Determine if you are a republican or a democrat [Archive]

archenemyfan

04-30-2008, 06:00 PM

We did a little quiz in social studies and it was concerning politics. So I decided to put this on here. Some people think that they're a democrat just because of this or that. Well, you can test that here. But before you do, PLEASE READ EVERYTHING CAREFULLY! LOOK AT THE BENEFITS AND THE DISADVANTAGES THAT CAN OCCUR! DON'T RUSH THROUGH THIS!
You might want to post your score or you can just keep this to yourself, you're going to need a piece of paper and something to write with. Choose:
1-Disagree
2-Somewhat Disagree
3-Neither Disagree or Agree
4-Somewhat Agree
5-Agree

Read through the questions and mark your answer.

1. Taxes should be as low as possible.
2. The government should have little involvement in the economy.
3. Government spending is too high and should be reduced.
4. Budget deficits are bad.
5. Social Security would be better if people could invest their own money than just receiving a government check.
6. Healthcare is the primary responsibility of the individual citizen, not the government.
7. People on welfare shoud have to work.
8. The defense budget is too high.
9. Free trade is good.
10. There should be a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
11. Abortion should be banned.
12. The death penalty is appropriate for murderers.
13. The U.S. needs tight boarder controls and strict enforcement of immigration laws.
14. Gun control laws are too strict.
15. Prayer should be allowed in public schools.
16. Drugs should not be legalized (Consider a certain type of drug, or relate to Marijuana.)
17. The U.S. should try to work with the U.N. to solve world problems, but should always do what it feels is right even if the U.N. disagrees.
18. The U.S. should aggressively fight terrorism around the world. (Depending on how you think of 'aggressively.)
19. The U.S. should always pursue a foreign policy that is in its own self-interest regardless of how other nations feel.
20. The U.S. has the right to use military force to further its goals internationally. (Depending on how you think of 'further'.)

The Scores:

20-35=Liberal
36-51=Moderate Liberal
52-68=Centralist
69-84=Moderate Conservative
85-100=Conservative

-Liberal [Democrats/Left]: Following or supporting political views that support civil liberties, democratic reform, gov. power to promote social progress, and support individual choice.

-Conservatives [Republicans/Right]: Following tending to oppose change, favor following traditional views/values, and support limited gov. interference in the economy.

-Moderate [Centralist]: Within limits, opposed to extreme or radical views.

Sazabi

04-30-2008, 06:09 PM

This is a really dumb poll considering alot of these criteria are neither liberal or conservative in nature. It's really nonsensical to try and test political standing on pure horizontal axis. What about libertarians for example, who rank economically conservative and socially liberal? They're hardly moderate.

ThrasherCub

04-30-2008, 06:17 PM

Seems about as accurate as something like that can be. I scored a 60, putting me pretty well in the middle which seems accurate enough (as I posted this Sazabi pointed out that this poll lands Libertarians more or less in the middle. As a Libertarian I'm evidently an example of this). I'm overall quite liberal though I disagree quite a bit with certain things generally popular with liberals, like most parts of political correctness and things which are effectively hand-outs to minorities (which of course only gives racists proof that these minorities are worthless and ruining the country). And finally, I'm not a big believer in gun control because it doesn't work that well. All it really does is make it harder for good honest people to have and carry weapons - the majority of people we don't want to have a gun anymore didn't get them through legal means. There's also just the simple fact that there's generally less crime if there's a chance the would-be victim can shoot you back.

Sazabi

04-30-2008, 06:25 PM

Seems about as accurate as something like that can be.

Not even close. any of the multi-axis tests are better by leaps and bounds. Search google and you should find a bunch.

I took this from political compass as an example. Rather than "right" and "left" it's multidirectional. I don't know how good or accurate this web sites test is, I just jacked it as an example.

http://www.politicalcompass .org/images/bothaxes.gif

http://www.politicalcompass .org/images/axeswithnames.gif

http://www.politicalcompass .org/images/usprimaries_2008.png

archenemyfan

04-30-2008, 08:02 PM

Dude, I copied it from a transparency in my social studies class so I don't really care if you like or not. I only posted it because some people are interested and maybe those want to find out what they are. Sazabi, if you don't like it, you can leave.
I thank TC for actually doing the survey. I enjoyed reading his reasons and they are near mine. I scored a 69 in class today and there weren't any Libertarians at all. There were mostly Centralists and Republicans, like me.

