I'm not a communist!

[GHoSToKeR]

Hey,

I'm starting to browse the politics section of this site more and more, as opposed to the Lounge, for reasons I don't think need an explanation. I love reading some of the debates you guys have, and occasionally I throw in a post or two if I have something to say. But one thing really, really bugs me.. (i'm sure this has been discussed before, but I wanna throw in my two cents!)

I have no political affiliation. I don't vote, out of choice. I don't follow or prefer any political party or organization over any other. I like certain qualities of some parties, and other qualities of others. However, when it comes down to it I would always refer to myself as 'liberal', for this reason -

liberal;

• broad: showing or characterized by broad-mindedness; "a broad political stance"; "generous and broad sympathies"; "a liberal newspaper"; "tolerant of his opponent's opinions"
• having political or social views favoring reform and progress
• tolerant of change; not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or tradition
• a person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties

This is the only definition of a liberal that I mean. I try and be open-minded and tolerant. I'm not a big fan of 'orthidoxy' or tradition, and am a big believer of change for the good.

This is all I mean when I call myself a liberal. That's it. Nothing else. I don't know where you guys have been tought what liberal meant, but the things i've heard on this site, well, some are totally rediculous. Accusations that liberals are working with the homosexual community to undermine Christian values; that liberals want the jihadists to blow the crap out of America, etc etc... I don't believe or want any of this crap. Maybe there are some people who do, and maybe these people call themselves Liberals (with a capital L, I imagine) but when myself and others call themselves liberal they just mean that they have more tolerant, understanding opinions.

I just wanted to clear that up... oh, and I'm not a communist!

GHoSToKeR Reviewed by GHoSToKeR on 08-31-2005. I'm not a communist! Hey, I'm starting to browse the politics section of this site more and more, as opposed to the Lounge, for reasons I don't think need an explanation. I love reading some of the debates you guys have, and occasionally I throw in a post or two if I have something to say. But one thing really, really bugs me.. (i'm sure this has been discussed before, but I wanna throw in my two cents!) I have no political affiliation. I don't vote, out of choice. I don't follow or prefer any political Rating: 5

[Torog]

Howdy GhostToker,

You proclaim:" I just wanted to clear that up... oh, and I'm not a communist! "

I say..good for you man ! I'm also glad that you have defined who you are and what you stand for,it's a good thing to understand yerself better an that's why I like these debates..we define ourselves and our beliefs,git to know what each other is thinking and git exposed to other folk's point's of view. There'a alot of folks who believe,that if ya don't vote..you can't gripe..what say you ?

Have a good one !

[GHoSToKeR]

Hey Torog,

"There'a alot of folks who believe,that if ya don't vote..you can't gripe..what say you?"

Firstly, as you know, I live on a small island in the UK. We have our own 'government' here running this island, and people living here cannot vote in the General Elections of Britain. I would vote for the politicians here, but they are all (and i'm not exaggerating) elderly, upper class, old men with no concept of what is good or bad for this place, and are only in it for themselves. For example.... they decide how much they get paid, so of course, they all earn big salaries for doing what they do. But, these politicians obviously don't think they earn enough because they refuse to pay for parking spaces like everybody else. So do you know what they did? They commandeered a load of Disabled Parking spaces for themselves, free of charge, right in the center of town. They then moved the Disabled Parking spaces to the fifth floor of a multi-story car park. There was, understandably, a 'public outcry' (lol), and the public basically got told to shut up.

My point is, I can't vote for the next Prime Minister, I can only vote to decide who is going to run the island I live on.. and frankly, i'll vote when I see somebody worth voting for. Until then, not voting is my vote.

However, I believe I still have the right to complain if I wish to do so. I still have just as valid an opinion as anybody else. Sharing your opinions on all sorts of subjects is what helps you to learn, about the subjectsand about the people you are discussing them with. Just because one person didn't vote does it mean they are not allowed to share their opinion with everybody else? I'd like to know what you think personally, Torog.

[Sgt. Pepper]

I like your original post, Ghostoker. You sum up my feelings about the concept of liberalism exactly.

