What is the Left (politically)?

[Daemon Sophic]

Post number 6.
I define leftism.

No you do not.
Post #6....

Being a leftist means to side with the employees and never with employers.
It means to value respect and solidarity between social classes.
It means to believe in a strict State that protects the weakest classes and punishes the abuses of the capitalists.
...

You speak here only of a tiny subset (a small portion of discussion on economics) of leftist ideals. What about international trade; warfare; support of refugees; support of foreign governments; destabilization efforts against foreign governments; abortion; childcare; government (non-profit-driven) support of basic sciences; of specific sciences; gun ownership; gay marriage; adoptions; divorce settlements; trans rights; illegal immigration; infrastructure (roads, mail, rail lines, harbors, airports, medical care, power grid; power sources for the grid); worker education for changing markets; racial equality; etc...etc....etc....

List them ALL, and tell us what IN YOUR MIND, makes a leftist viewpoint.

 

[Estro Felino]

No matter what?
So even when the employees are in the wrong?


And yet you seem to drool over far righters like Orban, Putin, LePen, etc.




Quite strange.

Speaking of France, Melenchon has won the elections...and there is still a Macronian government.
This is utterly disgusting.

 

[Estro Felino]

You speak here only of a tiny subset (a small portion of discussion on economics) of leftist ideals.

Ok

What about international trade;

Protectionism.

warfare;

I hate wars.

support of refugees;

Always.

support of foreign governments;

Yes. For.

destabilization efforts against foreign governments;

Against. Disgusting and devilish.

abortion; childcare; government (non-profit-driven) support of basic sciences;

For. For. For.

of specific sciences;

For.

gun ownership;

Against.

gay marriage; adoptions; divorce settlements; trans rights;

For. For. For. For.

illegal immigration;

Against. Only legal immigration.

infrastructure (roads, mail, rail lines, harbors, airports, medical care, power grid; power sources for the grid); worker education for changing markets; racial equality; etc...etc....etc....

For.
Free universal healthcare.

 

[Spice]

Here's a easy visual to determine one's political leaning. Simply pick one economic choice and one cultural choice and see on which corner you land:

 

[Bear Wild]

I guess I am the only true leftist (except very few people, one or two) on RF. No offense


It's saddening and disheartening to realize that there are too many people who declare themselves "leftists", but actually roll red carpets at bankers and speculators.

There are even bankers who have the cheekiness to call themselves "leftists".
It's like as if the KFC CEO declared himself as the leader of the "chicken's for life movement"
It is grotesque...not to say ridiculous.

So I am asking the members of the Soŕosian Left: what do you mean by Left when you call yourself "a leftist"?

Merci beaucoup pour vos réponses.❤

In theory rather than current social and media discourse the difference has primarily in relationship to society is the most important on the left vs the individual as most important which is on the right. Thus social services vs self reliance. Environment protection vs profit for the individual over environment for everyone. Gun restriction for the protection of society vs protection of the individual to own a gun. This dichotomy of the whole of society vs the individual will explain much of the difference of right vs left from a behavior explanation. The media both commercial and social often create confusing images. I am considered on the left primarily on my environment stance. Protecting the environment for all is more important than protecting the wants of an individual.

 

[Estro Felino]

Here's a easy visual to determine one's political leaning. Simply pick one economic choice and one cultural choice and see on which corner you land:

View attachment 96330

Which makes the Democratic Party totally individualist

 

[Spice]

Which makes the Democratic Party totally individualist

I disagree. The Democratic party is economically for the community--for the good of ALL. Federal medical care, fair taxation and representation, saving the environment for future generations, infrastructure, global leadership and cooperation. Individual rights are also the hallmark of the Democratic party. Each individual's right to be free and unique "within" the community.

 

[Soandso]

I'd be curious to see where you score on the political compass test. It's a flawed test, but it's fun imo

The Political Compass

self-test of your position on 2 political dimensions

www.politicalcompass.org

Here's where I sit

 

[Estro Felino]

I disagree. The Democratic party is economically for the community--for the good of ALL. Federal medical care, fair taxation and representation, saving the environment for future generations, infrastructure, global leadership and cooperation. Individual rights are also the hallmark of the Democratic party. Each individual right to be free and unique "within" the community.

They are the worst liars in world history.
They are doing nothing to implement free universal healthcare.

 

[Spice]

They are the worst liars in world history.
They are doing nothing to implement free universal healthcare.

The establishment and fight to uphold the ACA was a giant step forward. Increasing eligibility for Medicaid was a nod in the right direction. Working to cap prescription drug prices within Medicare will be another great step, as will continued emphasis on pharma pricing negotiations. Great, peaceful change historically takes time. It's natural for humankind to need adjustment time in small increments for continued forward progress.

 

[Soandso]

They are the worst liars in world history.
They are doing nothing to implement free universal healthcare.

Kinna hard to do that when the house is Republican majority and Republicans are strongly against universal healthcare. I'll be paying closer attention if the house changes blue after the election to see if they do anything about healthcare. The last president to make meaningful changes in that direction (for better or worse) was Obama, so let's see if that trend continues via the left if they get the majority

 

[Father Heathen]

One question.
A Prime Minister who expropriates lands from rich aristocrats and gives the lands to the poor, is he leftist or rightist?

You can't make an assessment based on a single action.

 

[Father Heathen]

Speaking of France, Melenchon has won the elections...and there is still a Macronian government.
This is utterly disgusting.

This reply didn't address their astute observation.

 

[Estro Felino]

Kinna hard to do that when the house is Republican majority and Republicans are strongly against universal healthcare. I'll be paying closer attention if the house changes blue after the election to see if they do anything about healthcare. The last president to make meaningful changes in that direction (for better or worse) was Obama, so let's see if that trend continues via the left if they get the majority

I won't be duped by anyone.

This is a real excuse they made up.
They can make a law giving healthcare to the single states.

The House and the Senate were BLUE at least once.

Democrat leaders are:
- phony
- big liars
- lugubrious
- sly
- sneaky
- lunatics

 

[Estro Felino]

You can't make an assessment based on a single action.

Judge the single action, then.

 

[Father Heathen]

Judge the single action, then.

Left, obviously.

 

[Estro Felino]

Left, obviously.

Thank you.
That PM is Mussolini.

 

[Father Heathen]

Thank you.
That PM is Mussolini.

And?

 

[osgart]

Center left means capitalism with rules and protections, strong middle class, workers rights and protections, anti monopoly, working for the common good including the poor and disabled. It runs the danger of becoming socialism, and over regulatory, and perhaps like every system corrupt at extremes.

Conservatives of the right usually just want hands off everything and let them do anything gainful with minimal to no laws and protections for anyone but the wealthy. It's a military/police state, and runs the danger of becoming totalitarian fascist.

Extremes of these left/right are usually no damn good. I think the up/down of it is to keep things as center left as possible. Extremes sink the ship over time.

Left/right applies to democracy.

 

[Estro Felino]

And?

And...
Nobody denies his war policies were monstrous, that his alliance with the Nazis was monstrous, but at least he worked for the proletariat as a true leftist would.

Unlike the yacht-loving democratic party.