Metal Fans Liberal or Conservative?

[ApolloFC]

Don't have an interest in politics whatsoever. If i had to choose I'd be more liberal I suppose if I have definitions correct.

 

[Diabolik]

I am all over the place. I think the Death Penalty should be pushed harder along with harsher punishments and also I think we should focus more money and time on education and science. I dont fall into any party. I am kind of a lone wolf in that sense. While I have some liberal views I dont have the ethics of most liberals.

 

[Sumeet]

I don't see much point in trying to conform to concepts like "liberal" or "conservative". I simply accept reason and evidence and go where that takes me... wherever that may be, and however I may feel about it emotionally.

 

[Heavymetalzombie666]

It varies by the fans because I have seen people with different views form a wide cross section. It is a little bit more libertarian and centrist on things.

 

[Palabra de Dios]

I must be the needle in the haystack, because I tend to swing liberal on most things. I think Libertarians have some good ideas, but they seem more hell-bent on proving that everyone else is stupid than actually offering reasonable solutions to our problems. Most Washington politicians frustrate me anyway, since so much money seems to corrupt the system and prevent any actual work from getting done. But on issues, I swing liberal. I support the rights of minorities, gay marriage, access to reproductive care (abortions, for one, but also a woman's right to to with her body what she chooses), programs for the impoverished, regulated welfare, etc.

I know I go left economically as well, just on the idea that I think wealth is distributed extremely unfairly, and that unfettered capitalism ultimately leads to evil. Part of that view boils down to a "rich keep getting richer" perspective, but also from observing that the idea that wealth will trickle down to the rest of us is an outright fallacy.

I'm also an atheist. So you can see why it's hard for me to take most Republicans seriously. I feel that church and state must always be separated, so making public policy based on religious doctrine is something I would never ever vote for.

That's just a summary of some of my own views. I have no time or energy to debate people on these things, although it is interesting reading everyone else's viewpoints.

 

[Keir]

I used to think that metalheads leaned more to the left, but then I realized I was just seeing what I wanted to see in the people around me and the music I listened to (a lot of thrash bands who, at the time, did tend to have a lot of anti-war, pro-environment songs, for example). Now I don’t think that there is an overall preference either way. There do seem to be more libertarians than in the general populace, which I suppose makes sense. There are also a lot more people who simply don’t give a fuck and I think sometimes their don’t-give-a-fuckism gets confused for conservatism, especially by more politically correct people.

I think it’s great that a discussion like this can happen on this forum without any arguments (yet). For myself, I tend to be very liberal.

 

[nailz]

Not to start a political discussion but here's a politically themed topic.

Oh well in that case I prefer puppies over kittens.

 

[Mardoch]

Oh well in that case I prefer puppies over kittens.

You already gave a real answer three years ago, lol. But yeah...puppies all the way.

 

[Bryant]

While I don't follow the party exclusively, I am for the most part a Libertarian as well.

Bryant

 

[J-Dubya 777]

Libertarian here, but I can interface with most other viewpoints.....even anarchists!

 

[MeTuLHeD]

I realized that most metalheads were anti-government libertarian types. I would say that in terms of economic issues especially...[snip]...Most metalheads are very racist, homophobic, intolerant, etc.

That's an interesting series of comments/generalizations. I assume you are saying that "anti-government libertarian types" are also "racist, homophobic, intolerant, etc." Which betrays a real ignorance of what libertarianism is all about. The libertarians I know (and I know MANY) simply believe that governments are ridiculously bloated gigantic bureaucracies which rather routinely trample on civil rights and rape their citizens...both figuratively and literally. Such is the nature of faceless gigantic bureaucracy and the politics of power. Which is so obvious that I don't understand how any thinking person can't see it.

And when it comes to the racist label, I think that libertarians get an unfair rap in that regard. The libertarian simply recognizes that government, however well intentioned, cannot end racism (or any other social evil) through legislation. That can only change when you change the mind of the sovereign individual. As Bruce Hornsby once sang: "'Cause the law don't change another's mind when all it sees at the hiring time is the line on the color bar." Libertarianism honors the sovereignty of the mind, even allowing people to BE racists if they want to be. Go ahead. Advertise 'whites only'. There's another business just across the street that will happily take all that ethnic business away from you. Have a nice day!

