Conservative/Liberal Skeptics

[Ashi]

I am new to these forums so please bear with me if this is something that has been done in the past.

I am curious about how many people who consider themselves “skeptics” hold a conservative or liberal political ideology. It would seem logical that a majority of “critical thinkers” would sway to either the conservative or liberal stance based upon the analysis of factual information and a rational thought process. Is this correct or is the skeptical community just as politically divided as the general population?

In general, how would you label your feelings about the following subjects if you had to choose one or the other - liberal or conservative:

1. Gun control
2. Abortion laws
3. Environment
4. Gay marriage
5. Taxation
6. Healthcare
7. Drug laws
8. Military spending
9. Affirmative action
10. Religion in government


Thanks!

[Cain]

I reject your binary category responses, nevertheless...

1. Gun control -- undecided
2. Abortion laws -- liberal
3. Environment -- liberal
4. Gay marriage -- liberal
5. Taxation -- liberal
6. Healthcare -- liberal (whatever that means)
7. Drug laws -- liberal (whatever that means)
8. Military spending -- liberal (whatever that means)
9. Affirmative action -- liberal
10. Religion in government -- liberal

The not so slight problem is that liberals today are basically centrists (and baby eaters).
____________________
Most people here are probably wishy-washy liberals. It's the nature of message boards, however, to attract the strongest opinions (not always well-founded). For this reason guns, libertarianism, Palestine/Israel are enduring topics (as observed by one Jon of London in another thread).

You should have an administrator create a check box poll for anonymous responses (i.e. check box if you're liberal on issue X). This would reduce the voluntary bias because it's completely anonymous, less burdensome, and not open to discussion.

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally posted by Ashi
I am new to these forums so please bear with me if this is something that has been done in the past.

I am curious about how many people who consider themselves “skeptics” hold a conservative or liberal political ideology. It would seem logical that a majority of “critical thinkers” would sway to either the conservative or liberal stance based upon the analysis of factual information and a rational thought process. Is this correct or is the skeptical community just as politically divided as the general population?

In general, how would you label your feelings about the following subjects if you had to choose one or the other - liberal or conservative:

1. Gun control
2. Abortion laws
3. Environment
4. Gay marriage
5. Taxation
6. Healthcare
7. Drug laws
8. Military spending
9. Affirmative action
10. Religion in government


Thanks!
I don't really hold to the liberal/conservative dichotomy, but I will define myself by comparing my view to what is commonly percieved as the liberal/conservative view.

1. Conservative
2. Liberal
3. Moderately Liberal (I think some environmental laws are necessary but theya re often taken way too far)
4. Liberal
5. Moderately conservative
6. Conservative
7. Really, really liberal (I am against any drug laws beyond "Don't take drugs and drive/operate heavy machinery/etc.)
8. Hard to say, some is necessary but we don't need to be the worlds cops
9. Really, really conservative (Affirmative action is B.S. in my opinion)
10. Liberal, the two need to stay seperate

My own observation is that skeptics here tend to be pretty representative of the population as a whole, some liberals, some conservatives, many somewhere in between.

[Suddenly]

Originally posted by Ashi
I am new to these forums so please bear with me if this is something that has been done in the past.

I am curious about how many people who consider themselves “skeptics” hold a conservative or liberal political ideology. It would seem logical that a majority of “critical thinkers” would sway to either the conservative or liberal stance based upon the analysis of factual information and a rational thought process. Is this correct or is the skeptical community just as politically divided as the general population?

In general, how would you label your feelings about the following subjects if you had to choose one or the other - liberal or conservative:

1. Gun control
2. Abortion laws
3. Environment
4. Gay marriage
5. Taxation
6. Healthcare
7. Drug laws
8. Military spending
9. Affirmative action
10. Religion in government


Thanks!

I try to avoid false dichotomies whenever possible, so I'd decline to answer, as the answer would be more "here is what I think about everything" and that may take some time.

Your assertion that simiar rationality will lead to similar conclusions is not true in my opinion. If people start from different premises, they will reach different conclusions no matter how valid the logic. Political differences get to be so complex that differences usually boil down to basic assumptions about reality, such as "what is the purpose of life." Although some people are just simply wrong and irrational.

