Political Leanings of Members

Country of Residence: Canada
Nationality: Canadian
Political Compass Result: Economic Left/Right: 1.12 - Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -5.18
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: I typically vote Conservative because I want sound fiscal and economic policy, so I hold my nose while I cast my vote and hope they don't meddle too much with social issues.
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): Nope
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: No
Religion: Lapsed Roman Catholic, now agnostic.
Abortion: Legal in first trimester for any reason (although I do struggle with that, and it pains me). After that illegal unless serious health risk to mother. Rape is no excuse for abortion after first trimester.
War in Iraq: Against it from the start. But now that you've gone and done it, I believe the American people have a debt of shame to the Iraqis.
Marijuana: Should be legal, regulated, and taxed.
Firearms: Long guns (excluding assault weapons) should be legal and available to anybody over the age of majority who has taken a safety course and has no criminal record. No need to register the guns. Handguns should be illegal to all. Automatic 5-year jail-term for anyone caught with a handgun. Automatic life sentence with no chance of release ever for anybody who commits a crime using any kind of gun.
Gay Marriage: In favor gay civil unions.
Gay adoption: Should be allowed.
Religion in schools: Should be taught only as an elective.
Death penalty: Doesn't work, so get rid of it.

The Political Compass


Economic Left/Right: 1.12
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -5.18

http://www.politicalcompass.org/face...1.12&soc=-5.18 _uacct="UA-920749-1"; urchinTracker();

My Political Profile

Country of Residence: United States of America
Nationality: United States of American
Political Compass Result: Economic Left/Right: -0.75 - Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -3.85
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: Socially liberal, fiscal conservative.
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): Libertarian
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: Lapsed Republican
Religion: Lapsed Protestant
Abortion: I can't give birth, so I shouldn't really have a say in the matter.
War in Iraq: Hole in the desert in which to throw soldiers' lives and taxpayer dollars.
Marijuana: Don't smoke it, but it should be legal.
Firearms: Illegal for felons and mental patients, legal for everyone else, stronger enforcement of existing laws necessary.
Gay Marriage: Don't really care, why not?
Gay adoption: Best dressed baby evar! :2thumbsup:
Religion in schools: Religion has no place in public schools, go back to the original pledge of allegiance so nobody has an excuse not to say it.
Death penalty: Yes, but more fairly sentenced across the social landscape.

Country of Residence: USA
Nationality: Spain/Scottish/German (Pure American mutt)
Political Compass Result: Economic Left/Right: 7.00 -Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -1.49
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: Classical Liberal
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): Libertarian
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: Republican for now
Religion: Mormon

Abortion: only very early pregnancies for rape
War in Iraq: Against bring my brother back home and dont send my sister
Marijuana: Make its legal the states can tax it if the people of that state wish it
Firearms: yes
Gay Marriage: Dont care
Gay adoption: Dont care
Religion in schools: should be up to the local school board and community
Death penalty: only for high treason

Country of Residence:Ireland
Nationality: several
Political Compass Result:west
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum:the colouful end

Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): No
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: definately not
Religion:yes
Abortion: none of my business , ask a woman .
War in Iraq::laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4:
Marijuana:why not
Firearms: very very strict control
Gay Marriage: who cares
Gay adoption: why not
Religion in schools:no
Death penalty: no

Country of Residence: Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and occasionally France.
Nationality: Irish/British dual
Political Compass Result: Economic Left/Right: -3.12 - Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -5.90
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: Rather more conservative and libertarian than the compass predicts - apparently dislike of corporate monopolism and corruption makes one a leftie..
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): Human rights advocacy
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: No
Religion: Born Roman Catholic, by tradition so identified, by belief more a Camusian.

