general Liberal or Conservative?

[Attack of the Pwns 894]

I think they are both made-up labels that the media uses to divide us so that we continue to play into their hand. Overall, I go with whoever looks like they will best improve the country.

[Holy Sword Excalibur 87]

I tend to identify more as a conservative than a liberal. I also fully support the glorious god-emperor Trump-Senpai.

[The Coffee Pony 1,390]

Neither, Democratic Socialist & Capitalist (basically Scandinavia prior to Sweden's Far-Left Corruption)

Edited December 26, 2016 by The Coffee Pony

[ImperatorAetheris 4]

Minarchist (minimal government) with socially-conservative tendencies... so long as Government doesn't enforce any morality I guess I'll be fine...

[Leere 8,290]

Mostly liberal, but i do have some conservative views

[\/ 650]

Moderate. Because why can't we just get along?

[Member Berry 1,217]

I consider myself extremely conservative in pretty much every category. But even so, I don't get into politics for any reason; it's just a game without a winner.  

I agree. You're just arguing for the sake of arguing a lot of the time. I consider myself mostly Liberal but can't be bothered to argue most of the time. I can't be bothered to argue with you about your political views because I highly doubt I'd be able to convince you otherwise and you won't be able to convince me otherwise. 

[Foxy Socks 2,596]

I am not old enough to have any official political opinion as I am a minor, but I am very much going to be liberal. However, I have varying opinions that may side more conservative, though mostly am leaming Left. Again I am not 18 yet, but those are my current opinions.

[Glacies Frost 428]

Based on today's extremes, I'd classify as a "modern day" moderate. However, I identify as a Classical Liberal. Personal liberty to say, do, and be whatever you'd like to be without judgment, on both sides of the spectrum (you can easily look through my past posts and see that while I may disagree with any number of people, I've not once gone for insulting those I disagree with). Compared to today's... "progressives," I'm more for open speech, exploration of ideas, never shutting down the other side of the conversation by way of insult and accusation. On the fiscal and governmental side, I support lessening of the military budget, because that's where we can trim the most fat, but am also for the upkeep and maintenance of the US's social programs (Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and Food Stamps specifically). 

 

Socially, I'm a classic liberal. Fiscally, I'd say I'm a moderate. I just want a balanced budget. In terms of the government, I believe it has its roles, but should not overstep its bounds into the personal arena. Don't know what label that would make me, but I like to defy labels anyway.

[Hansel 1,511]

Conservatism and Liberalism are not on opposing ends of the political spectrum. A lot of Conservatives are also Liberal.

I think a lot of people are here might be confusing Liberalism with Progressivism, which are two entirely different things.

[Glacies Frost 428]

Conservatism and Liberalism are not on opposing ends of the political spectrum. A lot of Conservatives are also Liberal.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I'd like to try to define these terms in their separate meanings.

 

Note these are mere statements based upon my own observations, and do not mean to insinuate that one is superior to the other in any shape or form.

 

Social Conservatives are traditionalists who prefer that social norms to not change over time, or at least change as little as is possible given the situation.

 

Social Liberals prefer that the social norms adapt to the situation at all times. They tend toward rebelling against the status quo, and sometimes view those who like the social norms of the day to be conformists.

 

Fiscal Conservatives do not like the government spending money, especially if it is money the government does not have or has to institute new taxes to pay for.

 

Fiscal Liberals tend to believe that any expenditure seen as good and necessary for the social welfare is a good investment, whether we have to borrow the money or not.

 

Note that none of the above concerns itself with what the main issue tends to be in the world: Totalitarianism vs. Libertarianism, those who believe the government should have its hand in everything and those who believe the government should leave everyone alone. 

 

Keep in mind, this is speaking in broad, sweeping generalizations, and does not account for an individual's place on the spectrum. These are generalities, and should not be taken to define any specific person or persons. Everyone falls somewhere on all of these spectrums, and politically this makes the person as three dimensional as possible. Very few people who identify as one thing or another share every single value espoused by political representatives. 

[Hansel 1,511]

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I'd like to try to define these terms in their separate meanings.

 

Note these are mere statements based upon my own observations, and do not mean to insinuate that one is superior to the other in any shape or form.

 

Social Conservatives are traditionalists who prefer that social norms to not change over time, or at least change as little as is possible given the situation.

 

Social Liberals prefer that the social norms adapt to the situation at all times. They tend toward rebelling against the status quo, and sometimes view those who like the social norms of the day to be conformists.

 

Fiscal Conservatives do not like the government spending money, especially if it is money the government does not have or has to institute new taxes to pay for.

 

Fiscal Liberals tend to believe that any expenditure seen as good and necessary for the social welfare is a good investment, whether we have to borrow the money or not.

 

Note that none of the above concerns itself with what the main issue tends to be in the world: Totalitarianism vs. Libertarianism, those who believe the government should have its hand in everything and those who believe the government should leave everyone alone. 

 

Keep in mind, this is speaking in broad, sweeping generalizations, and does not account for an individual's place on the spectrum. These are generalities, and should not be taken to define any specific person or persons. Everyone falls somewhere on all of these spectrums, and politically this makes the person as three dimensional as possible. Very few people who identify as one thing or another share every single value espoused by political representatives. 

 

I'm actually not speaking about these definitions.

 

The thread simply said "Liberal", so I'm assuming it means Liberalism in the traditional sense, that being Classical Liberalism which was spread by Conservatives in Europe and America, hence why it's odd to suggest that the two are at odds with each other.

Liberalism doesn't fall into the Left/right dichotomy and is often adopted by both sides.

[pinkiepiebabe 87]

neither! the state of the world is too complicated, and both sides have failed to address the real issues. 

