Conservative or liberal, where do I sit?

Question

In the divisive world of American politics everyone seems to be pegged as either conservative or liberal.
As a European (Irish to be precise) I'd dearly love to hear an American's view on my political beliefs.

I am an atheist, in fact I despise religious beliefs or any other kind of superstition or spirituality. I am pro choice - even pro abortion in some cases. I am very supportive of gun control. I think American foreign policy leaves a lot to be desired. I think homosexuals should be allowed to marry.
However,
I also think capitalism one of mankinds greatest creations. I believe fervently in globalization and that it lifts the lives of many out of poverty. I think socialism is flawed and outdated. I don't favour high minimum wage. I dislike high taxes and protectionist trade policies. I favour tough sentencing for both blue-collar and white-collar crime. I despise labour unions.

How would I fit in in an American society where I must be either liberal or conservative?

Answer 1

You and I differ on some issues, but what we have in common is that the political labels that the American news media like to stick on people don't really fit us.

Based on what you've said here, I think the label Libertarian is closest to your views.

Answer 2

I would say you are in the middle. You have some liberal beliefs and some conservative beliefs. If I had to label you, I would have to say liberal, just because you tend to fall more in line with what they believe. You can always say you're a conservative liberal or a liberal conservative if you don't want to label yourself as either or. I personally don't see why everybody feels they have to belong to one party or the other. I guess people get too caught up in labels and they feel like they have to belong to one of the two! Hope that helps!

Answer 3

You'd most likely find yourself more at home as a Conservative/Republican, as that party tends to be more willing to accept those who have a variety of opinions, even if you disagree on some of the hot button issues of the day. But don't get me wrong, you'd find yourself banging your head against a wall at times when it comes to the religious right wing of the party.

Liberals/Democrats are having a difficult time of late here, as they have become more and more unwilling to tolerate members of their party who disagree on even a single issue of their platform. Being out of power has created a tremendous amount of internal disagreement and infighting, and has reduced many members' willingness to tolerate those who stray from the traditional liberal mantras.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Answer 4

You are a model Libertarian. Look up the Libertarian Party of America and you will see they are liberal on social issues and conservative on government fiscal issues.

You might also like one of their heroes, a writer, Ayn Rand. If you haven't read "Atlas Shrugged", you're in for a treat. Go get it right away!

Answer 5

you are a most unfortunate person. I began to feel sorry for you as soon as you said you are an atheist. This is a claim that some people make before they take their own lives. I suppose they can't do it unless they first deny God. As to whether you are conservative or liberal, I don't see how that makes much difference until you resolve your first problem.

Answer 6

You're basically smart.
The terms liberal and conservative can be quite confusing in the USA.Ask 10 people you get 10 different answers.

Also I apologize for some of the nasty right-wing bile on this site,This is America,you know!

Answer 7

you have EVERY classification of my personal political position.
Libertarian.

most people think it means liberal, or even super liberal, but its not.

its more basic than that.

it means liberty, and freedom of people as opposed to being liberal with governmental power.

www.lp.org

trust me, it is the third party, the party of logic, and the party soon to trim down the oversized american federal government.

Read the objevtivist philosopher, and my FAVORITE author of all time Ayn Rand...
she wrote The fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged, We the Living, and Anthem. But i personaly would start out with "The Virtue of Selfishness" its basicaly a philosophical guide to her philosophy Objecitiveism. But have a Dictionary Handy.... she gets... wordy.

Answer 8

Read Godless, by Ann Coulter and Mind Seige by David Noebel.

Answer 9

Independant.

Answer 10

You are the radical middle. I think globalization is war on the middle class. Other countries economies growth need to come from within and not dependent or slaves to multinational corporations. The people need to build their own industrial might.