Are you a Repub or a Dem?
Liberal or Conservative?
Can you be a Liberal Republican?
What is a moderate really?
Are the two major U.S. political parties the same as they were 10 years ago?
As I pondered these sorts of questions I turned to the WWW for some answers. I found the following at Ask Meta Filter and is in line with what I've been taught:
Democrats: Socially and fiscally liberal
Lots of personal freedom
Government runs redistributive social programs
Concerned with equality over efficiency
Typically support higher taxes to support social programs
Republicans: Socially and fiscally conservative
Small government that enforces moral standards and protects markets
Low taxes and few redistributive programs
Concerned with efficiency rather than equality (although they argue that a high tide raises all ships)
Libertarians: Socially liberal, fiscally conservative
Small government that basically stays out the the way beyond enforcing contracts and protecting markets
Government doesn't regulate morality
Extreme personal freedoms
I sometimes wonder if the Republicans look more like Dem's used to look these days and vice verse.
I then went to the Political Compass and took the test which really doesn't tell you what you are. Merely, it helps you to reflect then paints you in one of four quadrants (left or right on the economic scale, and Authoritarian or Libertarian on the social scale). It was fascinating reading and I suppose it confirmed what I already knew, I'm a moderate. Just what does that mean?