As a liberal, I DO NOT:

-Cheer for the terrorists and smile whenever they kill our troops.
-Support a state in which it is easier to sit back and collect welfare checks as opposed to work.
-Support affirmative action. It's the wrong solution to the right problem.
-Underestimate the importance of a stong military.
-Think child molestors deserve to ever see the light of day again.
-Support outlandish tax rates. We can still have beneficial public programs with a managable tax rate if we are smart about our money.
-Identify myself as a Christian, but I think they should have all the rights (and lack of rights) that followers of all other religions have.

See, liberals can still be sensible, right?

[Torog]

Hey Torog,

"There'a alot of folks who believe,that if ya don't vote..you can't gripe..what say you?"

Firstly, as you know, I live on a small island in the UK. We have our own 'government' here running this island, and people living here cannot vote in the General Elections of Britain. I would vote for the politicians here, but they are all (and i'm not exaggerating) elderly, upper class, old men with no concept of what is good or bad for this place, and are only in it for themselves. For example.... they decide how much they get paid, so of course, they all earn big salaries for doing what they do. But, these politicians obviously don't think they earn enough because they refuse to pay for parking spaces like everybody else. So do you know what they did? They commandeered a load of Disabled Parking spaces for themselves, free of charge, right in the center of town. They then moved the Disabled Parking spaces to the fifth floor of a multi-story car park. There was, understandably, a 'public outcry' (lol), and the public basically got told to shut up.

My point is, I can't vote for the next Prime Minister, I can only vote to decide who is going to run the island I live on.. and frankly, i'll vote when I see somebody worth voting for. Until then, not voting is my vote.

However, I believe I still have the right to complain if I wish to do so. I still have just as valid an opinion as anybody else. Sharing your opinions on all sorts of subjects is what helps you to learn, about the subjectsand about the people you are discussing them with. Just because one person didn't vote does it mean they are not allowed to share their opinion with everybody else? I'd like to know what you think personally, Torog.

Howdy GhostToker,

What you describe,is what we here in Texas and the South,call the 'good ol boy network',usually comprised of affluent old farts who are only looking out for their own interests. They make back-room deals to serve their own interests..the good ol boys around here,for instance,have kept the wages low and warn new business owners to not upset the apple cart by paying their employee's a decent wage.

There's another option,you could strive to make yerself electable and try to change things that way. I'm certain,that you would appeal to others in your age-group,who are sick and tired of the old farts running things without any opposition. You could form a political action committee and start addressing yer concerns to the local media,form protests and lobby for change.

Have a good one ...

PS: I believe in ya man ! I'd vote for ya ! Like NowhereMan's quote: "Be the change you want to see in the world"..or something like that..

[GHoSToKeR]

Hey Torog,

Thanks for the vote of confidence, man! But, I don't have the finances to become a politician. Plus I don't plan to live on this crappy island for much longer... lately i've been thinking more and more about going over to somewhere in America or Canada to work for a while. I'm sure there are alot of people who would dissaprove of that, right? lol.. yourself included?

[amsterdam]

Hey Torog,

Thanks for the vote of confidence, man! But, I don't have the finances to become a politician. Plus I don't plan to live on this crappy island for much longer... lately i've been thinking more and more about going over to somewhere in America or Canada to work for a while. I'm sure there are alot of people who would dissaprove of that, right? lol.. yourself included?

no way man,come on over!!i bet you wont want to leave this great country.

[GHoSToKeR]

Ya, well don't ask me why i've been thinking about the US. I don't like your government, your foriegn policy or your fries. But I love the people, the places and the lifestyle. Canada would be good too. I dunno, I don't have the money to just pack up and go yet... it would be a while (six months or so) before I saved up enough to do it. And by then I may have changed my mind. But yea, right now i'm totally serious about leaving this shit-hole of an island/country. lol

[amsterdam]

its because deep down everyone sees America as a beacon of light.2 billion immigrants cant be wrong and a nation as young as ours wich gained as much power and prestige so fast must be doing something right.at least you dont have to construct a home made boat and sail through shark infested waters to escape a communist regime like castros?

[GHoSToKeR]

Hmm.. well, just because America has succeeded in a system that rewards greed, nationalism and selfishness, it doesn't mean America has done well. But I digress. lol