I wanted to ask this question to see where the forum is politically.

Well my default is that of a Small "L" Liberal in Australia, by British standards I would be firmly in the Conservative Party and in the USA firmly in the Democratic Party.

I am broadly for a free market economy with some economic regulation such as anti-monopoly laws, regulation of the financial system, environmental protection laws, minimum wage laws, consumer protection etc.

However I am strongly for private ownership and control of as much as possible of the economy. That includes assets such as power companies, mass transit, water and so forth. Likewise I am for low levels of taxation and government spending (ideally around 20-30% of GDP).

When it comes to social welfare, I favor a fairly lean welfare system where support is targeted to those who need it. I think Australia's social security system along with it's compulsory superannuation system should be a model other nations should be looking at.

Socially I am extremely progressive supporting such positions as same sex marriage and maybe legally recognizing polygamous marriages. Along with advocating the complete legalization and regulation of illicit drugs. Not to mention being firmly a secularist.

I don't necessarily support any political party in my own country, or that I know of..

I am kind of an anarcho-socialist, extreme left liberal, and a hippy. I think all drugs should be legal. I think people should be allowed to marry their goat if they wish. I have never voted for anything other than a democrat, if that answers the question, but really I think they're all a bunch of lying assholes who are in it for their own interests. I think America is a disgusting society, and I would never say anything foolish like that I am proud, or even happy to be an American. I am aware that there are much worse places in the world, but it doesn't change my opinion that America sucks, it just sucks less than other countries, and for different reasons.

Politics is the poor man's religion

The last I voted FOR a political party was in 1975. (the constitutional crisis) Since that time I have always voted AGAINST the biggest shower of incompetents on offer.

Up until the last election,the biggest shower has always been the Liberals. (conservatives) I honestly couldn't tell which mob was worse,so it was "a pox on both your houses' and I voted independent. so far it's shaping up to be the same for the next election.


I recognise that I live in a capitalist economy.However,I also recognise that big business is amoral, and that society needs to be protected against the worst aspects of laissez faire capitalism.

I worked in Federal Welfare for over 25 years. My position is that welfare is for the needy,not the greedy. ALL payments made under the Social Security Act should be rigorously means tested(especially all payments for children) Perhaps that would help remove the snouts of the greedy middle class from the public trough.


I agree completely with your social views,which I see as rational,pragmatic and just,but not especially radical.

None, because I hate being pigeon-holed.

(December 15, 2011 at 8:18 am)padraic Wrote: The last I voted FOR a political party was in 1975. (the constitutional crisis) Since that time I have always voted AGAINST the biggest shower of incompetents on offer.

Agreed

(December 15, 2011 at 8:18 am)padraic Wrote: Up until the last election,the biggest shower has always been the Liberals. (conservatives) I honestly couldn't tell which mob was worse,so it was "a pox on both your houses' and I voted independent. so far it's shaping up to be the same for the next election.

So we have you to thank for the current fiasco that is pretending to be a government??

(December 15, 2011 at 8:18 am)padraic Wrote: I recognise that I live in a capitalist economy.However,I also recognise that big business is amoral, and that society needs to be protected against the worst aspects of laissez faire capitalism.

That is an issue right there...protect from what exactly?? Ourselves?? Welcome to the Nanny state= Communism

(December 15, 2011 at 8:18 am)padraic Wrote: I worked in Federal Welfare for over 25 years. My position is that welfare is for the needy,not the greedy. ALL payments made under the Social Security Act should be rigorously means tested(especially all payments for children) Perhaps that would help remove the snouts of the greedy middle class from the public trough.

They were until the Labor govt abolished the system of the Liberals..oh and guess what??..The Labor govt are reinstating it??

(December 15, 2011 at 8:18 am)padraic Wrote: I agree completely with your social views,which I see as rational,pragmatic and just,but not especially radical.

Disagree with big S social views. Prefer small s sociality and a market that can support employment from the ground up. I would also like to see the 'boat people' shot drawn and quartered, and may be used as target practise for our Navy...since these people have been given access to avoid any "means testing" to our Social Security and are just as greedy as those that are just capitalising on them. inho

(December 15, 2011 at 8:43 am)KichigaiNeko Wrote: That is an issue right there...protect from what exactly?? Ourselves?? Welcome to the Nanny state= Communism

Socialism in it's various forms involve the government owing and controlling the economy. Regulating businesses is not socialist, let alone communist. Because in socialist and communist systems the government own and control various industries.

I believe a certain amount of regulation of businesses is a good thing, but not having the government own and control them. For example the regulation of our banking system prevented us from having the bank collapses which have occurred in the last several years in the USA and Europe,

Quote:They were until the Labor govt abolished the system of the Liberals..oh and guess what??..The Labor govt are reinstating it??

Both parties are to blame for the expanding of 'middle class' welfare, essentially the purpose was to buy votes.

Quote:Disagree with big S social views. Prefer small s sociality and a market that can support employment from the ground up. I would also like to see the 'boat people' shot drawn and quartered, and may be used as target practise for our Navy

That is pretty cruel I have to say.

The seas between Indonesia and Australia are very different than the border between Mexico and the USA. The risks of dying during the crossing are much higher for one, you would need to be extremely desperate to want to do it.

I believe that people who have entered the country illegally if they have claimed asylum, should be accommodated in appropriate facilities (with the ability to go outside into the general community) while their claims are being processed.

(December 15, 2011 at 8:00 am)aleialoura Wrote: I don't necessarily support any political party in my own country, or that I know of..

I am kind of an anarcho-socialist, extreme left liberal, and a hippy. I think all drugs should be legal. I think people should be allowed to marry their goat if they wish. I have never voted for anything other than a democrat, if that answers the question, but really I think they're all a bunch of lying assholes who are in it for their own interests. I think America is a disgusting society, and I would never say anything foolish like that I am proud, or even happy to be an American. I am aware that there are much worse places in the world, but it doesn't change my opinion that America sucks, it just sucks less than other countries, and for different reasons.

Thats exactly what I would have posted...except I'm not going to vote Democrat this year. Will more than likely vote democratic socialist or Green Party.



My new queen!...no offence summerqueen..LOL

P.S. - for the others discussing socialism. Not all socialism is "state" socialism. It is possible to have socialism without a state....just saying...

I vote for whichever party most supports the ideals of Libertarianism and has a realistic chance of winning. Last election, that was the Conservative party, and I haven't been disappointed with them so far. Cameron's "Big Society" idea is just another way of saying "Small Government". That said, some of the Liberal Democrat ideas are pretty good as well, so it's nice that they are in a coalition government.

SNP for the freakin' win, fuckers.

Independent Scotland??? Yes please.