Abortion: Completely pro-choice prior to 12 weeks - that means, there ought to be a great deal of effort to provide a real, supported and informed choice for birth and adoption too.
War in Iraq: I refer the honourable gentlemen to the answer my countryman gave earlier :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4:
Marijuana: In favour of legalisation.
Firearms: For my own country, extremely tight control. Everyone else can make up their own minds.
Gay Marriage: I have sympathy with the noble Don Corleone's position - not marriage per se, but civil partnerships with exactly similar legal benefits.
Gay adoption: Adoption into a loving home is far better than abortion. Very supportive of adoption into same-sex relationships.
Religion in schools: Under no circumstances.
Death penalty: Under no circumstances. However, I am fully supportive of life without possibility of parole, including hard labour.

Country of Residence: The Isle of Man
Nationality: English
Political Compass Result:
Economic Left/Right: 2.88
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 0.92
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: I think I'm right
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): Monarchist
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: no not really
Religion: Christian

Abortion: Pro-choice
War in Iraq: I'm for it, the war's gotten out of hand now and we should pull out but at the start it was done with the best intentions
Marijuana: Against it, why do it? perpously mess yourself up?
Firearms: For it, with regulations...strict regulations
Gay Marriage: For
Gay adoption: For
Religion in schools: Religious Studies should be taught to provide an education of other cultures, aswell as your own
Death penalty: for it, there are some inexcusable crimes.

Country of Residence: Historic Union of Soviet American Republics
Nationality: American
Political Compass Result:
Economic Left/Right: -4.25
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.15
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: Socially Liberal/ economically moderate
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): No
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: No. The lack of a Libertarian leaning, fiscally responsible, revolutionary, parliamentarian monarchist party causes me concern.
Religion: I believe in an afterlife because I’m afraid of nothingness after death but I don’t care where I end up so I pretty much have no religion.
Abortion: Legal for up to 12 weeks(first measurable signs of brain activity), only if the women’s life is in danger during the 2nd and 3rd trimester.
War in Iraq: no comment
Afghanistan One of the few things Bush did right. I hope we continue to support them.
Marijuana: I don’t see it as any worse than cigarettes or alcohol so I believe it should be legalized. However, I’d never use it myself.
Firearms: The second amendment allows the states to establish militias. So gun control should be a state by state issue. At least, that’s how I interpret it. I’m a hunter so I don’t want to see more gun control.
Gay Marriage: 100% Yes, I can’t see any non-religious reason to not allow it and the government shouldn’t be forbidding it based on a religious reason.
Gay adoption: The rules should be the same as the rules for straight people.
Religion in schools: Evolution works, get over it. Ditto for carbon dating.
Death penalty: Should remain as an option but should only rarely be used

My Political Profile

Country of Residence: UK
Nationality: (nationality is your current citizenship) British
Political Compass Result: Economic Right - Social Libertarian
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: right / lib
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping: anti-EU (pro-europe)
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: Conservative
Religion: none (agnostic)

Abortion: pro yes (16 weeks - safe side of recent science)
War in Iraq: yes (tho that requires not making peoples lives worse)
Marijuana: yes
Firearms: yes (registered, for people of sound character)
Gay Marriage: yes (but i want financial benefits for hetero marriage)
Gay adoption: yes (but as an exception, not the rule)
Religion in schools: yes (in religious schools only)
Death penalty: yes
European Union: A federal union is fine for the continent if that's what they want, but not for the UK, and i strongly believe greater civil/military strife will result from trying to artificially homogenise so many wildly different nations. A free trade zone with harmonisation where desired would be a good result.
Global Warming: Yes it is happening anyway as a natural phenomenon, and yes some portion is anthropogenic, but as yet the science is way too flakey to dedicate a large portion of the worlds future economic potential to what may turn out to be a case of Canutes tides. Adapt or die!

Economic Left/Right: 3.12
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -1.95
http://www.politicalcompass.org/face...3.12&soc=-1.95

Country of Residence: Argentina
Nationality: Argentinina
Political Compass Result: Economic Left/Right: -2.12 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -3.08
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: Where I fit, I belong there.
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping : No
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: We do not have political parties, they were destroyed inside by the local gov.
Religion: Christian

Abortion: Only in cases the woman can die, or in some special case
War in Iraq: I do not see the point of War of Irak. I do not like it, and I never heard a good reason.
Marijuana: I do not approve it, but if you want to consume it, then go ahead.
Firearms: I approve it when its need, when people are tired of being stole
Gay Marriage: No way.
Gay adoption: Worse.
Religion in schools: Yes.
Death penalty: Looks like a good idea, but no. They have to suffer in life, not dead.

