UC-ers, where do you stand politically?

[MittensKittens]

A comment on another thread about UC being about freedom of choice and being a liberal notion got me thinking! I am really curious where other unassisted birthers stand politically.

I am libertarian.

You?

[tracymom1]

Total bleeding heart liberal, but always willing to listen to all sides of an argument. I just tend to relate more to the far left.

[labortrials]

I'm fairly a-political these days.  Tend to vote for Democrats at the national level.  But I know lots of natural birth advocates that are conservative.

Maybe I'm a fence sitter . . . who tends to fall off on the left and the gets back on the fence and every once in a while falls off on the right.  Defintely a fence sitter.

Funny . . . I used to work in politics!

[Munchkingirl]

Well, since someone else opened the can I guess I can dig in...I am 100% conservative (socially, fiscally, and environmentally).  I don't know about others in that boat, but I have felt that I don't fit in on either side all the way since we are also "crunchy".  When I am with the ones who understand our birth and parenting choices, they don't get the other stuff and vice versa.  I feel the two go hand in hand.  If I believe that we are responsible for our actions on a personal level, that extends into how I believe government should be approached/run.  (Trying to keep it neutral so we can continue a dialog).

[ElizabethE]

I'm pretty liberal, but my "radical" traits usually have me testing as libertarian, so I guess that means I have a few conservative traits in there. I'm pretty much a Democrat vote, but I believe in not trying to please everybody and doing what you feel is right (please, Mr. President?). So, I'm not as passive as most Dems I suppose. I'm usually described as a feminist and hippie, and I like that.

I believe that there are a lot of disparities in society-- culturally, economically... and I feel those gaps aren't completely justified or warranted and I'd like to see everyone be truly equal and free. I think we live in a culture where people often do not understand "the other side", and are maybe too comfortable to try.

I like to see people free themselves from bondage of all kinds.

[lightinmyhands]

I'm of the opinion that there isn't much of a difference between conservatives and liberals, other than the spelling.  I'd probably best be described as a libertarian, though I would most often consider myself a radical humanist.  Though because of my hair and manner of dress I am often labeled a "hippy", but I believe that word doesn't mean what it once did and I prefer not to be labeled as such.

Interesting question to pose to UCer's  I find I am often alone in a sea of extremely conservative christians when I'm discussing UC or homeschooling or such. 

[ursusarctos]

I am pretty apolitical nowadays. I suppose I've just gotten really cynical about anything really changing through politics. I happen to live in a social-democratic country, and I can see both sides of it. On the one side, it sure is nice that education and healthcare are accessible to all regardless of income and that as a student and mother I actually get real financial benefits from the state. On the other side, when the government is taking care of you it also assumes more of a right to dictate your life choices, which is annoying and could potentially be a slippery slope. I guess on a practical level I am quite a bit of a "leftie" but I don't like the social control that seems to come with that kind of government. Mostly I believe that any real change for the better is going to come from a grassroots level/shift in social attitudes that may then be translated into political action.

[lightinmyhands]

Originally Posted by ursusarctos 

I am pretty apolitical nowadays. I suppose I've just gotten really cynical about anything really changing through politics. I happen to live in a social-democratic country, and I can see both sides of it. On the one side, it sure is nice that education and healthcare are accessible to all regardless of income and that as a student and mother I actually get real financial benefits from the state. On the other side, when the government is taking care of you it also assumes more of a right to dictate your life choices, which is annoying and could potentially be a slippery slope. I guess on a practical level I am quite a bit of a "leftie" but I don't like the social control that seems to come with that kind of government. Mostly I believe that any real change for the better is going to come from a grassroots level/shift in social attitudes that may then be translated into political action.

well said.

[dayiscoming2006]

Libertarian. I don't trust the voting system in place in the USA at this time though. So, I don't think our votes mean much at this time. I still try to vote. 

[MittensKittens]

Yes! My theory was right - lots of UC-ers are libertarians.

[princesstutu]

These days, lots of people in general are Libertarians.  I have issues with the Libertarian party.  I think it's an incredibly selfish political stance.

I am independent, politically.  A registered Green party person. 

[weliveintheforest]

I'm libertarian but I don't think I am selfish.

[tracymom1]

Originally Posted by princesstutu 

These days, lots of people in general are Libertarians.  I have issues with the Libertarian party.  I think it's an incredibly selfish political stance.

