Monday 6 June 2011

Left Wing? Right Wing? Or Lost?

I do not fit on the typical right-left political spectrum that was taught to me in grade nine. On one hand I am a supporter of personal freedom. I am pretty much a live and let live person. I do not think it is the business of the government to tell the individual what they can and cannot do. Base on what I have said I would be a "left wing" person.

But what about this. I am also against social engineering. I do not believe the government is there to tell us what to think and do. I detest government regulation. It has gone too far. I also detest big government and those who see government as a way to provide lucrative employment to a select few. I beleive government should provide the very basic needs to resident. I am not a fan of ancient Rome or Medieval Europe where taxes go to providing an opulent lifestyle to a select few. So now I look right wing. What is there for me to do?

The truth is there is no spot for me on the political spectrum that exists in the western world today. Some have proposed an alternative to the two dimensional, left right, crap we put up with. Instead the promote a "Diamond" which had room for more than a few political views. Here is one of those:
http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz

It is one of many. I am curious to see how others score. I scored as a "Libertarian" which makes me feel vindicated and I am a member of the Libertarian Party of Canada. Our current "left-right" hang-up is the reason the most famous and respected Libertarian in North America, Ron Paul, will probably not get elected president. Though he does try.

Ron Paul, in 2008, ran for the Republican nomination. He is running again in 2012. In reality, he could run in either party since neither of the two American parties really fit Ron Paul. On the surface he seems to be the ideal "Tea Party" candidate. And, if the Tea Party is what they claim to be they would be all over Ron Paul. He wants to reduce government spending like crazy and thus reduce the deficit. He will oppose any pork barrel spending projects. Trouble is he also opposes some key "right-wing" institutions. He wants to cut spending on the military industrial complex. He is an outspoken opponent of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. He is also an outspoken critic of the American war on drugs. Now, a lot of people make money off of the military industrial complex, the wars and the war on drugs. So, his chances of winning the Republican nomination are slim.

As a treat I have inlcuded the speech Ron Paul made at the 2008 Republican Convention:




And other nice video titled "Freedom is Popular"

12 comments:

  1. when people say they're left or right, i typically tend to think I'm up or down.

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  2. I like what Ron Paul has to say. It's just too bad the problems are too big to solve in one presidential term. I mean if it wasn't accepted as the norm, we wouldn't be stuck with such a heavy defense budget.

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  3. It's very difficult to follow anyone these days, it's so confusing!

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  4. I try to stay in the middle to try to get the whole information before making decisions.

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  5. Both parties suck! They're both owned by corporations!

    Ron Paul 2012! Keep it real man!

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  6. You have to read and study a lot in order to be completely sure who are you going to support.

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  7. I write my own name in every year. Who knows? Maybe I'll get lucky one year.

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  8. Unfortunately I don't trust any politician at this point. Left or right, it's all the same too me. I see it more as the extreme rich corporations and world's elite vs the poor and middle class. Ron Paul seems a cut above the average politician though, I only how he's genuine.

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  9. I like Ron Paul but I dont he has any chance at winning anything.

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