Friday, February 26, 2010

G. Beck Show: Nolan Chart Survey

The following is just a copy of the questions. In order to take the survey test and get your individual results, you must go to the website:

Nolan Chart

[Update: Tried to access the above link today and get the usual "HTTP 404 Not Found error message."

Here is a link to
Glenn Beck's website where there is also a link to the Nolan Chart website. I have tried to access the chart site several times this morning, but to no avail.]



[Update # 2: Found out why the chart is inaccessible:

The Nolan Chart website has experienced a major server crash.
Please check back with us in a day or two, to give us time to recover from it. Thank you for your patience and support.]



Meanwhile, you can read a little about The Nolan Chart over at Wikipedia.org .

Also see: Wikipedia: World's Smallest Political Quiz



*******

Take our quick and easy Nolan Chart Survey!

Click the option which comes closest to your own views for each of the 10 issues listed below. Then click the large button at the bottom of the page. We will score your choices and show how your views appear on the Nolan Chart. We've tried to make the views expressed as comprehensive as possible. There may be some options listed that you may find to be hard to choose between, or perhaps you'll find that none of the options represent your viewpoint perfectly. That's understandable, but try anyway to pick the one that most closely represents your views. We think you will find the results worthwhile.

1. Speech, Assembly, Press, Internet, and Property Rights

(a.) Government should not restrict speech, press, media or Internet. The rights of free citizens who don't violate other people's rights must be respected and protected at all times. Exercise of eminent domain should be extremely limited and its use avoided whenever possible. Private property and privacy rights should be protected at all times.

(b.) Speech, assembly, press, and Internet should be free except when it comes to protecting against terrorism and other threats to public safety. Free speech zones can be established to protect the right of free speech while insuring security at public events. Eminent domain should be maintained in practice, but it should not be available merely as a means to enrich private developers via enforced land transfers.

(c.) Speech, assembly, press, and Internet should be free except when controversies such as global warming have already been settled and legitimate public policies would be undermined by its few remaining detractors. Property rights should be subject to the needs of the government but otherwise should be respected.

(d.) Government should regulate speech, press, media, Internet, and property rights at its own discretion within reason as needed to meet all of government's many obligations.


2. Guns

(a.) The Second Amendment only applies to "militias" (such as the National Guard), and thus there is no specific protection afforded by it to individuals. It should be up to the government to decide the degree to which guns should be regulated for the public good.

(b.) The Second Amendment to the Constitution clearly protects the right of all individuals to bear arms. Government regulation of guns is a violation of the Second Amendment. Having the right to self-defense is meaningless without also having the means to defend yourself. An armed society is a peaceful society, is the best defense against criminals, and serves as a deterrent against government tyranny. Gun control has encouraged society to become lax and negligent in teaching and training on the safe handling and maintenance of weapons by individuals.

(c.) In general, I support the right to bear arms. However, it is prudent to have government regulate arms via registration requirements and other regulations to ensure that mentally unstable people can't get guns and go on shooting rampages.

(d.) Gun control is essential and must continually be made stronger if we're ever going to reduce and hopefully eliminate gun violence in this country.

3. Homosexual Marriage

(a.) Gay rights should be supported by passing laws which protect gay marriage, including civil statute alternatives to gay marriage. All government benefits that heterosexual couples enjoy should also be granted to gay couples.

(b.) The government should pass laws that favor whatever view the majority of the population supports regarding homosexual relationships, including homosexual marriage.

(c.) There should be no laws regarding either heterosexual or homosexual relationships among consenting adults. Marriage of any kind is a private, contractual matter between free, private individuals that should not be regulated.

(d.) Homosexuality is an abomination, is banned by the Bible, and should be illegal in all cases.

4. Foreign Policy

(a.) A strong defense requires playing an active, interventionist role in world affairs. As the last remaining superpower, we have a moral duty to police the world at any cost, or else we will surely pay the ultimate price. If we don't militarily wipe out terrorism, the terrorists will wipe us out. We must resolve to win no matter how long it takes. It's better to strike now than to pay later for our inaction.