I am independent, politically.  A registered Green party person. 

Why do you think libertarians are selfish? Just curious...

[Adaline'sMama]

::hoping for a UC this time around::

Im an anarchist. I do vote though, as I feel like it is my duty to the women who fought for me to have the right to do so.

[ElizabethE]

[Arduinna]

Originally Posted by MittensKittens 

A comment on another thread about UC being about freedom of choice and being a liberal notion got me thinking!

I know you are referencing someone elses comment, but I just have to say that it makes no sense at all to me. The left is notorious for it's nanny state laws because they think we need to be protected from ourselves and they often choose to limit parental choices in favor of what they see as the greater good for society. The right has many people fighting for school vouchers, homeschooling, lay midwifery and vax freedom. 

[ElizabethE]

Originally Posted by Arduinna 

I know you are referencing someone elses comment, but I just have to say that it makes no sense at all to me. The left is notorious for it's nanny state laws because they think we need to be protected from ourselves and they often choose to limit parental choices in favor of what they see as the greater good for society. The right has many people fighting for school vouchers, homeschooling, lay midwifery and vax freedom. 

I disagree. I think "liberal" in general implies granting larger social freedoms to the point of permissiveness. I think that it just works out for the right, since so many of them are religious. This is a right the right-wing would definitely want to defend. UCing seems to appeal very much to devout Christians, as does homeschooling.

[newsolarmomma2]

I'm waaaaaay left, vote Democrat. Republicans scare me.

Not all lefties are for a nanny state, but I can say that I AM for sensible, reasonable regulation. I do not trust corporations, builders, food producers, businesspeople, etc to do the right thing without laws. They have proven that they cannot act ethically even with regulation, I cannot imagine what it would look like with out any. (Though where I lived in Mexico there weren't regulations and it showed, in a negative way).

As for individuals, I am all for choice and responsibility. If I was in charge I would say do as you please, so long as it don't harm others. this goes for HS/US, HB/UC, choosing medical care, or not, using drugs, wearing helmets, etc. If libertarians weren't so hell bent on zero regulation, completely free markets, and eliminating the social safety net, I would identify with them, since I like the focus on personal responsibility and accountability.

I get why the poster above said Libertarianism is a selfish ideology- not that you as a libertarian are selfish, but the philosophy is. Its because it often devolves into "every man/woman/family for itself" ways of thinking, and promotes free market to the extreme, which can be very damaging to the community. I think people misunderstand the original concept of the free market- Adam Smith never meant for a free market separated from the community, and morality. but lots of his words are overlooked in the rush for rules free business practices. No regulations leads to sweatshops, and the perennial race to the bottom.

I think libertarianism is a utopian philosophy- if all people were very evolved, it would be great. But in the real world we have businesses that exploit others, environmental practices that rape and despoil the resources we depend on, and people/companies with so much power they cannot be reined in by individuals. Our economy is globalized, whether we like it or not, and every individual does not have equal power. There have to be protections for the weak, for our environment. I also think that society benefits when there is a social safety net, especially in a capitalist economy. (I believe in Shared Capitalism)

We are in this together, as a civilization, so it's in everyones best interest to work to fight poverty, build the economy, and create sustainable ways of doing business. Democracy allows us to create a government that is a counterweight to this power, though we are not doing a great job of it right now, it's better than every person for themselves. This is only MY OPINION! I appreciate hearing others, especially when we disagree.

[Arduinna]

I think you should check out the difference in laws between conservative states like AZ and TX compared to liberal ones like NY and Mass. Because when you compare the actual laws in place they do not support your assertion. 

[ElizabethE]

Originally Posted by Arduinna 

I think you should check out the difference in laws between conservative states like AZ and TX compared to liberal ones like NY and Mass. Because when you compare the actual laws in place they do not support your assertion. 

Not sure who you were talking to, but sorry if it wasn't me. :) If it was--

Why? What does that matter? What is that going to prove? That UCing is a conservative value?

I have to admit that one of the pluses to living in a mostly Republican state, for me, is that they really seem to prize my rights to keep to myself in a rural home and run my own show. Things like UCing and homeschooling are far easier for me as a result. I suppose I should thank my conservative Christian friends for that one. And no, that wasn't sarcastic. Neither was that.