Most conservative view: I'm pro-animal rights when necessary and I'll even defend PETA, BUT I do believe in hunting and I think veganism is utterly retarded and probably unhealthy. Not vegetarianism - veganism. Also, I think cultural relativism is bullshit. The option of using nuclear weapons for retaliation against our enemies is always on the table (as long as it prevents stupid wars) Certain crimes like child molestation - if proven with overwhelming evidence, should be punishable up to life in prison without question. And I have no problem with a white-run corporations moving into the ghetto if it means people are going to get more jobs and the neighborhood gets "cleaned-up", even if it means tearing down the projects and a bunch of white people moving in.

Most liberal views: more public environmental projects, and the government should fund universal health care and the arts especially. Companies that willingly pollute should pay maximum penalties back to taxpayers and deserve to be shut down. The government should be able to buy out land for more parks. Rich people should pay way, way more taxes than the rest of us. Marijuana becomes legalized immediately. Defense spending rolled back significantly. People who have more than 5 or 6 children should pay fines to the federal government, per child. More rights for women and minorities to sue the shit out of businesses the discriminate. Possibly money set aside to pay for slave reparations.

you think most liberals are in favor of reparations?

Are we generalizing, or are we mocking generalizations?

Nice thread idea, although we feed the stereotypes a little.

Most conservative: implement a federal flat tax whose rate is lower than the current, and create a tax free zone up to a properly determined poverty level. If state and local gov'ts want their pet pork projects, they can raise the funding themselves.

Most liberal: Freedom of speech/expression. There should be absolutely no gov't regulation of such things that do not harm others' rights to free speech/expression. I also disapprove of much private regulation of it, though I would not enforce it by law.

Although, I must say that my anti-war stances could rival this--I used to think that nothing could.

Oh, I think I get it. I'm supposed to say what my most conservative/liberal views are?

Most "Conservative": Private enterprise is always more efficient than the government, and regulation is something that should generally be avoided, though the government can step in when public goods are concerned (roads, military, etc). The free market should always be allowed to do its thing (note, monopolies discourage free market, so anti-trust laws are OK). People should be able to own guns and hunt. Private schools should be encouraged, and a voucher program implemented. Everybody should be taxed less, both rich and poor, which means the government needs to substantially cut spending.

Most "Liberal": People should generally be free to do what they want with their own lives, so long as it does not affect anyone else, even if it is immoral. Drugs should be legalized. Environmental regulation is OK if public health is concerned. Immigration isn't something that should be altogether discouraged (although steps need to be taken to ensure immigration does not interfere with others' rights; i.e., crime, taking advantage of taxpayer resources, etc.). War is something that should be avoided in all but the most severe circumstances (for example, the US is actually threatened). Privacy is of utmost importance, and the Patriot Act is an abomination.

Neither: The federal government is far more controlling and pervasive than it should be. Most of what the federal government does now should be done on a state level. I say "neither" because that doesn't seem to be something that either party has supported, as far as I can tell.

I would add "encourage private schools" to my conservative views

An ignorant statement like that proves you know absolutely nothing about veganism or healthy living. I suggest you read "The China Study." I'm 99.9% sure that after reading this book your opinion will change.

I think it was posted somewhereabouts in this here forum that historically there have been few, if any "vegan" cultures. Vegetarian cultures such as Hindus in India consume animal products. I don't know the accuracy of the claim, but its probably somewhere in the vegetarianism or whatever its called thread.

Humm, i can honestly say that my private school here taught me a lot more and better than any american public school.

liberal: To whatever extent it is determined best balanced, I believe that wealth redistribution (through taxation and social programs) is an excellent use of the power of the state.

I believe in drug legalization.

I believe in the absolute right under the United States Constitution for gay people to marry.

I believe in the complete separation of church and state, including the removal of "under God" from the pledge and "In God We Trust" from our money, and an elimination of prayers being held before governmental functions of any kind.

I believe that it is the responsibility of the government to impose environmental regulations because the plants and animals of the wild are not market participants.

I believe that religious fundamentalists are stupid, stupid people.


conservative: I'm very supportive of the right of responsible citizens to own firearms, even assault rifles and other military grade weapons, although I also believe that there should be strict registration requirements and licensing tests.

I believe that the State of Israel is justified in defending itself from its aggressive neighbors and that "innocent" people who feel that suicide bombing civilians is a legitimate military tactic should expect to have as little caution paid towards their safety as the terrorists who live in their midst pay towards the "innocent" civilians on the other side. Luckily for them, the Israelis pay them WAY more caution.

I believe that the market is the natural way of things and the driver of progress, but I also believe that a train with no brakes is deadly.

Complete opposite here. In private school, we reviewed the same thing every year, and when I went to public school, I learned a lot more. I was in honors classes at the public school though.

Liberal: The Bush Administration should be indicted, person by person, for theft, murder and treason.

Conservative: Sex offenses such as rape and pedophilia should be punishable by death.

yea, i'm not on board with this.

Oh no? What do you propose we do with them, make them go to classes on how to be better people?

While your opposition to my view doesn't surprise me, I'll never understand it.

Where does legal reform and a loser pays system fit into the conservative/liberal spectrum?

i know the post isn't directed at me, but i'll share my take on this:
i'm against the death penalty in any case(even murder), except if keeping the person alive could possibly cause others more harm, which isn't the case if a sex offender or murderer in prison for life, like i believe should be the penalty for this. not that i wouldn't want to kill the person necessarily, just that it's not right to kill someone, anyone, unless it's necessary to kill someone to keep others safe.
but then again i'm not against violent punishment of these types of criminals, or killers, etc. i don't see how whipping someone is any more inhumane than solitary confinement; in fact, i believe it to be less so. i know i'd rather be whipped every day of my life than sit in a cell with no human interaction...

Liberal: anti-death penalty, anti-censorship (of any kind, really), in favor of higher taxes for the wealthy than the poor, in favor of drug decrim/legalization

Conservative: anti-abortion as a contraceptive (although pro-choice), in favor of gun ownership, in favor of lowering taxes & spending as a whole

conserv - i love the death penalty, in fact, i dont think its used fast enough

liberal - id say censorship....if you dont like whats on a radio station or tv station or on a game or in a movie, dont watch listen play or go see it

I disagree with this being liberal.... both the extreme conservative and liberals seem to be loving censorship... just for different reasons. the conservatives dont want to offend god, the liberals dont want to hurt peoples feelings... but the end result is the same.