Commuting - Your political leanings

I thought it'd be interesting to know the political leanings of this group. I believe that bike-commuters are stereotypically protrayed as university students/professors, environmentalists, and the like. This view tends to position b-c'ers as somewhat to the left of center.

But I wonder if this thinking actually holds up in the real world. I believe b-c'ers b-c for a whole variety of reasons, and that political leanings is not a useful desciptor of this group.

So please respond with your political leanings.

It depends on the topic. But generally I am leaning right. I have concerns in certain areas such as environment for example that would be considered left but in all reality when push comes to shove I am right wing.

BTW One thing I find is our right wingers in Canada excluding most of Alberta and some of Ontario are no where near as right wing as the American counterparts. :)

What does this have to do with commuting?

RichC

Originally posted by Rich Clark
What does this have to do with commuting?
It gets to the commuting experience, don't you think? Never hurts to provide a little context to the activity, I think.

I bike-commute for me, me, me. Health, fitness, general well-being, etc.

Incidental to this is the environmental impact, although I am happy to not be burning gas while commuting. It's just that I wouldn't rank the beneficial environmental impact as #1 on my list.

Funny how polls like this never allow a choice for 'make your own mind up on individual issues."

For some reason popular culture avoids this option like the plague...even the news media refuses to talk to groups like feminists against abortion and conservative atheists. We just gotta keep people packaged up in neat little boxes, apparently.

Sorry, you pushed my Pet Peeve button. :D

I am in agreeance with Rich C, what does this have to do with commuting? Does ones outlook matter when peddaling down the road? Does it change the way the bike rides? Does it affect the ability of the rider to ride? Does it affect the amount of traffic, temperature, or whether it rains or not? Do driver's see a affiliation sign on the rider's back to determine if the hit the rider or intimidate them or not? :rolleyes:

I'm so far off to the right that I'm actually coming around to the left. If I were any more to the right, I'd be an anarchist. Keep the govt out of everything, that's what I say!

politics and religion are something that should not be discussed on a board such as this. I'm sure there are many more places on the net that are more appropriate for such topics. We all ride bikes, that is our common bond, why polarize people to the left or right.
Andre

No need for anyone to get upset...if you don't feel this subject belongs here, ask Joe to move it to the Lounge or somewhere.

I ride in the right hand lane except when I'm turning left.

:confused:

I am a libertarian-leaning centrist (on a U.S. scale). I am too much of a fiscal conservative to be comfortable with the Democrats, and too much of an environmentalist to be comfortable with the Republicans, but I always register to vote with a major party to avoid being disenfranchised in the primary election.

To me it depends totally on the issue and nothing else. That is all I'm going to say in this thread because I've seen this sort of thing get waaaaaaaaay out of hand in the past.

Hey, notwithstanding my "Senior Member" moniker, I'm a newbie to this Forum. I thought this question pertained to commuting or, moe accurately, commuters. I don't think it pertains to all bikers. So I thought the Commuting forum was most appropriate.

If you disagree, I'll ... I'll ... I'm not sure what I could do then. Delete it? Won't hurt my feelings.

BTW -- Bike Forums is a super cool place. I'm amazed, actually pissed, I haven't stumbled upon it earlier.

Andy

Originally posted by Andy Dreisch
Hey, notwithstanding my "Senior Member" moniker, I'm a newbie to this Forum. I thought this question pertained to commuting or, moe accurately, commuters. I don't think it pertains to all bikers. So I thought the Commuting forum was most appropriate.

I wasn't having a dig at you for it. I was just explaining why my comment was so brief in the first place. Unfortunately, some members in the past have used this sort of thing to try to push their own political agendas and things have got a little heated.

Originally posted by Chris L
I wasn't having a dig at you for it. I was just explaining why my comment was so brief in the first place. Unfortunately, some members in the past have used this sort of thing to try to push their own political agendas and things have got a little heated.
Got it. Nope. No flaming posts expected. No flaming posts allowed!! I just want to see if b-c'ers fit the stereotypical mold.

But in having to explain this post repeatedly, I think it's time I trash it. Now all I have to do is figure out how to do this !!!

Andy

Originally posted by Andre
politics and religion are something that should not be discussed on a board such as this.
Andre

It can be discussed everywhere cause it is one of several things that forms the base we use when expressing ourselver as human beeings. To better understand each other it´s good having a more whole picture of our philosophical background. Therefore not stated that every one must discuss politics here, or state their political opinions. I think politic is as good reason to commute as anything. My self I have choosen not to state my own political view, but I have taken the poll.

Anders K

On second thought, maybe Andre is right. Could be these things is not to be discussed every where. There is always someone there to take or give offence:( . Better keep these discussions in dedicated forums. But I wish they could be discussed every where. It´s important to discuss...but maybe not here.

Anders K

I think my objection stems from not wanting to know the beliefs people hold. I enjoy reading the posts here and i don't want my enjoyment marred by knowing too much about the people writing here. Enjoying what people write about bicycling is what i come here for, i don't want my perception of what they write to be influenced by how they vote or how they may or may not practice religion.
Andre

I'm a Leo.

It's the theory of relativity: How far left of center I appear depends on how far right of center you stand.

I lean to the right of cars with political bumper stickers when they are on my left.

I lean to the left of cars with political bumper stickers when they are on my right.

I'm in the middle when no cars are around me, except when I'm turning, then, I usually lean towards the direction I'm turning.

When standing, I don't lean much at all. I've been known to sway if I've had something to drink, or if I'm dizzy. But mainly, I'm a stable type of person.

That what your looking for?

I didn't vote on Andy's poll, but I couldn't resist responding.

Concerning politicians: I am still looking for, "Mr. Right." (Or, "Mr. Left," "Mr. Center," whatever.)