How do you identify yourself politically?

[Philhelm]

How do you identify yourself politically and which specific factors determine that? I know that there are a lot of Libertarians here, and I have noticed that sometimes people critique each other's Libertarian credentials on this forum, despite the fact that it's a Ron Paul forum. I'm not trying to be snide, but I'd like to point out that there are a lot of people here with different self-identified political labels, yet with similar overall goals.

I for one, have never registered as a Libertarian, and have never identified myself as one. I've only ever registered as a Republican, and while I do believe that the Democrats and the Republicans are generally two sides of the same coin, I also believe that the Democratic party and its supporters are worse overall. For instance, most of the viable liberty candidates run under the GOP banner. While I am interested in the Libertarian party, and have thought of registering as a Libertarian, I still think that because of the current party system that it is better to continue registering with the GOP for the sake of primaries. Furthermore, the GOP would be a better avenue than the Democratic party to promote liberty candidates.

I'm not trying to suck the GOP's cock, and have never identified myself as a Republican, since a party is basically an empty container that can represent any ideals. I believe that I have more in common with the Libertarians than the Republicans, but I still identify myself as conservative. Specifically, I have told people that I'm a conservative who thinks that drugs, prostitution, and gambling should be legal. The problem is that different people have different concepts of such terms. Ron Paul represents what I have always felt about the concept of conservatism, and when I had discovered him, I was excited that there was someone in politics who was a true conservative, and who had held many of my views.

I'm loathe to adopt terms such as libertarian, paleo-conservative, anarcho-capitalist, Constitutionalist, etc., since I don't want those cock-sucker pseudo-conservatives to steal the word from me. I'm adamant about that! So, I will remain with the humble term "conservative" and attempt to spread Ron Paul's message wherever I go. It's also easier to talk about Ron Paul to self-styled conservative Republicans if I claim to be a conservative, especially when I can shamelessly promote my veteran status. I think such people are more open to a self-identified conservative, and a military veteran, when discussing the benefits of Ron Paul's foreign policy. If I were to come of as an anti-war, anti-American, leftist in their eyes, I would never be able to get in a word. I try to stress the economic aspects, as well as speaking against policing the world. I try to be more manipulative than confrontational, and I think using certain terms, especially such terms as "libertarian", which is misunderstood, would be off-putting to most people. Basically, I try to stack my "conservative credentials" while trying to demonstrate how Ron Paul is one of the only conservative Republicans. It's a hard task though.

So, what self-given political label do you give yourself?

[speciallyblend]

Liberty Voter ,figured i would use this label since everyone is trying to represent Liberty now;) you know your on to something when the establishment folks are trying to co-opt the word Liberty now!!
i use conservative as my label,since using the word republican is a good conversation killer!! i rarely mention i am that scarlet letter Republican! i try my best to keep that on the down low unless i am around republicans!!

[Fozz]

Old Right conservative.

[JCF]

Usually independent, or classical liberal since most of the people I speak to are liberals they don't know what exactly a classical liberal is but because it has the word liberal in it I must be right politically...

[Old Ducker]

Democrat to Libertarian to Independent. I've never been a Republican and never will unless it's purged of neo-cons, christian zionists and Rockefeller-types. I'm not one for labels but the one that applies closest to me is "left-libertarian."

[catdd]

Paleocon forever.

[Brett]

Paleolibertarian.

Then when people ask further "ecomincally, pro-free market. socially, the government is usually worse than the act it's banning".

[TCE]

Virtually no one here is a Libertarian, meaning we rarely vote for the Libertarian candidates. We agree with many of the parties platforms, but it as a party is worthless. The only time I use the Libertarian Party is in a Senate race where I despise both candidates, like right now in Illinois with essentially two Democrats running (Kirk and Giannoulias). Otherwise, most of us vote Republican or Democrat, although possibly third party. Anyway:

We all agree on about seven or eight things, and then on all of the little stuff we disagree. We like to debate the little points, but the main ones:

* Shrinking the size of government substantially.
* Ending our foreign empire.
* Paying off the national debt.
* Sound Money/Competing Currencies.

