No longer confused. Starting to understand that I'm pretty apolitical. I realize I still have a lot to learn, but this thread no longer applies because I realized that I'll never stop learning. Thanks for all the replies, though
At sixteen I don't really think you can have a realistic viewpoint on politics. Sorry. I realize you are a person, and worthy of respect. But at sixteen with your life experience you are probably going to embrace your parents views or go in a completely different direction to make a point. But you haven't received enough education or life experience to really judge...sorry.
I see what you're saying but considering that I'll be voting in less than two years I want to label my political opinions as well as I can.. at least for the time being..
Well, it's more-so that I'm looking for a label.. something to base my political views on. I have the basics of what I know I believe in, and that's probably most important, but it'd be nice to have a basic (though probably loose) label to put myself under.
Don't be so eager to label yourself. You believe what you believe, and as you said, that's what is most important; Making your own informed decision about issues. Not just allying with a political affiliation and using that as your justification for leaning a certain way. If you're confused, read more, knowledge is power as it's said. Myself, I usually refer to as a classical-liberal / Jeffersonian, sort of a minarchist, which is certainly closely related to libertarian (small L) philosophy. But my views don't all ways follow the accepted definition of those labels.
In my opinion...and i hope to not get attacked by saying this...liberals do not want to stay out of your life, they want to control it... and yeah..don't be so eager to label....nothing wrong w/ wanting to belong but views can be gathered from both sides of the spectrum.......
Wait what? libertarian != modern "liberal" The term "liberal" today is used to mean something rather removed from its original definition. The single axis 'liberal' vs. 'conservative' measurement so prevelant in political discussions is far to simplistic to be anything other than bullshit. Neither word is used properly with respect to their roots. Hence my using 'classical-liberal' to identify with. It doesn't mean what you think it means.
This is why David Nolan who was one of the founders of the Libertarian party came up with a two-dimensional chart which more accurately reflects people's political views. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nolan_chart http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html http://www.freedomkeys.com/whoshould4.htm#quiz http://freedomkeys.com/nolancharts.htm Which is one of the reasons I refer to so-called modern liberals as socialists, leftists or left-wing socialists. They want 'liberation' only on their terms. At the same time you could refer to 'conservative' types as right-wing socailists or perhaps fascists. I pretty much fall into the same category. If you really want insights on constitutional matters, be sure to check out:www.save-a-patriot.org If you're so concerned in defining yourself, let's just say that you seem quite libertarian. If you'd like more information check out the links below in addition to the ones which I included above. http://www.lp.org/ http://www.libertarianism.com/ I hope this helps!
once you start using labels, you feel obligated to vote for people from the party you associate yourself with even if there isnt a great candidate from that party running, in all honesty, vote for who you think can do the job best =)
You sound libertarian to me. Except you didn't mention any issues related to economics/business. If you think that freedom and government non-intervention should apply to the economy, case closed, you're a libertarian.
