Hey Kids, It's POLITICAL COMPASS TIME!

Where are YOUR politics?

After the UTTER HORROR of discovering my supposed Secret Liberal Leanings (?) when last I took one of these online political quizzes (see Article Here), I decided that I would never traumatize myself again with them. Well, after the initial shock and disbelief wore off (Liberal? ME!?), I decided to try another one - this quiz is MUCH shorter, widely hailed as more accurate than others and, as you can see by the graphic, this is a result I can live with!

Conservative Libertarian near Centrist? Okay - sounds about right (for once!).

I guess it should come as no surprise that my compass changes with each quiz and, frankly, with each retest of the same quizzes - for I am not a black-and-white kind of guy on most issues. I see many shades of gray (being color-blind and all :), and the fences I straddle are often buttressed well from both sides (one exeption being the fence that should be built along our North and South borders - but don't get me started on that one again!).

As an example, in Timmer's Rant on Abortion from January, I laid out my own brief list of the circumstances that may sometimes, or should never, justify abortion in the legal sense. People who blindly leap onto any extreme position (on either side) tend to turn me off - and sometimes even freak me out.

The snake-oil zealot Pat Robertson is an Ultra-Conservative Asshole, while that stuttering blueblood Robert Kennedy Junior is an Ultra-Liberal Prick (pardon my Gaelic). Neither can see the other side for any merit, and both say and do hurtful and outlandish things.

Two other examples are players in my own litmus test for political extremes: If you can sit and listen to the bag-o'-wind bloviating of Rush Limbaugh, or the vitriolic (unfunny) whining of Al Franken, for a solid hour without leaping for the power button of your sterio (or kicking it), then perhaps "you too are an extremist?"

Here are the breakdowns of all five political philosophies delineated by Advocates for Self-Government:

CONSERVATIVES tend to favor economic freedom, but frequently support laws to restrict personal behavior that violates "traditional values." They oppose excessive government control of business, while endorsing government action to defend morality and the traditional family structure. Conservatives usually support a strong military, oppose bureaucracy and high taxes, favor a free-market economy, and endorse strong law enforcement.

LIBERALS usually embrace freedom of choice in personal matters, but tend to support significant government control of the economy. They generally support a government-funded "safety net"to help the disadvantaged, and advocate strict regulation of business. Liberals tend to favor environmental regulations, defend civil liberties and free expression, support government action to promote equality, and tolerate diverse lifestyles.

CENTRISTS espouse a "middle ground" regarding government control of the economy and personal behavior. Depending on the issue, they sometimes favor government intervention and sometimes support individual freedom of choice. Centrists pride themselves on keeping an open mind, tend to oppose "political extremes," and emphasize what they describe as "practical" solutions to problems.

LIBERTARIANS support maximum liberty in both personal and economic matters. They advocate a much smaller government; one that is limited to protecting individuals from coercion and violence. Libertarians tend to embrace individual responsibility, oppose government bureaucracy and taxes, promote private charity, tolerate diverse lifestyles, support the free market, and defend civil liberties.

STATISTS want government to have a great deal of power over the economy and individual behavior. They frequently doubt whether economic liberty and individual freedom are practical options in today's world. Statists tend to distrust the free market, support high taxes and centralized planning of the economy, oppose diverse lifestyles, and question the importance of civil liberties.

So, where are YOUR politics? Click HERE to find out!