Are agreed upon by about 90% of people here. If a Democrat represents those ideas, then they'll get my vote. See Bob Conley (D) vs. Lindsey Graham (R).

[mikem317]

I introduce myself usually as an independent. All of the labels are inherently nebulous. A classical liberal is a libertarian, who is sometimes a paleoconservative. I use all four of these labels, but with a lot of trepidation.

[phill4paul]

I am what I am....But my Goyl done run off wit' a nutter.

YouTube - I'm Popeye! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYZH_4yo170)

[mikem317]

Virtually no one here is a Libertarian, meaning we rarely vote for the Libertarian candidates...

I'm sure there are many libertarians. I'm not sure how many Libertarians are on this board.

Libertarian != libertarian

[MichelleHeart]

Hardcore, small government, laissez-faire conservative.

[TCE]

I'm sure there are many libertarians. I'm not sure how many Libertarians are on this board.

Libertarian != libertarian

Exactly the reason I used the capital "L" instead of the lowercase. Unfortunately, this board is pretty much the only place where that is distinguished. The mainstream media calls us "Libertarians" and doesn't think twice about it, even though I haven't voted for a Libertarian candidate in my life...until this November. :)

[Matt Collins]

Depends on who I am talking to and if I think they'll be able to understand it. I consider myself a libertarian Constittuionalist, however when I am talking in front of Republicans (or conservatives) I'll usually just say instead that I'm a "limited-government / Constitutional conservative"

[Sentient Void]

I am proud to call myself a libertarian (small-l). It usually gets conversations going, and most people usually admittedly don't know much about libertarian philosophy and ask a lot of questions, so I educate and explain why these are the correct positions with economic, historical and logical backup. if I can, I usually do most of the question-asking, then tell them they sound like libertarians to me (most people are mostly or at least significantly libertarian).

I have converted the vast majority of my friends and a good amount of my family to become self-proclaimed libertarians. Some of which are very passionate and do research on stuff on their own now.

[Arklatex]

I always say proudly "independent libertarian"

[speciallyblend]

Democrat to Libertarian to Independent. I've never been a Republican and never will unless it's purged of neo-cons, christian zionists and Rockefeller-types. I'm not one for labels but the one that applies closest to me is "left-libertarian."

since i was a democrat then libertarian then independent and now Ron Paul Republican. Even though i have been screaming out loud at the gop here in rpf and some in real life;) I do encourage you to join the republican party but only vote for Liberty -Minded Candidates!! WE JUST WON a DELEGATE Vote 16-9 for a ron paul republican. We were only 2 delegate votes away from out right winning the primary vote at caucus:) We plan on winning the primary and general election;) in our county in colorado!! We as liberty voters are bringing a MAJORITY VOTER BLOCK to the POLLS IN NOV;)

WE NEED YOU;) every rpf member will tell you i went to gop meetings kicking and screaming:) could i have told you we would win a delegate vote at county caucus for a ron paul republican??

you joining the republican party will get it's own sticky here on rpf;) i will find a way. You joining the gop could show that miracles can happen;)

YouTube - Grateful Dead-I Need A Miracle (3-27-88) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA8ykjJpOE8)

the fact i just tried to sell the republican party to you,shows even more miracles can happen haha;)

[RedStripe]

left-libertarian, mutualist, or libertarian socialist

[Old Ducker]

Specially Blend, I live in a solid blue state. Oregon hasn't elected a republican to the governorship in nearly 30 years. Both senators are dems as are four out of five congressmen. It wasnt always this way, I blame the transpants. However, saying that, the GOP officeholders have mostly been shit (Sen. Hatfield, Packwood and Smith). Hatfield was anti-war though, I'll give him that.

We do have an active LP and I vote for their candidates, when I vote at all.

