What words define you politically?

[bradly1101]

As some of you know I'm a libertard. The words that define the basis of my political perspective can be found in the dictionary under 'liberal'. And as my sig. says it's; "broad-minded; especially : not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional form"

I subscribe to policies (including traditional ones) that are logical to me (I know the gun debate is illogical from my point of view; with the amount of guns in this country, meaningful gun control won't be possible in my lifetime. That's a windmill I don't mind tilting at from time to time though because my underlying point is that I believe that personal ownership of firearms (as it exists in the U.S.) is illogical).

If there's a logical path forward that disagrees with orthodoxy or tradition, then I'll take the logical path, open my mind to it. I'm not bound by the tradition.

Examples of traditions I don't feel bound by:

-Racism

-Our American gun culture (but again it's inescapable).

-Raping the environment.

-Anti-gay sentiments.

-Laws against abortion rights (esp. before Roe).

-Christmas as the birthday celebration of a white savior born immaculately with a white father. Liberals want to be more inclusive. To me that's logical. Many conservatives call that a 'war on Christmas'. You can't even say "Happy Holidays" anymore {sigh}. (I was actually challenged for saying that by my crotchety old neighbor who never smiled at me after I put an Obama sticker on my car. It was early December. The way I see it, I was wishing him happiness from Thanksgiving through New Years, including Christmas. He was wishing it for only one day. He said there's no such thing as 'Happy Holidays'. {double sigh})

Traditions I think are important include charity, which includes food stamps for those who cannot afford food {gasp}, and relative privacy.

But liberals aren't bound by the tradition.

I also believe that government can and does great good.

What words define you politically?

 

[Atreus21]

Orthodoxy.

I rebel against the idea of rebelliousness as a virtue.

Tradition means giving a vote to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking about. All democrats object to men being disqualified by the accident of birth; tradition objects to their being disqualified by the accident of death. Democracy tells us not to neglect a good man’s opinion, even if he is our groom; tradition asks us not to neglect a good man’s opinion, even if he is our father.”

 

[Jaskalas]

Libertarian, the true form of the word liberal.

Liberal
4. favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible...

Practically though I know we are already a well established culture of dependence. Striking against the very nature of independence and the American tradition of liberties that I would see upheld. A middle ground, I think, would be to apply this independence to the States. Giving them the maximum freedom possible for their people and their representatives to shape their policy as they see fit.

Instead of being an Anarchist I favor political Pluralism, and Diversity.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Fiscal conservative, xenophobic, socially liberal

 

[BUnit1701]

As some of you know I'm a libertard. The words that define the basis of my political perspective can be found in the dictionary under 'liberal'. And as my sig. says it's; "broad-minded; especially : not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional form"

I subscribe to policies (including traditional ones) that are logical to me (I know the gun debate is illogical from my point of view; with the amount of guns in this country, meaningful gun control won't be possible in my lifetime. That's a windmill I don't mind tilting at from time to time though because my underlying point is that I believe that personal ownership of firearms (as it exists in the U.S.) is illogical).

If there's a logical path forward that disagrees with orthodoxy or tradition, then I'll take the logical path, open my mind to it. I'm not bound by the tradition.

Examples of traditions I don't feel bound by:

-Racism

-Our American gun culture (but again it's inescapable).

-Raping the environment.

-Anti-gay sentiments.

-Laws against abortion rights (esp. before Roe).

-Christmas as the birthday celebration of a white savior born immaculately with a white father. Liberals want to be more inclusive. To me that's logical. Many conservatives call that a 'war on Christmas'. You can't even say "Happy Holidays" anymore {sigh}. (I was actually challenged for saying that by my crotchety old neighbor who never smiled at me after I put an Obama sticker on my car. It was early December. The way I see it, I was wishing him happiness from Thanksgiving through New Years, including Christmas. He was wishing it for only one day. He said there's no such thing as 'Happy Holidays'. {double sigh})

Traditions I think are important include charity, which includes food stamps for those who cannot afford food {gasp}, and relative privacy.

But liberals aren't bound by the tradition.

I also believe that government can and does great good.

What words define you politically?

Food stamps are NOT charity. Soup kitchens and food banks are charity, food stamps are government wealth redistribution. Which is a fancy way of saying theft.

 

[norseamd]

a mixture of libertarianism and socialism.

third way?

 

[Jaepheth]

Apathetic

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

I'm from Missouri.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Jaded.

 

[Nebor]

Apathetic

Beat me to it.

 

[nehalem256]

Right

 

[bradly1101]

Food stamps are NOT charity. Soup kitchens and food banks are charity, food stamps are government wealth redistribution. Which is a fancy way of saying theft.

