#Occupythisthread

[StrangeSox]

I consider being a left leaning or right leaning person to be normal. I consider a centrist normal.

 

When you go too far right or too far left, unlike how many attempt to redefine it, it does NOT mean you move to the opposite side...it means you're a moron.

 

Too far left and you don't become center-right, what you become is Nancy Pelosi.

You don't change, your perception of others changes. obama is a marxist liberal to some, a centrist corporate shill to others.

 

Center and the leans are fluid, not rigid norms. Additionally extremist positions aren't necessarily wrong and centrist our compromise positions e not inherently good.

[Y2HH]

Its actually really difficult to think of many parties in the world, aside from the anti-immigrant nationalist parties in Europe, that are further right than the Democrats here.

 

It's also an invalid comparison.

 

We aren't in the UK, and we don't have their political system here. It's comparing apples to oranges. Geographic differences aside, which are HUGE in terms of size/population, etc...but comparing completely different systems/governments to come up with what you feel is equal weight left/right is just absurd.

[Y2HH]

You don't change, your perception of others changes. obama is a marxist liberal to some, a centrist corporate shill to others.

 

Center and the leans are fluid, not rigid norms. Additionally extremist positions aren't necessarily wrong and centrist our compromise positions e not inherently good.

 

That's basing an opinion on misinformation and allowing the dumb to define things when they need to be ignored by those of us with a brain.

[DukeNukeEm]

It's also an invalid comparison.

 

We aren't in the UK, and we don't have their political system here. It's comparing apples to oranges. Geographic differences aside, which are HUGE in terms of size/population, etc...but comparing completely different systems/governments to come up with what you feel is equal weight left/right is just absurd.

Except my comparison stretches globally. Working from right to left the global political landscape looks something like:

 

Far right: 1880's style American capitalism

Right: Modern-day American capitalism

Center-right: Capitalism with some stronger elements of the welfare state (Universal healthcare is the big one)

Center: Capitalism with a powerful welfare state

Center-left: Democratic socialism in some industries, a very powerful welfare state, but still private enterprise in more dominant parts of the economy

Left: Democratic socialism

Far left: Communism

 

The UK is pretty centrist as far as Europe goes, but really look at the stronger political parties globally. The communist parties in most countries hold about the same level of support of total free market capitalist parties. The only structural impediment to that being reflected in the USA is our single-member districts; admittedly a huge piece of our political infastructure, but still the only thing blocking those parties out.

[Y2HH]

Except my comparison stretches globally. Working from right to left the global political landscape looks something like:

 

Far right: 1880's style American capitalism

Right: Modern-day American capitalism

Center-right: Capitalism with some stronger elements of the welfare state (Universal healthcare is the big one)

Center: Capitalism with a powerful welfare state

Center-left: Democratic socialism in some industries, a very powerful welfare state, but still private enterprise in more dominant parts of the economy

Left: Democratic socialism

Far left: Communism

 

The UK is pretty centrist as far as Europe goes, but really look at the stronger political parties globally. The communist parties in most countries hold about the same level of support of total free market capitalist parties. The only structural impediment to that being reflected in the USA is our single-member districts; admittedly a huge piece of our political infastructure, but still the only thing blocking those parties out.

 

Can't say I agree with that generalized comparison...whatsoever.

 

Far left is communism? Disagree.

 

It depends on the form of government, then the opinions of the politicians as that government therein are what make them left or right. I don't agree on a globalized chart that depicts different governments as right or left.

 

Being left or right is independent of the kind of government you are under. I see it as VERY issue specific.

 

For example, when it comes to abortion, I'm pretty liberal minded, etc. Depending on the ISSUE is what makes a person left/right/or center. Overall, I'd say my opinions sway either right or left, but would average out into the middle of the spectrum.

Edited December 6, 2011 by Y2HH

[StrangeSox]

But core ideologies are generally what determine your positions on specific issues (at least hypothetically, more often it is just political party tribalism). Libertarianism is a good example of this: core philosophical positions of non-aggression and private property rights lead to more-or-less consistent positions across a wide variety of social and economic issues.