Country of Residence: USA
Nationality: American (ancestors were, in order, German, Polish, French, Irish)
Political Compass Result: Economic Left/Right: 4.25
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 2.21
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: Conservative libertarian.
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): No.
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: No.
Religion: Roman Catholic.

Abortion: Against, unless in extreme situations.
War in Iraq: Well, we're in there now...
War in Afghanistan: Obviously important. Stay in there until the Taliban is squashed like a bug and bin Laden is caught.
Marijuana: Legalize and regulate.
Firearms: Keep it the way it is.
Gay Marriage: No opinion.
Gay adoption: No opinion.
Religion in schools: Against. This includes blatant atheism.
Death penalty: For.
European Union: I like the Euro, but that's as far as it should go.

Country of Residence: US
Nationality: US
Political Compass Result: Economic Left/Right: 7.00
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 1.08
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: Right
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): conservative
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: Republican
Religion: Roman Catholic

Abortion: No
War in Iraq: Yes
Marijuana: No
Firearms: Yes
Gay Marriage: No
Gay adoption: No
Religion in schools: Sure
Death penalty: Yes

Country of Residence: New Zealand
Nationality: English/British but also a New Zealand and Hungarian Citizen.
Political Compass Result: Economic Left/Right: -5.62
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -3.69
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: socially liberal, anti-capitalist
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc):No
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party:Republican parties (British ones)
Religion:Roman Catholic

Abortion:1st Trimester, after that only on life threatening conditions.
War in Iraq:Stupid and poorly planned, but should be fought to the end now.
Marijuana:Illegal, excepet for medicinal purposes.
Firearms:Illegal.
Gay Marriage:As long as it is not foistered upon the Church
Gay adoption:Same standards that are aplied to all families.
Religion in schools:I feel that an understanding of all religions is neded in all schools.
Death penalty:Against, in every form.

Country of residence: Serbia
Nationality: Serbian
Political Compass Result: Economic Left/Right: -3.50 - Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -3.38
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: Libertarian
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): No
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: No
Religion: Serbian Orthodox, but not very religious.

Abortion: Should be allowed early in the pregnancy and for health reasons or rape
War in Iraq: Against from the start and still very much so
Marijuana: Allowed but strictly controlled
Firearms: Very strict control
Gay marriage: Against at the moment
Gay adoption: Against. Society still doesn't accept gay people, I'm not sure it's kids can be raised properly in that enviroment.
Religion in schools: Shouldn't be compulsory
Death penalty: Generally against
European Union: At present I'm not very keen on it, partly due to treatment of my country but united Europe, standing on its own as an idea does appeal to me

Country of Residence: UK
Nationality: British
Political Compass Result: Economic Left/Right: - 1.50 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: - 3.74
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: Left liberal
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): No
Do you identify yourself with a certain political party: UK Labour Party
Religion: Atheist

Abortion: Legal in 1st trimester or for health of woman
War in Iraq: Against from beginning; troops out now.
Marijuana: Legalise
Firearms: Undecided
Gay Marriage: OK
Gay adoption: OK
Religion in schools: Religious education - with equal respect for major world religions and agnosticism/atheism - is desirable. Queasy about religious worship in state funded schools or selection by religion even in private schools.
Death penalty: Against

My Political Profile

Country of Residence: The Netherlands
Nationality: Dutch
Political Compass Result: Too USA-minded
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: far-right
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping: nationalists
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: no
Religion: no
Abortion: no, but there can be special circumstances
War in Iraq: based on what I know, yes
Marijuana: don't care
Firearms: yes
Gay Marriage: no
Gay adoption: no
Religion in schools: in public schools no
Death penalty: yes

