I was wondering how many users would define themselves as either Liberal or Conservative? I would have created a poll, but it didn't appear that I had the ability to do so. Anyway, just curious how many of you are willing to define yourself as one or the other, or neither for that matter. And I'm not doing this for the sake of seeking out people to argue with. I'm mainly curious (being a conservative myself) as to how many others that post share the same views (or not). It just seems like most usually disagree with me, so I'm guessing the response will be mostly towards the liberal side. Anyway, if you care to participate and stand up and identify yourself, thanks in advance. Go ahead, indulge me.

I think we've had discussions along these lines, and most of them seem to wind up somewhere in the area of the majority being "liberal" (as in Democrat-leaning), several libertarians, and a handful of Republicans.

Not sure if we have a poll though... Maybe I'll make one if there's not one already.

Yeah, that's about how I figured it would pan out. If there's not a poll, and you don't mind....that would be great. Love to see where I stand, and what I'm up against.

I put up a poll. If anyone knows of one that already exists, feel free to merge...

I considered myself a moderate for several years and even voted Republican in some statewide races (Mitt Romney in 2002 ). I've been increasingly alienated by the Republican party and social conservatism, and now identify myself as a Democrat. I'm still moderate though, there are many positions I don't always agree with.

Yeah, I think we're talking more about political philosophy than party affiliation.

Compared to many on the board I'm conservative. Compared to my dad I'm "so damn liberal".
I think invention and I are in the same political boat. I consider myself a moderate with conservative leanings but do agree with the Democrats' position on several social issues. I've usually voted Republican (in a very red state) but have grown increasingly disenchanted with the party of late.

i think i ID most with libertarian. i don't really know what a statist is, i'm hungover and the wikipedia entry on it sucks.

I subscribe to the Green Habit ideology.

I like to think of myself as a Libservatarianist.

I'm liberal when it comes to social policy but economically I tend toward the conservative side. That is, I tend toward traditionally conservative economic practices ... though there are precious few Republicans/conservatives who seem to share those feelings these days.

So... libertarian?

Nah, judging by your post in the FW thread you have too much common sense to be a real libertarian.

I'm not a real libertarian. Taken to its fullest extent, libertarianism is pretty scary ... but then so is liberalism taken to its fullest extent, and conservatism, etc.

I assume it means decentralizing the government and returning power to the states, but that is a total guess. I'm not hungover but i'm still too lazy to check on wikipedia.

It's the opposite of libertarian. In favor of a large, powerful state that controls all aspects of life, both economic and social. Maybe "fascist" would have been a better word.

Returning power to the states would be (oddly enough) Federalist, but I think any political philosophy could be compatible with Federalism at some level, although in regards to national politics, the libertarian platform is the most federalist. But you could be libertarian in regards to national politics, yet be socialist when it comes to state and municipal government.

This is funny in a historical sense because the Federalist Party was for a larger, more powerful government while the anti-Federalists/ Jeffersonian Republicans were for powerful states and MOAR slavery.

The Tories and the Lib Dems - is there even a difference?

for all their greatness, they (jefferson, paine, etc.) weren't very bright in many respects.