I try to base my positions on some sort of evidence and reason, and avoid trying to base them on ideology. That is the skeptical answer.

Besides, what it the "liberal" position on drugs versus the "conservative" position? I've seen that go both ways.

[Tricky]

Originally posted by Ashi
I am new to these forums so please bear with me if this is something that has been done in the past.

I am curious about how many people who consider themselves “skeptics” hold a conservative or liberal political ideology. It would seem logical that a majority of “critical thinkers” would sway to either the conservative or liberal stance based upon the analysis of factual information and a rational thought process. Is this correct or is the skeptical community just as politically divided as the general population?

In general, how would you label your feelings about the following subjects if you had to choose one or the other - liberal or conservative:

1. Gun control
2. Abortion laws
3. Environment
4. Gay marriage
5. Taxation
6. Healthcare
7. Drug laws
8. Military spending
9. Affirmative action
10. Religion in government


Thanks!
Like Cain, I don't care for binary choices. How about a ranking with 1 being totally liberal and 10 being totally conservative? With that scheme, I am:
1. Gun control - 4
2. Abortion laws - 2
3. Environment - 2
4. Gay marriage - 1
5. Taxation - 3
6. Healthcare - 3
7. Drug laws - 2
8. Military spending - 4
9. Affirmative action - 3
10. Religion in government - 1

And I might add...
11. Capital punishment - 7

[LFTKBS]

Count me as another person who doesn't see it as a liberal/conservative thing, but:

1. Gun control - against
2. Abortion laws - pro-choice
3. Environment - lot of things involved there; depends on the issue
4. Gay marriage - support
5. Taxation - a good thing, though defense spending is insane
6. Healthcare - need universal H.C.
7. Drug laws - support legalization of recreational drugs
8. Military spending - cut by ~33%
9. Affirmative action - undecided
10. Religion in government - hate hate hate

[corplinx]

Originally posted by Ashi
I
1. Gun control
2. Abortion laws
3. Environment
4. Gay marriage
5. Taxation
6. Healthcare
7. Drug laws
8. Military spending
9. Affirmative action
10. Religion in government


1. Guns: pro-choice
2. Abortion: pro-choice
3. Environment: pro-choice
4. marriage: pro-choice
5. taxation: pro-choice
6. healthcare: pro-choice
7. drug use: pro-choice
8. military spending: huh?
9. race based hiring: pro-choice
10. religion: pro-choice

[arcticpenguin]

Originally posted by Ashi

10. Religion in government
Thanks!
From what I've seen here so far, this is the only issue where forum posters are in near-universal agreement. Religion entangled with government is a bad thing. (except of course when it's my own religion. :p )

[Kodiak]

1. Gun control - 2nd Amendment protects an individual right
2. Abortion laws - pro-choice, my choice being life in most instances
3. Environment - skeptical of Modern Environmentalism's insistence of HCGW
4. Gay marriage - all for it; live and let live
5. Taxation - support flat income tax; oppose punitive (behavioral) taxes (luxury, cigarette, gas, etc...)
6. Healthcare - support medical IRA's and voucher/patient-pays systems; oppose socialized medicine
7. Drug laws - decriminalize
8. Military spending - enough to maintain our superiority; continue congressional oversight
9. Affirmative action - eliminate
10. Religion in government - no state support/sponsorship of religion/faith

[EvilYeti]

Originally posted by Ashi

I am curious about how many people who consider themselves “skeptics” hold a conservative or liberal political ideology. It would seem logical that a majority of “critical thinkers” would sway to either the conservative or liberal stance based upon the analysis of factual information and a rational thought process.


You would think, but folks like me whom are interested in critical thinking/skepticism first and politics second are in a definate minority.

Most of the "skeptics" in this particular forum are just political ideologues in sheeps-clothing. They are only interested in reinforcing their particular belief system, not rational discourse.

