Many people who swear they are die-hard Republicans or Democrats are shocked when they take the quiz and are told they are really Libertarians.

Which does beg the question of why Libertarians don't win elections more often.

Is it a simple case of a great idea with a bad marketing campaign?

"The Quiz has gained respect as a valid measure of a person's political leanings." -- The Washington Post, June 17, 2001

Not everyone thinks so...

The quiz is simple, ten one sentence questions. But can a person's location on the political map really be determined accurately in ten steps?

The answers to the questions can only be: Agree, Maybe, or Disagree.

Would someone answer differently if they had more choices?

What if the questions were worded differently?

How would they score if there were more than 10 questions?

Do the questions lead people to answer in the affirmative?

Are the questions too broad to be a true barometer of a person's stance on the issue?

I'll use an issue that isn't on the quiz but should illustrate my point. Many people will answer one way on whether abortion should be legal but when the question is phrased where the life or health of the mother is involved, their answer is often different.

I think the quiz is a great tool to get people to consider what their beliefs are on the actual role of government. However it is not without flaws.

The running joke is that a Libertarian is a Republican who wants to smoke pot or a Democrat who wants to own a gun.

I am financially conservative and socially liberal.

I wish the government would do the things they are obligated to do via the Constitution and stop being and/or getting involved in matters that should not concern them.

Why is it that politicians swear to uphold the Constitution when they take office but so few of them have actually read it let alone understand it.

Every person who tosses their hat into the political arena should be required to take a test. The test should be on the duties and responsibilities of the respective office as defined by the US (and/or state's) Constitution. Voter's should have access to their test scores. I think that would be a more accurate reading of the candidate's stance than the canned responses they give to hot topic questions during debates.

We require a test for immigrants before they can become citizens so why can't we do it for anyone wanting to hold public office???

PS. GO RON PAUL!!!