What are your politics?

I often hear how closely divided we are politically here in the U.S., and sometimes it seems like there are no issues on which the left and right can agree.

But recently Jen at The Lactivist and I have been thinking about how breastfeeding, as an issue, seems to have appeal to women on both the left and the right. 

She and I are a good example of this, actually.  We're on opposite ends of the political spectrum, but we seem to think alike when it comes to breastfeeding and some other parenting issues.

So, I thought I'd put up a poll asking you to identify yourself politically.  We considered asking for political party affiliation, but settled on the categories below.  If you have ideas on why breastfeeding crosses the political divide, or if you don't think it does, leave us a comment!

Note:  This poll may take a few seconds to load.  If it doesn't, please refresh the page.  You may also need to use Explorer to open the page to get it to work.

Comments

[Leah]

I'm a libertarian - fiscally conservative, socially liberal (I usually describe it as individual freedom both in your wallet and in the bedroom). No categories apply to me because if I say I'm left of center (very much so on many things), it leaves out that I am far right of center regarding taxation and government programs.

Breastfeeding applies to me because it is the ultimate in freedom - I don't depend on a company to make my baby's food or a government to regulate its contents or provide me with it.

Libertarians are generally horrified by government colluding with big business. As has happened time and time again with formula companies. We don't mind big businesses if they get big on their own merits, but when they get big because the government gave them special breaks it messes up the workings of the free market.

[amygeekgrl]

i voted left of center, but i'm more like a moderate left. ;)

[Tanya]

Leah,

You're right - these categories don't work at all for you! There's a Libratarian in my family, so I'm pretty familiar with your perspective (and have to say that it's more consistent than either of the major parties!)

Anyway, this is exactly the kind of thing I couldn't figure out how to represent in the poll. I started with party affiliation, but Jen rightly pointed out that she's a Republican but takes positions on some issues that are more in line with Democrats.

So, this is the best I could come up with, flawed as it is...

Tanya

[RCM]

Thank goodness this is an issue that crosses all political preferences! Society and culture will not change unless men and women of all political leanings work together.

For the record: I classify myself as a political moderate: more conservative than the conservatives in some areas, and more liberal than the liberals in other areas.