The gun control debate is a perfect example. I would have no problem with the pro-gun crowd if they would come clean and admit the truth about gun use in America. If they said something like "I admit that guns are used more often in the comission of crime than the prevention, but I feel this is a worthy sacrifice for our freedom" I would have absolutely no problem with them. Its not the difference of opinion the bothers me, its the distortion of truth.

One funny thing I noticed, since abortion is already legal, wouldn't the liberal position be to make it illegal? And the conservative position to leave the laws as they are?

[hgc]

1. Gun control - Neutral, though the 2nd admendment argument is bogus.
2. Abortion laws - Pro choice
3. Environment - Pro environmental protection against $$ interests. Should protect endangered species. Logging jobs in NW come and go -- once Spotted Owl is gone, it's gone forever.
4. Gay marriage - Allow it
5. Taxation - I like that we have a relatively low tax rate in US, but Bush tax cuts are redistribution of wealth to wealthy.
6. Healthcare - Too many people without access to healthcare. It's a national scandal.
7. Drug laws - Absurd. Keeps law-enforcement industry humming. Major irrational cause for politicians.
8. Military spending - Should spend enough to police the world, if that's what we want to do. Cutting back on strategic nuclear a big cost saver.
9. Affirmative action - Yes, to some degree. Extend opportunity where it has been denied by structure of our society.
10. Religion in government - Hate it more than anything.

11. Capital Punishment - Very, very bad.

12. Planet X - liberal

[Mendor]

Originally posted by Ashi
In general, how would you label your feelings about the following subjects if you had to choose one or the other - liberal or conservative:

1. Gun control
2. Abortion laws
3. Environment
4. Gay marriage
5. Taxation
6. Healthcare
7. Drug laws
8. Military spending
9. Affirmative action
10. Religion in government[list=1]
Answer would probably be irrelevant to a US forum due to completely different gun cultures on either side of the pond.
Liberal about the laws. I don't like abortion, but it should definitely be legal.
Liberal-ish, without wanting to be a luddite.
Liberal.
I change my opinion on this a lot, but I tend to be liberal.
Liberal, although rather than "liberal" or "conservative" I'd like to think of myself in terms of "supporting what works"
Liberal.
Liberal.
"Conservative" in the sense of thinking that positive discrimination is still discrimination.
Liberal, i.e. it shouldn't be there.
Capital punishment - very much against it. Really. Scarily so, sometimes.
[/list=1]

[Crossbow]

Welcome to the Forum and I hate for my first post to you to have a negative tone, however I am unable to simply answer 'Liberal' or 'Conservative' to your topics.

Therefore, I would like to expand my answers a bit.

1. Gun control - I support gun-control laws and think all firearms should be registered.
2. Abortion laws - I am a pro-choice person and I think the Roe v. Wade decision was quite correct.
3. Environment - I think that more should be done to protect the environment, but probably not the manner that most do. For example, I would like to see special taxes on large vehicles and low taxes on smaller vehicles and alternate fueled vehicles.
4. Gay marriage - I see nothing wrong with two people of the same sex getting married.
5. Taxation - Nobody likes taxes, but you need to finance the government, so taxes are needed.
6. Healthcare - I would like to see health care expanded.
7. Drug laws - For the most part, I think drug laws are too tough. I would prefer to see more resources going into treatment instead of new prisons.
8. Military spending - We spend way too much on the military. However, with all the wars going on now it may be impractical to cut it back now (except for some of the really high-end stuff like SDI and the new attack submarines).
9. Affirmative action - I support the way this law has been implemented.
10. Religion in government - None. I do not want to see religion in government.

[Cain]

Originally posted by Ashi
I am new to these forums so please bear with me if this is something that has been done in the past.

I am curious about how many people who consider themselves “skeptics” hold a conservative or liberal political ideology....
In general, how would you label your feelings about the following subjects if you had to choose one or the other - liberal or conservative:

As you can tell, they're very bad at following instructions.

[TillEulenspiegel]

Wow that a really good question. I don't think however you can try to divine a particular political position as to where genuine skeptical personalities wind up .First like someone else said to explain thier political position would require an understanding of the reasoning behind the outcome. Secondly as in life there are various shades of grey so like someone else said a binary sample reflects poorly the true position of a respondent.

