How would you characterize my politics?

[waylon]

I have always regarded myself as a moderate democrat but lately I have been accused of, in one group, being too liberal, and in other groups, being to conservative. I think the deciding factor is who I will be voting for, or rather against, in the coming elections. My question is, how would you label me? I threw out some thoughts on issues to give you and idea as to my political persuasions. Mind you, they are not complete and Im not really looking to debate them, I just want an "off the top of the head" impression. Ive taken some heat here lately so Im wondering what the overall impression of me, and people like me is.

bush - I dont care for much of anything he's done but I dont think he's evil. I truly believe he is doing what he thinks is best. I think rumsfeld is more of a problem than bush. I dont know for sure whether the election was stolen or not (I just cant honestly tell myself that it was) I will vote for whoever can remove him.

war - I guess I supported going into iraq originally but now Im not so sure it was the right thing to do. I find it hard to blame bush or accuse him of lying since every other intelligence agency agreed that sadaam probably had wmd's. I think we could have waited but I also think sadaam would still be in power if we had. Im not surprised we are having the problems we have today but I think we all expected it, or should have, even before we went in. I dont necessarily blame bush directly for that, but I dont see why our troops dont have the equipment they need and why that isnt priority one for bush. I also dont see why we are not going all out to find osama.

abortion - No heat from yesterday's thread please :). I believe in abortion rights with the exception of late term abortions. I also feel the father should be involved in the decision. I dont think abortion is necessarily under fire or threatened right now.

guns - I believe in limited gun control but I dont think the current gun laws are all that effective. Kinda like the current drug laws. I am a gun owner and a hunter. I dont mind the background check but I dont want the government keeping records on who owns a gun. I also dont want my crazy neighbor running around with an uzi.

economy/taxes - Not my area of expertise. I dont know how the bush tax cut will effect us down the road but Ive heard all sides. I know that we are far from rich and got a nice little tax rebate so I find myself unwilling and unable to make a definitive "call" on the tax issue. Job loss is certainly the biggest issue that bush's overall economic policy hangs on, at least for me. Im worried about inflation, rising interest rates, and the loss of jobs overseas.

health care - Medicare bill, again not my forte but from everything Ive heard, I dont think its the best way to go. It sounds like a very expensive handout to drug companies with limited benefits to the older folks.

candidates - Havent really picked for sure, I intend to support the nominee whoever it is. I truly hope its not gephardt (irrational observations about him) and I guess my favorite now would be Clark but Im not so sure he can beat bush. I like kucinich with the exception of his health care plans. If he had a shot at winning, I would be out campaigning for him.

media - I dont see any real bias when taken as a whole. ABC certainly leans left, the other 2 are somewhere in the middle with left and right tendancies depending on the story, msnbc is middle right, cnn is middle left, fox is unashamed cheerleaders for the right. Newspapers tend to lean left, talk radio leans right.

things that irritate me - politically correct police, neighbors getting into your business, too many people not enough horses, teachers who pass kids that are failing (one of my sons), PETA, extreme ideologues on either side, religious crusaders, the term metrosexual, yellow cars, warm beer, and people who lean over my shoulder when Im typing!!!

[dpbrown]

1. Characterization: You are America.

A bit better informed, yes, and including internalizing some misinformation about Kucinich's "electability," but my characterization is that you're very close to where mainstream America is (or would be) if you pull out the FOX (makes you stupid) IV.

You're probably tired of doing research, but I'd like it if you'd take a look through the "How Kucinich Beats Bush" stuff just to see if it makes sense to you. It makes a lot of sense to me.

http://www.kucinich.us/electable.php

So I wouldn't say conservative, or liberal, or irrational. I'd say America.

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

[Selwynn]

2. (L)argely (A)ccessible, (M)eticulous and (E)ntertaining

:D

[papau]

3. your a bit to the right of an average Dem - in my opinion - but that's

what is needed to make an average (but being for Dennis makes you a little to the left of me - sort of - it is so confusing).

I think I am somewhat to the left of you in most things - but have no real disagreements! but on Iraq - unlike Clinton, Bush made intel opinion into fact and 500 died, for an objective that could have been achieved with intrusive inspections as was proposed by the EU and agreed to by Iraq - I don't give Bush a pass on that one.

:-)

[Sir_Shrek]

4. Mushy middle.

Basically, you're "Well, I believe in A, B, and C...but I might believe D, E, and F".

[RandomKoolzip]

5. "Provocative," when placed in the context of DU.

I get the feeling that you don't share our goals sometimes, and that you post things just to get a reaction from people, but even though we've had our differences, I will continue to give you the benefit of the doubt. Just don't expect NOT to get flamed when presenting a deliberately provocative position.

[waylon]

7. I dont necessarily intend to be provacative

but I do know when my views will be considered that way. I dont mind the heat, it comes with being in the middle I guess.

Fair analysis I think, thanks

[nini]

6. IMHO Your heart is dem - but you depend on the mainstream media too much

If you think CNN is middle left you're missing out on better sources of information. Mix it up and make an effort to read books by Frankin, Moore, Carville etc.. Watch truthout.org for articles revelant to the issues you are considered with.

When you see the truth from real media sources, you'll realize what you hear on mainstream media outlets are keeping you from understanding the real truth.

[rogerashton]

8. I think you believe a lot of things I would like to believe if

I were not such a cynical b***d -- but i am.