Your Political Affiliation

[SirFace]

As you may know, there are two predominant political parties in the U.S., Democrats and Republicans.

Bush is Republican and a conservative politician.

.

Bush is sooooo far from being conservative its rediculous. You need to stop watching whatever you are watching.

 

[JMohegan]

I identify as Liberal. I also identify as straight. And submissive. And to a lesser extent, a masochist.

I think the key words here are that these terms are how I identify MYSELF. Who's to say except me the words that define me? If someone came up and said "submissive means that you allow someone else to control you at all times and make no decisions for yourself" is that inaccurate? That's how *they* define my self-given title. It's not how I define it, or identify, but it's a different way to describe a word that I've chosen for myself.

Politics is a lot like that. If you're conservative, it doesn't mean that you always side with the Republicans and the decisions they make, or that you vote for the issues they introduce. And as a Democrat, I don't have to always side with the democrats.

I agree with this completely.

But I'm gonna say the same thing about the definitions of conservative and liberal that I do about the definitions of submissive and Dominant.

The words either have meaning, or they are meaningless. If the former, and you (general "you") use them, what do you mean?

People who use these words should be able to define them. If you *only* apply these words to yourself, that's one thing. But as soon as you (general "you") start talking about other people as conservatives or liberals, you really should be able to give at least a general idea of what those words mean or you're talking nonsense.

And if someone from another country asks the fully reasonable question - What do the terms liberal and conservative mean in American politics? - I for one don't think this a rocket science type of question.

There's a lot of dancing on this thread, and I personally find it very revealing. Netzach stated a fact here that may be uncomfortable for many, but is a fact nonetheless.

Sexual freedom is *not* a conservative cause in this country. And those who ID as primarily conservative can write long-winded posts from now 'till next Christmas, but it won't change that fact.

 

[catalina_francisco]

I haven't voted for a few reasons, the main one being I abhore the idea of conservatism, and where I come from to equate yourself with what is termed liberal means you are a conservative...add to that from what I see in the US, Oz and much of Europe it makes very little difference what you lean toward because the ruling and high profile parties who have a chance at power all share pretty much the same ideas when it comes down to the line, piss in each others pockets to remain well paid and pampered, would sell their souls and their own mother if it meant more money in their personal bank accounts, and discount the community as basically powerless plebs who haven't the power or the brains to stop them.

Catalina

 

[catalina_francisco]

I agree with this completely.

But I'm gonna say the same thing about the definitions of conservative and liberal that I do about the definitions of submissive and Dominant.

The words either have meaning, or they are meaningless. If the former, and you (general "you") use them, what do you mean?

People who use these words should be able to define them. If you *only* apply these words to yourself, that's one thing. But as soon as you (general "you") start talking about other people as conservatives or liberals, you really should be able to give at least a general idea of what those words mean or you're talking nonsense.

And if someone from another country asks the fully reasonable question - What do the terms liberal and conservative mean in American politics? - I for one don't think this a rocket science type of question.

There's a lot of dancing on this thread, and I personally find it very revealing. Netzach stated a fact here that may be uncomfortable for many, but is a fact nonetheless.

Sexual freedom is *not* a conservative cause in this country. And those who ID as primarily conservative can write long-winded posts from now 'till next Christmas, but it won't change that fact.

LOL, how true.

Catalina

 

[RJMasters]

Pulling it back to my query anyhow, I'm not talking about the poor. I'm not talking about reproductive rights. I'm not talking about foreign policy.


I'm talking about the fact that there are people high on the food chain, quite high, who are pandering to those who are completely, diametrically, virulently opposed to the very existence of people outside the sexuality mainstream. People who would love to see people who don't fit the fascist ideal of the nuclear family ---gone. Just gone. People like me and everyone I care about.

Those people are not normally identified as liberals.

Nods, and as I said it makes me sick and angry what some do.

When people's rights are stepped on it generates alot of anger. This anger is justified from my point of view. Often anger leads to change.

