Author Topic: Is APS conservative? Is it libertarian? (Read 9447 times)

Perd Hapley · « **on:** January 28, 2008, 07:48:45 PM »

I used to think that APS was pretty well dominated by Libertarians (I don't mean anarchists or Ron Paul supporters. I mean people who tend to agree with the Libertarian Party on most issues.) Maybe it's because Oleg is a Libertarian. Isn't he?

But I sometimes think the conservatives are more numerous. And a lot of people seem to complain about that.

So, who's more common or more vocal here? Or is it a balance?

Bogie · « **Reply #1 on:** January 28, 2008, 08:53:49 PM »

Well, we get a lot of 'rollers.

And a lot of libertarians/conservatives.

And a lot of people who are trying to convince the libertarians/conservatives to vote otherwise.

I tend to be libertarian on social issues. and conservative on fiscal issues. As I'd guess most folks who actually think about it, rather than get their politics from CBS/NBC/ABC/FOX/CNN, are...

Which basically means - it's okay if you have a same sex partner who likes to smoke dope, as long as it doesn't cost me extra money.

SomeKid · « **Reply #2 on:** January 28, 2008, 09:24:13 PM »

fistful,

I would say you have a lot of conservative-libertarian types around here, and it is easy depending on the issues to mix them up. Like bogie, I am a mix.

We have a few anti-Christian types, leftists, and even the obligatory nazi moderators. (Disclaimer: Said in good humor. Disclaimer felt needed, just in case nazi moderators don't like it... (Disclaimer: Said in good humor. Disclaimer felt needed just in case nazi moderators don't like it... (Disclaimer...))) cheesy

Of course, we also have a few hecklers around here somewhere...

Regolith · « **Reply #3 on:** January 28, 2008, 10:15:49 PM »

So far, the only constant I've noticed are that we all tend to agree mostly on gun control. I've spotted liberals, libertarians, anarchists, evangelicals, neocons, conservatives, etc.

Finch · « **Reply #4 on:** January 28, 2008, 11:24:45 PM »

I think we have more George W. Bush conservatives on here than we do Robert Taft conservatives.

seeker_two · « **Reply #5 on:** January 29, 2008, 01:10:23 AM »

Looks pretty balanced with the conservatives, neo-cons, and libertarians, IMHO.....

I'm more of a conservative/Teddy Roosevelt populist myself.... grin

Tallpine · « **Reply #6 on:** January 29, 2008, 07:46:38 AM »

Quote

I tend to be libertarian on social issues. and conservative on fiscal issues.

But you repeat yourself again Wink

Who could be much more fiscally conservative than a libertarian who believes in the absolutely smallest government possible Huh?

Paddy · « **Reply #7 on:** January 29, 2008, 07:50:27 AM »

Quote

George W. Bush conservatives

HA! There's an oxymoron.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #8 on:** January 29, 2008, 07:52:06 AM »

As usual, I'm too optimistic in expecting straight answers. "Rollers"? "Neocons"? Just forget I asked. rolleyes

Firethorn · « **Reply #9 on:** January 29, 2008, 08:04:15 AM »

Quote from: Tallpine on January 29, 2008, 06:46:38 AM

Quote

I tend to be libertarian on social issues. and conservative on fiscal issues.

But you repeat yourself again Wink

Who could be much more fiscally conservative than a libertarian who believes in the absolutely smallest government possible Huh?

Maybe he supports some spending programs a libertarian normally wouldn't, like a strong military/border guard/police system?

though I'm curious as the the context of 'rollers' in this instance.

Personally, I consider myself a small 'l' libertarian, though some days I'll go off on rants of what I'd do if I ever became Evil Overlord. I'm mostly the lowercase because I think that we need a lot of corrective phases before we can start implimenting many of the Libertarian ideals.

K Frame · « **Reply #10 on:** January 29, 2008, 08:04:52 AM »

Does it really matter?

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #11 on:** January 29, 2008, 08:16:21 AM »

Quote from: Mike Irwin on January 29, 2008, 07:04:52 AM

Does it really matter?

From time to time, people refer to "APS" or "you guys" all thinking such-and-such. The implication is usually that APS members tend to be conservatives, or tend to be supporters of W, or tend to support the war. This is very curious to me, because I have never had that impression. As I said, I used to think of APS as being more Libertarian than conservative.

wooderson · « **Reply #12 on:** January 29, 2008, 12:03:37 PM »

Are libertarians just more 'conservative' than they'd like to believe?