I'd have serious issues registering with the GOfP, but if/when I move to a state that has liberty candidates in the GOP that have a reasonable shot at winning their primaries and that state lacks open primaries (The GOP primary in Oregon is open), then I'd consider it. Other than that, from the bottom of my heart, fuck the GOP!

[Sentient Void]

Yea I'm also registered Republican, mostly so I can partake in the primaries. I feel this is very important for GOP infiltration.

[pcosmar]

Angry American

Independent.

speciallyblend
+1 for the Grateful Dead
:cool:

[ChaosControl]

Localist/agrarian, more than anything.

I strongly support government being more local, even if that means the local may have no government at all. I support this because I do not think I have the right to force everyone in the nation to have the same style of government I prefer. Some may want anarcho-capitalism, some may want anarcho-communism, some may want some kind of state-socialism, some may want some kind of theocracy. People should be able to have what they want. Those who don't want it can then go to an area that has the type of government they prefer. This was why a confederacy was preferable to what we have now, the weaker the central government, the better.

My personal preference is probably some kind of minarchy. I don't really have a preference for capitalism like many do, I just absolutely oppose state force. I don't oppose it, I just don't see it any better or worse than another system. Since I prefer keeping things at the local level and keeping towns small, any of the systems can work.

I like the idea of having a small village based around a farm and a few other things that has strong tradition and culture. I despise metro areas that lack personality and culture, where one place is the same as another regardless of area or nation or history.

If someone asks, I will usually say something like libertarian-conservative as I do share their values. I share the libertarian opposition to force and the conservative treasure of tradition and culture. Paleo-conservative to some extent also fits.

[Don't Tread on Mike]

I still stand by my vote for Chuck Baldwin in 2008. If Ron was on the ballot I would have voted for him, but I am proud to have not voted for either McCain or Obama. I identify my self as a Libertarian even though I am a registered republican. I would like to identify myself as a Republican but it's almost embarrassing to do so with all of the current neo-cons giving the GoP a bad name.

[Imaginos]

I am an unabashed, unapologetic libertarian and proud of it.
I am a fiscal conservative for sure but I am not interested in what other people are doing behind their bedroom doors and I do not criticize anyone for taking drug or selling their body for money.
I got shock when I first found out Ron Paul because the guy's talking in my language!
I am pro liberty/freedom/constitution/free market/ sound monetary policy/ personal choice.
I am against welfare state/ warfare state/ big government.
I want to see us withdraw all the troops and end this 1 trillion dollars a year budget insane empire of ours.
I want to see us cut off all the aid to foreign countries.
I want to see us following strict non interventionist foreign policy.
I want to legalize recreational drugs and prostituion.
For me, the bottom line is, people should do whatever they want.
But at the same time, we should not provide any support/help to them from government level when they destroyed their health, fortune, and etc.
Charity should come from private sector, voluntarily, NOT FROM A BIG GOVERNMENT.

[Vessol]

Socially liberal, fiscally conservative.

[Brian4Liberty]

Jeffersonian.

[Isaac Bickerstaff]

Republican.
All my life.
Which is why I am at odds with the party most of the time.

[BuddyRey]

Voluntaryist

[surf]

proud libertarian
- and a Ron Paul Republican
- and a not so proud republican party member


Virtually no one here is a Libertarian, meaning we rarely vote for the Libertarian candidates.
where i live we ran a full slate of libertarian candidates in 2000 (of which i was one), and won "major party" status only to have it flushed away by a "top two" initiative a couple years ago that somehow passed. it was really a death blow to what had been a very active and fairly well organized lp in Washington State.

[Philhelm]

Haha...a lot of different answers here, as I had expected. How about..."fuck an Orwellian government" party? Could we all identify with that?

Also, as I have suspected, Ron Paul is a uniter; he attracts people from the right and the left.

[Danke]

... libertarian socialist

What is that, exactly?

[fj45lvr]

militia-tarian

[Toureg89]

libertarian leaning/Ron Paul Republican.

[silentshout]

Left-libertarian.

