imported post
The
Political Compass I was referring to. Not a long or difficult quiz and there are no wrong answers (is it really a quiz then?)
http://www.politicalcompass.org/analysis2
I think this would explain a bit,
Damiansar-15, of my perspective towards what is left vs right and what is anarchic vs fascist. There are a lot of different ways to map politics, and this is the simplest one I've found that explains it's reasoning behind it's view. The exam itself had questions that made me realize I am contradictory and even hypocritical in my own views. Every answer moves you either up or down and either left or right on the scale. It works like your traditional calculus graph, 0/0 is absolute center and movements adjusted them to the negative and positive, 10.0 being maximum. I was a -4.00/-6.10 (moderate-left libertarian). Nothing in the chart indicates right or wrong, nor does anything instantly throw a person heavy to one corner. Also, this is from a world perspective, not a United States one. Our people we consider far left are considered moderate right-wing in many places. Both the vertical and horizontal scale positioning of the average citizen from any country will likely be affected by a country's culture, religious values, past and present governmental practices, and various other factors.
I've heard of the book
Liberal Fascism and seen it on shelves, but I'm not a big reader. I lack the patience and have grown too accustom to vivid stimuli to get into reading. The curse of my generation.
I recall seeing an interview with the author on
The Daily Show a few years back and it did sound fascinating, but I tend to shy away from any read (when I do pick up a book) that has a provocative title. But I shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, pun intended. I did make an exception for the provocative title,
More Guns, Less Crime, but I don't need to justify that purchase here.
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Time for more of my opinion, which I'm sure many people are sick of, but I think most people who take the Libertarian name are anything but. Three years ago, you say Libertarian to someone and they'll ask you if that is the new Russell Crowe movie. Now it's a mainstream word to anyone who barely even follows politics. Most of those LINO's (thought I would try it out, haha) I see are conservatives who no longer want to be identified as a Republican. Let's face it, GOP is a tarnished brand. That brand is trying to reinvent themselves now, so in the mean while you have all these "independents" who would rather jump into the life raft just in case the ship is sinking and then paddle back to the ladders once the holes are patched up.
Our tax dollars go towards efforts that are suppose to assist both communities and individuals that most of us take for granted. Food stamps, Medicare, Public Transit, Public Access TV, etc. Unemployment being the big one that everyone wants to change but never get rid of. None of the things I listed I use personally, but I know those who do. Some abused it, some used it until they could make it on their own. Socialism is a word that needs a diet. The "S word" is so bloated and blown out of proportion. Let me explain. Think of two opposing view points like a game of tug-o-war. Every time one side loses some footing and the status quo moves in their opponents favor, the losing side grunts three times as loud and tries to channel their anger strength to get it back. The line may have moved only an inch, but every ounce of effort is made to try and get it back, and in the process people say and do things that are unnecessary, self-damaging, or just plain foolish. More often than not, the sky is not falling and that slippery slope is more of a dry step. I prefer cautious optimism for most things and steadfast resistance for others (Cali SKS ban being an example of a real slippery slope. Give an inch to some groups and they'll try and take a mile.)
We're all 2A fans here. We can debate the best way to counter anti-2A laws and activity until our ears bleed. In the end, we all have the same final goal. To be safe, secure, and left alone to live our lives as we choose. So cheers
KansasScout, we are brothers in the same battle. Much like MLK Jr. and Malcolm X were both huge players in civil rights with very contrasting ideas of how to accomplish the same thing, but I'd like to point out only one of them ended up with a holiday and
not because he was abrasive in his approach.
AC