What's your political philosophy?

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Kristatos
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What's your political philosophy?

Post by Kristatos »

Having misidentified BJ as a conservative on another thread, I started to wonder where everyone is coming from politically. Not trying to start any arguments, just curious. Please be civil - reasonable people should be able to disagree without becoming disagreeable.

Personally, I would describe myself as a Distributist. Distributism is a political philosophy based on Catholic social teaching (though I am not myself a Catholic, and sometimes get a bit annoyed with the way Catholic Distributists act as if they somehow "own" Distributism), first articulated by GK Chesterton and Hilaire Belloc. It is based on the idea of widespread distribution of productive private property, as distinct from Capitalism (where property agglomerates into the hands of a few wealthy plutocrats) and Socialism (where all property is owned by the state). "Productive property" means things like land, tools, workshops and so forth - it doesn't mean that everyone should own a plasma screen TV. It was an influence on EF Schumacher ("Small is Beautiful" is practically a mantra for Distributists), and even on David Cameron's "Big Society" (which I approve of in principle, even if the reality didn't live up to the hype - partly, I suspect, because Cameron the PR man didn't really believe what he was saying, and is just another Capitalist wolf in Distributist sheep's clothing).
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Re: What's your political philosophy?

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I believe in common sense laws that benefit the people that are working and do not overindulge those getting a free ride on the system. You must be tough on crime and fiscally responsible. Liberal judges here allow criminals to walk too easily with pat on the wrist judgments. The role of government is to keep the people safe, incarcerate those repeat felon mutants that do not belong on the streets, be fair to all, have safety nets as a temporary measure, not a lifelong ambition, and reward those who work hard for what they have and are not taxed excessively to expand the goodies to those who truly are gaming the system( not those who truly are physically handicapped and cannot work).
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Re: What's your political philosophy?

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http://news.msn.com/world/italy-pasta-b ... ycott-call He has every right to believe in his values. These liberals are intolerant of those who oppose them, yet they want the world to agree with them. That's bullying and not right. Go Barilla :!:
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Re: What's your political philosophy?

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bjmdds wrote:http://news.msn.com/world/italy-pasta-b ... ycott-call He has every right to believe in his values.
And likewise, people have every right not to buy his pasta if they don't want to. If boycotts are bullying, then what does that make this site?

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Re: What's your political philosophy?

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I'm more I guess conservative although I don't agree with the republicans on a great many things. Probably more libertarian although I do want the government to help people and think we should have a army to intervene in world affairs. And don't want crazy drug deregulation. Although there are too many young people (poor young people) who get punished by a system at war with drugs for a stupid mistake, a sysetm that works with and rewards the true bad guys to get a "badder" guy, where the young poor in our nation suffer since they are not dealers who can turn in or rat out others to save themselves

I do believe the system is broken thanks to the two parties keeping check on any third party that could emerge. Although the Republicans might splinter so maybe their day is done and a new party will take their place in the two part system, or more likely this version of the Repubs dies and they take a more libertarian slant. The dems are going through the same problems it just not as noticeable with them holding the senate and white house, they are going through alot right now. A lot of dissatisfaction with their party as well just when they have power it seems from the outside and the way the party is covered they are in harmony, where the repubs don't have a leader and great republican losers come out to put down publicly the young pups in their party it seems like they are eating their own, in a way they are but I think when the dust settles the old guard will be out of power and a newer wing will take over maybe more in touch with today concerns.

Oddly I think Obama is the greatest enemy the Dems have, I think we'll see the fall out soon. After he leaves (maybe sooner) and after all he has done I think the dems will scramble to reinvent themselves, distancing themselves from the old Obama made USA. It's happened before, party has a leader and direction then parts despertly try to reinvent to regain power or keep power.

Obama care might be the greatest problem the dems have in the next few years, they forced it though and some how won enough court rulings to keep in intact, mostly. But it is screwing everything up, our premiums are going up, doctors don't like it hospital don't like it.
Obama get made when people resist him although things are happening with the law he promised wouldn't happen.

One thing that gets me is he blames whoever for his problems like congress not wanting to increase the debt ceiling or some other pet project he wants to ram through. thing is even if there was a boogie man keeping RND or DNc from working together, the real problem is the constituents who do not want their representative to do something, and if nobody pays attention to what is happening in DC, which most people do not, then the parties do whatever they want by keeping their members in line. When a radio or TV personality highlights what is going on them by themselves have no power to change it, their audience and others have the power to get their fellow citizens angry and let their representatives know it. SO when Obama or W bush complain about congress or political commentators, liberal media, conservative media, the completely miss the point its neither, its the electorate who are not happy who have the power. Its the voters Obama and Bush were angry at.
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Re: What's your political philosophy?