ThrasherCub

04-30-2008, 08:45 PM

Not even close.
I didn't say it was close, just that it was as accurate as a stupid poll like that can be. I've had tests tell me I'm far left and other tests tell me I'm far right, when in fact I more or less balance out to be kind of in the middle (which is how I scored). As you pointed out, there's more than just left and right, but a simple poll like this would be hard pressed to detect that without it getting complicated.

So, yeah, for a 20 question test which only detects left and right it does pretty good.

archenemyfan

04-30-2008, 08:47 PM

Yeah, I've done other tests too where it says that I'm closer to left but I'm more in the middle here. I wonder why...
As for the test, it was from my teacher probably, I don't know who originally made it.

chriz

04-30-2008, 09:37 PM

http://www.politicalcompass .org/images/usprimaries_2008.png

I can tell you this particular graph is incredibly off where it places names. Any chart that puts Edwards anywhere right of center is useless (and Thompson would be below the midline on Authoritarian/Libertarian).

And I just noticed it put Ron Paul anywhere north of extreme Libertarian. Who put this chart together?

Sazabi

05-01-2008, 12:51 AM

And I just noticed it put Ron Paul anywhere north of extreme Libertarian. Who put this chart together?

I'm pretty sure it runs based on their voting record on existing bills rather than their published views.

I know for a fact that alot of the things paul voted on and even authored are as far as it gets from libertarian (ie- abortion, flag burning, electoral college, etc). And Edwards is still slightly right of center when it comes to America compared to the rest of the world, even if he votes as left as it gets on most bills, he's still voting in the US pool of right-of-center bills. Edwards also only served a single term, so he didn't give himself time to vote on a lot of issues. Had he been in office more years, it would get progressively more accurate. Thats my guess anyway.

But like I said, I was just posting as an example of a multi-axis test, I didn't actually look at what they were testing.

Vendetta

05-01-2008, 10:03 AM

Look guys, there's a simple way to determine what your politcal leaning you are: whatever your parents have brought you up as, that's what you are (or will be, when you can vote.)

Kaden

05-01-2008, 10:06 AM

I was raised republican but I've become a bit more liberal over the years (just a bit). I'd more or less consider myself a Constitutionalist.

archenemyfan

05-01-2008, 07:34 PM

My parents never really bothered to vote [except my mom. who i believe she is a democrat] but people change and that isn't totally true, Vandetta.

Vendetta

05-01-2008, 07:46 PM

Oh brother. Hey do you guys ALSO need me to tell you how to detect sarcasm too? :rolleyes:

archenemyfan

05-01-2008, 07:50 PM

Well, on the internet, just like a text message, you can't tell if someone is being sarcastic or whatever mood their in because it is WORDS. It doesn't show emotion. They are only a simple message, where you sometimes have to GUESS to understand what mood the person is in. That's why there's a little thing called smiles. See? :D
Hopefully, you'll understand what mood I'm currently in.

BoxedCat

05-02-2008, 11:30 PM

archenemyfan

05-02-2008, 11:40 PM

Boobless???
:confused:

No, I don't understand. I'm smart, but not as smart as you.

ThrasherCub

05-03-2008, 02:27 PM

No, I don't understand. I'm smart, but not as smart as you.

Off-topic, but that's why I like you. You know and understand your limits. I'd much rather have someone blurt out "I've got no damn clue" than try to fake their way through a conversation or, heaven help them, have them just commandeer the convo, something people in that possition often do.

More on topic, archenemyfan, you said tests like this put your either as liberal or more in the middle. What party do you identify with most?

archenemyfan

05-03-2008, 05:26 PM

Thanks. Well, in class we did another set of notes found on wikipedia. My teacher double checked it and only one mistake was found. So it was right for the most part. I tried to find it and I couldn't because I wanted to show you, but oh well... I was identified as part of the Green Party.

john the baptist

05-03-2008, 05:34 PM

I got a 71. I'm a moderate conservative.

archenemyfan

05-03-2008, 05:41 PM

I was a 69. And I thought I was a democrat. It's pretty weird how the system works. I think that the more money they get, the colder their hearts get. Just look at this world now, I mean, if we didn't have a government, we would be alright but then we'd be screwed. But what about life in the early 1900's? Besides the Great Depression, was it better back then than now? I don't think that there were many crimes...

