Ideology Meter

We have created (and copyrighted) an Ideology Meter measure the ideology of politicians and candidates. The Ideology Meter has an adjustable scale and can compare ideologies of several politicians and candidates running for office.

The Ideology Meter scale goes from 0-100 to the left to measure Liberal ideologies and 0-100 to the right to measure Conservative ideologies. Readings from (left or right):
0-35 would indicate that the politician or candidate would be a moderate.
36-70 would indicate that the politician or candidate would be a mainstream Democrat or Republican.
71-100 would indicate that the politician or candidate would be an Ultra-Liberal or Ultra-Conservative.

We have chosen John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan as standards to measure mainstream Democrat and Republican ideologies. We would place John F. Kennedy at about 40-45 to the left; Ronald Reagan would be placed at 50 to the right. Using the Kennedy/Reagan standards let's look at how the Ideology Meter works by measuring the ideologies of other politicians.
Barak H. Obama might register about 90 to the left
Mrs. Clinton might register 75-80 to the left.
The ideology of President George W. Bush would be very close to John F. Kennedy. Our reading would indicate the JFK was more Conservative than GWB on Fiscal issues and GWB more Conservative than JFK on social issues. Our readings might put George W. Bush at about 45 to the left. Candidate John McCain was more liberal than GWB; our measurement for McCain might be 55 to the left.

We soon hope to have a physical meter for sale to readings of our blogs.

Time For A Change In Minnesota

Hope and change were Barak Obama's campaign theme. Perhaps an ideological change in Minnesota would create new hope for citizens of Minnesota. The ideological change would be a true Conservative Governor. Since "Governor Green Jeans," Tim Pawlenty has announced that he is not seeking a third term, Minnesota has the chance to elect a True Conservative Governor. We endorse State Representative Tom Emmer from Delano as our first Conservative Governor in many years.

Has Minnesota had a truly Conservative Governor? In, my lifetime (61 years), I would say NO! Our definition of a true Conservative would be say Barry Goldwater/Ronald Reagan. Given the list of Republican that Minnesota has elected over the years, let's look at their ideologies.

1. Tim Pawlenty (Republican) - Affectionately called "Governor Green Jeans" because of his Liberal views on energy. Some have likened Governor Pawlenty as a John McCain clone without any military experience. Our assessment is that Governor Pawlenty is a Progressive rather than Conservative.

2. James Janos (aka Jesse Ventura) (Reform Party) - Janos was a paradox; He did some things very well; other things very poorly. Governor Janos was fiscally, fairly Conservative, but ideologically would be Libertarian.

3. Arne Carlson (Republican) - We refer to Governor Carlson as "DFL Arne" becuase he was a liberal Republican (another Progressive Governor).

4. Rudy Perpich (Democrat) - Often refered to as "Governor Goofy," Governor Perpich was a liberal Democrat.

5. Al Quie (Republican) - I was not living in Minnesota when Quie was Governor and have no first hand personal knowledge of Governor Quie.

6. Wendell R. Anderson (Democrat) - The Governor who gave himself a job (US Senator) and didn't show upfor work. This Governor Anderson was a liberal Democrat.

7. Harold LeVander (Republican) - Governor LeVander gave Minnesota the Metropolitan Council and Sales Tax. Neither of these gifts are Conservative.

8. Karl Rolvaag (Democrat) - Governor Rolvaag was another liberal Democrat.

9. Elmer L. Anderson (Republican) - This Governor Anderson was at best a moderate Conservative.

10. Orville Freeman (Democrat) - At best, Governor Freeman might be considered a moderate liberal or "JFK Democrat." Freeman was more liberal than JFK.

11. C. Elmer Anderson (Republican) - I was too young to know anything about this Governor Anderson.

12. Luther Youngdahl (Republican) - as above, I was too young to know anything about this Governor.