Why are so many people left-wing?
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Original post by psychology1010
The only difference between right wing politics and left wing politics is that in left wing politics, the elite ruling class get rich at the expense of the lower and (almost non-existent) middle class
Doesn't sound like a difference to me.
Original post by a729
Far left policies failed guys look at the USSR-most of those countries still haven't recovered.
Never mind North Korea!
USA a somewhat right-wing country has absolutely thrived into the world's #1 economy by a long stretch!
In the Uk :
We are too soft on crime. Spending more on food for prisoners than patients is a disgrace!
We sell ourselves short and stick with the EU which costs us over £40 million a day (never mind the costs of all the legislation and regulations which stifle growth) and is totally necessary as we have the WTO and UN
We have allowed the Welfare state to grow out of control
We have allowed government spending to increase as well as debt meaning we are paying more and more each day to service the national debt
We need a strong leader who is not a populist.
Maybe a Thatcher-style leader (but with paid more attention to the social effects of their policies).
We desperately need a move not to the right or left but a move to Fairness for the law abiding and taxpayers
My thoughts on the EU
I think UK should hold onto the pound with all its might and NEVER use the Euro
I think the UK should leave the EU and trade more with the dynamic economies of the commonwealth
I think the money the UK spends directly funding the [increasingly federal] EU (and the billions lost through excess regulation from the EU) could be much better spent investing in UK infrastructure (especially to revive the areas of the UK outside of the SE and London).
We never got to vote the EU president or the various treaties (no referendum) which have systematically made the EU more federal and more powerful.
The EU wants to fine London for breaching pollution limits-this is utter madness and an abomination to UK sovereignty!
I know I'm risk of getting negged for this but I have to speak the truth. The move towards the left/socialism has slowly removed the Great from Great Britain.
Though the Thatcher years saved us!
Never mind North Korea!
USA a somewhat right-wing country has absolutely thrived into the world's #1 economy by a long stretch!
In the Uk :
We are too soft on crime. Spending more on food for prisoners than patients is a disgrace!
We sell ourselves short and stick with the EU which costs us over £40 million a day (never mind the costs of all the legislation and regulations which stifle growth) and is totally necessary as we have the WTO and UN
We have allowed the Welfare state to grow out of control
We have allowed government spending to increase as well as debt meaning we are paying more and more each day to service the national debt
We need a strong leader who is not a populist.
Maybe a Thatcher-style leader (but with paid more attention to the social effects of their policies).
We desperately need a move not to the right or left but a move to Fairness for the law abiding and taxpayers
My thoughts on the EU
I think UK should hold onto the pound with all its might and NEVER use the Euro
I think the UK should leave the EU and trade more with the dynamic economies of the commonwealth
I think the money the UK spends directly funding the [increasingly federal] EU (and the billions lost through excess regulation from the EU) could be much better spent investing in UK infrastructure (especially to revive the areas of the UK outside of the SE and London).
We never got to vote the EU president or the various treaties (no referendum) which have systematically made the EU more federal and more powerful.
The EU wants to fine London for breaching pollution limits-this is utter madness and an abomination to UK sovereignty!
I know I'm risk of getting negged for this but I have to speak the truth. The move towards the left/socialism has slowly removed the Great from Great Britain.
Though the Thatcher years saved us!
There aren't any proper far left societies at the moment. They might call themselves/get called communist but they're not.
Spending more food on prisoners than patients isnt a socialist thing. If we were socialist then they'd have the same spent on them.
USA might be rich but I wouldn't want to live there. Some parts are nearly as backwards as the middle east. One state bans teaching evolution, and many more ban abortions and strongly promote christian views.
A move towards fairness is a move towards the left. left wing politics is about fairness and equality whereas capitalism is about everyone for themself, making as much money as possible even if it means the workers are paid a pittence that they can't live on.
The EU is ridiculous and costs us loads but if we left we would be pretty stuffed. Many trans national corporations locate a factory in Britian so that they can transport their goods to europe cheaply. If we weren't in the EU then they would be taxed so would move out to somewhere still in the EU. This would lose us jobs and lots of money.
We aren't moving towards the left, we are moving away from it. The government is taxing some of the poorest in society and giving tax cuts to the rich. A socialist wouldn't do that.
(edited 11 years ago)
Why are so many people right wing?
Why are most people incapable of realising that the most sensible position lies somewhere in the middle?
Because people are ****ing idiots. They feel a need to belong to things and being a 'member' of one side in what is generally a two sided battle fulfils this.
Most aren't, despite what they claim, truly left or right. They're just ignorant. And pathetic.
Why are most people incapable of realising that the most sensible position lies somewhere in the middle?
Because people are ****ing idiots. They feel a need to belong to things and being a 'member' of one side in what is generally a two sided battle fulfils this.
Most aren't, despite what they claim, truly left or right. They're just ignorant. And pathetic.
Original post by Kaiser MacCleg
Doesn't sound like a difference to me.
Essentially the left wing states most people are poor!
Original post by a729
Essentially the left wing states most people are poor!
And what do you think most people are in this country? Higher rate tax payers?
Original post by Happy.Hippy
The USSR was left wing (had many right wing polocies aswell) and killed millions.... so did the right wing nazi government. left/right has nothing to do with murder. basically in a very simplified sense (VERY simplified) left wing is caring for your fellow man, right wing is indulging in your own greed.
You know that glorious maintinance loan you get from the government? Left wing
how you dont have to pay tuition fees upfront. left wing
how if you loose your job, the government helps you out. left wing
NHS. left wing
attempt at housing for all. left wing
Social class gap. right wing
growth of huge companies who strangle small companies and dodge tax. right wing
life cycle of getting more and more in debt with corperations in an attempt to buy happyness (house, car etc)
In the end i see this as left and right wing
I bought 6 apples. I eat 5.
