Lost without a compass

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Some of us are good at sensing directions and don't need a compass, let alone a GPS system. Dad always seemed to be able to get his bearings and knew instinctively which way was North or South.

Then we have our inner "moral compass," the thing that tells us what's "right" and what's "wrong," no matter what everyone else around us is doing.

There's another interesting compass that I think is useful, especially in this political campaign season. It's called, appropriately enough, the "political compass," and Mitch introduced me to it about a year ago.

When we talk about being on the right or on the left, we can be talking about social issues, economic issues, or both. When someone tells me I'm "too liberal," he or she usually means I'm too far left. Same with the "right wing," meaning very conservative. Seems that there are not many moderates left in this polarized nation. So are you more authoritarian or libertarian? Are you economically conservative but socially liberal -- or vice versa?

Most of you who read this obscure blog have probably already taken the test at www.politicalcompass.org, but I thought it would be fun to see how we score collectively. So here's my challenge: Go to the Web site, take the test, write down your two scores and post the results in the comments (or send to me by e-mail). Then we'll do an average to find out where we are as a connected group of family, friends, loved ones.

Remember, nobody is right or wrong. It's just a useful tool for understanding each other, and the test is private. If you don't want to share the results, then keep them to yourself. But the rest of us will be wondering what you're hiding!

When people ask me how I got to be so far left, I think about growing up in a household of extreme opinions, from Grandad's socialist leanings to Dad's anarchic positions to Don's conservative views that contrast with his liberal appearance. We're a true melting pot, and I celebrate that we all managed to learn to think for ourselves and create a rainbow of viewpoints.

Take the test. Report your scores. Let's see who gets the prize for being outstanding in their respective fields.