Politics For Eeejits

Politics. Fucked if I know what all the fuss is about personally. We have an election in NZ, there is one in the USA at some point and the Brits join the party at some point. So as a public service I have decided to do a quick Politics for Dummies.

Liberals

Bizarrely enough for the Americans amongst us, the Liberal tradition includes both the Conservatives (Republicans/Tories) and the Democrats(Labour/Social Democrats).

Whats the difference? The Conservatives tend to believe that the individuals if left alone will better themselves if left alone, and the Left believe that the disadvantaged need the help of the State (everyone who is better off) to not be poor and stuff. Both believe in Democracy, the rule of law and the rights of the individual against the wishes of the majority. The difference is in emphasis not philosophy.

Communitarian

This lot believe that the majorities wishes take precedence, that society as whole is better placed to tell people what is right for us all. Therefore the most famous communitarian party had "Socialist" in its title, The National Socialist Party of Germany (Nazi). Every time someone tells you that you behaviours is wrong because it offends societies norms, that is a Fascist or Nazi statement.

Socialist/Communist

This lot believe that all wealth should be held in common, for the good of all. It's position that anyone who turns a profit at someone else expense is basically a slave owner sounded good to the poor and rootless. Everyone is equal, no one is the boss of you. It had one drawback, It was bullshit. It took nearly 100 years to figure that in this system, people were just as fucked as if they were in a Nazi dictatorship.

Anarchist

Everyone is the boss, no government, little committees make all the decisions at local level. Hmmm. That one didn't work either.

Dictatorships

One guy in charge, with a loy of guys backing him up, they have guns, you don't. Even if you do, their guns are bigger. Basically keep you head down and you might see your kids grow up. Nice

Libertarians

Leave us alone, like anarchy but without all that touchy feely concern for you neighbours. Sounds good, but read Hobbes and he hits the nail on the head. Give it a bit of time and your Libertarians will end up living in a dictatorship. Why? Biggest Dog is the Boss, and it is a fair bet that you are not the biggest dog. Most of these guys live in Montana, and think being White makes them superior and some such shite. Wankers.

There has never been a popular revolution against a Democracy. Another observation, belief in the power of the unfettered individual and the belief that Governments should keep out of your private stuff does not make you a baby eating Fascist, and concern for the underprivileged don't make you a communist bleeding heart evil America hating pot smoking scumbag.

So please, during the political season, lay off the insults.

Be Good