(b.) America should play an active role in world affairs. We need to move toward more world government, particularly when it comes to issues such as global warming. The war on terror should rely heavily on diplomatic action. Military intervention should be used when there is a threat to our sovereignty, but this position can and should be reversed whenever public opinion turns against it.

(c.) The role of our government, and the role of the United Nations, should be constantly expanded to help ensure that all of the world moves toward democracy. Complaints that government is too big already are simply counter-productive and should be ignored.

(d.) "Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none," said President Thomas Jefferson in his first inaugural address. America's interventionist policies over the past 100+ years have done little or nothing to reduce international instability, have led us into an endless series of wars, and have cost us dearly in American lives and money. The best defense of our borders is to defend our rights and liberty, not to sacrifice them while constantly growing our gigantic military, led by a parade of Presidents who repeatedly stick our nose into other countries' affairs.

5. National ID Card

(a.) There should be no national ID card. Period. The issuance of required National IDs controlled via interconnected databases will effectively end all privacy in this country.

(b.) We need a national ID card in order to prevent events like the attacks of 9/11 but without intruding too far into the personal privacy of the innocent.

(c.) National ID cards should be permitted but greatly restricted in scope because the potential for danger to personal liberty is present.

(d.) I'm not at all concerned about having a national ID card. Only the guilty need to worry.


6. Corporate Welfare

(a.) The government has a duty to ensure that all individuals have food, clothing, and shelter and should also invest in private industry whenever it deems such investment to be in the public interest.

(b.) End "corporate welfare." No government handouts to business.

(c.) Government involvement is necessary where private industry can't do the job all by itself. As an example, agricultural subsidies should continue to support small farmers.

(d.) Corporate welfare should be eliminated for big business, but the social safety net for individuals should be retained.


7. Trade and Money

(a.) Trade that isn't fair isn't free. Fair trade practices should be enforced as needed to ensure free trade while maintaining reasonably open borders. The Fed's policies should be revised to help the poor rather than the rich.

(b.) The government should involve itself in the regulation of trade as needed to ensure a healthy economy at all times. The Federal Reserve system has made our money supply the most stable in all history.

(c.) End government barriers to international free trade. The regulation of trade tends enrich selected interest groups and industry captains at the expense of everyone else. We must move away from the inflationary approach of the Federal Reserve by re-adopting a hard money approach and dissolving the Federal Reserve system. Ever wonder why prices of everything (including real estate) keep going up over time? The Federal Reserve system is the culprit. President Woodrow Wilson, who signed the Federal Reserve Act into law regretted his decision three years later saying, "I am a most unhappy man. I have unwittingly ruined my country."

(d.) Trade should be free in general, but it should be controlled as needed to ensure that our borders are protected against outside threats. Monetary policy under the Fed has generally been good for our economy. Hard money can't keep up with a modern economy.


8. Social Security

(a.) Social Security should be maintained and protected by the government, although we do need to offer individuals an alternative government-managed solution if they so choose.

(b.) Social Security is a vital part of the social safety net and should be properly funded and protected at all times. If necessary, make big business and the rich pay for any shortfalls.

(c.) Government has an obligation to provide for people in their twilight years, and Social security is a proper expression of governmental control. The system is sound and does not need anything more than minor adjustments from time to time.

(d.) Let people control their own retirement and they'll retire richer and better off. The Social Security system is already bankrupt, despite what the politicians and bureaucrats keep telling us. Allow individuals to choose for themselves whether to opt out of the Social Security system. If we force everyone to remain in its pyramid scheme, the end result will be disastrous. We must act now before Social Security becomes completely insolvent.


9. Health Care

(a.) Government regulation of health care is the main cause of the health care industry's upward spiraling costs. The FDA, EPA, Medicare, and a host of other bureaucracies have created mountains of regulations that have led to the deaths of thousands and even millions of people who were denied needed treatments and resources. The cost of creating new treatments is also out of control because of this regulation. The only way to make health care affordable again is to get government out of the health care business.

(b.) Health care costs are spiraling primarily due to lawsuits. We need to place caps on these suits while avoiding socialized medicine. Where possible, we should reduce regulation to save money. The rising cost of health care is primarily the fault of big government politicians and lobbying groups.