 

The spectrum is not a static thing and what is the middle is constantly in flux. The spectrum also isn't 1D or 2D, so left/right or left/right/liberal/authoritarian charts only provide limited information.

[StrangeSox]

This is too perfect for the current discussion not to post:

 

[Y2HH]

Wah, wah, wah.

 

That's the sound of a joke bombing, not Charlie Brown's teacher or any other Peanuts related adult.

[StrangeSox]

This wasn't a joke, this was a 'legitimate' discussion on Fox News-Business over whether Liberals are using the Muppets movie to brainwash your children against capitalism.

[DukeNukeEm]

Wah, wah, wah.

 

That's the sound of a joke bombing, not Charlie Brown's teacher or any other Peanuts related adult.

I just watched the video of that. The woman they interview says "I just wish liberals would leave our kids alone."

 

I mean, that's a little bit too much.

[mr_genius]

This is too perfect for the current discussion not to post:

 

 

i really do need a show on FOX news. i could top that story!

[StrangeSox]

I would watch.

[StrangeSox]

I'm going to dump another "lol Fox" screen cap here.

 

Like I said, you can't really compare their level of ridiculousness to anyone else.

[max power]

Yeah that's really bad. I don't notice little things like this when I watch fox business.

[NorthSideSox72]

I'm going to dump another "lol Fox" screen cap here.

 

Like I said, you can't really compare their level of ridiculousness to anyone else.

I can see at least two LOL'eriffic things there, but I am not sure which you are referring to in this case.

 

[StrangeSox]

The one I see is the Nov 8.6% number being charted at the same height as the 9.0% right next to it.

[Balta1701]

The one I see is the Nov 8.6% number being charted at the same height as the 9.0% right next to it.

There is also a problem with the slopes. The 8.8% should be on a line with the 8.9% and the 9.0% at the beginning, but there is a change in slope going to 8.8%.

 

The Y axis scale is a bit funny and it's hard to match whether it works with all of the data, but that of course depends on which slope you're comparing it to, and since that's not a constant I can't tell exactly which numbers are at the spot where they should be.

 

Really, just use Excel.

[Y2HH]

What's with these occupiers shutting down shipping ports? Why is it they think this is a good idea? Is it because they feel they're sticking it to the man, as in, big corporations? Or maybe they think that by doing something so drastic they can get some media attention, despite the fact that it would be largely negative media attention?

 

I mean, I ask because I wonder how many small businesses struggling to stay afloat in this economy are being negatively affected by shutting down shipping ports may have on them?

 

Do they feel that the only people that ship things are billion dollar corporations, or am I missing something here?

[Texsox]

They lost my support weeks ago and this just reinforces why.

[Quin]

I'm going to dump another "lol Fox" screen cap here.

 

Like I said, you can't really compare their level of ridiculousness to anyone else.

 

 

f***in' mathematical geniuses. They can change graphs to suit them.

[StrangeSox]

[lostfan]

Bradley Manning is on trial like literally across the street from where I work, and there is a bunch of media which is to be expected, but there's a bunch of annoying f***ing protesters blocking traffic and hitting people's cars and s***. GO THE f*** AWAY, nobody here is bothering you or has anything to do with it, it's just people going to work/shopping/going to the doctor. They are also busing in OWS protesters. That's just a bit much. Leave us alone.

[Balta1701]

"Occupy Atlanta" helps prevent Iraq war veteran from being foreclosed on.

"I strongly believe Occupy Atlanta accelerated the process and helped save my home," Walker says. "If it had not been for them standing up, I probably wouldn't be having this happy ending."

[Balta1701]

‘There’s a storm coming, Mr. Wayne… when it hits, you’re all going to wonder how you ever thought you could live so large and leave so little for the rest of us.’”

#OccupyGotham.

[knightni]

It's true. Republicans all politicians are dirty tricksters.