Country of Residence: USA
Nationality: USA
Political Compass Result: Economic Left/Right: -7.50 - Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -7.38. I'll hang out with JAG in the lower left corner.
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: For an American, I'm far left. I'm against a completely free market and prefer socialism with elements of capitalism at the low end.
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): Rather socialist and liberal (in the US sense); strong environmentalist
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: Green Party
Beliefs ("Religion"): agnostic or atheist (don't care), Buddhist, Taoist
Abortion: Legal early, don't want to write about the specifics right now.
War in Iraq: Against it from the days of George I; a crime against the Iraqi people; a crime against the US and its people; a crime against humanity.
Marijuana: Should have the same status as alcohol and tobacco.
Firearms: Target guns only, with low-caliber ammunition only suitable for paper targets. Although I'm not against hunting, let hunters use bows.
Gay Marriage: Same status as heterosexual marriage.
Gay adoption: Same status as heterosexual adoption.
Religion in schools: Ideally, description and analysis of all major religions, right down to Rastafarianism, in a completely objective and balanced way, in order of their founding. Since I think this is probably an impossibility in US schools, perhaps they should just teach their impact on history, again as balanced as possible.
Death penalty: Useless; additionally, I'm against it on moral grounds.

Country of Residence:USA
Nationality: US
Political Compass Result: Economic Left/Right: -1.62 - Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -3.44
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: Nowhere
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): No
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: No
Religion: Agnostic

Abortion: Yes, in the first trimester, and in cases where the mother's life is at risk
War in Iraq: Against it
Marijuana: Legalize
Firearms: Restrictions for criminal offenders or people with mental instability/issues.
Gay Marriage: For
Gay adoption: For
Religion in schools: No religion in schools.
Death penalty: For

Country of Residence: France
Nationality: Franco-Canadian
Political Compass Result: Economic Left/Right: - -4.38 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -3.64 (is it me or are there more bottom left quadrant people 'round here?)
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: In France, a bit of a Leftist, but I support some Right-wing ideas
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): Socialist, liberal.
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: Not really. Bayrou's MoDem, I guess, but not really.
Religion: Deist, but only to explain the creation of the universe. Beyond that point, Atheist.

Abortion: Should be illegal. After all, if she doesn't want the kid, she can put him up for adoption. If the woman can die, though... legal.
War in Iraq: No.
Marijuana: Should be legal, because if it's illegal, there'll still be traffic. Prohibition doesn't work, the 30's taught us that!
Firearms: Legalize and regulate: like Marijuana.
Gay Marriage: Legal.
Gay adoption: Legal.
Religion in schools: Either only in school clubs; or if part of curriculum, completely objective, taking every religion, explaining their impact, etc.
Death penalty: In case of multiple offenses (depending on the offense, of course; if it's a serial killer we're talking about... )

Country of Residence: England
Nationality: English
Political Compass Result: Economic Left/Right: - Social Libertarian/Authoritarian:
Economic Left/Right: 2.12
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -1.28
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: Right of centre, small government.
Do you identify yourself with a certain political grouping: No. My views alter a lot less than those of political parties.
Do you identify yourself with a certain political party: All chase votes rather than have core beliefs
Religion: Agnostic

Abortion: 1st trimester without exception, then damn good medical reasons.
War in Iraq: No place for the UK to be.
Marijuana: Better legal and taxed, better than alcohol
Firearms: why?
Gay Marriage: Don't care
Gay adoption: Sure, why not? What makes hetros great parents all the time?
Religion in schools: Theology classes = good, indoctrination classes = bad
Death penalty: In principle great idea. Lapses in legal system only reason for pause.

