Gallup: "Conservatives continue to outnumber moderates and liberals in the American populace in 2009... Forty percent of Americans describe their political views as conservative, 36% as moderate, and 20% as liberal. This marks a shift from 2005 through 2008, when moderates were tied with conservatives as the most prevalent group."
"Changes among political independents appear to be the main reason the percentage of conservatives has increased nationally over the past year: the 35% of independents describing their views as conservative in 2009 is up from 29% in 2008."
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5 comments:
Gotta work on us scientists ...
One step at a time =)
Though I have to say, while my sample size is small most people I know in the sciences are at least reasonable liberals. I can appreciate that.
"...describe their political views as conservative..."
The problem is that the respondents in this poll were left to describe their own political views. Most of them likely have little understanding of the principles of conservatism to begin with. I've seen a flurry of self prescribed (ahem) "conservatives" support everything from professional sports team stadium subsidies, smoking bans on privately owned businesses, agricultural subsidies, light rail subsidies, renewable energy mandates, Sierra Club environmentalism, et al.
Clearly any conservative who supports any of the aforementioned has a misguided understanding of what true conservatism actually is.
Soapboxgod....valid point. I wonder how many consider themselves socons, neocons, ficons or what have you. The term conservative in its popular use leaves a lot of room for debate.
Conservatism needs no modifier. Those who feel the need to place one before it ought to be watched very closely.
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