Post by Capt. Sir Dominic Flandry »

I don't understand Distribution much but I remember reading that the far-right became obsessed with it in the 1980's. I read about Jospeh Pearce who was a lunatic Nazi in charge of the National Front Youth wing in the 1980s - and he is now a respected Catholic commentator in the US who has remounced racism! He says he believes in Distributism.
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Re: What's your political philosophy?

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Capt. Sir Dominic Flandry wrote:I don't understand Distribution much but I remember reading that the far-right became obsessed with it in the 1980's. I read about Jospeh Pearce who was a lunatic Nazi in charge of the National Front Youth wing in the 1980s - and he is now a respected Catholic commentator in the US who has remounced racism! He says he believes in Distributism.
Yes, it did become tainted by association with neo-fascism for a time, but recently, it has been getting more mainstream attention thanks to political thinkers like John Medaille and Philip Blond, who don't have those associations.

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Re: What's your political philosophy?

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Dr. No wrote:Probably more libertarian although I do want the government to help people and think we should have a army to intervene in world affairs. And don't want crazy drug deregulation. Although there are too many young people (poor young people) who get punished by a system at war with drugs for a stupid mistake, a sysetm that works with and rewards the true bad guys to get a "badder" guy, where the young poor in our nation suffer since they are not dealers who can turn in or rat out others to save themselves
I suppose I am libertarian when it comes to individual liberties - it is true that the more power you give governments, the more they will abuse it. I am concerned by things like the NSA spying scandal and the fact that Gitmo is still open, despite Obama promising to close it. I have these crazy, old -fashioned ideas that governments should not indiscriminately spy on their own citizens, and that even suspected terrorists are entitled to due process (remember, most of the people in Gitmo have never even been charged, let alone convicted). The thing that bothers me about most self-proclaimed Libertarians is their belief that corporations are entitled to the same rights as human beings - which in practice means more rights, since the bigger the corporation, the more it can use its muscle to crush individual liberty. And of course, we are more and more witnessing the merging of corporate and state power - the very definition of Fascism, according to none other than its founder himself, Benito Mussolini.
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Re: What's your political philosophy?

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Re: What's your political philosophy?

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Libertarian have some weird ideas yet I find myself agreeing with more of their ideal than I do the DNC and RNC. I'd almost say I'm independent but that term has been ruined.

Riddle me this, of the budget conflict each side is the bad guy, each side a loathsome den of evil who are holding the nation hostage. Why when one of the reprehensible bad actors is willing to give you bills funding Venetians, social security, sick children, why they hell don't you take the deal come what may if people are suffering why not help the few you can and keep working for the rest. The senate refuses to vote on them and Obama refuses to sign them, well put it to a vote.

I understand why some repubs want this because all of the other budget deals and debt limit agreements were never honored, and the dems want this as well, each are making a point off the backs of people who could lose everything by missing paydays.
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Re: What's your political philosophy?

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I must confess, I get a bit confused by the ins and outs of Congressional procedure. But it's my understanding that there's a resolution that would end this shutdown that would get enough votes from Democrats and moderate Republicans to pass, but speaker Boehner won't allow a vote on it, because he's too afraid of the extremists in his own party.
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Re: What's your political philosophy?

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Kristatos wrote:I must confess, I get a bit confused by the ins and outs of Congressional procedure. But it's my understanding that there's a resolution that would end this shutdown that would get enough votes from Democrats and moderate Republicans to pass, but speaker Boehner won't allow a vote on it, because he's too afraid of the extremists in his own party.
I'm not sure it would pass it is kind of a democrat talking point that sounds nice, a "clean" funding bill (that keep increasing debt and spending of bad programs) I'm not sure enough cool headed people are in house to get it done.
but it is true Boehner is blocking certain bills from being voted on. So is Harry Reid, he has bills that fund certain vital interest and will not allow them on the senate floor because they'd probably pass. And he has been doing this kind of game of not allowing vote on house bills for the last year or two. I think House of Reps feel slighted by the senate so there is resentment that is not normally there fuelling the tensions. It was there before the RNC takeover. I remember stories about house feeling used by the senate and obama, long before these kind of fights,

Problem as I see it is Obama and the senate want this shut down they think the RNC will be the bad guys and get all the blame. Look at what Obama said, look at what reid said, they clearly think they can win a game of chicken and essentially stop anyone from ever questioning how they spend money ever again.

What I think is the issue is this, Obama didn't want to do the foot work necessary to get the funding and debt limits raised, when it comes down to the wire he thinks he can bully the house to fall in line. He is a all or nothing kind of guy and it worked for him if only because he came in with a Dem congress to back his plays.IMO bill Clinton could work with this congress, house and senate, I think the president calling young members even of the other party could have a big effect but Obama is too partisan. Bill Clinton could call them and get some kind of working relationship established.

