberal]

57. Well mine is in my username

But I also use progressive sometimes when I want to emphasize "progress." I believe that society can only progress when liberal ideas are adopted.

[champt10]

59. I call myself a Liberal

I dont waste time with progressive, and sometimes I refer to myself as a democrat, but I call myself a liberal because I cant stand people letting the republicans paint the word as something bad, yet again.

[nonconformist]

60. Many of those "labels" fit my views... however, I most identify with Populist

But I generally refer to myself as a Democrat.

[Ghost in the Machine]

61. I'm a "Coyote" Democrat....

I'd gnaw my own hand off before I'd pick up a pencil or push a button to vote for a republic(an)

Ghost

[donheld]

62. What's the difference between liberal and progressive?

[Odin2005]

73. IMO "progressive" includes more types of left-wingers then "liberal" does.

What we call "liberal" is what the Europeans call "Social Democrat," anti-corporatist but not necessarily anti-capitalist. The term "Progressive" includes both Liberals AND socialists.

[ck4829]

63. Socialist who is a strong Democrat

[The Count]

66. "Progressive" was tainted for me by Naderites", I want to rehabilitate "liberal"

from the wingnut bashing, so that's what I picked and why.

[slackmaster]

67. Pro-environment, fiscally conservative civil libertarian

:hi:

[Odin2005]

68. Non-Marxist Democratic Socialist

The basis of socialism is the labor theory of value, which, if brought it it's ultimate logical conclusion, says that since value comes from labor it means that shareholder profit is theft.

[derby378]

70. On that DCCC survey a lot of us got in the mail...

When asked if I was "Liberal/Moderate/Conservative/Other," I checked "Other" and wrote in "Progressive."