Well neo96, you've certainly struck some nerves. Overall I like the thread and give you a S&F for your efforts. Though I don't agree with all that
you've said I believe that I have an understanding of where you're coming from and the points you're trying to make. Unlike a good many who want to
hang the label of "troll" around your neck I see that some serious thought has gone into your message. That, to me at least, counts for much more than
spelling or grammar. It also seems that here on ATS when you've run out of other rotten things to say about an opponent you make a hard stab at their
intelligence. A real favorite with the "my dad can beat up your dad" crowd.
I made it through two years of Poli/Sci in college (one of my favorite subjects) and I suppose that I'm about as well versed in the accepted
definitions, labels and theory as the average bear. At least enough to wade through the fascist versus communist arguments. But, in truth, I don't see
that as being all that important in the main.
I say that because we seem to be sidetracked with the semantics. I realize that we humans by nature want to pigeonhole and label everything in our
lives but at some point this tangent leads to secondary disputes and the original issue is lost in the shuffle.
We are in uncharted territory these days. Old paradigms are failing. Classic and accepted definitions are insufficient. Black is becoming white and
the good guys of old are now the resident evil among us. Are we on the verge or revelation or revolution?
I tossed the left versus right paradigm out the window many moons ago. It just doesn't work any more A case in point is the neo-con phenomenon. A good
many people don't realize who the neo-cons in the Bush Whitehouse were. They were former Democrats who, with very little change in their political
beliefs, jumped ship to become Republicans. So much for labels.
There seems to be great confusion about communism versus fascism. My question is "does it matter"? The two boil down to total state control of
everything with the only difference being who controls the state. They are not polar opposites as many would assume. How will my life be changed by
any significant degree whether the tyranny professes fascism or communism. Is there such a thing as a benevolent dictator?
Trying to blame any one side for all of our problems is Pollyanna to a frightening degree. A jackboot is a jackboot no matter whether the foot inside
is Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative, communist or fascist.
Stop focusing on what is said and zero in on what is done. Let their actions speak louder than their words. Forget the labels. If the neo-cons have
taught us anything it is how completely worthless labels are. The white hats and the black hats have merged into the gray hats- they're all evil
bastards.
If you want to get right down to the nitty gritty then I believe that we need to ditch the whole collectivist mindset. If it ignores the rights,
liberties, opportunities of the individual it's bad for all of us. The individual is the basic unit of community and country. The individual invents
and creates. The notion of humanity reduced to worker bees under any banner sickens me.
In my wide travels I have never once seen in any town square a monument to a committee. The individual makes us great. When I protect you as an
individual I, at the same time, am protecting myself.
If you'd really like to see where you fall on the conservative/liberal scale take this test:
Politicalcompass
I think a lot of people who like to call themselves one thing or the other might surprise themselves. I thought for a while that if you ventured into
the political areas of ATS it should be mandatory to take the test and post the results. It is an excellent way to see the perspective someone is
coming from in a discussion. I was turned onto this by a fellow ATS'er and I wish that I could remember their handle to give them credit.
edit on 23-9-2010 by CmdrZero because: (no reason given)