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Do You Have a Partisan Bias?

Do You Have a Partisan Bias?

  • Total voters
    41
I'm gonna take issue with the word "bias". I think it's quite overused and devoid of some meaning. To me, bias is when you discount facts to follow a predetermined conclusion. Bias is when you absolutely will not, under any circumstances, believe that a certain source or position could be correct, no matter the evidence to show that it is. Tending to trust one side or source over the other is perfectly natural. More credible sources ought to be trusted, and positions that advocate better stances ought to be supported. Do I generally assume that something Bill O'Reilley says is probably nonsense and that something Jon Stewart says is probably true and insightful? Yes. This is because most of what Bill O'Reilley says is nonsense and most of what Jon Stewart says is true and insightful. If Bill O'Reilley said something true and insightful and Jon Stewart spouted nonsense, would I listen to Bill and not Jon in those circumstances? Yes. That is what I think makes me not biased.

I think in order to qualify as bias, actual ignoring of reality is necessary. Refusal to open one's mind beyond a predetermined position is bias. Prejudice is bias. Determining and judging with a trend is not. So sayeth Pasch.
 
radcen said:
Anybody who answers 'no' is either lying or delusional.
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It's a matter of exactly what is meant by the question. Do I vote or even agree all the time with the Dems? Nope, not even close on some issues like gun control and the military. But I don't think we should throw poor people under the bus, either - does that make me partisan toward the Dems?


So, I answered 'No' and I don't believe I'm lying or delusional, either.
 
Paschendale said:
I'm gonna take issue with the word "bias". I think it's quite overused and devoid of some meaning. To me, bias is when you discount facts to follow a predetermined conclusion. Bias is when you absolutely will not, under any circumstances, believe that a certain source or position could be correct, no matter the evidence to show that it is. Tending to trust one side or source over the other is perfectly natural. More credible sources ought to be trusted, and positions that advocate better stances ought to be supported. Do I generally assume that something Bill O'Reilley says is probably nonsense and that something Jon Stewart says is probably true and insightful? Yes. This is because most of what Bill O'Reilley says is nonsense and most of what Jon Stewart says is true and insightful. If Bill O'Reilley said something true and insightful and Jon Stewart spouted nonsense, would I listen to Bill and not Jon in those circumstances? Yes. That is what I think makes me not biased.

I think in order to qualify as bias, actual ignoring of reality is necessary. Refusal to open one's mind beyond a predetermined position is bias. Prejudice is bias. Determining and judging with a trend is not. So sayeth Pasch.
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I once had the difference between prejudice and bias described like this:

Bias: If the facts aren't against me I will vote my belief.

Prejudice: I will vote what I believe regardless of the facts.


I don't think anyone can avoid bias completely because we're all influenced by our worldview, which is based on past experience.
 
X Factor said:
Simple enough question. By my calculation only about 4 of us should answer yes.
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I am a partisan...

...having been a former Commi-Lib and having lived in the Eurosocialist hell hole longer than some posters are old, and having lived former communist countries (and traveled to many), as well as Kanuckistan and Mehiko... I clearly understand the destructive effects of what the Sozialists of Amerika Partei (SAPs/Demokrats) have wrought and seek to wreak on a once great and free country.

After a long journey to Conservatism, I haven't seen reason to go back to my original positions and accept the failed ideas of Leftists... in fact... we are living in an era where it should be plain to all except those who are deaf, dumb and blind.

When it comes to those tests of political lean... I always end up right alongside Milton Friedman... not a surprise.
 
X Factor said:
Not necessarily. They just may define 'partisan bias' differently. I think to me, bias would include an recognition that it may keep you from looking at something entirely objectively or fairly. Others may see bias a different way.
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If it's as subjective as you describe here, you just rendered your poll and question moot.
 
I'm biased against all parties.
 
Depends on the issue. For some issues I have a bias to trust the Republicans, on others I have a bias to trust the Democrats. Each party has their own special interests and flaws and recognizing those are important.
 
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