Liberal doesn't equal socialist. But then again, I have to wonder, where are you from? It occurs to me that what's considered to be strong liberalism here can be considered fairly conservative in Europe so that might be where our hangup is.

(January 3, 2009 at 9:19 pm)Eilonnwy Wrote: Liberal doesn't equal socialist. But then again, I have to wonder, where are you from? It occurs to me that what's considered to be strong liberalism here can be considered fairly conservative in Europe so that might be where our hangup is.

E, I'm from the merseyside area of the uk,where there is a strong socialist tradition. To me, being a leftie actually infers being a socialist/ communist ( no shades of grey allowed! ).
Being right-wing infers being conservative/fascist.
Hovering around the centre infers a reluctance to owning up to whichever position to the right or left is more comfortable.

The big problem over here now is that the 3 major political parties all occupy the centre-ground so it really doesnt matter which one is in power...they are all signed up to the capitalist agenda.

That explains it. What I and the US consider left is your center.

(January 3, 2009 at 9:19 pm)Eilonnwy Wrote: Liberal doesn't equal socialist. But then again, I have to wonder, where are you from? It occurs to me that what's considered to be strong liberalism here can be considered fairly conservative in Europe so that might be where our hangup is.

That's true but a liberal mindset or philosophy does tend towards a more centrist political stance, one that is typically associated with the centre left IMO
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Kyu

Yeah I guess. It only just occured to me that the US is kinda really skewed on the spectrum thanks to the religious right.

(January 4, 2009 at 5:54 pm)Eilonnwy Wrote: Yeah I guess. It only just occured to me that the US is kinda really skewed on the spectrum thanks to the religious right.

Yeah ... you're probably right

Kyu

I'm wayyyy on the left, leaning more towards socialism lately.

I'm rather young, and I actually used to be a Marxist. Well, I kind of still am, but im more or a liberal- libertarian or something like that.

Argh! This is so confusing! D:

Yeah I think I'd closely identify with Libertarianism now. I've had a few discussions with some Libertarian friends of mine and their arguments were pretty well thought out.

I dont suscribe to politics I dont claim any political affiliation,I dont vote nor do I believe in the system in general.Politics and religion sit in the same boat to me.Two systems meant to control and guide society to a prescribed manner of existence by manipulation and lies.