[tremendoustie]

Voluntaryist, and libertarian. Advocate of non-aggression sums it up really.

[Southron]

I am a constitutional conservative around other Republicans. Libertarian or independent around Democrats.

Curently registered Libertarian since the LP got back on the ballot in NC. Previous primaries I was Unaffiliated as you can choose which primary to vote in.

I dumped the GOP around 2006.

[DamianTV]

I am what I am....But my Goyl done run off wit' a nutter.

YouTube - I'm Popeye! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYZH_4yo170)

I know its totally off topic but do you know the reason Popeye ate Spinach? It was all due to a TYPO!

http://www.cracked.com/article_18517_the-7-most-disastrous-typos-all-time_p1.html


Popeye the Sailor Man: you gotta love him. He talks like he's been using his head to hammer nails for the past eight decades, likes his girls anorexic, starts more fights than Joe Biden on a month-long speech bender and sports enormous forearms that Mark McGwire can only whack off to. The source of his powers: spinach.


Back when steroids came in a can.

The Typo:

Unfortunately, it turns out that spinach's claim to fame can be attributed to a typo from the 19th century, followed by one of the greatest conspiracies in the history of agriculture.

A 1870 German study that served as the basis for Popeye's spinach-fueled 'roid rage accidentally printed the decimal place for spinach's iron content one spot too far to the right. For our non-mathematically inclined readers, that means the report claimed the vegetable had 10 times its actual amount of iron, which ended up equaling out to almost as much as red meat.


"No thanks, I'll have the compost."

As a result, entire generations of children, adults and doctors grew up thinking that eating spinach would turn you into freaking Wolverine.

The Result:

Unfortunately, it appears that all the E. Coli scares on the planet won't erase one 140-year-old typo. You thought we were kidding about the spinach industry having a propaganda wing? To this day, the Kids edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica informs children that spinach is "loaded" with iron in the first sentence of its spinach entry, and the abridged version of the Encyclopedia uses three of its 79 word definition to tell us that "spinach is rich in iron." Oddly, Britanica's watermelon entry says nothing about its iron content, even though the fruit has just as much iron as spinach while managing to taste far less like shit.


---

Anyway, in response to the original question of the thread, how do I identify myself politically?

A Constitutionalist. But, it alont with so many other words to desribe ones demeanor, are nothing more than labels.

[AuH20]

Paleoconservative until death..............I embraced the term the Straussians derisively mocked us with.

[johnrocks]

Old Right conservative.

That is what I think of myself even though when someone calls me a paleo con or a libertarian; I know, there are differences; I don't get upset, I'm proud of both types.

[aravoth]

None of your damn business.

[xd9fan]

people......way to over due it.


just say ron paul republican!! and move on............

[mczerone]

Assuming you always identify yourself to someone else, I usually say that I agree with whatever the other person wants, then I work to identify what that is, and convince them that the govt is not the means to get it.

Talking to a pro war Republican? Well, I also want security, and to secure peace through a strong showing of a capable defense. And depleting our resources fighting wars over oil, drugs, and foreign economic 'stability' are a good way to go about doing that, we're just inviting blowback and placing our own defenses at risk.

Talking to a Environmental minded Democrat? Well, I also want to ensure that we use resources as efficiently as possible, and conserve important wilderness areas, but putting the govt in charge of the various states' DNRs and state and Federal parks departments only leads to problems on wide scales, whereas private and unsubsidized ownership would allow comparison of the effectiveness of methods, and contain the negative effects of failed policies.

I could go on, but the only label I always associate with myself is Human.

[RedStripe]

What is that, exactly?

Don't want to derail, but basically I'm for socialist ends (pro: economic egalitarianism, worker's rights, wide distribution of capital, labor class-consciousness, sustainability and anti: bigotry, racism, homophobia etc) through libertarian (anti-state) means.

Many old school socialists were anarchists/libertarians who understood that the state, along with capitalism, must be defeated in order to have a truly just society.

[TroySmith]

Libertarian/Individualist