Country of Residence: USA
Nationality: USA
Political Compass Result: Economic Left-Right: 3.25 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -1.90
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: Libertarian
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc):Libertarian
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: Libertarian
Religion: Roman Catholic

Abortion: this issue is dead to me. Roe v. Wade will never be overturned, but I think it's morally wrong.
War in Iraq: are there still troops there?
Marijuana: legalize all drugs, just don't expect me to pay increased insurance premiums for drug-related medical problems. they shouldn't be covered by insurance.
Firearms: legal for hunting and self-defense. just promise me you aren't crazy
Gay Marriage: do it
Gay adoption: go for it
Religion in schools: i don't want some idiot teacher brainwashing my kids. i want to make my children aware of my beliefs and be their moral educator. teachers should just teach science and stuff
Death penalty: i hit agree on the quiz, but i don't know really. i'd rather have killers be dead and not have to think about it. i don't think about the philosophical consequences

Country of Residence: :canada:
Nationality: :canada:
Political Compass Result: Economic Left/Right: -5.82 - Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 0.82
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: Liberal/Socialist. Strong on human and civil rights. Strong on national defence.
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): Liberal.
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: Mostly Liberal party of Canada.
Religion: Very spiritual, bit o' everything.
Abortion: A woman has complete control over her body. Big problems with late term abortions, though.
War in Iraq: Stupid. Lie. Illegal. Criminal. Murder. Theft. Waste.
Marijuana: Legalize it!
Firearms: All guns at home. No big problems with specific bans on certain types of weapons. Anyone caught with an illegal handgun or carrying any handgun on their person or in their car should face a mandatory minimum one-year hard labour.
Gay Marriage: 50/50.
Gay adoption: No.
Religion in schools: Only as a part of world history.
Death penalty: Only if they're guilty. Which means no, because the police and the judicial system cannot be trusted.

Country of Residence: United States
Nationality: People's Republic of China
Political Compass Result: Economic Left/Right:-5.75 - Social -Libertarian/Authoritarian:-.51
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: Moderate leaning left
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping No
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: Democrats
Religion: Atheist

Abortion: Generally allowed unless it is abused for things like not using contraception
War in Iraq: Mistake from the start
Marijuana: Keep illegal
Firearms: Ban them all except for police/military
Gay Marriage: Okay for me
Gay adoption: Nothing I would oppose to
Religion in schools:Definately not
Death penalty: Allow it, and lots of it

Country of Residence: Norway
Nationality: Norwegian
Political Compass Result: Economic Left/Right: -9.12
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -7.18
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: Leftie
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): Socialist.
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: Member of SV(Socialist left).
Religion: Agnostic.

Abortion: Yup. The earlier it is, the better it is for the woman, which would be the only reason I can support time limits on it.
War in Iraq: Idiots.
Marijuana: Couldn't care.
Firearms: No.
Gay Marriage: Yes.
Gay adoption: Yes.
Religion in schools: Only as history, with no preferential religion.
Death penalty: No.

I'm going to violate my own "no post" rule and keep bumping this thread until the mods reply to my sticky request.

Please no other posts, besides profiles of course. Thanks. I'll ask for my own bump posts to be removed if a sticky is granted. ~:)

Country of residence: United Kingdom (England)
Nationality: British (English)
Political Compass Result: Economic Left/Right: -2.50
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -6.46
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: Centrist
Do you identify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): Social Liberalism, Civic (Liberal) Nationalism, pro-Europe (with reservations)
Do you identify yourself with a certain political party: Liberal Democrats usually. I will never consider voting Labour while it repeatedly represses our freedoms and, although I perhaps do prefer the conservatives, my local MP is part of the hard-line right-wing faction which I do not wish to represent me in parliament.
Religion: Atheist

****

Abortion: I really don't like the idea of abortion at all. This is the only large bit of "old thinking", as I'm going to call it, left in me. I do honestly feel it is comparable to murder, since the baby did not choose to die. As a result I would only fully support it when the mother's life and long term physical heath is threatened. Otherwise, although legal up to the point where the baby has a semi-functional nervous system, adoption should be heavily stressed as a humane alternative and free contraceptives as a method of the prevention of pregnancy.

