About NOW and it's Workgroup
This diverse group of friends with strong educational and professional backgrounds came to understand that we had far more in common than not. Rather than allowing political party labels to define our views, we decided to step back from traditional party politics and focus on what we believe matters most to our state and local communities. From that shared purpose, we formed an independent, non-partisan workgroup committed to evaluating candidates and issues based on whether they meet the majority of our objective criteria (see below).
The workgroup evaluates issues and candidates for public office based on objective criteria, including their public record, statements, qualifications, experience, and stated priorities. We do not rely on party labels, political loyalty, or personal favoritism. Instead, we review what candidates have done, what they have said, and what they appear to believe on issues affecting the community. Based on this review, we provide voters with fair, transparent, and fact-based candidate recommendations.
A Short History of Left, Right, and Middle Politics
The terms Left and Right go back to the French Revolution in the late 1700s. In the French National Assembly, supporters of major change and more power for ordinary citizens sat on the left side, while those who favored tradition, monarchy, and established institutions sat on the right side.
Over time, the terms evolved. Today, the Left is generally associated with social equality, public investment, environmental protection, and a larger role for government in solving problems. The Right is generally associated with limited government, lower taxes, personal responsibility, traditional values, and free-market solutions.
The Middle, or political center, includes people who may agree with ideas from both sides. Centrists often focus less on party labels and more on practical solutions, compromise, fiscal responsibility, public safety, fairness, and local community needs.
Most people do not fit perfectly into one category. Political views often depend on the issue, personal experience, and community priorities. This quiz is simply a fun way to see where your answers may generally fall.