You will find a schizophrenic relationship in the thought processes of a genuine skeptic. A scenario. ...
An Acidemic is researching cold fusion. The fact that his science education precludes this possibility does not sway him. There is a Eureka moment, he replicates the experiment and it provides equatable results. He publishes, the scientific community immediately descends on his paper like vultures. The results are contested by an arcane mathematical derivative that he mistakenly applied

Now the point is that the protagonist sought knowledge outside of the accepted constraints of accepted science as many of the people who reviewed his paper probably and crossed thier mental fingers did. That he suffered defeat at the hands of established scientific method and lemme is the second point.

So what we wind up with , is people who strive to establish new insights to how things work, the nature of the universe, et.al. which is clearly a liberal definition. : not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms. Yet we also have from the same people ( mostly ) a conservative application of accepted methodologies and facts : tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions.
The ideal skeptic therefor would be an open minded person ready to change there opinion of the subject in question based on evidence presented ( liberal ) with a strict application of accepted standards towards what ever discipline the are judging ( conservative).
Then You have the ideal skeptic which is an amalgam of both views .
Altho the term skeptic refers mostly to questions of religion and the paranormal I think it be best demonstrated in term of scientific inquiry as there is a disallowance for the hysterical and non-sensicle

As for Taxation ..Libertarian. The liberals tax and spend the money on midnight basketball and ridicules "feel good " crap, whereas the conservatives still enjoy the defence phantoms of "star wars " and $600 dollar toilet seats.

[Tony]

Gun control- By definition, my position on gun control is liberal in that I completely support the freedom to own guns and I am against giving up freedom for security.

Abortion laws- Liberal, Keep it legal.

Environment- Undecided.

Gay marriage-Liberal, let the queers get hitched.

Taxation- By definition I am liberal on this issue as well. I support the right of people to keep and do what they want with their income without state interference. Abolish the income tax.

Healthcare- I dont care, as long as it doesn’t include tax increases or new taxes.

Drug laws- Liberal, absolutely no drug laws.

Military spending- Too much.

Affirmative action- A racist policy and anyone who supports it is racist. Make it purely financial based.

Religion in government- I don’t care, as long as it remains ceremonial.

[†= Crap!]

con·ser·va·tive

adj.

1. Favoring traditional views and values; tending to oppose change.

Definitely not me.

3. Moderate; cautious: a conservative estimate

I can go along with caution. Sure

4. a. Of or relating to the political philosophy of conservatism

Nope

4 b. Belonging to a conservative party, group, or movement.

nope

lib·er·al

adj.

1. a. Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry.

That's me

1. b. Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded

That' me

pro·gres·sive

adj.

1. Moving forward; advancing.

A valuable out look I would say.

Promoting or favoring progress toward better conditions or new policies, ideas, or methods: a progressive politician; progressive business leadership.

Me.

[edit: definitions from http://dictionary.reference.com/ ]
----------------------------

1. Gun control - I believe in gun control but not gun abolishment.
2. Abortion laws - Pro-choice
3. Environment - I support conservation, but I believe the environment only has as much value as humans place in it. None of this Earth First crap!
4. Gay marriage - I'm all for it.
5. Taxation - A necessary evil
6. Health care - Every one should have quality health care. I don't know the best way to achieve this.
7. Drug laws - Decriminalization
8. Military spending - Cut back.
9. Affirmative action - I'm all for law protecting against discrimination, but AA IS discrimination in my view.
10. Religion in government - (please see username)

11. Capital Punishment - I'm against it.

[Doubt]

I generally regard all political models as garbage. They are at best flat representations of a much more complex reality.

Best tool for evaluation of ones views was posted on this forum long ago:

http://www.politicalcompass.org/

I come out 1 point left of center and 3 points toward authoritarian. But my score does move around over time.

[specious_reasons]

Originally posted by EvilYeti


You would think, but folks like me whom are interested in critical thinking/skepticism first and politics second are in a definate minority.