But what I see happening is that anger creating also a closed mindedness that perpetuates a cycle of one side saying the hell with you other people and your views and your freedoms. Like you said the conservatives are doing it now and your none to thrilled at it and neather am I.

But I am not going to run down and vote for the liberal who says, vote me into office and I will use that power to fuck the conservatives over. Just from an observational standpoint, its clear that perosn doesn't respect the rights of everyone and is willing to use that power to trample their freedoms.

Like Geoff said, bend over here it comes.

Until we stop fighting for only our own interests and start fighting for the interests of all, we no longer are living upto the ideals and concpet of freedoms this country was birthed upon. Instead we are just people bending those freedoms to suit our own purpose and be damned anyone who gets in our way.

Honestly the whole thing just tears me in two.

 

[shy slave]

My post has nothing to do with arguing politics or defending anyone's viewpoint or painting anything as black and white.

Some of the international members of this board have asked perfectly reasonable questions. What does "conservative" mean in American politics? What does "liberal" mean?

What is your answer to their questions?

I understand very little about US politics.

I do know the options listed are not applicable to people in the UK.

We have more than two political leanings plus every possible shade of grey.

I have no idea what conservative or liberal means in the US compared to how it relates to the UK.

As for mixing sex and politics, well it does happen and at times it should happen, but usually its a place I try to avoid.

 

[Zinfandel]

I am liberal leaning, primarily because there are some hot button (mostly) social issues that I feel very strongly about. Basically, my views stem from the fact that I don't think it is the place of a government to dictate any particular morality to its citizens.

That's my general, PC comment. Here's my not-so-PC comment:

The problem I have with social conservativism is (what seems to me to be) its ineffective and sometimes dangerous preoccupation with what one *should* or *should not* do (often according to religious principles). Think abstinence-only sex ed programs in public high schools, bans on stem-cell research, and proposed constitutional ammendments banning gay marriage.

 

[Penalt]

Wow, I kinda feel bad for asking for a definition in the first place. The reason why I asked is because I have heard it said that a conservative in Canada is like a liberal in the US and a liberal in Canada would be considered a socialist in the US.

I don't think a seperatist party like the Bloc Quebecois would even be allowed to exist in the US. However, that said, let me give you some of my political viewpoints and maybe those of you from the US can tell me where I would fit in:

Politically I believe in the following:

Free Speech is paramount. Even if you despise what someone says their right to say it must be sacred.

The Rule of Law. The law must apply to everyone, equally. Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done.

As much as possible, the government should stay out of the lives of private citizens.

Gun control, in moderation, is a good thing.

The social safety net is important.

Except in wartime the government should stay within its budget.

Corporations must live or die on their own merits, regardless of the consequences.

Most of the time, most of the people will make the right decision. A good government will strike the balance between listening to its citizens and staying the course when a policy is unpopular.


Anyway, so that said, where would that put me in the US political scale? Now, I'm not going to debate them because that's how I feel on these things. I just want to know where I would fit in.

 

[RJMasters]

Wow, I kinda feel bad for asking for a definition in the first place. The reason why I asked is because I have heard it said that a conservative in Canada is like a liberal in the US and a liberal in Canada would be considered a socialist in the US.

I don't think a seperatist party like the Bloc Quebecois would even be allowed to exist in the US. However, that said, let me give you some of my political viewpoints and maybe those of you from the US can tell me where I would fit in:

Politically I believe in the following:

Free Speech is paramount. Even if you despise what someone says their right to say it must be sacred.

The Rule of Law. The law must apply to everyone, equally. Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done.

As much as possible, the government should stay out of the lives of private citizens.

Gun control, in moderation, is a good thing.

The social safety net is important.

Except in wartime the government should stay within its budget.

Corporations must live or die on their own merits, regardless of the consequences.

Most of the time, most of the people will make the right decision. A good government will strike the balance between listening to its citizens and staying the course when a policy is unpopular.


Anyway, so that said, where would that put me in the US political scale? Now, I'm not going to debate them because that's how I feel on these things. I just want to know where I would fit in.