(c.) Government regulation has gone a long way toward making health care universally accessible and safe, but there's a long way to go. We need universal health insurance to ensure all Americans are adequately protected.

(d.) Private enterprise has failed to deliver satisfactory health care. Government's role is clear: fix the problem.


10. Taxes, Spending, and the National Debt

(a.) There should be no limits placed on the ability of government to raise sufficient revenue to do all the jobs government should be doing better, as expressed via majority rule.

(b.) Cut taxes and government spending by 50% or more. This will have an incredibly positive impact on the economy starting at its very lowest and smallest levels. The national debt must be paid down rather than endlessly increased, or we'll soon face national bankruptcy.

(c.) The budget should be balanced and fully funded at all times, rather than actually cutting spending on a permanent basis. As needed, the national debt should be expanded to ensure that there is sufficient funding for government operation and military growth needs. Occasional, temporary tax cuts should be offered in token amounts to keep the taxpayers mollified.

(d.) We should be emphasizing the good that government can do to help people without getting all wrapped up in the costs involved. By spreading the load, such good can be spread out fairly and evenly. Progressive taxation helps ensure that the rich don't live at the expense of the poor. However, we want to make sure we don't place too much of a burden on the middle class.

[Note: I just tried to take the test at the site and it didn't work. I will try again later and reveal my results in a comment post.]

10 comments:

Christinewjc said...

Darn! After several tries, it's still not working!

Here are my choices:

1. Speech, Assembly, Press, Internet, and Property Rights

(a.) Government should not restrict speech, press, media or Internet. The rights of free citizens who don't violate other people's rights must be respected and protected at all times. Exercise of eminent domain should be extremely limited and its use avoided whenever possible. Private property and privacy rights should be protected at all times.

2. Guns

(b.) The Second Amendment to the Constitution clearly protects the right of all individuals to bear arms. Government regulation of guns is a violation of the Second Amendment. Having the right to self-defense is meaningless without also having the means to defend yourself. An armed society is a peaceful society, is the best defense against criminals, and serves as a deterrent against government tyranny. Gun control has encouraged society to become lax and negligent in teaching and training on the safe handling and maintenance of weapons by individuals.

3. Homosexual Marriage

(d.) Homosexuality is an abomination, is banned by the Bible, and should be illegal in all cases.

4. Foreign Policy

(a.) A strong defense requires playing an active, interventionist role in world affairs. As the last remaining superpower, we have a moral duty to police the world at any cost, or else we will surely pay the ultimate price. If we don't militarily wipe out terrorism, the terrorists will wipe us out. We must resolve to win no matter how long it takes. It's better to strike now than to pay later for our inaction.

5. National ID Card

(a.) There should be no national ID card. Period. The issuance of required National IDs controlled via interconnected databases will effectively end all privacy in this country.

6. Corporate Welfare

(b.) End "corporate welfare." No government handouts to business.

7. Trade and Money

(c.) End government barriers to international free trade. The regulation of trade tends enrich selected interest groups and industry captains at the expense of everyone else. We must move away from the inflationary approach of the Federal Reserve by re-adopting a hard money approach and dissolving the Federal Reserve system. Ever wonder why prices of everything (including real estate) keep going up over time? The Federal Reserve system is the culprit. President Woodrow Wilson, who signed the Federal Reserve Act into law regretted his decision three years later saying, "I am a most unhappy man. I have unwittingly ruined my country."

8. Social Security

(d.) Let people control their own retirement and they'll retire richer and better off. The Social Security system is already bankrupt, despite what the politicians and bureaucrats keep telling us. Allow individuals to choose for themselves whether to opt out of the Social Security system. If we force everyone to remain in its pyramid scheme, the end result will be disastrous. We must act now before Social Security becomes completely insolvent.

9. Health Care

(b.) Health care costs are spiraling primarily due to lawsuits. We need to place caps on these suits while avoiding socialized medicine. Where possible, we should reduce regulation to save money. The rising cost of health care is primarily the fault of big government politicians and lobbying groups.