War in Iraq: I was originally in favour at the outset - less because of the WMDs and more because of the dictatorial regime. Although now Iraq is liberated and is slowly transitioning towards democracy, whether it will make it fully is yet to be seen, the critical question is whether the instability, the suffering and loss of life is truly worth the result. Maybe it will be in the future, but for now, I don't feel that it is.

War in Afghanistan: I was certainly for this attack originally, more so than the attack on Iraq. We've liberated a country from a terrorist regime more oppressive than that of Stalin's Russia, but, once again, is the price of human life truly worth the result? Right now many of the achievements do outweigh the costs, but we still haven't got Osama and terrorist groups are still active across the entire region.

Marijuana: Why not? It's a simple matter of the freedom of choice. As well as this less money would be spent on policing and more money would be focused on "real" serious crime. It should be highly taxed, with taxes being used on rehabilitation and education, and banned from being smoked in any public places.

Firearms: Legal, but very strictly controlled under the methods that currently exist under British gun regulations system.

Gay marriage: Strong yes from me - I don't see why not - every argument put forth against such proposals is at best simply pathetic and at worst actually laughable. I would not want to force recognition of these relationships upon any religious body though - it's a shame they won't embrace modern liberal principles, but we should let them do as they please in all regards.

Gay adoption: Again a very strong yes, with the same rules applying to straights. It has been shown that gays can provide an as good environment for raising children as straight adopters and I do not see why they should be excluded from this privilege.

Religion in schools: Religious teaching, yes, although only for educational purposes and to drive understanding and acceptance. Religious memorabilia, also a yes from me as long as it is safe and doesn't obstruct learning capacity - I don't see why somebody should be banned from expressing their religious beliefs in any environment. I'm not opposed to some conservative values being implemented, as long as they are not actually presented as such - I indeed think that some of the sensible** ones are needed to prevent the next generation turning into a bunch of council housed, unemployed, inefficient and lazy chavs.

**Sensible here means ones that actually have the potential to make people's lives better for them and others. Promotion of positive values such as hard work, personal financial independence, anti-unprotected sex/promiscuity, anti-drugs e.c.t. would be included. Negative/discriminatory values such as anti-gay ideas, which do quite the opposite, wouldn't be in this curriculum of "values".

Death penalty: A strong no from me. All prisoners can become better people with help and support both in and outside the prison process.

European Union: As a trading block I most certainly favour it. As a governmental force with the power over state's non-constitutional*** internal policy, most certainly not - that would, in my opinion, be a total violation of the principles of democracy - did the British vote for the Polish, the French, the Italians or the Germans in the parliament to make choices for them?**** I think not. As a governmental force with the power over states external (foreign) policy, maybe. Together as a voice we are stronger. As individuals we are powerless and easily turned into foreign policy satellite states. The UK, for example, is in my opinion a puppet of the US - something I strongly object to being. Yes we can agree on things, but the UK shouldn't be the junior partner in this coalition and should have an independent voice as opposed to just mirroring the words of Washington.

*** any constitution should be strictly limited to mention only human rights/democracy and the need for a certain level of free trade/economic conformity across the block.
**** they should be permitted to act as an advisory/funding (as sort of a "federal reserve") body on these matters. For example, in the case of funding, they could choose to fund the building of a road tunnel linking France with the UK, but it would be the choice of these two states as to whether they actually go ahead or not. Likewise they could choose to advise Poland to reform its education system, but its the choice of the state as to whether they actually listen or not.

Israel - Yes they have the right to exist, but I don't feel that an awful lot of what they have done over the past century has been remotely ethical. Settlements/the occupation in the West Bank is wrong, their refusal to come to a long lasting solution to the question of Palestine is wrong e.c.t. I do, however, believe that the attack on Hamas and the earlier attack on Hezbollah were justified - if France were throwing rockets at us over the channel I would expect my government to act violently if the other side were as morally corrupt as Hamas. Maybe not quite in such a disproportionate fashion and with more care for civilian life though (I do suppose it is hard to not damage civilians when Hamas are hiding behind them and in such a densely populated area - I'll give Israel that I suppose).

