What do you think about politics?

[crullers]

Social Democracy

Traditionally, social democracy is an international political movement seeking a gradualist path to socialism through ameliorative reforms made on behalf of the working class. It relies on the use of the democratic process to achieve its aims as opposed to revolutionary means. In terms of modern social democracy, one view presented calls for the profound reformation of capitalism to align it with the ethical ideals of social justice while maintaining the capitalist mode of production, rather than creating an alternative socialist economic system.

I totally read that in Michael Palin's voice.

[Crow]

I totally read that in Michael Palin's voice.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1737[/ATTACH]

[EricHill78]

I don't follow politics anymore.. All politicians are full of shit.

[sgreger1]

I just read pages 3 & 4 regarding the beaver hat, you guys are awesome.

[Nuusku]

I don't follow politics anymore.. All politicians are full of shit.

True!

[muddyfunkstar]

I'm slightly left of centre, but none of the parties in the UK really float my boat these days. I've always voted Liberal Democrat, but I don't think they've got my future votes after getting into bed with the Tories for the current coalition (if they even exist after this coalition). Will probably vote Green at the next election, even though it'll be a wasted vote locally.

[sgreger1]

New Gallup poll out yesterday showing that the country still remains 40% Conservative, 21% liberal, and 35% moderate. Independents making up pretty much everything else. The number of conservatives has increased since 2008.

[img]http://sas-origin.onstreammedia.com/...kpfyiqjhvw.gif[/img]


http://www.gallup.com/poll/120857/co...cal-group.aspx

[Reynard]

Will probably vote Green at the next election, even though it'll be a wasted vote locally.

Move to Brighton Pavilion

[justintempler]

...People say they're libertarians around here, and in the next breath talk about how there should be harsher penalties for drug charges and that gay marriage should be illegal.... .

That's the Rick Santorum version of Libertarianism.....

My avatar is the profile of Murray Rothbard whose book Man, Economy and State is what gave birth to modern day Libertarianism which is very anarchist by nature.

[Darwin]

Political parties don't have the power they did decades ago because there now exists an extremely diffuse, minimally concentrated, and usually vocal, political spectrum these days that we all fall somewhere along, socialist, liberal, conservative, libertarian, anarchist or whatever. And of course there are spectra within those spectra. Such a broad diversity may healthy for the country in many ways but this means that having a single nationally elected leader is virtually guaranteed to piss off the greater part of that spectrum. No way around that I suppose. Parliamentary systems are more reflective of a wide spectrum but they are also more susceptible to gridlock and under the table dealings than ours---hard to believe I know. The old tired cliche still applies. Our political system is the worst one possible--except for all the others.

[shikitohno]

Alright, sgreger1, justintempler and any other libertarians who want to get up in arms about how I didn't describe real libertarians in my post, could you guys read the part where I say in it that they're using the term incorrectly when they describe themselves as such? I'm perfectly well aware that these people don't hold true to the ideals and goals of libertarianism. I don't need the resident libertarians to turn and say, "Hey, that's not what libertarianism is man! You're confused." I know the term has been misappropriated by certain groups of conservatives. That's actually the exact thing I was speaking of in my first post. I don't know if you guys are just particularly touchy about that point, or what, but based on your responses, I'd have to guess neither of you read anything but the part that described these faux-libertarians before banging off a reply. It feels as if you guys are pouncing on me for a perceived slight against libertarianism, when if you read my whole post you would realise I already stated what you guys seem to be using to defend libertarianism. Chill out and have a cup of tea or something guys. I think we're all pretty much on the same page here.

[Crow]

The number of conservatives has increased since 2008.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/120857/co...cal-group.aspx

Bottom Line

Although the terms may mean different things to different people, Americans readily peg themselves, politically, into one of five categories along the conservative-to-liberal spectrum. At present, large minorities describe their views as either moderate or conservative -- with conservatives the larger group -- whereas only about one in five consider themselves liberal.

While these figures have shown little change over the past decade, the nation appears to be slightly more polarized than it was in the early 1990s. Compared with the 1992-1994 period, the percentage of moderates has declined from 42% to 35%, while the percentages of conservatives and liberals are up slightly -- from 38% to 40% for conservatives and a larger 17% to 21% movement for liberals.

[justintempler]

Alright, sgreger1, justintempler ....

I didn't take any offense to it. In fact I'd say you probably understand libertarians better than a lot of self identifying Libertarians do.

I was merely giving an example of Santorum talking out of both sides of his mouth in an attempt to appeal to Libertarians.

[shikitohno]

Ah, my bad then.

[Nuusku]