Punk and hardcore are typically more liberal when it comes to the fans/genre's lyrics, etc.

I find this comment especially odd as it stands in direct contradiction with my own experience. I have found more racists/Nazis/skinheads in the punk and hardcore community than in all of the other musical communities put together.

P.S. Libertarian here also. But I guess you probably figured that out.

 

[General Zod]

I assume you are saying that "anti-government libertarian types" are also "racist, homophobic, intolerant, etc." Which betrays a real ignorance of what libertarianism is all about. The libertarians I know (and I know MANY) simply believe that governments are ridiculously bloated gigantic bureaucracies which rather routinely trample on civil rights and rape their citizens...both figuratively and literally.

I think libertarians get this tag because some "libertarians" didn't realize "governments were ridiculously bloated gigantic bureaucracies" until Obama was elected. Mind you, I'm not saying that. I'm simply commenting on where that perception comes from.

As for the OP's question, I'm mostly liberal to the point of being socialist.

With regard to the political proclivities of metal fans, I think it tends to be more about geography than genre. I'm guessing most of the folks who identified themselves as libertarian are from the U.S. I'd be willing to bet if you plotted it out, it would look no different than any political map of the U.S.; liberal metal fans in the northeast and west coast, and libertarian/conservative metal fans in the middle. And from my brief travels outside the states, it would appear metal has more liberal leanings.

 

[lady_space]

As for the OP's question, I'm mostly liberal to the point of being socialist.

With regard to the political proclivities of metal fans, I think it tends to be more about geography than genre. I'm guessing most of the folks who identified themselves as libertarian are from the U.S. I'd be willing to bet if you plotted it out, it would look no different than any political map of the U.S.; liberal metal fans in the northeast and west coast, and libertarian/conservative metal fans in the middle. And from my brief travels outside the states, it would appear metal has more liberal leanings.

As usual, I agree with Zod: it really seems as though it's much more down to other factors than genre, although to geography, I would add socio-economic status, religion, etc., of course.

Personally, yeah, I'm just this side of a card-carrying socialist, although there are issues/items I agree & disagree with various parties/viewpoints on.

This is probably a case of tending to assume people agree with you when you don't know otherwise, but I remember being flabbergasted when at PPV someone (I'd just met) expressed surprise that "so many" metalheads were liberal. My response was "well, it *is* rock 'n' roll, dude."

Shaye

 

[nailz]

You already gave a real answer three years ago, lol. But yeah...puppies all the way.

I noticed that just now and had to chuckle.

 

[Rezz]

I must be the needle in the haystack, because I tend to swing liberal on most things. I think Libertarians have some good ideas, but they seem more hell-bent on proving that everyone else is stupid than actually offering reasonable solutions to our problems. Most Washington politicians frustrate me anyway, since so much money seems to corrupt the system and prevent any actual work from getting done. But on issues, I swing liberal. I support the rights of minorities, gay marriage, access to reproductive care (abortions, for one, but also a woman's right to to with her body what she chooses), programs for the impoverished, regulated welfare, etc.

I know I go left economically as well, just on the idea that I think wealth is distributed extremely unfairly, and that unfettered capitalism ultimately leads to evil. Part of that view boils down to a "rich keep getting richer" perspective, but also from observing that the idea that wealth will trickle down to the rest of us is an outright fallacy.

I'm also an atheist. So you can see why it's hard for me to take most Republicans seriously. I feel that church and state must always be separated, so making public policy based on religious doctrine is something I would never ever vote for.

That's just a summary of some of my own views. I have no time or energy to debate people on these things, although it is interesting reading everyone else's viewpoints.

This pretty much describes me spot-on. I used to consider myself slightly to the right economically, but the soaring inequality in this country has pushed me to the left.

My biggest frustration with American politics (besides corporate money corrupting the system) is that it has really evolved into a team sport and a sense of identity for a lot of people. I know a lot of people who vote exclusively Republican because of a single issue (guns, abortion, religion, etc.) and use words like Democrat or Liberal as swear words. Politicians re-enforce this behavior by refusing to cross party lines. The Party comes first, not the constituents. It's a scary time and I'm afraid it is going to get worse before it gets better.

