# RUA Nut? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [December 4, 2012, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967 "2012-12-04T16:18:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967/1 "2012-12-04T16:18:10Z")
Basically, there are only a few issues that determine whether you’re a moderate conservative normal person whom I need to listen to sometimes, or whether you’re a total whackjob whom I can safely and happily ignore. On each of the following ten issues, I would like you to determine where you stand on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 representing “There are only a few people to my right,” and 3 representing “I’m smack in the middle on this one, from what I can tell” and 1 being “There are few people to my left on this one.” (You can figure out what 4 and 2 represent.) I’m interested in your grand total, but if you want to go in detail on any of these, please feel free: Debt ceiling Immigration Taxes Gov’t spending US as Christian country Abortion Obamacare Birtherism Racial equality/ civil rights English as official language of US I think I’m at a 10 for my grand total, btw: I think the Republicans should just STFU and let Obama what they’ve let other Presidents do on the debt ceiling, for example, think the US should explicitly acknowledge that Christianity has no more to do with the US than Scientology, think Birthers should undergo psychiatric examination before they hurt someone, etc. What’s your total? (If any of these are unclear as to what I think represents a 5 and what a 1, ask. I’ll be happy to provide my best answers.) Mods, please feel free to move to “IMHO” if I need to set up a formal poll for any reason, or to the Pit, if asking RUA Nut? is deemed insulting. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967/2 "2012-12-04T16:23:22Z")
The debt ceiling and birtherism are non partisan. In that there is no sliding scale, you pretty much are either on the side of sanity or insanity. What’s the “middle ground” on birtherism? ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967/3 "2012-12-04T16:28:53Z")
Yeah, what’s 1 for debt? What’s 5 for the debt ceiling? ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967/4 "2012-12-04T16:39:28Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > The debt ceiling and birtherism are non partisan. In that there is no sliding scale, you pretty much are either on the side of sanity or insanity. What’s the “middle ground” on birtherism? There are obviously more than five different phrases to express what each integer represents, but I’d say that Birtherism goes like this: 1. to entertain such a nutty idea given the evidence is insane 2. sane people can consider the notion, but after thinking about it, would have to reject it 3. most of the people who profess to believe it are just expressing their rightful opposition to Obama ineptly 4. I haven’t made up my mind whether it makes sense or not 5. It’s obvious that Obama was born elsewhere and is hoodwinking the public into thinking otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967/5 "2012-12-04T16:45:21Z")
Debt ceiling: 1. the Republicans should just STFU and let Obama what they’ve let other Presidents do 2. The GOP is using the debt ceiling as a bargaining chip, which they have every right to do 3. The debt ceiling is a valuable tool in getting us to realize we’re borrowing too much 4. Reducing the debt ceiling is an important principle, overlooked for far too long 5. Obama should be impeached for his perfidy in demanding that the debt ceiling be raised ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967/6 "2012-12-04T16:54:44Z")
You can put me down for a total of 10. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967/7 "2012-12-04T17:09:22Z")
You are assuming a linear, left \<–\> right scale. Which says something about your own perspective. The following issues don’t so easily fit such a scale: Immigration Taxes Gov’t spending Abortion Obamacare Racial equality/ civil rights English as official language of US ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967/8 "2012-12-04T17:12:30Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > You are assuming a linear, left \<–\> right scale. Which says something about your own perspective. The following issues don’t so easily fit such a scale: > > Immigration > Taxes > Gov’t spending > Abortion > Obamacare > Racial equality/ civil rights > English as official language of US Yeah, I know, it’s not always an easy call. What’s your own call on these? ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967/9 "2012-12-04T17:16:03Z")
If you’re having a hard time, **John** , I’ll be happy to show you what my own breakdown is. Which one are you having the toughest time with? ---
