Are You a Conservative or Liberal
By Edward
@trinale (1479)
United States
November 19, 2012 12:52am CST
OMG! Although I have always registered as an independent and only voted democratic twice in the last 36 years, I have been declared a Liberal! Do people's values change as they get older? Should I choose sides at this point in my life:
I took the quiz here:
http://www.gotoquiz.com/conservative_or_liberal
And the results:
You scored 27% which means you are: Liberal. You believe in governmental action to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all, and that it is the duty of the State to alleviate social ills and to protect civil liberties and individual and human rights. Believe the role of the government should be to guarantee that no one is in need. Believe that people are basically good.
If you take the quiz, let us know the results and what you think about it.
Cheers,
Stan
2 responses
@urbandekay (18278)
•
19 Nov 12
Why did you feel it necessary to start this discussion with casual blasphemy? I also scored 27% though here in UK, Liberal is understood to refer to a very different set of beliefs some of which would be completely opposite to your misuse of the term in US
all the best, urban
@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
19 Nov 12
Out of curiosity, Urban-- what is the current definition set for liberal/conservative over there? Just like over here, it can be hard to keep track of-- and the English political system is a little bit confusing to me. Then again, our political system is confusing. I am also curious as to what you consider to be a "misuse" of the term "liberal"-- I am not disagreeing I feel it is inaccurate when applied to certain moral/philosophical/political ideologies, just wondering which in particular you consider inaccurate.
@urbandekay (18278)
•
19 Nov 12
Liberals value freedom and equality; free trade (Neither of your political parties are free trade US is protectionist)free and fair elections (Again, US electoral system is so corrupt that were you any other country you would have invaded to restore democracy) property.
Liberalism rejects hereditary privilege, state religion, absolute monarchy, and the Divine Right of Kings. Your founding fathers were radical liberals in the true sense of the word and since then your politics has decayed into constructivism
Liberals are opposed to totalitarian regimes of both left, such as that of USSR and of the right, such as Nazi Germany or Italy under Mussolini.
US incorrectly uses the term liberal to label anyone whose political views are not extremely right wing
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
19 Nov 12
Ah, then we are in agreement. I suspected that was the case, as I was aware that our Founding fathers were considered Liberals. I am well aware that we are very protectionist, and I have given up on our electoral system entirely, other than casting my essentially useless vote. Since medical issues preclude me from serving on juries, my vote is a responsibility I take most seriously.
So how does your system describe things like Obamacare and food stamps-- which, along with other government funded entitlements over here are considered to be "liberal" in origin? I don't see them as fitting in with "liberalism" as practiced by our Founding fathers.
And do you have conservatives? If so, how are they defined?
@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
19 Nov 12
Well, 58% here, moderately conservative. However, the quiz isn't actually very well designed-- the responses are weighted such that on two questions I was forced to choose an answer that was more "liberal" but also not accurately reflecting my personal view. It was probably written by a liberal 
I say that because of the psychological weighting, and the choice of words-- those things normally considered "conservative" in the American definition were described with negatively loaded words, and those considered "liberal" in the American meaning were either neutral or positive statements. People tend to gravitate more towards positive, inclusive statements.
If you believe what it says, then yes-- you are a liberal. The question here is-- do you really believe those things? And do you believe them with good intentions and full knowledge of the implications? If so, then I guess you ARE a liberal--
And I am a rather moderate conservative.
I say that because of the psychological weighting, and the choice of words-- those things normally considered "conservative" in the American definition were described with negatively loaded words, and those considered "liberal" in the American meaning were either neutral or positive statements. People tend to gravitate more towards positive, inclusive statements.
If you believe what it says, then yes-- you are a liberal. The question here is-- do you really believe those things? And do you believe them with good intentions and full knowledge of the implications? If so, then I guess you ARE a liberal--
And I am a rather moderate conservative.