This Is Only A Test

Until recently I took less interest in politics than perhaps I should have.

A valid excuse I shared with many is that the field of candidates is narrowed considerably by the political-media process and by the narrow-mindedness of voters.

In general, the result is politicians who are so conventional as to be incapable of thinking outside the box and thus coming up with truly innovative solutions.

A more significant reason for my apathy was dissatisfaction with the political labels available, and confusion over just exactly what beliefs each of those labels required of me.

Until now.

If for no other reason than the entertainment value, go to www.theadvocates.org and take "the world’s smallest political quiz."

According to The Washington Post, "The quiz has gained respect as a valid measure of a person’s political leanings."

USA Today says the quiz "stands ready to help you determine your political identity. Quick and relatively painless."

Your answers to 10 questions with a ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ or ‘maybe’ places you on a matrix which expands the usual ‘left/liberal,’ ‘right/conservative’ spectrum with the addition of ‘authoritarian,’ ‘libertarian,’ and ‘centrist’ classifications.

You may be surprised at the results.

One friend who had always thought of herself as a bleeding-heart liberal found herself in the centrist camp.

Another spiritual flower child type was disappointed to find her left liberal leanings drifting toward the center.

An ex-marine Republican acquaintance famous for his easy-going ways was surprised to find himself in the authoritarian camp.

You don’t have to tell anybody your results, but you’ll probably want to.