**Author:** ![DrumBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967/10 "2012-12-04T17:17:27Z")
I’ll take a shot. I feel I am a bit moderate in my views but if I got the grading mixed up, my apologies. **Debt ceiling 3** I have a moderate amount of concern for this but it does not keep me up at night. **Immigration 2** Reform is needed but there have to be some limits. \*\*Taxes 2 \*\* Working overseas has its benefits with regards to taxes \*\*Gov’t spending 3 \*\* I can see the need for some targeted cuts in entitlements and defense spending **US as Christian country 2** I don’t care unless religious zealotry replaces good governance **Abortion 3** Make it safe, legal and rare. **Obamacare 2** Much needed but may require some tinkering down the road **Birtherism 1** Orly, the Donald, and the other Birther simpletons are sure fun to watch **Racial equality/ civil rights 2** Improving I think, but still work to be done. **English as official language of US 1** I don’t know why this would even be an issue. Grand total 21 ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967/11 "2012-12-04T17:21:42Z")
Debt ceiling 2 Immigration 2 Taxes 1 Gov’t spending 4 US as Christian country 1 Abortion 3 Obamacare 2 Birtherism 1 Racial equality/ civil rights 1 English as official language of US 1 18 total. RIA nut? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967/12 "2012-12-04T17:56:40Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Yeah, I know, it’s not always an easy call. What’s your own call on these? If I can’t see a clearly defined left or right position, how am I to determine who is to the left or right of me? What is the “the left’s” position on “taxes”? Are you trying to use whatever the Democratic party’s position on a given issue as a proxy for “the left”, and similarly for the GOP on “the right”? ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967/13 "2012-12-04T20:06:01Z")
Oh, **John**! You’re cute when you’re pretending to be baffled by terms like “left” and “taxes”—all I’m suggesting is you pick some expression of the broader issue and focus it as you like. Very rarely (unless you’re really trying to get it wrong, as I suspect you might be) will you be on different ends of the spectrum depending on the phrasing of the question. Here, I’ll hold your hand through a few of these and you can choose whichever one you like: Are federal taxes too high now? 1)No, they’re probably too low 2)No, but we do need to pay for Bush’s wars 3)Kinda, but I can live with it 4)Yes, and it bothers me 5)Fuck, yeah, and it really pisses me off Or if you’d rather Should taxes be used to re-distribute wealth? 1)That’s one of their primary purposes 2)I don’t mind if they’re used to re-distribute some wealth 3)In rare cases 4)No 5)I will resist taxes being used to redistribute wealth to my last dying breath In most cases, a 1 or a 2 will be chosen by the same person for both, as will a 4 or a 5. Would you like more examples, or do you want me to move on to “race” now? Or another subject? I probably could include a few more such subjects, like SSM or 2nd Amendment issues–and maybe eliminate a few tricky ones from the current list, if I can be persuaded that right-wing whackjobs are going to take “liberal” positions on some (or vice-versa). Maybe I’ll do that in an IMHO poll after some temperature-taking here. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967/14 "2012-12-04T20:10:20Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Are federal taxes too high now? > 1)No, they’re probably too low > 2)No, but we do need to pay for Bush’s wars > 3)Kinda, but I can live with it > 4)Yes, and it bothers me > 5)Fuck, yeah, and it really pisses me off > > Or if you’d rather > > Should taxes be used to re-distribute wealth? > > 1)That’s one of their primary purposes > 2)I don’t mind if they’re used to re-distribute some wealth > 3)In rare cases > 4)No > 5)I will resist taxes being used to redistribute wealth to my last dying breath. Those aren’t necessarily the same thing. For instance, the GOP opposition to the payroll tax cut is promoting a more regressive system than the Democratic Party is, but also promotes higher taxes in general. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967/15 "2012-12-04T20:16:30Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Those aren’t necessarily the same thing. Never claimed they were. Just that if you choose one, you’re probably not far on the other, and you can always explain your terms and why you’re choosing them. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967/16 "2012-12-04T20:28:49Z")
The most to the “right” I could possibly be is 18, but I could be as low as a 13 as well. For instance, I consider myself only around the top 20th percentile most liberal on social issues, which would leave me either a 2 or 1 by strict math. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967/17 "2012-12-04T20:34:00Z")
Why do I get the feeling that the real whackjobs will decline to ID themselves as such? I was inspired by \*\*John Mace \*\*and \*\*Bricker \*\*in another thread discussing right-wing nuts and such, and I thought? Wow, you guys consider yourself centrists or something? Come on, guys, this is your chance to draw a sharp line between yourselves and the real whackjobs. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967/18 "2012-12-04T20:38:16Z")
1. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967/19 "2012-12-04T20:45:06Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > 1. Which ones did you score 0 on? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967/20 "2012-12-04T21:02:00Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Which ones did you score 0 on? I think it was the negative score on US as Christian country and Racial equality/ civil rights. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rua-nut/642967.md?page=2)