UNODRAGONE

05-04-2008, 09:02 PM

I scored 47 and based on your description I say it's accurate :) I am a big pro-choice type of midget :)

Vendetta

05-05-2008, 02:28 PM

Off-topic, but that's why I like you. You know and understand your limits. I'd much rather have someone blurt out "I've got no damn clue" than try to fake their way through a conversation or, heaven help them, have them just commandeer the convo, something people in that possition often do.
Except that he DOESN'T know his limits. He said "I'm smart" which flies in the face of everything I've seen so far.

Also, 'Boobless' is pretty hilarious.

As for the topic, this may shock some of you, but there aren't just TWO parties in the United States! *gasp*

ThrasherCub

05-05-2008, 03:00 PM

Except that he DOESN'T know his limits. He said "I'm smart" which flies in the face of everything I've seen so far.
From what I've seen he's pretty smart, he just has the pretty common problem of acting (in this case, posting) before completing a thought. He also appears to leave out parts of his thoughts, almost certainly on accident. I used to have both those problems, and he's at least trying to post good content, and so I forgive him for shortcomings.

As for the topic, this may shock some of you, but there aren't just TWO parties in the United States! *gasp*
Yeah - there's 4. There's also the Green Party and the Libertarian Party. :rolleyes: And I am absolutely shocked by the number of people who actually think that. Sometimes you'll find someone who thinks they remember reading an article somewhere about either the Communist Party or the Nazi Party. Is thinking about more than two possibilities really that hard for so many people?

archenemyfan

05-05-2008, 07:07 PM

Yeah - there's 4. There's also the Green Party and the Libertarian Party. :rolleyes: And I am absolutely shocked by the number of people who actually think that. Sometimes you'll find someone who thinks they remember reading an article somewhere about either the Communist Party or the Nazi Party. Is thinking about more than two possibilities really that hard for so many people?

I know there's not two because we just learned some more!
And I forgive you too TC and please forgive me if I've done anything to offend you.

ThrasherCub

05-05-2008, 10:30 PM

I know there's not two because we just learned some more!

I wasn't so much referring to you as to the fact that so few people pay attention to the "other" parties that we effectively have a two-party system much of the time. I really wonder how absolutely sucky either one or both of them will have to become before a 3rd party candidate is taken seriously as a potential president.

archenemyfan

05-05-2008, 10:40 PM

Yes, I wonder about that too. My teacher told me that most voters feel that they aren't part of the 2 main parties, but they don't know any others to join. If you're not libertarian, you're this or you're that. To me, a party is a party. But what I pay attention to is how that candidate will handle being President. Look at George Bush, I mean, he had a long time to settle things but he's doing it at the last minute.
...who is in the Green party? I'm not up to date on my politicians.

Fenrar

05-06-2008, 02:33 AM

I just have this wonderful and HORRIBLE image of Bill Clinto dressed up in a first lady's dress. That's enough for me to hope Democrats wins. Being foreign, I don't care about your policie's unless it bans me. So I have to go on the candidate and other things. So, yeah, I'm a Democrat.

ThrasherCub

05-06-2008, 03:13 AM

...who is in the Green party? I'm not up to date on my politicians.

Ralph Nader. I'm really hoping he doesn't steal a bunch of Democrat votes, because I'm not sure I can handle another Republican prez.

UNODRAGONE

05-06-2008, 10:28 AM

personally, I am an independant I don't associate with republicans or democrats, it's not about a party but the candidate to me.

archenemyfan

05-06-2008, 10:16 PM

ThrasherCub

05-06-2008, 10:33 PM

The only way I will vote is if there is a candidate that will legalize marijuana. Here in Nevada, it's a huge huge debate and it is a continuing issue.

California legalized medicinal marijuana and the nat'l government semi-regularly comes in to raid. They evidently don't have anything better to do. Tax spending at it's best, right?

But really, it's only a matter of time until pot is legal in the US.

archenemyfan

05-06-2008, 10:40 PM

California legalized medicinal marijuana and the nat'l government semi-regularly comes in to raid. They evidently don't have anything better to do. Tax spending at it's best, right?

But really, it's only a matter of time until pot is legal in the US.

That's true. Everything is better in sunny California! :cool:
But yeah, it's only a matter of time...