Most of the "skeptics" in this particular forum are just political ideologues in sheeps-clothing. They are only interested in reinforcing their particular belief system, not rational discourse.

(snip)

I would say that everyone on this forum has a set of closely held beliefs based on philsophical assertions that can not (or should not) be disproved. Even EvilYeti here.

(Argh! I always hate it when Suddenly says approximately what I was going to say.)

That said, I lean "liberal" on most issues. Although, I like to think people can convince me on certain topics, if they are properly persuasive.

The only one I feel like answering directly is "10. Religion in government" It is my assertion that a secular government is the only certain way to secure freedom of religion. Therefore, ummm... "lliberal"

[ssibal]

Originally posted by Ashi
In general, how would you label your feelings about the following subjects if you had to choose one or the other - liberal or conservative:

'Liberal' and 'conservative' are too subjective in my opinion, here are my thoughts:

1. Gun control - against
2. Abortion laws - against
3. Environment - minimally support
4. Gay marriage - support
5. Taxation - support
6. Healthcare - support
7. Drug laws - support
8. Military spending - support
9. Affirmative action - against
10. Religion in government - against

[Upchurch]

Using the Tricky Scale (tm)

1. Gun control - 3
I grew up in a hunting culture and believe there are positive, sporting uses for guns, but I think they are also very dangerous and need to be closely regulated.

2. Abortion laws - 3
As a man, I don't feel I have the perspective to tell a woman that she absolutely cannot have an abortion. That isn't to say that I agree that abortions are the right thing to do in any given situation. In most cases, isn't. If you had asked about Abortion, I would have said 8 or 9.

3. Environment - 4
Pretty much undecided. I think we should be developing alternative energy sources like solar and wind, but that's extent of my strong feelings.

4. Gay marriage - 1
I have a lot of gay friends and I think it is laughable to think they shouldn't have the same social and legal privilages that heterosexuals have.

5. Taxation - 5
I don't like paying taxes, but they are a necessary evil

6. Healthcare - ??
Arg. This is a tough one and I don't have a clear cut position on it. Healthcare costs are spiraling out of control and I don't know who has the right answer.

7. Drug laws - 2
The "War on Drugs" was one of the dumbist ideas of the 80's. If we had spent that money on helping people rather than criminalizing them, I think that portion of society would be in much better shape.

8. Military spending - 5
Again, its a necessary evil. The only thing I wish is that they would spend the money more wisely.

9. Affirmative action - 9
At one time, affirmative action had it's place. Like any medicine, it's good when you need it, but after the need is gone, it becomes harmful.

10. Religion in government - 1
Absolutely not.

[Luceiia]

1. Gun control I support the right to bear arms.
2. Abortion laws I support the current law on this.
3. Environment I don't support much of this at all.
4. Gay marriage I don't support this.
5. Taxation The less the better (small gov't).
6. Healthcare The less the better.
7. Drug laws The less the better.
8. Military spending I support current or higher levels.
9. Affirmative action I don't support this anymore.
10. Religion in government I support strict separation.

My opinions are, decidedly, in the minority compared to those I've read on this board over the past couple years.


Luceiia

[EvilYeti]

Originally posted by specious_reasons

I would say that everyone on this forum has a set of closely held beliefs based on philsophical assertions that can not (or should not) be disproved. Even EvilYeti here.


Of course, the difference with me is that I have a closely held belief that the pursuit of the truth is a good thing. And I will assert that the best path to the truth is through good skepticism and critical thinking.

As a consequence I can't pigeonhole myself to any labels or blindly swear alligience to any political party.

[Theodore Kurita]

1. Gun control - Somewhat Pro Gun
Control... Depends on the type of weapon

2. Abortion laws - Prochoice

3. Environment - Really does depend upon the issue

4. Gay marriage - Support

5. Taxation - Needs to be increased for social programs (ie Schools, Welfare etc.)

6. Healthcare - Government Controlled

7. Drug laws - Pro Legalization of Marijuana and drugs related to Marijuana

8. Military spending - Cut by 50% and cut down on the millitary industrial complex

9. Affirmative action - undecided

10. Religion in government - I CAN NOT STAND THEOCRACY

[Jet Grind]

I'm all over the place on the political spectrum, but I usually identify myself with the libertarians (though I am not nearly as extreme as most of the ones I encounter on the net).