Regardless of the bloodshed, however, it's time for Israel to find a solution to these problems - the West Bank and Gaza should go to a new Palestinian state. All Israeli settlements in the West Bank should be demolished/abandoned (with the Israeli government compensating). Jerusalem could either be made into a multi-national zone with control being shared between the two states (or possibly even be commanded by the UN as was originally intended) or be split into a Palestinian East and Israeli West. The rest should stay Israeli. The process should take into account the need for various possible solutions with the Palestinians being given choices in a series of free and fair referendum questions as the foundation of the constitution of their state. These questions shouldn't just be ones that Israel approves of either - if the Palestinians want to be an Iranian style theocracy then who are we to stand in the way of democracy? The new state should have full control over its own airspace and naval space and have the right to maintain its own armed forces. A demilitarised "buffer" zone should exist between the two states administered by UN troops - a bit like the region between Syria and Israel.

A single-state solution would never work in a million years - both sides would lack a true nationality and would end up fighting for it, taking us back to square one.

My Political Profile

Country of Residence: USA
Nationality: USA
Political Compass Result: Economic Left/Right: 4.72 - Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -0.87
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum:Neo-liberal
Do you identify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): Federalist (classical Liberal)
Do you identify yourself with a certain political party: These days, no.
Religion: Roman Catholic

Abortion: Legal in the 1st-term, though alternatives should be stressed. Beyond this timeframe, it should only be available where the life or long-term physical health of the mother is in serious jeopardy.
War in Iraq: I think we should have completely dismantled and defanged Al-Queda prior to initiating any new theaters. We're allowed them a moral victory by sticking around this long, and we've allowed the situation in Afghanistan to regress (and the situation in Western Pakistan to fester). I have serious misgivings about either the capability or the integrity of American intelligence agencies based on the apparent confidence level they had in the case they made prior to the invasion. Fighting the war 'on the cheap' has increased the cost, both in dollars and lives. . And we set horrible conditions for victory, a nebulous "When the Iraqis are happy..." as opposed to clear, definable objectives our armed forces could actually achieve. Other than all of that, I'm fine with it.
Marijuana: Controlling supply rarely works for desired contraband. Address the demand side of the equation. Don't make criminals out of the weak-willed, we have enough of the real variety already.
Firearms: Self-defense is not only a right, it's a responsibility. The overwhelming evidence is incontrovertible that restricting legal access to personal firearm ownership never reduces crime, and if anything increases the likelihood of some crimes, especially violent crimes, such as home invasion style robberies.
Gay Marriage: Marriage is a religious institution and should not have been established as a legal institution in the first place. I understand the need for contractual obligations and protections, but those should be treated as legal partnerships, not by having the government acknowledge a religious institution. Therefore, civil unions for all, straight or gay.
Gay adoption: I haven't seen a compelling argument against this that doesn't involve religion. I am in favor of better screening of adoptive and foster parents (and where possible, natural parents) of all stripes, straight or gay.
Religion in schools: I believe in universal norms of behavior, and I believe these should be taught in schools. I do believe these universal norms are far fewer than do most people that agree with me on the existence of universal norms. Teaching these universal norms should be done, endorsing any one particular religious world view in the process should be avoided.
Death Penalty: Despite my views on keeping religion out of the legal system, I actually consider myself to be quite religious. The death penalty is different from homocide in self-defense, or warfare for that matter, in that it is not necessary. In inflicting the death penalty, you have eliminated the chance for the accused to repent of their sins and find salvation, you have in affect played God, and you did it when you didn't have to. So I am opposed. It is never moral to inflict any more harm than is necessary. *This theory goes hand in hand with a deep conviction that parole and probation for violent offenders, particularly child predators, needs to be curtailed, if not eliminated. You rape and kill an 8 year old girl, I'll happily swallow the key to your jail cell.

