So many questions on here lately deal with third-party candidates and alternatives to right and left. I don't get it.
Yes, there is a center, and most of us are somewhere near it, but there is a line in the exact center and we are all either to the right or the left of it. For example, I am a Republican, no question, but I believe in keeping Roe vs Wade intact. So I fall to the left there, but to the right on almost everything else.
People who don't like the fact that they're either right or left always bring up third parties as if there's an answer there. The truth is, the Green Party is farther left than the Dems, the Liberatarians are further right than the Reps and the Independents just flat don't know what position to take on any argument at all. (And if they do, it makes them lean either to the right or to the left.) So how is this an answer?
I just don't understand why people think there can be a third way besides right or left. It puzzles me. Can you enlighten me?
2007-10-06 15:25:07 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
In the big picture, "right" and "left" involve social and economic issues. For example, Libertarians lean to the right on economic issues, but are social lefties.
The best way to understand this is to take "The Politics Test" at OkCupid.com. You take the test and it shows where you stand on a political grid and your closest party match. It also shows where you stand among famous people. It's pretty cool.
2007-10-06 15:32:16 · answer #1 · answered by spychic19 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's not a matter of right or left unless it is a line you're working with. If it's a straight line, then it's a matter of math where the exact center is. Politics isn't pure math, it's a matter of opinion. I've been an independent voter most of my life, choosing whom I decide to be the top candidates from each party and voting for or against issues as I see fit. I don't understand how anyone can vote for just one party all their lives but that's all a matter of opinion and that's what politics is all about, not just left and right.
2007-10-06 16:00:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question. There must be something wrong with me. I'm a registered Democrat who likes a lot of Republican ideas. The war is not one.I also have a lot of Libertarian views.I have never voted straight ticket and probably never will. I have never found a party where every candidate is the most qualified.It's very easy to vote straight ticket because it requires no thought.I really think those who really care about this country shouldn't have a party label on them.A true free thinker will choose with his heart and his head.
2007-10-06 15:36:03 · answer #3 · answered by Henry B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There many dimensions to our opinions. There is right and left on economic issues but they do not coincide with being liberal or conservative on cultural issues for you as well as many other people. Many cultural Conservatives are left on economics issues. So there are four combinations possible and these are also split on questions of civil liberties. Libertarians are not only liberal on cultural issues but are further "left" on civil liberties than the ACLU and usually oppose laws controlling drugs. Many people on the left such as teddy Kennedy favor a nanny state with the government interfering in our lives but so does Bush so they can unite to pass no child left behind. I think peoples discontent with the two parties come from the fact that almost everyone disagrees with at least one of the three aspects of their party. It use to be simpler before cultural values played such a large role in politics. I agree with you that it is not the center people want. I think they want a realignment.
2007-10-06 15:57:35 · answer #4 · answered by meg 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Left, Right, Center, Up, Down, Whatever is just a term. No matter what party you make your own decisions, you just get labeled by this silly scale..
I don't understand what you mean by exactly center? You would have to have no opinion at all on everything.
2007-10-06 15:44:25 · answer #5 · answered by austinblnd 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are wrong about "Independents" as we are not fence riders. We have our own opinions, and do not just "fall in line" or get onto the "band wagon" because some candidate sells us some line of political double talk.
Be your own person, vote for the candidate because you think they will make the best elected official. Going with a statight party ticket is a no brainer, and you are not actually getting to choose for yourself, the party does that for you.
2007-10-06 15:32:06 · answer #6 · answered by hangarrat 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
To think there can only be left or right is to see all issues as binary: A or B, black or white, good or evil, yes or no. Most issues are not that simplistic. They're simply presented that way because it's not as messy as reality.
2007-10-06 15:39:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think you find that most to reflect on who is office at the time, you might find them saying they are in the middle because they don't really support whats/who's in office at the time but they are from that political party.
2007-10-06 15:33:10 · answer #8 · answered by humboldt1965amy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Vote the candidate that can further your economic class. The Republicans and "Preachers" have done that quite well.
2007-10-06 15:42:41 · answer #9 · answered by charlie the 2na 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a Constitutional moderate. Neither right nor left.
2007-10-06 15:41:49 · answer #10 · answered by Ethan M 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