DarkWolf

05-07-2008, 05:29 AM

But if you're Green, you're more left than right. So how come it's going republican now? I thought the right was republican...
The only way I will vote is if there is a candidate that will legalize marijuana. Here in Nevada, it's a huge huge debate and it is a continuing issue.
Sorry to say it but I hope they don't legalise pot for you, with the way you're posting lately it seems you've smoked way too much as is. :rolleyes:

ThrasherCub

05-07-2008, 05:59 AM

Sorry to say it but I hope they don't legalise pot for you, with the way you're posting lately it seems you've smoked way too much as is. :rolleyes:

Hey, some people make perfect sense while stoned!

DarkWolf

05-07-2008, 06:08 AM

Hey, some people make perfect sense while stoned!
I have no doubt and I'm an advocate for marijuana legislation. Actually, I'm an advocate for the legislation of any drug - what people do to themselves is their choice. Perhaps it could be licensed, so you have to demonstrate good knowledge on the pros and cons of the drug before being allowed to take it or buy it.

If you're an adult, you know what you're doing and you know what you're taking, then do it. As long as you're safe with it (as in, don't go out driving while stoned) it's fine. People should be free to make their own choices about what happens to their bodies, providing it stays just their choice and they don't have it affect others (driving when stoned endangers lives etc).

I'm just saying Archy's been inexcusably stupid lately in other threads so I think he should stay away from brain-cell killing substances so he can actually let some of them grow back - he's evidently short on supply. :shrug:

UNODRAGONE

05-07-2008, 07:59 AM

:( we all have our moments and I don't think Archy behavor would be classified as stupid, this was an interesting post he created and he has given good points on other threads as well.

Vendetta

05-07-2008, 10:03 AM

I'm just saying Archy's been inexcusably stupid lately in other threads so I think he should stay away from brain-cell killing substances so he can actually let some of them grow back - he's evidently short on supply. :shrug:
Lately?

Look, I'm all FOR stupidity, I just don't think stupid people need their hands held. Heck I've got the perfect solution for Archenemy: let's just take the warning labels off of EVERYTHING and the problem will solve itself.

Fenrar

05-07-2008, 10:50 AM

Lately?

Look, I'm all FOR stupidity, I just don't think stupid people need their hands held. Heck I've got the perfect solution for Archenemy: let's just take the warning labels off of EVERYTHING and the problem will solve itself.

That's like taking out the pin of a grenade and then handing it to them, with AEF.
'Tis a fantastic idea.

archenemyfan

05-07-2008, 07:41 PM

Gilenea

05-07-2008, 10:36 PM

You know you guys love to hurt others' feelings...
I feel like I'm dehumanized now.
IT WAS ONE FUCKING DAY!
It was just one joint, the first joint I've ever smoked and I'm not a smoker! I just decided to try it to see what it was like and I ended up getting high and smoking the whole thing! I liked being high, but I wanted to kill myself at the same time. So I vow never to get high again. Now, if you could please stop with the insults...

Didn't sound to me like anyone was bashing you for smoking pot. If they did, you'd at least have me on your side. :p

Gil

Kaden

05-08-2008, 12:02 AM

Bloody job! Look at what I missed!

ThrasherCub

05-08-2008, 01:35 AM

I liked being high, but I wanted to kill myself at the same time. So I vow never to get high again.

Wow, you did it wrong some how. Pot just makes me want to paint...

DarkWolf

05-08-2008, 09:30 AM

You know you guys love to hurt others' feelings...Personall y, no. But I'm just making observation. Many of your posts that I've read have displayed incredible amounts of stupidity or an incomprehensible lack of forethought and logic. They give the impression you're lacking in brain cells and drugs like marijuana kill off brain cells. For somebody like ThrasherCub who seems to have an immense wealth of brain cells, a few extra dying makes no difference - she's still very smart. With you, you don't seem to have any to spare so I recommend you don't take substances that kill them off.

Now, if you could please stop with the insults...Technicall y, I'm not insulting you. I'm expressing my opinions of your posts and what they reflect of you in a sarcastic fashion but this is not insulting. You can take offense, no doubt, but that is actually your choice to do so and not the result of my words.

