The Bishop and the Butterfly: Murder, Politics, and the End of the Jazz Age
    cmaukonen's picture

    Politics is Politics and Parties is Parties.

    By cmaukonen on Thu, 09/06/2012 - 4:11pm |

    I would guess that most here watched at least a bit of the two political circuses that have been put on for our amusement. Of the two I think the democratic circus was much better produced with tighter production values, a more creative script and better jokes. The also did a better job of casting, though in some cases seemed a bit cast against type.

    I came across this site from the Pew Research Center on ones political leanings. A bit of a test or poll as it were.  Here is where I fit in.

     

    As you can see, I’m nearly off the charts. (Click to view larger)

    Here however is a site that gives a more nuanced view, in my opinion. From political compass.

    As you can see I am out there and I have taken this test a number of times and it has turned out pretty much the same. For a heads up here is the 2012 election and the EU Member states.

    However here are a few stats. In the last general election, 60% of the eligible  voters actually voted. This is up from the 2000 election when 50% voted.  (United States Elections Project)

    Only around 25% of the electorate are actively involved with politics. Most of those who do vote do not know or even care about the issues and policies of the candidates and vote on their emotional response to them in some way. IE their hair style or personality etc.

    There are probably more Asians in this country than far leftists.  So do I think that we are likely to enact any of the current progressive policies that are heralded on this and other progressive sites ? Not in what’s left of my life time.    So love them Liberals

     

     

     

     

    Comments

    Great song!

    This reminds me again of Representative Emanuel Cleaver.

    Cleaver--what a name for a Black Man.

    Color me as a liberal he says!

    Color me as a Democrat.

    This was a great speech given yesterday that I missed.

    Representative Cleaver is one hell of an orator!


    by Richard Day on Thu, 09/06/2012 - 4:58pm

    You might like this site based on your Political Compass:

    Bleeding Heart Libertarians

    laugh

    I bookmarked it but never seem to get around to reading it.  Libertarians are just sooooo verbose.

    There are a way too many assumptions built into both quizzes to be really meaningful.  Unfortunately, people like to label themselves and those new to following politics may too readily accept their assignment based on them, like horoscopes and personality types. 

    It would be terrific if there was a really comprehensive test that required specific answers to pointed questions.  Probably not in my lifetime either.

     

     


    by EmmaZahn on Thu, 09/06/2012 - 6:15pm

    Unfortunately those in this country who call themselves Libertarians aren't.

    I see myself as a Libertarian in the European Anarchist sense.  Like Emma Goldman.

    As is well known, anarchists use the terms “libertarian”, “libertarian socialist” and “libertarian communist” as equivalent to “anarchist” and, similarly, “libertarian socialism” or “libertarian communism” as an alternative for “anarchism.” This is perfectly understandable, as the anarchist goal is freedom, liberty, and the ending of all hierarchical and authoritarian institutions and social relations.

    Unfortunately, in the United States the term “libertarian” has become, since the 1970s, associated with the right-wing, i.e., supporters of “free-market” capitalism. That defenders of the hierarchy associated with private property seek to associate the term “libertarian” for their authoritarian system is both unfortunate and somewhat unbelievable to any genuine libertarian. Equally unfortunately, thanks to the power of money and the relative small size of the anarchist movement in America, this appropriation of the term has become, to a large extent, the default meaning there. Somewhat ironically, this results in some right-wing “libertarians” complaining that we genuine libertarians have “stolen” their name in order to associate our socialist ideas with it!

    And I am highly anti-authoritarian.


    by cmaukonen on Thu, 09/06/2012 - 6:41pm

    Not really a fan.  Of either.  Anarchism is too utopian and Emma Goldman, as interesting as she and her views were/are, was too fond of forcing change with violence.  

    I am more anti-totalitarian than anti-authoritarian. I am willing to accept rational authority, rule of law, social contract, etc. even when I do not agree with all of it (been doing that my whole life) as long as there are real ways to work for peaceful, evolutionary change.  I do not like to be told what I must think either directly or indirectly, especially indirectly.

     

     

     


    by EmmaZahn on Thu, 09/06/2012 - 9:18pm

    As to the validity of the test(s), not such test is any more valid than the honesty with which the questions are answered. And we tend to see ourselves very differently than those around us see us.

    A poem by Robert Burns.

    O wad some Pow'r the giftie gie us
    To see oursels as ithers see us!


    by cmaukonen on Thu, 09/06/2012 - 7:34pm