This is hilarious.
Because I refuse to fall for the kaka Panda is libertarian and/or anarcho-capitalist, suddenly, I don't understand the concept of either.
Puleaze.
The fact is, I have far more in common with a Phaedrus or a levistep (both card carrying “anarcho-capitalists”) than I ever will with the average Canadian bleeding heart, like yourself. I’d have to make an effort in order to get myself into a tussle with any of those two. I won't speak for either, but I do know none would ever vote L-I-B-E-R-A-L during elections. I also suspect both could appreciate and be persuaded to sign up for the policies of a Stephen Harper, whereas you have shown an utter contempt for a man who embodies virtually all of the free-market values you claim to be in love with. (Bullshit!) In contrast, neither Phaedrus nor levi could ever under any circumstances, be persuaded to vote for a political candidate leaning ‘left.’ NEVER! While both have expressed dissatisfaction with Republicans, they hold an utter contempt for Democrats – namely the values they stand for and the mindset the average liberal embodies.
The same cannot be said for you, peaches.
So where am I going with this? Here's what I believe, and it has little to do with my purported lack of understanding where libertarians and anarcho-capitalists are concerned (I’ve read plenty of both, thanks for asking):
From the beginning, each person begins their political self awareness and journey from a left or right, and with few exceptions, an individual rarely strays from their original mindset.
If someone claims they are fed up with all parties, for whatever reasons, and you want to figure out the essence of a person’s political core, (righty or lefty) just ask them which party they have a deeper contempt for; Democrats or Republicans. It’s a simple equation, really.
First, every modern democracy offers 2-3 political parties which can be classified as ‘left’ and ‘right.’ (In Canada, before the Reform party/Alliance/growing Conservative base, it was left, more left and most left.) Second, a political system exceeding the standard two-three mainstream political parties becomes dysfunctional. This is also why I believe divorcing oneself from the political mainstream (the two dominant parties in one’s country) defeats the purpose of becoming engaged in politics in the first place. If you are serious about change, your energy is better spent engaging and influencing the public, beginning with the party which reflects the core of your political beliefs, rather than starting from scratch. In Canada, for example, an “independent” can’t even become PM. Only the leader of the ruling party can. In the US, many conservatives decided to vote for an “independent” and their reward was Bill Clinton for 8 years.
So therein lies the essence of my theory. While an individual’s political ideology does evolve and his support for one party to the next may change, we all remain righties or lefties at our core. Forget political parties, liberalism is a mindset. Liberals act, think and express themselves a certain way, before they are even old enough to vote. Most liberals who have spent a large portion exposed to leftist brainwashing are just that.
And no amount of fancy rhetoric will change the fact you, Panda, have more in common with liberals, socialists, and – surprise -- ‘statists’ than I ever will. No ‘righty’ disenchanted with the current Republican party, would for example, waste as much time as you do, flogging far-left sacred cows such as homosexual “rights,” women’s “rights,” abortion, animal “rights,” decrying firearms, carping incessantly about the war etc. They'd be bitching more about socialism and wealth redistribution.
Liberalism is a mindset. It's been called a mental disorder and Ann Coulter thinks it's a religion. Personally, I think it’s a cult, based on ideas counterintuitive to our own human nature. People that belong to cults lash out at those who do not conform to their brainwashed beliefs and values, which is what liberals do. And people like Ann Coulter make a very good living tapping into the essence of these leftist thinking patterns -- what we simply call liberalism.
So now that I’ve decided you’re a liberal at the core, forever and ever Amen, you can stop underestimating my intelligence, sprouting this nonsense I don’t understand what a libertarian and anarcho-capitalist stands for.
Panda = lefty.
Just remember to be nice to Doc (another who calls himself ‘independent’) because ultimately, he’s on your side -- something I'm sure both of you lose a few hours of sleep over every night. :>Grin>
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