 

[The Colorado Kid]

I'm friends with people who hold beliefs all over the political landscape. I'm a moderate liberal, though I'm more fiscally conservative than others I know. I think my favorite group are the outspoken fans of libertopia - who are really fringe right-wingers, but they're too embarrassed to openly discuss their racist beliefs, and narrow-minded opinions; however, these will inevitably slip out if they're given enough rope. They're not Libertarians, but attempt to use the libertarian/conservative façade to hide their true identity. The Tea Party is a perfect example of this phenomenon.


They paint America's problems with a wide brush of cultural malaise, and use the colors immigration reform and welfare mentality to fill in their landscape of racial and class indignation. Then they try to cover it with a clear coat of politically correct repudiation to distance themselves from the unvarnished truth.


They're fucking asstards, but that's just my opinion.

 

[General Zod]

I'm friends with people who hold beliefs all over the political landscape. I'm a moderate liberal, though I'm more fiscally conservative than others I know. I think my favorite group are the outspoken fans of libertopia - who are really fringe right-wingers, but they're too embarrassed to openly discuss their racist beliefs, and narrow-minded opinions; however, these will inevitably slip out if they're given enough rope. They're not Libertarians, but attempt to use the libertarian/conservative façade to hide their true identity. The Tea Party is a perfect example of this phenomenon.

They paint America's problems with a wide brush of cultural malaise, and use the colors immigration reform and welfare mentality to fill in their landscape of racial and class indignation. Then they try to cover it with a clear coat of politically correct repudiation to distance themselves from the unvarnished truth.

This.

 

[Rezz]

I'm friends with people who hold beliefs all over the political landscape. I'm a moderate liberal, though I'm more fiscally conservative than others I know. I think my favorite group are the outspoken fans of libertopia - who are really fringe right-wingers, but they're too embarrassed to openly discuss their racist beliefs, and narrow-minded opinions; however, these will inevitably slip out if they're given enough rope. They're not Libertarians, but attempt to use the libertarian/conservative façade to hide their true identity. The Tea Party is a perfect example of this phenomenon.


They paint America's problems with a wide brush of cultural malaise, and use the colors immigration reform and welfare mentality to fill in their landscape of racial and class indignation. Then they try to cover it with a clear coat of politically correct repudiation to distance themselves from the unvarnished truth.


They're fucking asstards, but that's just my opinion.

Poetry. Nicely said.

 

[booB]

I think my favorite group are the outspoken fans of libertopia - who are really fringe right-wingers, but they're too embarrassed to openly discuss their racist beliefs, and narrow-minded opinions

O irony.

 

[Bryant]

Pretty much in my landscape. I am no Libertarian by true definition, it is simply that the LP tends to have views "closer" to mine than others. Pure Libertarianism as the party wants it to become will simply not work. However, the "do as you want to do as long as it doesn't hurt others" and small government (a bragging right of the conservatives) IS EXACTLY what I want. Though far from verbatim, that is similar to what you seem to like in what I quoted .
You are obviously an intelligent person , by the quality of your post, but I take offense to some of your reply. I am a Libertarian leaner with conservative roots. I am also NOT racist. I have a Japanese wife and half Japanese children. Do I think there should be immigration and welfare reform ? Absodamnedlutely. That does not make "bad" nor "racist" because there are sorry people that simply don't like to work from all races, and I don't want to foot their bill. I also don't want people coming into this country without regulation taking jobs away from Americans, simply because they will work for less money. There is nothing racist about either of those views, and if there is, then I will proudly wave the racist flag.
Not trying to pick on you brother. Religion and politics often get people riled up. I have no problems with your views on things, but you seem to have stepped right on top of some of my views. I am not exactly Libertarian, nor am I exactly Conservative. If I had it my way, I would like the USA to be a monarchy with ME is King, but that isn't likely to happen.
My second choice would be a socially liberal and fiscally conservative government where everyone gives each other hugs and we are all millionaires. That is how Libertarians would like it. Not going to happen. We just have to do the best we can do.