Then isn't this theft too?

http://www.cafoodbanks.org/About_Food_Bank_Funding.htm

 

[Moonbeam]

My political views represent what I see as truth via a synthesis of opposites at a lighter level of understanding.

One example presents itself here: Catholic in its real meaning vs. orthodoxy.
I am catholic in that I am open to change that is needed and orthodox in desiring to preserve what works. Which is what it's the important question. I am from Missouri on that with the proviso that I have to be aware that what I tend to see is what I already believe so I can't be trusted. Humility is also required. Good politics is impossible without knowledge of the self, only when one can reject the ONE RING.

 

[Moonbeam]

Beat me to it.

You are afraid to feel the pain of caring because love hurts. But it's useless because you hurt anyway.

 

[BUnit1701]

Then isn't this theft too?

http://www.cafoodbanks.org/About_Food_Bank_Funding.htm

Effectively yes. Those Federal funds don't appear magically from nowhere, they are either taken from your taxes or borrowed against your progeny. Real charity is individuals contributing their time, money, and effort to make these things happen. It is not a massive Federal leviathan taking from one group to give to another.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

My political views represent what I see as truth via a synthesis of opposites at a lighter level of understanding.

One example presents itself here: Catholic in its real meaning vs. orthodoxy.
I am catholic in that I am open to change that is needed and orthodox in desiring to preserve what works. Which is what it's the important question. I am from Missouri on that with the proviso that I have to be aware that what I tend to see is what I already believe so I can't be trusted. Humility is also required. Good politics is impossible without knowledge of the self, only when one can reject the ONE RING.

That's the rub, isn't it? Orthodoxy begins with identification that transcends reason or that's how some see it. That's why I eschew tags. One say they are this or that, but once they do they essentially cause the personal wave equation to collapse. It is the yoke and burden of a mindset which forces an answer, or type of answer, before the question is even asked.

To use Tolkien these tendencies are like the ones awakened by the lesser rings of power, the ones given to Man, who is so easily corrupted. These are seen as means to a desired end, but they are a trap, and they don't even know they are in it, no even when the One summons them to obedience. That's why I used Missouri as my initial response. Don't tell me that a thing is this or that, but provide some proper contextual reason for it to be so. But as you say all of us, myself included, must look to our hands and make sure no fine jewelry has been added. This is a large part of the requirement of eternal vigilance, and that includes watching our for ourselves.

 

[bradly1101]

It is not a massive Federal leviathan taking from one group to give to another.

Without that though would the prosperity gap widen or narrow? I think narrowing it is a worthy goal.

 

[BUnit1701]

Without that though would the prosperity gap widen or narrow? I think narrowing it is a worthy goal.

I too think narrowing it is a worthy goal. Of each individual American. It should not, and has no place being, a goal of our government as it is supposed to be instituted.

 

[schneiderguy]

If you put an Obama sticker on your car, you're not a liberal. You're a librul. There is a difference.

 

[bradly1101]

I too think narrowing it is a worthy goal. Of each individual American. It should not, and has no place being, a goal of our government as it is supposed to be instituted.

Should it be our government's goal be to ensure an educated populace? Is being taxed to pay for college grants for the less advantaged theft?

 

[bradly1101]

If you put an Obama sticker on your car, you're not a liberal. You're a librul. There is a difference.

Well I'm not so hot on Obama anymore. Candidate Obama and President Obama aren't the same guy. He campaigned on a government option in his healthcare plan (similar to Medicare). I believe its omission is huge. As a candidate he said, "...to make sure surveillance hasn’t gone too far."

It's gone too far Mr. President.

 

[bradly1101]

Effectively yes. Those Federal funds don't appear magically from nowhere, they are either taken from your taxes or borrowed against your progeny. Real charity is individuals contributing their time, money, and effort to make these things happen. It is not a massive Federal leviathan taking from one group to give to another.

charity
1: benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity
2a : generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering; also : aid given to those in need
b : an institution engaged in relief of the poor
c : public provision for the relief of the needy
3a : a gift for public benevolent purposes
b : an institution (as a hospital) founded by such a gift
4: lenient judgment of others

Nowhere in there does it say anything like 'by an individual', and parts of it are quite the opposite.

 

[brianmanahan]

pomes

 

[Slew Foot]

 

[nehalem256]

charity
1: benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity
2a : generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering; also : aid given to those in need
b : an institution engaged in relief of the poor
c : public provision for the relief of the needy
3a : a gift for public benevolent purposes
b : an institution (as a hospital) founded by such a gift
4: lenient judgment of others

Nowhere in there does it say anything like 'by an individual', and parts of it are quite the opposite.

You appear to be struggling with understanding the difference between the act of charity and a charity.