Country of Residence: Wales

Nationality: English
Your political compass
Economic Left/Right: -6.50
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -5.64

Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: Left wing democrat, monarchy or not
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): Probably Socialist if anything
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: I Have Voted for the Liberal Democrats once or twice more of a protest vote than anything, a party that more truely represents my views would be either the green party or the coalition of socailist partys

Religion: Atheist

Abortion: Legal up to a few months not sure where to draw the line
War in Afghanastan: nessecary and without the distraction of Iraq i think the place would be much further along, probably needs more troops to stamp out militant elements and large scale education of the populace is a must, probably need to stay there a good few years to help establish a stable democracy all over the country.
War in Iraq: Bad idea but now we've made the mess its our responsibility to sort it out
Marijuana: LEGALISE! Controlled and taxed through the state, 18 or 21 minimum age to buy
Firearms: Not Available to the general public, or police in general, only highly trained police officers and armed forces
Gay Marriage: allow Gays to get married but not force churches or religions to carry out any ceremonys
Gay adoption: If its a choice between a loving gay couple and staying in a care home and think the adoption should go ahead, i do wonder what if any difference gay parents would make on a kid.
Religion in schools: Teach the good and the bad of the major religions to create an understanding, shouldn't be used as a recruitment tool and shouldn't get involved in lessons like science
Death penalty: NO NO NO! i cannot support the death penalty in todays world, if the world situation got desperarte i can imagine a situation where we could need it, but with the world as it is theres no need for the death penalty.
European Union: A good idea that is flawed at the moment, just like most goverments, we need to work to sort out the flaws and continue on the path to greater intergration...
Israel: Needs to stop the occupation and return to its 1967 borders. Calls to stop the violence seem awfully hollow when they just carry on what thier doing regardless, unsurprising the palestinians don't abandon terrorism given the conditions...

Nationality: Australia
Political Compass Result: -9.88/ -8
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum:Democratic socialist
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): market socialism, council communism, left Schachtmanism
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: Motorhead
Religion: No

Abortion: Whatever
War in Iraq: Was a stupid idea, which lead predictably to an intractable mess
Marijuana: Yes please
Firearms: Ideally everyone should have guns and we wouldn't need police and military forces. Unfortunately alot of people would leave them on the sofa or do something else stupid with them.
Gay Marriage: Again, whatever
Gay adoption: I don't understand why some people want children so badly, but whatever
Religion in schools: No
Death penalty: Some people deserve it, but no legal system can ever prove guilt to a sufficient degree to make it sensible to have as a sentencing option except perhaps in the case of an extraordinary tribunal trying a notorious state leaders or terrorists.

Country of Residence: Turkey
Nationality: Turkish
Political Compass Result:
Economic Left/Right: -6,88
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2,77
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: national socialist (I thought I was)
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): no
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: no, I'll start my own hopefully
Religion: mostly atheist but want to convert the people to Shamanism

Abortion: only if it is done very very early
War in Iraq: big fish eats the small fish
Marijuana: yes please
Firearms: should be totally banned very dangerous in wrong hands and over here we have many people with wrong hands
Gay Marriage: no way
Gay adoption: no way
Religion in schools: no, should be banned
Death penalty: I dont't like it.

Country of Residence: England, United Kingdom
Nationality: British
Political Compass Result: Economic Left/Right: -1.50 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.56
Where do you put yourself on the political spectrum: Not a clue anymore. Economic: Vaguely right. Social: Left.
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political grouping (socialist, neocon, etc): No.
Do you indentify yourself with a certain political party: No.
Religion: Raised Church of England, Atheist

Abortion: Pro choice but with a 12-week limit.
War in Iraq: Well, we're there now, I feel we should stay and give it the best chance of a fresh start.
Marijuana: Hmmm, for legislation(just). Tax the drugs industry and put the money into educating people about dangers.
Firearms: Against, just plain unnecessary.
Gay Marriage: For
Gay adoption: For
Religion in schools: Definitely not.
Death penalty: Opposed, but only if I could have labour camps for the criminals. Spend the absolute minimum on keeping them alive and then have them doing productive work for the rest of society. Generating power by turning a wheel or something, eco-friendly!
EU: See EMFM.
Israel: Against.