You would probably be considered a socail liberalist and fiscal conservative.

Based off what you said, that would be my guess.

 

[Penalt]

You would probably be considered a socail liberalist and fiscal conservative.

Based off what you said, that would be my guess.

Cool

 

[A Desert Rose]

Cool

I don't know a lot about Canadian politics but I'd venture to guess that American political and social concerns aren't a whole lot different than yours, Penalt.

And like me, and a few others who have posted thus far, you don't seem to fall into a black or white catagory. For example, Rudy Giuliani, a Republican candidate for president also doesn't fit. He supports gay marriage and rights for illegal immigrants, among a few other stated non-Republican platforms. I think he's a pretty smart man. As far as having views that don't always "fit", I could be in worse company. ;-)

 

[Alistunut]

I was thinking it would skew a little dom-conservative sub-liberal.

Cause... doms are control freaks and subs want to be controlled. So doms want deregulation and subs want lots of government programs.

... </total bullshit>

Yeah, it probably is bs, but thats what my theory is, as well. I just wanted to see if there is any basis to it, at all.

I have a question about the premise underlying this theory and I am addressing my question not just to Amadaun and Bisexplicit, but to anyone who would like to respond.

I am wondering how many people feel that their Dom, sub, or other orientation has any influence at all on their own personal political views.

The government is like an authority figure of sorts, one that has power over all of us. So maybe a slightly different but related question is, how many people react to all or most of the authority figures in their lives in a similar way?

I noticed on another thread that one Dom said he enthusiastically submitted to his college football coach in a non-sexual way. On a different thread, he said something that wasn't as clear but made me think he was the quarterback when he played. Taken together, I think this is one example of how a person could be a leader (like a quarterback) but also allow himself to be controlled (and even appreciate the way in which he is being controlled) at the very same time.

 

[Netzach]

Cool

I've never heard a fiscal conservative say that the social safety net was important when it was tax time.

Even if they've used it in the past.

I'm down with your list. As for guns, I think the less regulated is better, breaking with my party here. It's lip service to people who are harmed by violence, it doesn't really do anything. Also the laws in grizzly backyard, WY and the laws in the Bronx may need to differ. How 'bout we leave that one up to the locals?

 

[Netzach]

I have a question about the premise underlying this theory and I am addressing my question not just to Amadaun and Bisexplicit, but to anyone who would like to respond.

I am wondering how many people feel that their Dom, sub, or other orientation has any influence at all on their own personal political views.

The government is like an authority figure of sorts, one that has power over all of us. So maybe a slightly different but related question is, how many people react to all or most of the authority figures in their lives in a similar way?

I noticed on another thread that one Dom said he enthusiastically submitted to his college football coach in a non-sexual way. On a different thread, he said something that wasn't as clear but made me think he was the quarterback when he played. Taken together, I think this is one example of how a person could be a leader (like a quarterback) but also allow himself to be controlled (and even appreciate the way in which he is being controlled) at the very same time.

I think my politics are actually a good mirror of my style.

Get bright people, give them a boost if they need it, interfere only when they are fucking up badly, but also look at myself and wonder if it's something in the way the government is running the show that's making them fuck up. Service is a good ethic, MYOB, and don't forget to have some fun, life is short.


Can I be controlled?

I'm remarkably resistant to authority that I don't acknowledge as smarter than I am. I find the anti-intellectual trend and our pride in our good ol' ignorance downright alarming. As for authority that I acknowledge as smarter than I am, I'll move mountains. I'm at least willing to try it once the way the person with experience suggests I try it and then reject it on the basis of having tried it rather than just thinking "I don't like it, not doing it."

 

[BogartSlap]

abstinence makes the heart grow fonder

I prefer affiliations that are decidedly NON-political. To the Democrats and the Republicans: "A pox on both your houses!"
Bring Back the King!,
Jack<---former monarchist, now anarchist

 

[Penalt]

Seen on a bumper sticker...

