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Re: What do you consider yourself politically and WHY?
How did I come to my beliefs? So many factors, including family, environment, religious beliefs, experiences, and just plain old thought processes. I respect any beliefs or attitudes, no matter how different they are from mine, when there is reason and sound thought behind it. I take each issue by itself and have trouble with party affiliation, though this may stem mostly from seeing my parents switch sides.
My dad started as a republican married to a social democrat and now they have both moved to the other sides as a result of their own experiences.
I find that hardships changed my views, especially when they came after feeling I did things "the right way" and played by the rules, but still got screwed. I have too much pride (so personality plays a role too) to accept help. The one time I tried, for health insurance, I was turned down. But then I sucked it up and survived. That doesn't mean I still don't feel like we should protect the weaker members of our society, but I think the fishing pole approach is far better than the fish. I also think that protecting the weak can get confused with protecting the irresponsible, the entitled and the parasites. Where I start to get labelled conservative is where I draw the line and feel that those who bust their arses to make a better life should not then pick up the slack for those who are unwilling to put in the same efforts.
And though I would not call myself nationalistic, I do believe that the best way to interact with the world internationally is to take care of our own country, growth and health, security as a first priority, then to have policies that can offer fair interactions. The "how" of htese things is where I start to get more liberal. I do not feel that outsourcing security is a reduction in govt spending or even remotely a good idea without oversight. I also do not feel that govt needs to be subsidizing in ANY way industries such as auto or oil. Hasn't the historic strenght of the US been it's role on the leading edge of tech and breakthroughs! Why hinder this? I am also quite appalled that we can spend so much on the war and rebuilding abroad, yet the same amount here would do wonders to improve education, technology (Yeah, I think interent at every library is a necessity) and general infrastructure. I'm not afraid of a country where everyone can read, even if I don't think the center of the bell curve can make a good decision.
How did I come to my beliefs? So many factors, including family, environment, religious beliefs, experiences, and just plain old thought processes. I respect any beliefs or attitudes, no matter how different they are from mine, when there is reason and sound thought behind it. I take each issue by itself and have trouble with party affiliation, though this may stem mostly from seeing my parents switch sides.
My dad started as a republican married to a social democrat and now they have both moved to the other sides as a result of their own experiences. I find that hardships changed my views, especially when they came after feeling I did things "the right way" and played by the rules, but still got screwed. I have too much pride (so personality plays a role too) to accept help. The one time I tried, for health insurance, I was turned down. But then I sucked it up and survived. That doesn't mean I still don't feel like we should protect the weaker members of our society, but I think the fishing pole approach is far better than the fish. I also think that protecting the weak can get confused with protecting the irresponsible, the entitled and the parasites. Where I start to get labelled conservative is where I draw the line and feel that those who bust their arses to make a better life should not then pick up the slack for those who are unwilling to put in the same efforts.
And though I would not call myself nationalistic, I do believe that the best way to interact with the world internationally is to take care of our own country, growth and health, security as a first priority, then to have policies that can offer fair interactions. The "how" of htese things is where I start to get more liberal. I do not feel that outsourcing security is a reduction in govt spending or even remotely a good idea without oversight. I also do not feel that govt needs to be subsidizing in ANY way industries such as auto or oil. Hasn't the historic strenght of the US been it's role on the leading edge of tech and breakthroughs! Why hinder this? I am also quite appalled that we can spend so much on the war and rebuilding abroad, yet the same amount here would do wonders to improve education, technology (Yeah, I think interent at every library is a necessity) and general infrastructure. I'm not afraid of a country where everyone can read, even if I don't think the center of the bell curve can make a good decision.
) In general, I would say that the feeling where I grew up was that government intrusion was bad, and that taxes were bad, and that bureaucrats are bad. Big gov't was very suspect. I think in the "west" this feeling is very much present-- people accept government intrusion and layers and layers of duplicitous taxes out here in Maryland. I mean, Seattle, though liberal, voted down the coffee tax. But the Marylanders seem excited about a sales tax hike, that will affect everyone... :huh:
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