10. Taxes, Spending, and the National Debt

(b.) Cut taxes and government spending by 50% or more. This will have an incredibly positive impact on the economy starting at its very lowest and smallest levels. The national debt must be paid down rather than endlessly increased, or we'll soon face national bankruptcy.

I am guessing that the survey will reveal that I am a conservative.

GMpilot said...

It may be one of the great unsolved mysteries of our time. Even after I went to Beckerhead's site, the link still didn't work.

Even without a survey, I'm pretty sure you're a conservative. Question is, are you conservative enough?

Christinewjc said...

The site crashed! Go to the front page of the blog post and you can click on the links from my updates:

Nolan Chart

[Update: Tried to access the above link today and get the usual "HTTP 404 Not Found error message."

Here is a link to Glenn Beck's website where there is also a link to the Nolan Chart website. I have tried to access the chart site several times this morning, but to no avail.]




[Update # 2: Found out why the chart is inaccessible:
The Nolan Chart website has experienced a major server crash.
Please check back with us in a day or two, to give us time to recover from it. Thank you for your patience and support.]




Meanwhile, you can read a little about The Nolan Chart over at Wikipedia.org .
Also see: Wikipedia: World's Smallest Political Quiz


BTW, GM - Care to take the test yourself and reveal your choices here in the comment section?

Kevin said...

Hi Christine, here are my answers:
1. Speech, Assembly, Press, Internet, and Property Rights

(a.) Government should not restrict speech, press, media or Internet. The rights of free citizens who don't violate other people's rights must be respected and protected at all times. Exercise of eminent domain should be extremely limited and its use avoided whenever possible. Private property and privacy rights should be protected at all times.

2. Guns
(c.) In general, I support the right to bear arms. However, it is prudent to have government regulate arms via registration requirements and other regulations to ensure that mentally unstable people can't get guns and go on shooting rampages.

3. Homosexual Marriage

(a.) Gay rights should be supported by passing laws which protect gay marriage, including civil statute alternatives to gay marriage. All government benefits that heterosexual couples enjoy should also be granted to gay couples.

4. Foreign Policy
I am leaning towards D, but none of them are right for me.

5. National ID Card
None apply

6. Corporate Welfare
a.) The government has a duty to ensure that all individuals have food, clothing, and shelter and should also invest in private industry whenever it deems such investment to be in the public interest.

7. Trade and Money
(b.) The government should involve itself in the regulation of trade as needed to ensure a healthy economy at all times. The Federal Reserve system has made our money supply the most stable in all history.

8. Social Security
A mix of B and C.

9. Health Care
c.) Government regulation has gone a long way toward making health care universally accessible and safe, but there's a long way to go. We need universal health insurance to ensure all Americans are adequately protected

10. Taxes, Spending, and the National Debt

d.) We should be emphasizing the good that government can do to help people without getting all wrapped up in the costs involved. By spreading the load, such good can be spread out fairly and evenly. Progressive taxation helps ensure that the rich don't live at the expense of the poor. However, we want to make sure we don't place too much of a burden on the middle class.

Christine--with your answer to #3--is it homosexual marriage that should be illegal or homosexuality should be illegal? The answer given in the survey isn't clear and I am wondering what you meant by your answer.

GMpilot said...

I did as you suggested, but I still can't get in. The message you quoted is still there.

I haven't yet avoided any survey you've posted--in fact, there's at least one where I was the only respondent. Your brethren (and cistern) all stayed silent.
There's still time for this.

Christinewjc said...

Hi Kevin,

You wrote:

Christine--with your answer to #3--is it homosexual marriage that should be illegal or homosexuality should be illegal? The answer given in the survey isn't clear and I am wondering what you meant by your answer.

You are right. The survey answer isn't clear. I believe that homosexual unions should not be defined as a marriage - for the obvious reasons that most biblical Christians hold.

It would be impossible to make homosexual behavior illegal in this day and age of moral relativism.

But I do believe that marriage is, and should continue to be defined as the union of one man and one woman.

It looks like we agree with each other in at least one area - free speech!

