Apparently, I'm a liberal. Whoda thunk it?
Liberals represent 17 percent of the American public, and 19 percent of registered voters.
Basic Description
This group has nearly doubled in proportion since 1999, Liberals now comprise the largest share of Democrats and is the single largest of the nine Typology groups. They are the most opposed to an assertive foreign policy, the most secular, and take the most liberal views on social issues such as homosexuality, abortion, and censorship. They differ from other Democratic groups in that they are strongly pro-environment and pro-immigration, issues which are more controversial among Conservative and Disadvantaged Democrats.Defining Values
Strongest preference for diplomacy over use of military force. Pro-choice, supportive of gay marriage and strongly favor environmental protection. Low participation in religious activities. Most sympathetic of any group to immigrants as well as labor unions, and most opposed to the anti-terrorism Patriot Act.Who They Are
Most (62%) identify themselves as liberal. Predominantly white (83%), most highly educated group (49% have a college degree or more), and youngest group after Bystanders. Least religious group in typology: 43% report they seldom or never attend religious services; nearly a quarter (22%) are seculars. More than one-third never married (36%). Largest group residing in urban areas (42%) and in the western half the country (34%). Wealthiest Democratic group (41% earn at least $75,000).Lifestyle Notes
Largest group to have been born (or whose parents were born) outside of the U.S. or Canada (20%). Least likely to report having a gun at home (23%) or attending bible study or prayer group meetings (13%).2004 Election
Bush 2%, Kerry 81%Party ID
59% Democrat; 40% Independent/No Preference, 1% Republican (92% Dem/Lean Dem)Media Use
Liberals are second only to Enterprisers in following news about government and public affairs most of the time (60%). Liberals' use of the internet to get news is the highest among all groups (37%).
According to this 11% of "liberals" support teaching creationism instead of evolution and 49% support teaching both. Um.
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Yup, me too, no surprise there.
Huh. I got liberal, too. I guess my Ayn Rand streak isn't enough to separate me from the flock. That's neat to know.
I'm an Upbeat.
Never heard of an Upbeat. Is there an Upbeat Party I can join?
My conservative father and I can't talk politics without raising each other's hackles, so it's no surprise to me either that my test results put me on the liberal end of the spectrum. He and I were having lunch a couple of months ago and, out of the blue, he admitted to me that he no longer had any confidence in President Bush. Considering my dad's voting history and some of the differences of opinion he and I have had over the years, for him to say that was quite surprising indeed.
They classified me as a Liberal as well.
I attend the local atheist meetups regularly, does that count?
Surprise, surprise. Came up a Liberal. I have a hard time with the claim that 49% of liberals support teaching both. 2/3-3/4 of the ones I've spoken to are dead set against it, it wasn't exactly a scientific survey, but...
Personally as an educator, I wouldn't teach creationism ... though I did begin a Native American elective class with the Oneida creation story... ;o) I know I wouldn't teach it in my anthropology elective, and I know a chemistry teacher and biology Phd who were of the opinion that they'd return to the private sector and do research first.
Testing says: liberal. I prefer for myself a term I read in "Oliver Stone's USA" that he used to describe himself: radical centrist.
Some observations from the "Analyze Issues and Coalitions " section:
1. Perhaps the two most closely related groups were Disadvantaged Democrats and Liberals.
2. Some surprises here (e.g. the amount of support for the display of the 10 Commandments in government buildings).
3. I found the amount of support for the use of torture disheartening.
4. There was an interesting incongruity between support for NAFTA versus lack of support for outsourcing. One word: Maquiladora.