Where am I politically?

[OnyxCougar]

As many of you have noticed (I hope ), I've been gone for some time. I've not been idle. Other than the usual drama that seems to permeate my life (which I may post on the Philosphy thread, since it deals with that topic and I'd like a fresh set of outside opinion), I've found a sense of "where do I stand on ____?" happening.

[background]
For those of you that don't know me, I started out 5 years ago as an evolutionist, and a former Wiccan Priestess. I was exploring different religions in a "search for truth". If evolution was true, why have religion at all, since Gods (in any form) were merely human created reasons to exist?

I went through a dark time, and really needed to believe in something better, something higher than myself. The Mormon elders showed up. I was baptised a Mormon in Jan 2003, then they told me a bunch of stuff AFTER I was baptised (and I learned a bunch of stuff they still hadn't told me), and I freaked out and left the church in July 2003.

Met my husband at that time, a staunch Christian, and avid creationist. There were heated discussions. Intellectually, I couldn't get past evolution. Through some websites and some scientists who are creationists, I finally "got it", and now I am also a creationist, and also a literalist Christian. (Non-denominational) It's kind of convoluted, since I know as a Wiccan Priestess that Wicca as a practice works, but I've managed to include that in my Christianity.
[/background]

Lately (last 6 months or so), I've become more political than ever. Not as in activist, but as in "finding out what is out there", and trying to identify myself with a political group. I've taken the test but that doesn't tell me "what party I am". I wish they had a test like beliefnet.

My first thought was Libertarian, since I'm really down with the whole idea of going back to the Constitution and stripping the rest of the crap away, but I know that isn't going to happen, and I do not agree with their views on abortion.

I read the Heritage Guide to the Constitution (edited by Edwin Meese) and nearly cried. This is not how things are supposed to be.

So I thought, well, from a religious standpoint, I'm most like a Republican, since they are against abortion, gay marriage, and using dead babies for stem cell research. (Which I have alot to say about but not here.) But their leader is a freaking idjit, and it really pisses me off that he thinks he's in place due to divine providence. Um, in a word, no.

I am in the Crossings book club (Christian stuff) and got an advert for American Compass, which seemed like a good place to start. I got 4 books free, and picked the Heritage Guide, Godless (Ann Coulter), and a couple of financial books.

Godless blew me away. I still don't know what I am politically but it fueled the fire. I'm currently reading The Enemy at Home (Dinesh D'Souza) and I have ALOT of the indroduction highlighted already.

I'm pretty much an isolationist, I know that. I'm a Libertarian in the sense of "we HAVE to get back to the Constitution if we're going to make it", I'm Republican in the sense of their platform on social issues. BUT I truly believe in free will, and (from a legal standpoint) I don't want to ban abortion or force my religious belief (or moral code) on people. (My husband has a different view on this.)

Is there a party out there that encompases these ideas or do I just lump myself in with the party the most closely matches my beliefs? Would that be Libertarian or Republican? Some other party I haven't heard of?

Oh, and it's good to be back in the fray.... For now....

[Trilby]

Hey, OnyxCougar! Welcome back!

[OnyxCougar]

Hey sweetie! I'm gonna go post some more drama in the "Seriousness" thread. You're gonna be .... insert emotion here ... when you read it. :p

[yesman065]

Well OnyxCougar, I'm battling the same argument that you've been facing too. I think we all do to some degree. I consider myself and independent as I have very liberal views on some issues and very conservative ones on others. As an American, I believe it to be our responsibility to speak out on that which we disagree upon with respect to our government, but we must also support the decisions our government makes even though we may disagree with them initially. I know this is contradictory in some respects. We select these people to lead us and should support the decisions they make based on the information they have and we don't.
Sorry I'm rambling, but I think to answer your question of which party to align yourself with, you should either choose the party where you feel you have the most in common, or stay an independent.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by OnyxCougar

... BUT I truly believe in free will, and (from a legal standpoint) I don't want to ban abortion or force my religious belief (or moral code) on people...

Democrat.

[yesman065]

Indirepublicratian

[Spexxvet]

Seriously, Onyxcougar, don't get hung up on labels, vote for a candidate who has the same goals/philosophy/values that you do. Then, when (s)he breaks all his/her campaign promises, work to impeach him/her.

[OnyxCougar]

Heh. How sadly true.

I guess I should prioritze my goals/philosophy/values since I seem to be across the spectrum. Is abortion more important than foreign policy? Is taxation higher up than gay marriage?

Ugh. This political awareness crap can get on your nerve.

[Perry Winkle]

I'm way off over there somewhere, wandering between a goat and a scraggly willow tree.

I always vote for the plaid candidate, I say. They taste like turkey and dressing, and smell like daisies.

[Toymented]

Originally Posted by OnyxCougar

Lately (last 6 months or so), I've become more political than ever. Not as in activist, but as in "finding out what is out there", and trying to identify myself with a political group. I've taken the test but that doesn't tell me "what party I am". I wish they had a test like beliefnet.

My first thought was Libertarian, since I'm really down with the whole idea of going back to the Constitution and stripping the rest of the crap away, but I know that isn't going to happen, and I do not agree with their views on abortion.

Did you try this test? It's from a Libertarian group.

http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html

[Ibby]

Way too far right for me.


But seriously, if you are for or against something is politically irrelevant. It's whether or not you support LEGISLATING it.
For example, I think the world would be a MUCH better place if everyone was buddhist. But that does not mean in any way shape or form that I believe that it should be MANDATORY for everyone to be.

If you feel more strongly towards freedom than totalitarianism, go libertarian or democrat. If you feel more strongly towards everyone following your verson of morality, go republican.

[yesman065]

Originally Posted by Ibram

If you feel more strongly towards everyone following your verson of morality, go republican.

Ibram, you constantly amaze me with many of your comments and I am surprised at your maturity for someone who is 15. However, that has to be the most immature, skewed, and innaccurate post you've written.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by yesman065

Ibram, you constantly amaze me with many of your comments and I am surprised at your maturity for someone who is 15. However, that has to be the most immature, skewed, and innaccurate post you've written.

I agree with Ibram. Yesman065 is a poopy head.

[Flint]

Originally Posted by Ibram

If you feel more strongly towards everyone following your verson of morality, go republican.

Originally Posted by yesman065

...that has to be the most immature, skewed, and innaccurate post you've written.

First, on what grounds is it inaccurate? Republicans have felt the backlash of their heavy-handed attempt to legislate morality, it hit them hard. So the statement stands as an accurate description of reality if you equate "going republican" with "supporting the observable actions of republicans, and endorsing more of the same." Next, as it is demonstrated to be accurate, on what grounds is it immature? How is it immature to make an observation of this type? Is it immature because you disagree with it? Please elaborate.

[yesman065]

Originally Posted by Flint

First, on what grounds is it inaccurate? Republicans have felt the backlash of their heavy-handed attempt to legislate morality, it hit them hard. So the statement stands as an accurate description of reality if you equate "going republican" with "supporting the observable actions of republicans, and endorsing more of the same." Next, as it is demonstrated to be accurate, on what grounds is it immature? How is it immature to make an observation of this type? Is it immature because you disagree with it? Please elaborate.

It is not accurate to say that republican = "everyone following your version of morality." It is an immature view based on the reality that it not tru. A more mature individual would understand, perhaps not agree with, but still understand there is a whole lot more than that one issue which constitutes a republican. Its like saying anything that flies is a bird therefore insects are birds. Its equally as ridiculous.