What is a political extremist?

[SpeedRacer 1]

What would you consider to be a definition of a political extremist?

Is it anyone who disagrees with you??

If it turns out that something like 85% or more of the rest of the world is on the opposite side on certain major issues, is it possible that you might be the extremist???

(note: you might or might not still be correct in your views, but if you are to the left or to the right of >85% of the rest of the world, it could be that YOUR beliefs may be extremist or "fringe". something to think about.

Speed Racer
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[Nightingale 0]

I'm a libertarian. My mom's family is all democrat. My dad's is all republican. My mom's family think's I'm too far right. My dad's family thinks I'm too far left. They all think I'm a bit nuts for not picking one of the two major parties.

Libertarians are extremist about a couple of things:
1. Personal freedom. If it's not hurting anyone else, butt out, whether it's good for the person doing it or not.
2. Personal responsibility. It's your job to make the right choices for you. It's not my job to do it for you, even though I may strongly disagree.
3. Minimal government. The government exists to ensure the safety of its citizens and resources, and should serve no other purpose.

[vortexring 0]

Darius?

'for it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "chuck 'im out, the brute!" But it's "saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot.'

[vortexring 0]

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I'm a libertarian. My mom's family is all democrat. My dad's is all republican. My mom's family think's I'm too far right. My dad's family thinks I'm too far left. They all think I'm a bit nuts for not picking one of the two major parties.

Libertarians are extremist about a couple of things:
1. Personal freedom. If it's not hurting anyone else, butt out, whether it's good for the person doing it or not.
2. Personal responsibility. It's your job to make the right choices for you. It's not my job to do it for you, even though I may strongly disagree.
3. Minimal government. The government exists to ensure the safety of its citizens and resources, and should serve no other purpose.

Liberals are for another planet - not this one. No way.

'for it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "chuck 'im out, the brute!" But it's "saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot.'

[Nightingale 0]

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Darius?

Darius certainly has strong opinions, but I don't think he's an extremist.

[SpeedRacer 1]

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I'm a libertarian. My mom's family is all democrat. My dad's is all republican. My mom's family think's I'm too far right. My dad's family thinks I'm too far left. They all think I'm a bit nuts for not picking one of the two major parties.

Libertarians are extremist about a couple of things:
1. Personal freedom. If it's not hurting anyone else, butt out, whether it's good for the person doing it or not.
2. Personal responsibility. It's your job to make the right choices for you. It's not my job to do it for you, even though I may strongly disagree.
3. Minimal government. The government exists to ensure the safety of its citizens and resources, and should serve no other purpose.

after a long period of reading & thinking about it, I joined the Libertarian Party last spring.I used to be a registered Democrat, but after really going over it, I realized that Libertarian suits my beliefs better.

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[lawrocket 3]

You are a total zealot, aren't you?

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[SpeedRacer 1]

anyway, back on the topic.

It seems especially on certain foreign policy issues, there are some people on this forum who think that the Vast Majority of European people, nearly all European media, Most of American media, and about 70% of the American people ARE ALL EXTREMIST LEFTIES!!

so it made me wonder about the mathematics of it all.

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[lawrocket 3]

I'd define an extremist as exhibiting the following characteristics:

a. Emotionally based political and societal beliefs that withstand:
1) Reason;
2) Fact;
3) Analogy; and
4) Evidence;

b. And a marked ability to understand flaws in their beliefs or reason in opposing beliefs.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[PLFXpert 0]

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I'm a libertarian. My mom's family is all democrat. My dad's is all republican. My mom's family think's I'm too far right. My dad's family thinks I'm too far left. They all think I'm a bit nuts for not picking one of the two major parties

I not party-affiliated. My family members on both sides are staunch Republicans.

To me, a political extremist is anyone who thinks spending all their time debating these things makes a difference. Just research the facts given publically from all sides & vote to your liking. Then, no worries.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[Steel 0]

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I'm a libertarian. My mom's family is all democrat. My dad's is all republican. My mom's family think's I'm too far right. My dad's family thinks I'm too far left. They all think I'm a bit nuts for not picking one of the two major parties.

Libertarians are extremist about a couple of things:
1. Personal freedom. If it's not hurting anyone else, butt out, whether it's good for the person doing it or not.
2. Personal responsibility. It's your job to make the right choices for you. It's not my job to do it for you, even though I may strongly disagree.
3. Minimal government. The government exists to ensure the safety of its citizens and resources, and should serve no other purpose.

I have been accused of being a Liberitarian because of my opinions on performance enhancing/recreational drugs, animal rights, religion, gender and sexuality.
However, since I see the liberal left Democrats as the greatest threat to our country, I am glad to be lumped with the Republicans, even if on a select few issues we dissagree.
,

If I could make a wish, I think I'd pass.
Can't think of anything I need
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound.
Nothing to eat, no books to read.

[Nightingale 0]

I see the republicans as a bigger threat, because of their desire to curtail personal liberty in the name of safety. I don't see this behavior from democrats.

[rehmwa 2]

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I see the republicans as a bigger threat, because of their desire to curtail personal liberty in the name of safety. I don't see this behavior from democrats.

nuts, they have to balance each other out. Either side alone is a bad idea.

if the republicans want to curtail personal liberty in the name of safety, then dems want to control how you think and want you to thank them for it

both want us poor and miserable, at least we have that going for us

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[Nightingale 0]

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if the republicans want to curtail personal liberty in the name of safety, then dems want to control how you think and want you to thank them for it

I'm seeing more of the thought control from the republicans as well... the attempts to control what's on television and in print in the name of "decency".

Right now, the republicans are the biggest threat, because they are in control with nobody there to stop them. The republicans control both the legislative and executive branches, and have gone overboard. I like what we have in california right now. A republican governor and democratic legislature. Only the really important stuff is getting done, and we're not getting mired in stupid taxes or social controls. I'll be voting for arnold this time, even though I don't like him, because I like the balance.

[billvon 3,132]

>A republican governor and democratic legislature.

Agreed. My ideal alignment for the US government would be a democratic house, a republucan senate and a libertarian president. Nothing would get done, we'd have a president instead of a king, and companies would start spending their money on research instead of lobbying.

[rehmwa 2]

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{{fill in the blank}} the biggest threat, because they are in control with nobody there to stop them.

I agree. Any party unchecked just goes all 'social issues' on the rest of us.

And I agree on Bill's 'mixed party' government. Anything to keep all of their hands tied and away from the arbitrary stuff is a good thing.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[SpeedRacer 1]

The Cato Institute sells a little booklet that contains both the Declaration of Independence and the United STates Constitution, including all the ammendments.

One thing that stuck me is how small it all is. It's the size of a passport.

and nowhere does it say that the duty of the president is world policeman.


(by the way, you can order a copy here.

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