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #13 on:** January 29, 2008, 12:12:23 PM »

Quote from: wooderson on January 29, 2008, 11:03:37 AM

Are libertarians just more 'conservative' than they'd like to believe?

And perhaps conservatives are just more "libertarian" than others believe.

I don't know if libertarians are under any illusions, but it is quite true that libertarians and conservatives often agree. Yet libertarians and lefties often agree. And of course, most libertarians are influenced by a left or right background. A local talk show guy calls himself a libertarian. Yet he is an advocate of gun control, so his libertarianism is tinged with leftist overtones. Naturally, many libertarians who favor gun rights come from a rightist background. Hence, their frequent agreement with conservatives on this site.

Tallpine · « **Reply #14 on:** January 29, 2008, 01:29:46 PM »

I started out in life as a liberal/democrat (born in the south).

Then I became a conservative/republican (Carter --> Reagan)

Then I started thinking more "libertarian"

Now I'm leaning towards anarchist.

Or maybe I'll just be a pirate grin

thebaldguy · « **Reply #15 on:** January 29, 2008, 03:29:54 PM »

I think this place has a true conservative/libertarian feel. I like it!

Note: many Republicans who call themselves conservative are actually right wing authoritians...

RevDisk · « **Reply #16 on:** January 29, 2008, 03:34:12 PM »

I think I'm the least common. A libertarian moderate that's registered Democrat. You'd be surprised how many of us exist in PA.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #17 on:** January 29, 2008, 04:16:49 PM »

Quote from: thebaldguy on January 29, 2008, 02:29:54 PM

Note: many Republicans who call themselves conservative are actually right wing authoritians...

I'm sorry. I don't buy the notion that there are any "right wing authoritarians" in the U.S. at all, outside of a few neo-Nazis somewhere. OK, and probably some of those Christian dominionist types.

BridgeWalker · « **Reply #18 on:** January 29, 2008, 05:01:02 PM »

I mostly vote Republican, but that's because of two issues (guess...), not because of general agreement.

MechAg94 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 30, 2008, 10:22:16 AM »

I think we have more Devil's Advocates than anything else sometimes. Do they have a church for those people?

We have a lot of people who like to be sarcastic and not tell anyone. On discussion boards, you can't really tell if they are trying to be funny or are just an idiot. Cheesy

SteveS · « **Reply #20 on:** January 30, 2008, 10:38:42 AM »

Quote from: Tallpine on January 29, 2008, 12:29:46 PM

Or maybe I'll just be a pirate grin

That sounds pretty good, though I think for now, I'll call myself a radical pragmatist.

charby · « **Reply #21 on:** January 30, 2008, 10:40:05 AM »

I'm probably more libertarian than anything but I also care about folks going hungry or not getting medical attention. I am also concerned about large corporations taking over everything, but I am also against the nanny state. I don't want our environment to be spoiled for our generation and future generations, I feel that we as Americans consume more than we really should and we need to live with less. I'm still pretty clueless why any household needs more than 2 televisions. I want the government to be in fear of her citizens, not the other way around.

thebaldguy · « **Reply #22 on:** January 30, 2008, 01:26:34 PM »

Quote from: fistful on January 29, 2008, 03:16:49 PM

Quote from: thebaldguy on January 29, 2008, 02:29:54 PM

Note: many Republicans who call themselves conservative are actually right wing authoritians...

I'm sorry. I don't buy the notion that there are any "right wing authoritarians" in the U.S. at all, outside of a few neo-Nazis somewhere. OK, and probably some of those Christian dominionist types.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_Wing_Authoritarianism

I think we have quite a few so called conservatives in the US that fit this description...

freakazoid · « **Reply #23 on:** January 30, 2008, 05:49:30 PM »

I was always under the impression that this was a largely libertarian site. Oh and I'm a Christian anarcho-communist,

Matthew Carberry · « **Reply #24 on:** January 30, 2008, 11:03:08 PM »

Quote from: freakazoid on January 30, 2008, 04:49:30 PM

I was always under the impression that this was a largely libertarian site. Oh and I'm a Christian anarcho-communist,

You're in the right place, as I understood APS to be an anarcho-syndicalist commune.

I've evolved. Small "l" libertarian but more and more a strict Constitutionalist rather than a free-everything idealist.

News:

Author Topic: Is APS conservative? Is it libertarian? (Read 9447 times)

Paddy

BridgeWalker