1. Gun control - Moderately Conservative: I support gun rights, but, as with all rights limitations are required. Prohibition doesn't work, regulation is the key.
2. Abortion laws - Very Liberal: Pro-choice, a woman's body is her's and reproductive decisions are hers to make.
3. Environment - Centerist: Some protectionist measures are reasonable but the enviros often blow thing way out of proportion.
4. Gay marriage - Very Liberal: I'm all for it.
5. Taxation - Conservative: People are currently over taxed, taxation should be reduced significantly as should the size/scope of government.
6. Healthcare - Undecided, I'm leaning toward voucher programs.
7. Drug laws - Liberal: War on drugs=second Vietnam. Decriminalize/Tax drugs and use the money to pay for treatment programs.
8. Military spending - Liberal: We have way too many troops stationed abroad, and our interventionist foreign policy is what is making the world hate us. Significantly reduce.
9. Affirmative action - Conservative: Reverse racism.
10. Religion in government - Liberal: In the words of George Carlin "These two institutions screw up enough on their own, so having them together is certain death."

[Nasarius]

I'll go with Tricky's system too.

1. Gun control - 3
I don't believe that owning a gun should be a right, but it would be kinda hard to fix things in the US at this point. I don't have the answers, but I don't support the status quo either.

2. Abortion laws - 2
I'd never want my girlfriend to have one if she got pregnant (this is a really bad time for kids, but still...), but I agree with Carl Sagan that until the fetus starts developing uniquely human brain structure, it should not be treated as an individual.

3. Environment - 2
Kyoto now :)

4. Gay marriage - 1
As a lesbian I know put it: "god damnit, george w. sucks. I want to get married someday."

5. Taxation - 3
The government needs money to do stuff, y'know?

6. Healthcare - 1
Universal health care.

7. Drug laws - 1
Legalize and regulate everything, treat it just like alcohol.

8. Military spending - 2
Military should be cut way back.

9. Affirmative action - 3
Until equality is truly established, it's generally a good thing.

10. Religion in government - 1
I'm an atheist, ok?

[American]

1. Gun control - C
2. Abortion laws - C/L
3. Environment - C
4. Gay marriage - "Ew."
5. Taxation - C
6. Healthcare - C
7. Drug laws - C
8. Military spending - C
9. Affirmative action - C
10. Religion in government - L

[Nasarius]

Originally posted by EvilYeti
One funny thing I noticed, since abortion is already legal, wouldn't the liberal position be to make it illegal? And the conservative position to leave the laws as they are?

Nah, the "make it illegal" position would be reactionary (ie, extreme conservativism - go back to the way things used to be).

[BillyTK]

Originally posted by Kodiak
[...]
6. Healthcare - support medical IRA's and voucher/patient-pays systems; oppose socialized medicine
[...]

:confused: Is "socialized medicine" medical science based on dialectical materialism or something?

Anyway:

1. Gun control - I say arms should be freely available, and compulsory for women. And badgers.
2. Abortion laws - freely available, if not compulsory in some cases (see #10).
3. Environment - compulsory.
4. Gay marriage - my marriage is pretty happy, but lacks that certain exuberance to give it that gay vibe, but, you know, whatever.
5. Taxation - tax the rich. And meateaters. Or eat the rich and tax meat even.
6. Healthcare - overrated (see 7)
7. Drug laws - drugs should be freely available if not compulsory (for everyone, including women and badgers).
8. Military spending - well okay, but could they spend on some brighter paint for their equipment? It's just so drab. Candy stripes are the new black, I hear.
9. Affirmative action - it's against the spirit of conservatism. So more please. Just for the sake of it.
10. Religion in government - Religion has no place in government. That includes conservatism.