[CosmicHooves 2,705]

Libertarian Left

To summarize my entire position: I'm anti-authoritarian.

I've seen that both sides of the spectrum can be just as bad in wanting to control people's lives, so I see no point in picking right or left.

Rick Santorum wanting to ban pornography... Hillary Clinton wanting to ban guns... fuck off the both of you.

I should always have the right to protect myself with a firearm and to watch my erotic entertainment till the day I die.

And no politician is going to tell me otherwise.

[Shimmering Sparkler 67]

Gotta go with liberal, I've had people at my school tell me I'm so liberal I'm a "social justice warrior." Whatever that means, am I rite 

[SkullcandyPegasus 603]

These politics questions are risky my friend...heres why, I'm a right wing Republican, but how much farther right into fascism land I go, I will not say.

I voted trump and check voat daily. If there's one thing I've learned from our lord and savior Milo, it's to never be afraid of speaking my mind. If people are offended, it's not like you're burning bridges; you're just building walls ;P

 

So, am I liberal or conservative? *drum roll* you thought conservative?! Wrong. I like the green party.

[Brony Number 42 9,932]

I'm a left-right central anarcho capitalist with communistic free market tendencies. Like part libertarian socialist with a mix of democrat republicanism. Basically I believe everyone should be free to do what they want as long as they do exactly what the government says.

[Libra 11,690]

I change political opinions more often than most people change their socks, and the fact I don't really care much about politics anymore, I can't really give you a concret answer.

[Weles 100]

If I had to use these terms, I'd say I'm fiscally liberal but very conservative socially.

21 minutes ago, BronyNumber42 said:

I'm a left-right central anarcho capitalist with communistic free market tendencies. Like part libertarian socialist with a mix of democrat republicanism. Basically I believe everyone should be free to do what they want as long as they do exactly what the government says.

lol

But does this forum not have gravedigging rules? I'm confused 

[Brony Number 42 9,932]

Just now, Weles said:

If I had to use these terms, I'd say I'm fiscally liberal but very conservative socially.

lol

But does this forum not have gravedigging rules? I'm confused 

 

[Nerdy Luigi 2,064]

Pretty far left. I consider myself to be a Libertarian Socialist. Basically, I'm a socialist when it comes to economics, and anti-authoritarian when it comes to social issues. I believe that corporations shouldn't have such a huge grasp on our world, but neither should the government.

Edited July 23, 2017 by Barik the Luigineer

[Jonny Music 3,308]

For the past few months I have been avoiding politics like a plague because of how controversial and time-wasting it can be, especially since I am heavily-focused on running and growing my own independent video production business, which is meant to cater to everyone, no matter who they are or where they came from.

To get to the point, since my political views/opinions have been so confusing and switching in the past and now that I have my head straight from all the nonsense I was told about and since I now am running a business which would mean that I need to have a good amount of knowledge, skill and experience with business practices, basic economics, etc. in order to succeed,

Libertarian.

Socially liberal, since I am an Autism Advocate and would be willing to help anyone with autism who wants to succeed in life (and I see everyone regardless of race, skin, nationality, religion, creed, etc. as human beings like we all are. No discrimination needed (we all (including myself) can be hypocritical about that at times. We are not perfect, but we're trying the best we can to be the best human beings possible);

and fiscally conservative, since I want to save up as much money as I need in order for my business and life plans to succeed by making the wisest decisions possible by always doing my research first before I go and do something I may regret in the future.

Plus, I do not like to depend on public/social services too much, as I want to do things independently and not always depend on the government to be my parent. I'm continuing to practice daily to be an adult who is responsible and accountable for his own actions, so that's why.

Edited July 23, 2017 by Jonny Music
Forgot to add something.

[Awkward Segway 301]

Libertarian/voluntaryist/anarcho-capitalist/individualist anarchist/anarchist without adjectives/anti-statist classical liberal.

Spoiler

I think there should be a variety of different types of society with different economic systems, with every society being composed of people who voluntarily choose to live in that society. I personally would prefer an anarcho-capitalist society because:

1. I think a market economy could allocate resources more efficiently than a non-market economy,

2. I think businesses that have a capitalist business model would be more efficient in production than those that have a socialist business model, and

3. I think the combination of the above to points would lead to a capitalist society being the most prosperous type of society (of course, if a variety of different types of societies were tried and another proved to be more successful, I would change my position).

Of course, I think there should be a large role for charity in such a society, though I think charity organizations should be aimed at helping those who are unemployed but capable of working develop their skills and find jobs (and provide for their basic needs in the meantime), while taking care of the elderly, disabled, etc. should be handled by friends, families, and neighbors who actually know the people in question and can provide more personalized care. Most importantly, I think charities ensuring that all children receive quality education is important, since kids are not responsible for the financial situation they are born into, and it is in everyone's self-interest (except perhaps the elderly and terminally ill) that children get educated.

Given that I do not live in a stateless society, I would prefer governments be liberal on social policy, conservative on economic policy, and non-interventionist on foreign policy.

Edited July 23, 2017 by Awkward Segway

[Celli 4,332]

Neither. I consider myself fairly centrist, I think both sides make good and stupid decisions.

 

[Mr Underhill 219]

I consider myself as a moderate, neither socialist nor republican. I'm pro-choice, pro-gun, and pro U.S. Constitution.

Idc what gender you identify as, because it ain't any of my business.

I'm against illegal immigration, and guess what? So are LEGAL immigrants.

I am not anti-muslim, I am anti-quran.

I am not, nor have I ever been a "privileged white male", nor have I ever received any benefits for this "status".

I am a divorced, white male American navy veteran and father of 2 boys.(yes, I raised them ) One of which has grown and joined the Marines! (f*ck yeah!)