Kevin said...

Hi Christine,
Thanks for answering.
I'm glad we agreed on at least the free speech part! I think we came close on some other issues as well. There were a few more times when my answer would have been slightly different than those choices...

Unknown said...

Kevin,

I salute your commitment to free speech. I hope that you are very active on the campus that you work at in that regard. Modern college campuses have just about the worst record of any institution when it comes to unlawfully restricting speech.

GMpilot said...

By your command, Mrs. W. My comments:

1. Speech, Assembly, Press, Internet, and Property Rights
In case you haven't guessed, I support free speech, whether it's “Christian free speech” or “Christian-free speech.” Everyone has a right to speak, but no one has a right to be listened to. As to property rights, I'll quote my old friend Malik: “My great-grandfather was promised forty acres and a mule. I don't really need the mule, but I'd like forty acres, especially if they're in downtown Atlanta. He worked some of that land; anybody respect his property rights?”

2. Guns
I do not concern myself with “mentally unstable people” with guns; they are fairly small in number. It's the professional killers who don't wear uniforms that worry me.
“An armed society is a polite society” is crap. People with arms aren't often very polite to those who haven't any. I prefer edged weapons, where you have to look a man in the eyes as you try to kill him.

3. Homosexual Marriage
I don't care if they're called 'civil unions' or not. They could be the equivalent of common-law marriage as far as I'm concerned. But if such unions are legally recognized, then the partner should have a right to benefits equal to that of a legal spouse, or the 'right' to marriage means nothing.
You knew all along I'd say that, didn't you?

4. Foreign Policy
Military intervention should not always be reversed whenever public opinion turns against it. Had this already been in effect, we'd have left Iraq three years ago...or we'd still have Marines in Beirut. Such decisions are swayed by emotion, not reason.

5. National ID Card
I've carried one for decades: my military ID. It has my name, my picture, my SSN, my date of birth. In Hawaii I never needed any other, and where I am now, it's still my primary ID, even though I'm long retired. My State ID is only to prove that I actually live here—and it'll get me bargains at many local places—but I don't need it. In essence, anyone who has a Federally-issued ID card already has a national card. We don't need one; I feel that would put us on the path to an 'internal passport'--and after 9/11/01, it's been getting harder and harder to travel anyway.

GMpilot said...

continued:

6. Corporate Welfare
The language here is too fuzzy. Government should invest in private industry when that is in the public interest. After all, the government does not build tanks, AM General and Chrysler do! If the survey had actually defined 'corporate welfare', it would have been easier to decide, but it does not, and few corporations are so wealthy as to refuse a dose of Federal dollars. Government money comes in the form of contracts, and they're like wars; easy to start, hard to stop, even if the company is violating rules left and right. Just ask Blackwa...er, Xe.

7. Trade and Money
Mention 'finance' and my eyes glaze over. I know it's important, but I'm just not interested. However, that Wilson quote about the Federal Reserve poisons the well; using it was meant to help some of the survey-takers make up their minds. It should never have been included.

8. Social Security
Well, some people who get to control their own retirement retire richer and better off. But most of those who did were wealthy to begin with, and those who weren't usually came into a whole bunch of money suddenly. Alas, I don't personally know any such people.

9. Health Care
More needs to be done, period. If the so-called socialist countries (whose GDP is smaller than ours) can do it, why can't we? I've heard a lot of bad press about “government-run healthcare”, but every one of those in Congress spreading lies about it go to Walter Reed (Army) or Bethesda (Navy) when they get sick...and they'll be entitled to it for the rest of their lives, even though most of them did nothing to earn it except get elected. But they don't want you to have it. Right.

10. Taxes, Spending, and the National Debt
See #7, above.
Cut taxes and spending by 50% or more, and you'll see fewer libraries, shorter hours, and you'll need your guns then, because most of the police will be gone! I can tell you, a bucket brigade will NOT put out a burning skyscraper. Or a burning oil/chemical plant. Or a crashed airliner. In short, cutting those taxes = cutting your throats. There are better ways.

Oh, how did I do? I'm a centrist. Surprise!