Like Cain said, as you can tell, I'm very bad at following instructions. :D

[plindboe]

Using Tricky's system:

1. Gun control - 2
2. Abortion laws - 1
3. Environment - 2
4. Gay marriage - 1
5. Taxation - 1
6. Healthcare - 1
7. Drug laws - 3
8. Military spending - 3
9. Affirmative action - 8
10. Religion in government - 1
11. Capital punishment - 2

[Jon_in_london]

Using Tricky's system:

1. Gun control - 4
Right to bear arms if you are safe and sane.

2. Abortion laws - 1
Better to have a legal abortion than a coat hanger up your cnut.

3. Environment - 7
I think most 'environmentalists' are ignorant and credulous and dont even know whats good for the environment and what isnt.

4. Gay marriage - 1
Why not? Scared you may be a fag too?

5. Taxation - 4
Governments need money.

6. Healthcare - 1 (whatever that really means)
Free healthcare for all.

7. Drug laws - 1
Replace Illegal, uncontrolled, dangerous and crime-funding with legal, safe and regulated.

8. Military spending - 10
Applies only in the UK. Our armed forces are overstretch, underpaid and underequipped.

9. Affirmative action - 10
rascism by any other name........

10. Religion in government - 1
Bullet in brain.

11. Capital punishment - 6
Somewhat in favour but only in exceptional circumstances

So thats an average of 4. Pretty much centrist.

[Luke T.]

1. Gun control - No nukes for my neighbors. Otherwise, I'm pretty much against gun control.

2. Abortion laws - I am pro-life. Any arguments about "health of the mother" disguise the fact that the vast, vast majority of abortions are done for the "convenience of the mother."

3. Environment - Depends. I don't buy into global warming, but I like clean air.

4. Gay marriage - Against.

5. Taxation - Against. :D Too many sucklings at the government tit who need to be weaned.

6. Healthcare - I think everyone should be healthy. (Edited to add: ) Here we seriously get into sucklings, fraud, corruption, abuse and waste. I am extremely skeptical of the efficacy of so-called "universal health care."

7. Drug laws - I am wavering on the legalization of marijuana. I am completely against the legalization of other drugs that are currently illegal.

8. Military spending - Pro-defense. Retired military.

9. Affirmative action - I'm a "content of character" kind of guy.

10. Religion in government - I favor opening prayers in Congress, military chaplains, and anything on the township level that is approved by the majority of the townspeople. I am not opposed to a sign on the front lawn of a school that says, "God Bless America."

[Upchurch]

Ah, missed the unofficial 11th item

11. Capital Punishment - 2
I just can't back state sanctioned murder. The only reason I didn't put a "1" is that I'm not hypocrite enough to be able to say for certain that if some madman broke into my home someday and killed my wife and children that I wouldn't be the first in line to stick the needle in the creep's arm. But ultimately, justice must be dispensed through reason and not emotion.

[Hexxenhammer]

Also using the Tricky scale:

1) 5
I like guns, but they need to be regulated in some way.

2) 3
Pro choice. But lately have been thinking that maybe congress should just pass a law saying no late term (3rd trimester) abortions, should have made up your mind earlier when the fetus wasn't viable.

3) 2
We should always be pushing to clean things up, improve efficiency, and conserve natural resources. No need to stop technological advancement, just not wreck anything while we're doing it. Invest in wind and other clean energy forms.

4) 1
All for it.

5) 5
We need to run government somehow. Tax cuts for the wealthy really get my goat.

6) 5
I have no idea what the best way to fix healthcare is.

7) 3
Pot is no big deal, but I don't know about hard drugs. They would have to be HEAVILY regulated.

8) 6
We need a strong military, but smaller, faster, better, more advanced makes sense to me.

9) 3
I don't really like it, but is probably a neccesary evil.

10) 1
There's religion, and government, and never the 'twain shall meet. Religion in government is the biggest threat to individual freedom this country faces.

The unofficial 11) 8
Society as a whole should be able rid itself of garbage. That said, it should only be used where guilt is certain. I think the Illinois (?) commutation of death sentances to life was most likely correct. There are sometimes too many questions.