"Practice safe government, use kingdoms"

 

[bisexplicit]

I have a question about the premise underlying this theory and I am addressing my question not just to Amadaun and Bisexplicit, but to anyone who would like to respond.

I am wondering how many people feel that their Dom, sub, or other orientation has any influence at all on their own personal political views.

The government is like an authority figure of sorts, one that has power over all of us. So maybe a slightly different but related question is, how many people react to all or most of the authority figures in their lives in a similar way?

Part of my curiousity regarding this subject matter was my tendency to run into doms who were conservative. I am rabidly liberal, and have difficulties considering a relationship with someone with an opposite viewpoint to mine.

I had wondered if there was any truth to the idea that I began to develop that it would be hard to find a liberal who was also dominant.

Additionally, I'm sorry for bringing politics over to this board and causing a bit of a stir; I know that sortof thing isn't usually discussed over here.

 

[Chicklet]

Part of my curiousity regarding this subject matter was my tendency to run into doms who were conservative. I am rabidly liberal, and have difficulties considering a relationship with someone with an opposite viewpoint to mine.

i have honestly had no problem finding dominants who identified as liberal... problem for me is they're all 15+ yrs older than i am = \

 

[JMohegan]

I have a question about the premise underlying this theory and I am addressing my question not just to Amadaun and Bisexplicit, but to anyone who would like to respond.

Welcome to the Board, Alistunut.

Great questions. I'm short on time at the moment, but will return to answer them when I have the chance.

Additionally, I'm sorry for bringing politics over to this board and causing a bit of a stir; I know that sortof thing isn't usually discussed over here.

This is very gracious of you, Bisexplicit. However, I for one do not see any reason why you would need to apologize for this thread.

 

[bisexplicit]

This is very gracious of you, Bisexplicit. However, I for one do not see any reason why you would need to apologize for this thread.

It seemed to create some animosity, which, I realize people post on other boards to escape that sortof tension. That was all.

 

[MasterPhoenix]

Part of my curiousity regarding this subject matter was my tendency to run into doms who were conservative. I am rabidly liberal, and have difficulties considering a relationship with someone with an opposite viewpoint to mine.

I had wondered if there was any truth to the idea that I began to develop that it would be hard to find a liberal who was also dominant.

Additionally, I'm sorry for bringing politics over to this board and causing a bit of a stir; I know that sortof thing isn't usually discussed over here.

I am a liberal Dominant. In fact, I tend to flank the Dems to the left for the most part.

I do have My own viewpoints that differ from 'orthodoxy' for a liberal.

 

[Ovidius]

I am a DOm, and rather to the left...

but then I grew up in the SF Bay Area and used to hang out in the People's Republic of Berkeley

Shake hands with "Uncle Joe". He was quite left and rather dominant.

 

[Ovidius]

I prefer affiliations that are decidedly NON-political. To the Democrats and the Republicans: "A pox on both your houses!"
Bring Back the King!,
Jack<---former monarchist, now anarchist

True, nothing takes personal responsibility out of government like party politics, esp. in a parliamentary setting. The great value of monarchy and anarchism is to bring that back, concentrating responsibility to one person; also note that feudalism was a sort of anarchy based on personal relationships between the rulers and the ruled.

 

[Ovidius]

And, oh, I miss the term reactionary above.

 

[BogartSlap]

ovid

True, nothing takes personal responsibility out of government like party politics, esp. in a parliamentary setting. The great value of monarchy and anarchism is to bring that back, concentrating responsibility to one person; also note that feudalism was a sort of anarchy based on personal relationships between the rulers and the ruled.

Well, all I know is all I know, and that's probably more than I know. I worked for the government for awhile, and it got to be more and more shaking my head and thinking, "Jesus - these guys are as bad as the guys they think they're trying to protect us from." And every time I sat in on a meeting where some loon unveiled a "plan", while most nodded along noddingly, I'd lean back in my chair and wonder, "Does this shit actually seem to make sense to you people??".