What are your reasons behind your political leanings?

Question

I want honest well thought out answers and no trashing of each others replies when you reply.

Since I want this to be an open forum for people to openly express their feelings honestly, I will not write about my political leanings.

I realize some of you might not have understood this question. And I'm sorry, but since there are so many different political groups out there, I wasn't going to frame this question in a less generic way.

And to those that understood my question, thank you for answering it, openly and honestly. All your answers are great and I'm going to have to leave it to the voting public, so good luck to all of you.

Answer 1

I think several things contribute to my political leanings which are pretty much down the middle-- some on the right and some on the left.

- Various Principles - Honesty, Integrity, Fairness, Ambition, Opportunity, Personal Accountability
- Logic on what works/doesn't
- Strong belief in the constitution and what the USA stands for.

And those lead to---
- The less government intrusion in personal affairs the better
- The less government programs, taxes, etc. the better.
- But, we need a balance between what government does and what it shouldn't do.
- We need to ensure practices undertaken by individuals, institution, companies, and goverment itself do not unfairly affect the population.
- We help people get a leg up when they need it, but then we need to make sure they can get along on their own.
- People should have the opportunity, not guarantee, to succeed and we should not punish them for doing so.
- We should seek to resolve problems peacefully, but the other side needs to know that we'll put a foot in their a$$ if it comes to that.

Answer 2

First, you have to know which way I "lean", which is, by common definition, right. The reason is that throughout my life I found that the views of those on the right made much more sense to me than those on the left. For instance, you do not help people at all by creating a welfare system that essentially pays them for being irresponsible. Without the pressure of having to make a living, a person does not develop habits of individual initiative and honesty. The left supports such a system; the right does not. We have seen the adverse effects of such a system since the early 60s when it was created (in the name of compassion), and against the advice of Sen. Patrick Moynahan, D, NY. In 1910 a family could get along on the income of one parent - now it takes the income of both parents to "make it" due to taxes taking about 1/3 of earned income, govt. subsidies in the form of grants and tax "breaks" pushing up the cost of higher education, and govt. "insurance" pushing up the cost of health care. I could go on, but I think you get the idea - and if you're leaning leftward, there is no way I'm going to change your thinking with a few hundred words. Hope this helps. (Good question, too!!)

Answer 3

I am moderate conservative. I was just brought up that way. I think that is everyones reason....everyones beleif system is all about personal experiance. I have my views but if I had been raised in a differant part of the country, or had been adopted or something I would bet my view would be comletly different because of my experiances. People don't really have true reasons to see political things the way they do....its all how the were raised....if you were brought up in a conservative household, you will most likly be conservative yourself...if you were brought up in a very liberal household, then you will most likly be very liberal.....it all about personal expericance....what really sucks is that more and more people are refusing to look outside of that little world they live in and look at other people point of view. They have what the "know" and that is it. It does not matter what other people have learned....

Answer 4

I had a really good answer before and @#%$! Yahoo lost it.


Anyhoot; thanks for asking the question.

I was a liberal before I even knew what liberlim was. I didn't earn it from my parents. It's just who I am. Just about everything I am stems from these two sayings:

"Do unto others as you would have done to you."
"No man is an island."

I can't think of any greater words to build my life around. Of course there are peripherals but these are the foundation of me... and my liberalism.

Answer 5

Logic, reason, adherence to the facts, and the firm belief that it's the best for everyone to lessen the role of gov't in our lives. It is far too big already. We need to "shrink it down until we can drown it in a bathtub."
This is why I am a Libertarian Conservative.

Answer 6

I have always felt that it is wrong for the few to have much. I have always tried to deal fairly with people and treat them all equally. So, my politics usually looks at who will try to enhance fairness and not greed. I tend to vote for the Democrat. It's my perception that Republican candidates are more for the guys with money and keeping them with the money

Answer 7

We try to separate God, laws and individuality. I believe one has to answer for them self what is it in this life that makes it better or worth it? I don't agree with every issue in the Democrat party or Liberal theory, but I believe it must be a personal choice for us. Be it "right" or "wrong" in the end we answer for only one our self.

Answer 8

awareness of environmental problems (due to my education and career)

personal and family economic status (making a living, quality of life)

I value peace and avoid conflict (a personality trait which may have come through my family or genetics or study of philosophy and religion)

I distrust faith, I put my trust in verifiable fact (I am a scientist)

world view (education and experience)

{education includes both secular and religious instruction, I had plenty of both}

Answer 9

Like Cora said, it's pure logic. elementary my dear.

Answer 10

prob need to re-word the question.