On another thread: www.abovetopsecret.com...
We have been discussing this very issue in the (abit loose) context of the subject matter of what the Nazi party was along that divide.
then I posted this:
Okay take me and my political ideals and tell me what you think I am.
I am in favor of a small, strong, effective government but I understand that it is not the programs that need to be cut but the bureaucracy administering them.
I believe in strong regulation...especially in matters of worker safety, the environment, consumer protection and finance. I don't think any business should be allowed to get so large that its failure would adversely effect the national economy.
I believe that environmental protection is easily as important to national security as a strong police and/or military.
I believe in a strong but not bloated military. No one can actually physically invade us so border protection should not be the reserve of the military but law enforcement. I am against a foreign policy that maintains bases overseas or props up governments. Charity begins at home. I do not believe we need a military as large as we have since what we spend on it is more than the 5 nearest competitors combined. I believe that our troops should be used rarely and sparingly but if used at all should get the maximum support that they need...but I do not equate objection to any given war as unpatriotic like the hard right slurred the left with during the bush minor years.
I don't believe in bailouts and tax cuts etc. to corporations or to the wealthiest...they should pay their fair share just like everybody else. Period. Paying their share in taxes should be a requirement to do business here and if you take jobs overseas you should pay a tax penalty...especially if you are an American business.
I am fully in favor of the public option...if the insurance companies do not feel threatened then whatever change happens will be minimal and the average person still gets screwed.
I have no problem with public assistance...we are the richest nation on earth...if we cannot afford to take care of our own, something is seriously wrong. It should not be a lifetime crutch though and those receiving it should not be penalized if they try to improve their lot like many states do.
I am in favor of the immediate legalization of all drugs...to be sold at state run ABC stores with the proceeds to be used for education and rehab...it is the only sane way to take them (and the subsequent violence) out of the hands of cartels and gangs...it is a flawed answer but better than what we are doing now.
Federal laws should trump states rights in national matters but in local matters states should have the final say...prime examples of this are environmental and educational standards...which should be set by the federal government...but how they are applied should be the state's preserve.
Do away with teaching to the test standards...the purpose of education is to teach children to think for themselves not to parrot.
A woman's right to chose is inviolate...it is her body not some religious opponent's...if they are opposed to abortion then don't have one but don't you dare to presume to take the freedom of that choice away from another.
I believe that certain national resources belong to the nation and should be controlled by the state via oversight and regulation. The government doesn't need to run them but the state shouldn't be all but giving them away either.
I believe in a universal public service between the ages 18 and 21...Those who are inclined to go into the military will always gravitate that way but it can also include Vista, Peace corp, Community Conservation Corp type agencies...community work etc. Once the four years are completed then a college education would be provided for as in the original G.I. bill...with military veterans getting special considerations. The same sort of benefits could also be a way to segue into a national health care system again with special benefits and considerations for veterans.
I could go on but that is a general overview.
and I got these two responses:
From Johnny2127:
Well you definitely are not a liberal through and through. Some of your beliefs are liberal, while others are downright conservative. I would call you a progressive libertarian if not for many of the beliefs you have in govt-based assistance. I think you are more of what are referred to as a Blue Dog Democrat.
In many ways you are a dichotomy politically with some very libertarian beliefs and some very liberal ones. Very tough to define. But I would definitely not call you very liberal.
And:
from Billybob:
i'll weigh in, grover.
most of your thoughts are libertarian/liberal except for the ones on conscription and policing which are more authoritarian.
that's the fun, we can have little left/right sovereign/state slave battles inside ourselves!
i believe in heavily policing big power (which should be a capitalist system, with monopolies being illegal), and the total freedom of the individual to do anything but trample someone else's right to exist peacefully and freely.
what does that make me?
Which got me thinking that it would be interesting if we posted what we thought made us left or right and let our peers respond.
www.squidoo.com
(visit the link for the full news article)
[edit on 30-9-2009 by grover]