On the other side of the coin the House Repubs think they can stop Obama care, not a bad idea but you got to know the dems will fight to the bitter end.
Other Repubs are trying to put the breaks on the crazy spending and climbing debt IMO if there were a better relationship between the senate and house and white house it would be over by now because the radicals in each party would trust the process. But The way Obama runs the show nobody can work with him because his promise to fix it later never happens, like most of his promises.

I really think Bill Clinton could get a deal done here, these republicans seem more radical than most of them are, they keep spitting out bills that do 90% of what the dems want, Gingrich didn't do that. Clinton knew how to govern Obama only knows how to rule. Hell a few years ago Obama had a huge deal with Boehner done and then changed the terms last minute so Boehner had to run from it.
We can so truthfully each part of the house and senate are the cause of this problem, but the blame falls on obama because if he had shown leadership it could have been avoided. I don't think a solution will happen until his polls start slipping, house and senate can't slip much further than that already are, also no matter how bad polls indicate people think congress is they always exempt their guy and these congressmen know it.
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Re: What's your political philosophy?

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http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/ ... 34x417.jpg This liberal THING, Rachel Maddow, is being slaughtered by Megan Kelly at 9:00pm nightly on cable tv :!:
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Re: What's your political philosophy?

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King also weighed in on CNN's recent plunge in the cable TV rankings. The network saw it's third-worst ratings month in history in January following chief Jeff Zucker's plan to focus more on shows and documentaries and less on newscasts.

"CNN's got problems," King said of the network's restructuring. "I don't know what they're going to do."

Luckily, King had some advice for CNN and Zucker on how they can achieve the new vision for the network.

"Cartoons," he said. "Put 'Spongebob' on CNN-- 24 hours-- until a big story breaks. Then we break into 'Spongebob,' and go to the hurricane, and then back to 'Spongebob.'"
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Re: What's your political philosophy?

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bjmdds wrote:King also weighed in on CNN's recent plunge in the cable TV rankings. The network saw it's third-worst ratings month in history in January following chief Jeff Zucker's plan to focus more on shows and documentaries and less on newscasts.

"CNN's got problems," King said of the network's restructuring. "I don't know what they're going to do."

Luckily, King had some advice for CNN and Zucker on how they can achieve the new vision for the network.

"Cartoons," he said. "Put 'Spongebob' on CNN-- 24 hours-- until a big story breaks. Then we break into 'Spongebob,' and go to the hurricane, and then back to 'Spongebob.'"
:shock: was he bitter about losing his show?
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Re: What's your political philosophy?

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I would think so and Piers Morgan, who replaced him, will be canned in 2014 as his ratings are abysmal and he is a disgraceful human being with ZERO appeal.
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Re: What's your political philosophy?

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The Cato Institute released an updated 2013 study (original study in 1955) showing that welfare benefits pay more than a minimum wage job in 33 states and the District of Columbia. Even worse, welfare pays more than $15 per hour in 13 states. According to the study, welfare benefits have increased faster than minimum wage. It’s now more profitable to sit at home than it is to earn an honest day’s pay.

Hawaii is the biggest offender, where welfare recipients earn $29.13 per hour, or a $60,590 yearly salary, all for doing nothing.

Here is the list of the states where the pre-tax equivalent “salary” that welfare recipients receive is higher than having a job:

1. Hawaii: $60,590

2. District of Columbia: $50,820

3. Massachusetts: $50,540

4. Connecticut: $44,370

5. New York: $43,700

6. New Jersey: $43,450

7. Rhode Island: $43,330

8. Vermont: $42,350

9. New Hampshire: $39,750

10. Maryland: $38,160

11. California: $37,160

12. Oregon: $34,300

13. Wyoming: $32,620

14. Nevada: $29,820

15. Minnesota: $29,350

16. Delaware: $29,220

17. Washington: $28,840

18. North Dakota: $28,830

19. Pennsylvania: $28,670

20. New Mexico: $27,900

21. Montana: $26,930

22. South Dakota: $26,610

22. South Dakota: $26,610

23. Kansas: $26,490

24. Michigan: $26,430

25. Alaska: $26,400

26. Ohio: $26,200

27. North Carolina: $25,760

28. West Virginia: $24,900

29. Alabama: $23,310

30. Indiana: $22,900

31. Missouri: $22,800

32. Oklahoma: $22,480

33. Louisiana: $22,250

34. South Carolina: $21,910



As a point of reference the average Middle Class annual income today is $50,000, down from $54,000 at the beginning of the Great Recession. Hawaii, DC, and Massachusetts pay more in welfare than the average working folks earn there. Is it any wonder that they stay home rather than look for a job. Time for a drastic change. America is virtually bankrupt.
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Re: What's your political philosophy?

Post by carl stromberg »

I'm not sure what my political philopsophy is. I'm not an extremist. I have always been interested in elections and political parties. When I was younger I was fascinated to read an enclypedia of countries which showed the last elections and had a listing of the parties with their political desription. Now this is on Wikipedia, and it's fun to choose a country and read about all the parties.
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