Author Topic: I Side With... (Read 7273 times)

maxtog · « **on:** January 10, 2016, 01:18:35 PM »

You might have already heard about this site (which is going viral now), but I thought I would share some thoughts (I am not trying to start any type of political discussion, just provide info about a useful tool). Read this post FIRST and then check out this site:

Main Site: http://www.isidewith.com
Survey: http://www.isidewith.com/elections/2016-presidential-quiz

It seems this site tried to quantify each candidate's position on a variety of issues, then will attempt to match your choices with a candidate. But more than that, it will tell you why and show you how you compare with ALL the candidates. But after playing with it for hours, I can tell you that there are some methodologies that will help it be more accurate and more rewarding...

If you value your privacy, do it in a "Private Browser Window" to prevent tracking.
Take your time. Read each question carefully. Expect it to take longer than you think
For each question, don't just select yes or no. Life is rarely that simple. Instead, ALWAYS select "other stances" option first and read THOSE answers. Then only select "yes" or "no" if none of those apply.
Don't choose to type in your own answer, or it can't match that to candidates.
On each question, think about how important the issue is to you and change the slider on the left to match.
For each section of questions, select the option for "Show X more XXXX questions". Yes it will make the survey longer, but it is worth it.
Explore the results carefully
Print the results (or "print" to files) so you can review them later. Might take a few files, since there are even more results when you click on candidates, issues, etc in the results.

The results are a little complicated and sometimes surprising. In my case, it is no surprise it called me a centrist Libertarian and matched me most closely to Rand Paul. But what is surprising is even at a score of 86% is how much we still disagree on important issues (and what other candidates came close in score). I think it is a fascinating site and well worth the time! From what I can tell, it seems impartial and accurate. I wish they had the resources to do it for all the other races too (Congress, Governors, State Legislatures, etc).

Sgt Mac · « **Reply #1 on:** January 10, 2016, 03:42:05 PM »

Interesting. Pegged me as centrist and matched with Ben Carson, followed closely by The Donald. Hope it doesn't come down to me voting for Trump.

gPink · « **Reply #2 on:** January 10, 2016, 05:54:44 PM »

I scanned the site. Didn't take the quiz. No disrespect to anyone but do you really need a internet dating site to give you voting advice?

maxtog · « **Reply #3 on:** January 10, 2016, 06:37:23 PM »

Quote from: gPink on January 10, 2016, 05:54:44 PM

I scanned the site. Didn't take the quiz. No disrespect to anyone but do you really need a internet dating site to give you voting advice?

I suppose that depends. It really isn't giving voting "advice". Advice is "an opinion or recommendation" and that isn't the purpose of the site. Instead, it is supplying information so you can see where candidates stand on various issues and how they compare to each other and you. And it is doing it as a neutral party. It is the first time I have ever seen something of this nature and caliber, so in a world of political atrophy and disillusionment, it is nice to find people trying to do something about it (of course, without things like instant runoff voting, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instant-runoff_voting not all that much will ever change).

Next, not everyone can stomach listening to all the political drivel (I know I can't), and any tool to help cut to the chase and gather information is welcome. One might not know where all the candidates stand on specific questions or have the time or energy to research it all in detail. The option to present answers other than just "yes" or "no" does much needed justice to complex issues.

People also tend to gravitate toward information that reinforces what they already believe. I find that the site helps to expose people to different points of view that can be helpful with critical thinking. It is also useful when people get "blinded" by single issues and fail to take everything else into consideration. Speaking for myself, I have never found any candidate or party that matches a large amount of what I believe... it is always damage control.

Of course, it is not for everyone, and if you don't find it useful, that's fine. And in many cases, it might not tell you anything new (or might have gaps/holes in what is supplied). It is far from perfect. Although it is easy to dismiss it when you haven't even tried it

KevinRLi · « **Reply #4 on:** January 10, 2016, 07:31:30 PM »

Well nothing for nothing. Took the quiz anyway. 84% Trump and guess what. I'm voting for Trump. So yeah in my case it was accurate.

Rick Hall · « **Reply #5 on:** January 10, 2016, 09:52:32 PM »

Said I was Authoritarian and I side with Hildegard.

