left/right libertarian/authoritarian POLL

If you have to pigeonhole yourself, which would best fit you?

:shrug:

I favor smoking bans and government roles in upholding child welfare.

If you want to be a busybody in people';s bedrooms and restrict birth control/abortion, you're a social authoritarian, if not, you're a libertarian.

The stuff you cite seems pretty small potatoes in terms of personal civil liberties, IMO.

... probably not to the same extent as most people on this website. Rule of law is absolutely essential for a stabil and free society. When law applies only to the poor, it may be stabil, but it is hardly free. I don't support legalizing presently unlawful drugs and I do support further restrictions on tobacco. I don't support leniancy for serious or repeat criminals. I do support active civil rights for various political and economic minorities and that relies on the authority of government. Likewise, I support strong labor and environmental legislation. Is that economically liberal or socially authoritarian? What about campaign finance reform, which I support?

I do think there should be strict seperation of church and state which includes reproductive rights and secular education. Kinda interferes with evolution. I hate the idea of emminent domain for corporate development. I don't think the state should tell people what their yard must look like, how they must dress or what to read or hear.

So, when can we foreward to more Udo Kier movies?

You must reduce yourself to a simplistic cardboard cutout.


At least for the purposes of this poll...

Replace 'economic left' with 'economic authoritarian' and see how many people vote for that option. A better poll would have 'social traditionalist.'

I voted for economic right, social left btw.

If you're making the assumption that left is for more government regulations, and right is for the free market. I think that the American right, as it is, is actually in favor of corporatism -- and they don't even know the definition of "free market."

I'm a minarchist, Constitutionalist and Thomas Jefferson devotee. Meaning that I am, economically, in favor of a free market, and somewhat of a libertine -- libertine in the best sense -- not just a drug-addled gambling pornographer, like the right-wing authoritarians attempt to turn it into.

I'll tell you why I'm for the free market. And NO, I'm not some neoliberal, cash-loving capital worshipper.

I watched a two-hour special on Wal-Mart, where the interviewer interviewed the CEO of Wal-Mart -- after the history of Wal-Mart was discussed, the interviewer began asking the tough questions: lawsuits, discrimination, union busting, squashing competition, urban sprawl, bullying suppliers, sweatshops, etc.

And you know what the CEO's answer was to EVERY, EVERY, EVERY criticism?

"Well, the customers must be happy, because our cash registers keep a-ringin'."

And he's right -- the very justification/rationalization for corporate abuse, discrimination, exploitation, pay disparity, low pay and shitty benefits has actuall become: hey -- as long as people keep buying what we have to sell -- no problem.

And that situation is EVERY BIT AS MUCH of a problem that involves you and me, than it does the ghost of Sam Walton and an eight-year-old Chinese slavegirl.

Consumer choice is a very important part of the capitalist paradigm. Responsible consumerism is a MUST for responsible capitalism. I am pro free-market, because I have the CHOICE to buy organic produce. I have the CHOICE to buy USA-made goods. I have the CHOICE to go with Working Assets. I have the CHOICE to shop secondhand. I have the CHOICE to vote with my dollar. I have the DUTY to treat my consumption a serious matter. I have the DUTY to conserve as much as possible.

I don't like the idea of government regulation, because it places the responsiblity for keeping corporations in check, so far outside the sphere of existence, of the consumer. And when it's this far out, it allows for fewer and fewer people -- like 500-some Congress people -- that the corporations have to cajole, buy, coddle, threaten and bribe. Not to mention that a whole host of other problems would be solved, or at least help, if being a responsible consumer were a value -- and I'm speaking about Democrats and the left, here, as well.

I also believe that the free market includes stripping corporations from having human status, in the courts, prohibiting pharma/farm/oil/HMOs from writing our laws, prohibiting our choices, and handing out all kinds of sweetheart deals to corporations, corporate bailout.

If I were in charge, I would probably nationalize our energy and our healthcare -- and leave everything else up to a free-for-all -- within the bounds of the Constitution, of course. I'm in favor of states' rights and local governance -- for a whole host of reasons -- and not because I'm a wing-nut.