Ninety-one percent liberal and rising ...

A Facebook friend yesterday posted this poll from TIME that purports to predict personal politics based upon responses to 12 propositions or questions. Most responses range from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree."

For some reason, the poll seems to work fairly well and I came out 91 percent liberal, probably about right. Go take the test and see what you think.

It's also enlightening to think a little about the propositions after you've given knee-jerk responses.

"I prefer dogs to cats" didn't seem especially relevant, although it may to others. I grew up on a farm where dogs were pals and cats independent contractors. None were surrogate children and none were allowed in the house. If I lived on a farm, I'd have both, but without prejudice toward either. I'm guessing "liberals" prefer cats, so watch out.

And what does Internet browser have to do with anything? I use Chrome because my obsolete computer no longer supports new versions of Internet Explorer, which arrived as original equipment. Installing Firefox seemed like too much trouble and I've never heard of Safari. Chrome made it easy by pestering me until I installed it.

I prefer watching documentaries to action/adventure movies. Sure. Although there's a lot to be said for well-acted dramas and comedies (with happy endings), too.

Respect for authority is something all children need to learn. No. A child has to follow the rules well enough to survive childhood in an harmonious family setting (when possible), get an education and hold down (or create) a job. "Authority," however, almost always resists progress --- so more useful learning experiences would involve lessons in how to challenge it creatively.

I keep my desk and other workplaces very neat and organized. You've got to be kidding.

I believe that self-expression is more important than self-control. You bet.

If I heard that a new restaurant in my neighborhood blended the cuisines of two very different cultures that would make we want to try it. Why not?

My government should treat the lives of its citizens as being much more valuable than lives in other countries. Governments exist in large part to promote and protect the interests of their own citizens, but the idea that doing so implies life elsewhere is less valuable is appalling. And unchristian, too, if you're interested in such things.

If I were married or in a serious dating relationship, I would think it perfectly OK for my partner to look at erotic or pornographic pictures or videos by himself/herself. Sure. Although the rule of moderation in all things applies here. And hooking up is an entirely different matter.

I wish the world did not have nations or borders and we were just one big group. Actually, we are just one big group, but haven't quite realized that yet. However, I enjoy the cultural variety that "borders" imply, so appreciate them --- up to a point. 

If I were to visit New York City, I would rather to to Times Square than the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I'd want to go to both. Actually, I have gone to both, but spent more time at the museum.

I'm proud of my country's history. I'm interested in my country's history and proud of some aspects of it. But our EuroAmerican ancestors did their best to kill off native peoples, enjoyed an economy based for more than a century on enslaved black people and we still have a terrible time embracing and/or figuring out how to empower those who differ. It's best to take the past with a grain of salt, learn from it and work toward a better future.