UNODRAGONE

05-08-2008, 09:33 AM

You know you guys love to hurt others' feelings...
I feel like I'm dehumanized now.
IT WAS ONE FUCKING DAY!
It was just one joint, the first joint I've ever smoked and I'm not a smoker! I just decided to try it to see what it was like and I ended up getting high and smoking the whole thing! I liked being high, but I wanted to kill myself at the same time. So I vow never to get high again. Now, if you could please stop with the insults...

never allow anyone to have that kind of power over you that they dehumanize you, take what they say, use it if you can if not shove it in one ear and out the other, your allowing peoples comments to affect you, don't, the only opinion that should matter to you is your own

Kaden

05-08-2008, 09:41 AM

If you think we're being dehumanizing, which we're not, you'll never make it in the real world kiddo.

Gilenea

05-08-2008, 01:27 PM

Back on topic.

I'm not really anything. I find politics silly, and, while I have my own opinions of it, I really choose not to participate in America. The government's iffy to me.

I was raised conservative. I guess you could say, when it comes to politics, I'm more of a naturalist now.

Gil

archenemyfan

05-08-2008, 09:35 PM

At first it was like oh shit, should I really do this? And then I was like, well, it's only one puff. So then I started to cough pretty hard and then it kicked in and then I started to smoke more and more and I ended up doing the whole thing. I smelled when I came home so I was very very careful about being around my dad.
Anyways, how do you feel about helping other countries after disasters? Because we had this for hw in social studies and my teacher wanted to know what we thought. So I'm going to make a separate thread and see what we can come up with.

Vendetta

05-09-2008, 10:48 AM

At first it was like oh shit, should I really do this? And then I was like, well, it's only one puff. So then I started to cough pretty hard and then it kicked in and then I started to smoke more and more and I ended up doing the whole thing. I smelled when I came home so I was very very careful about being around my dad.
If this was your first time, I call bullshit. That's not what pot smoking for the first time is like at all. Any more "incredible" stories you'd like us to believe?

archenemyfan

05-09-2008, 05:20 PM

If this was your first time, I call bullshit. That's not what pot smoking for the first time is like at all. Any more "incredible" stories you'd like us to believe?

Well do you want me to believe that you work for a government agency? I don't think so...
Back on topic....
I was surprised that there were no Centralists what-so-ever in my class. It was mostly Republicans and Democrats, a few moderates and that's it. Maybe there's some more statistics on the internet that could help...

Gilenea

05-10-2008, 02:27 AM

Well do you want me to believe that you work for a government agency? I don't think so...

So was that an admission of guilt?

Gil

MorganaFang

05-10-2008, 03:07 AM

Back on topic....
I was surprised that there were no Centralists what-so-ever in my class. It was mostly Republicans and Democrats, a few moderates and that's it. Maybe there's some more statistics on the internet that could help...

I can pretty much guarantee that most of your democrates technically would be closer to centeralists/moderates.

archenemyfan

05-10-2008, 12:36 PM

I can pretty much guarantee that most of your democrates technically would be closer to centeralists/moderates.

Well, that is actually true. According to the statistics of my classmates.

greggchamberlain

06-03-2008, 07:46 AM

given the results of the Puerto Rico, Michigan and other recent primaries now...anyone have thoughts on the likelihood of Clinton tossing in the towel and maybe accepting an offer from Obama asking to be his running-mate instead?

and, with the U.S. primary selection system, is it possible to halt the process in a leadership campaign before all the state and territorial primaries have taken place?

up here, leadership campaigns run for a few months culminating in the final convention and the general voting. past provincial and federal party leadership campaigns often begin with up to a dozen or more potential nominees with the number dwindling down to the hardcore half dozen or so as the weaker and "dark horse" nominees drop out and throw their support behind one of the other leading candidates.

then that same process happens all over during the leadership convention itself starting after the first ballot results. those candidates who receive the least number of votes then declare their support for one of the other leading nominees prior to the second ballot...and so continues for maybe a third or fourth ballot (i do not recall any fifth-ballot leadership convention situations) and the final leadership choice of the delegates. it is feasible, under this system, that a convention may not need to take place if all but one of the potential nominees decides to drop out of the race and support one particular candidate. do not think it's ever happened but it is possible.

is such a situation possible down there in the U.S. right now with the Clinton-Obama race? could they agree to team up with Obama as Democrat presidential nominee and Clinton as vp-nominee to start an early summer campaign against McCain & Co. leading up to November?