ShackledNation
Libertarian
The terms "left" and "right" in the sense they are used today in America are completely meaningless and useless when discussing anything.
What is left? What is right? These terms to not refer to any foundation of principle, because they constantly change meaning over time. In fact, in many respects what was once left has become right, and vice versa. Placing people on a spectrum of left to right is like trying to measure an object using a ruler with the space between each unit of measurement constantly changing.
Conservative once meant restoring the "Old Order" of the Ancien Régime (i.e. statism, feudalism, big government, and mercantilism). The terms "liberal" and even "progressive" meant removing government interference from all aspects of human life, advocating economic liberty, personal liberty, and a non-interventionist foreign policy.
Furthermore, having a spectrum of left and right assumes that one is the opposite of the other. Yet it is impossible to argue that complete government control over personal life (radical social rightist) is the opposite of complete government control over the economy (radical economic leftist). The two both involve giving government power over the individual. How can the same means be viewed as polar opposites?
We should instead use a system of measurement that is consistent throughout time. On one end you have anarchy, the other you have totalitarianism.
If you view politics this way, you will realize how completely inconsistent both Republicans and Democrats are in their views, which vary on the spectrum depending on the issue. Ultimately, we have two big goverment parties paying lip service to the old "liberal" (meaning freedom) ways of the past. Until people realize this, there is no hope for changing anything.
What is left? What is right? These terms to not refer to any foundation of principle, because they constantly change meaning over time. In fact, in many respects what was once left has become right, and vice versa. Placing people on a spectrum of left to right is like trying to measure an object using a ruler with the space between each unit of measurement constantly changing.
Conservative once meant restoring the "Old Order" of the Ancien Régime (i.e. statism, feudalism, big government, and mercantilism). The terms "liberal" and even "progressive" meant removing government interference from all aspects of human life, advocating economic liberty, personal liberty, and a non-interventionist foreign policy.
Furthermore, having a spectrum of left and right assumes that one is the opposite of the other. Yet it is impossible to argue that complete government control over personal life (radical social rightist) is the opposite of complete government control over the economy (radical economic leftist). The two both involve giving government power over the individual. How can the same means be viewed as polar opposites?
We should instead use a system of measurement that is consistent throughout time. On one end you have anarchy, the other you have totalitarianism.
If you view politics this way, you will realize how completely inconsistent both Republicans and Democrats are in their views, which vary on the spectrum depending on the issue. Ultimately, we have two big goverment parties paying lip service to the old "liberal" (meaning freedom) ways of the past. Until people realize this, there is no hope for changing anything.
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