Rick

gPink · « **Reply #6 on:** January 11, 2016, 03:26:31 AM »

'Although it is easy to dismiss it when you haven't even tried it '

There are a lot of things that I find easy to dismiss without trying.

VirginiaJim · « **Reply #7 on:** January 11, 2016, 05:12:19 AM »

So are you saying you're easy?

gPink · « **Reply #8 on:** January 11, 2016, 05:26:03 AM »

...but not cheap.

VirginiaJim · « **Reply #9 on:** January 11, 2016, 05:34:58 AM »

At least there's that..

timsatx · « **Reply #10 on:** January 11, 2016, 08:28:35 AM »

It had me tied with Cruz and Rubio. To be honest, most any Republican will be better than any democrat.

connie14boy · « **Reply #11 on:** January 11, 2016, 08:23:14 PM »

Quote from: timsatx on January 11, 2016, 08:28:35 AM

It had me tied with Cruz and Rubio. To be honest, most any Republican will be better than any democrat.

I it comes down to Trump vs. Hillary, I will withhold my vote in a personal protest. This country deserves better than both of those old corrupt warhorses.

maxtog · « **Reply #12 on:** January 11, 2016, 08:26:22 PM »

Quote from: connie14boy on January 11, 2016, 08:23:14 PM

If it comes down to Trump vs. Hillary, I will withhold my vote in a personal protest. This country deserves better than both of those old corrupt warhorses.

We desperately need instant runoff voting in this country so voters can have real choice. It would finally enable independents and small parties/third parties to have a chance and shake things up big time. Even if just used WITHIN the parties it would be very helpful.

connie14boy · « **Reply #13 on:** January 11, 2016, 09:14:41 PM »

Quote from: maxtog on January 11, 2016, 08:26:22 PM

We desperately need instant runoff voting in this country so voters can have real choice. It would finally enable independents and small parties/third parties to have a chance and shake things up big time. Even if just used WITHIN the parties it would be very helpful.

I agree, Max. Maybe over time with the access of the internet, less "connected" people will have more sway and we will look back at the present cesspool of politics, elections and the total corruption of Wall Street and consider it "the bad old days". I'm a registered Republican and ashamed of what it (and the Democrats) represents today.

paulthibodeaux · « **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2016, 04:30:52 AM »

Any one who does not vote for the Republican candidate, is voting for the democrat.

maxtog · « **Reply #15 on:** January 12, 2016, 05:26:14 AM »

Quote from: paulthibodeaux on January 12, 2016, 04:30:52 AM

Any one who does not vote for the Republican candidate, is voting for the democrat.

And the reverse is true also. And the reason this is so, is because we don't have instant runoff voting. If we had it, your statement would no longer be true, because one could vote for several candidates, across several parties, without fear that their vote doesn't matter.

gPink · « **Reply #16 on:** January 12, 2016, 05:41:14 AM »

Quote from: maxtog on January 12, 2016, 05:26:14 AM

And the reverse is true also. And the reason this is so, is because we don't have instant runoff voting. If we had it, your statement would no longer be true, because one could vote for several candidates, across several parties, without fear that their vote doesn't matter.

Bring on the joys of coalition government.

Rhino · « **Reply #17 on:** January 12, 2016, 07:09:52 AM »

No surprise for my number 1 match but a bit of a surprise on my number 2. Also no surprise I have almost nothing in common with Bernie.

timsatx · « **Reply #18 on:** January 12, 2016, 07:11:40 AM »

Unfortunately we can only deal with what we have, not what we want, so far as runoff voting goes. That being the case, I firmly believe that if you do not vote for a republican you really are voting for the dems. I absolutely do not want any of those dems in there. We need to reverse many of the policies that Obama put in place. Hillary won't do it, in fact she'll double down, and I don't want a self-defined socialist in there either.

maxtog · « **Reply #19 on:** January 12, 2016, 03:17:24 PM »

Quote from: gPink on January 12, 2016, 05:41:14 AM

Bring on the joys of coalition government.

Sometimes that might beat just A vs B. All A = one set of disasters, All B = a different set of disaster, A+B = nothing really gets done. So I tend to think it can't be much worse to have real choice and have some politicians that are more interested in the actual issues and their constituents than stupid party-lines.

News:

Author Topic: I Side With... (Read 7273 times)