Left wing - hey dude, you want my spare apple (and maybe you'll give me something in return at some point in the future)?
Right wing - hey dude, you want to give me some paper for this apple (so i can give you paper for something in the future)?
sure you may not get something off them directly in the future, but it all comes round. he will give/sell something to somebody, whom will give/sell something to somebody, whom will give/sell something to somebody... whom will give/sell something to you. My question is, do we really need the middle man of money?
You know that glorious maintinance loan you get from the government? Left wing
how you dont have to pay tuition fees upfront. left wing
how if you loose your job, the government helps you out. left wing
NHS. left wing
attempt at housing for all. left wing
Social class gap. right wing
growth of huge companies who strangle small companies and dodge tax. right wing
life cycle of getting more and more in debt with corperations in an attempt to buy happyness (house, car etc)
In the end i see this as left and right wing
I bought 6 apples. I eat 5.
Left wing - hey dude, you want my spare apple (and maybe you'll give me something in return at some point in the future)?
Right wing - hey dude, you want to give me some paper for this apple (so i can give you paper for something in the future)?
sure you may not get something off them directly in the future, but it all comes round. he will give/sell something to somebody, whom will give/sell something to somebody, whom will give/sell something to somebody... whom will give/sell something to you. My question is, do we really need the middle man of money?
Money simply makes it easier to trade. Trade allows us to distribute limited resources when we have infinite wants. So no we don't need money, but it keeps us organised , anything could be currency of course so your comments " i can give you paper " are irrational, as it is about what the paper represents in our minds as opposed to it's functionality for direct consumption.
May I also add that throughout history the most prosperous nations have been those who have championed trade, the last 100 years as demonstrated by the rise of America the free market has been instrumental, government handouts which you praise can get in the way of supply side reforms preventing the expansion of aggregate supply and economic growth and prosperity within an economy ( e.g the UK)
(edited 11 years ago)
Original post by Kaiser MacCleg
And what do you think most people are in this country? Higher rate tax payers?
They're definitely not poor. Look at the size of people on welfare. If you want to see poverty, look no further than your own leftist toilet North Korea.
Original post by Izzyeviel
A lot of people would argue the USSR wasn't truly socialist.
A lot of people are guilty of the 'No true scotsman' logical fallacy.
Original post by Harrow.7
Socialism, if done by the book, is the greatest system in the world...unfortunately, it has been abused and tarnished by the USSR, N Korea etc...
In other words, it's brilliant except for the slight issue that every attempt at it turns into a murderous dictatorship.
OP, I think it depends what part of the country you come from. Where I am, I'm probably 1 out of the 3 students in an average class of 20-30 who are left wing. They're mostly all conservative where I am. Labour ftw!
Edit: did I get negged purely because I support labour?!
Edit: did I get negged purely because I support labour?!
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by Barksy
They're definitely not poor. Look at the size of people on welfare. If you want to see poverty, look no further than your own leftist toilet North Korea.
As opposed to the leftist toilet of Norway. Gotcha.
Original post by Kaiser MacCleg
And what do you think most people are in this country? Higher rate tax payers?
The difference is this. People in capitalist states experience relative poverty. People in socialist states experience absolute poverty.
Original post by chrisawhitmore
The difference is this. People in capitalist states experience relative poverty. People in socialist states experience absolute poverty.
See last post.
Original post by Kaiser MacCleg
As opposed to the leftist toilet of Norway. Gotcha.
Norway is far from left wing, it has an extremely free market economy. I'll provide stats if you want
Messi should be left wing
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Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by krazie.x
Many people are left wing as it seems much nicer than a harsh ideology of the right.
Original post by Iron Lady
False delusion of reality.
Double negative...
So... "
I get the feeling that you have not said what you meant to...
I'd say most are economically right and socially left in the UK.
Original post by anony.mouse
A move towards fairness is a move towards the left. left wing politics is about fairness and equality
That is ridiculous.
1) How is making everyone poor apart from the omnipresent government fair?
2) How is taking money from those who worked for it and giving it to people who didn't fair?
3) How is equality, given the differences in people's abilities and skills, fair?
4) How is denying your own country has a culture, while vehemently defending others, fair?
5) How is crusading against Christianity, but defending other religions, fair?
6) How is stifling free speech fair?
7) How is positive discrimination fair?
8) How is controlling everyone's life fair?
9) How is constantly calling your own country an oppressor, while supporting the likes of Castro, fair?
10) How is bailing out failed companies, with tax-payer money, fair?
These are all examples of the left's undeniable hypocrisy. I wish the left would just shut up and leave people the **** alone to live their lives.
Original post by a729
Far left policies failed guys look at the USSR-most of those countries still haven't recovered.
Never mind North Korea!
USA a somewhat right-wing country has absolutely thrived into the world's #1 economy by a long stretch!
In the Uk :
We are too soft on crime. Spending more on food for prisoners than patients is a disgrace!
We sell ourselves short and stick with the EU which costs us over £40 million a day (never mind the costs of all the legislation and regulations which stifle growth) and is totally necessary as we have the WTO and UN
We have allowed the Welfare state to grow out of control
We have allowed government spending to increase as well as debt meaning we are paying more and more each day to service the national debt
We need a strong leader who is not a populist.
Maybe a Thatcher-style leader (but with paid more attention to the social effects of their policies).
We desperately need a move not to the right or left but a move to Fairness for the law abiding and taxpayers
My thoughts on the EU
I think UK should hold onto the pound with all its might and NEVER use the Euro
I think the UK should leave the EU and trade more with the dynamic economies of the commonwealth
I think the money the UK spends directly funding the [increasingly federal] EU (and the billions lost through excess regulation from the EU) could be much better spent investing in UK infrastructure (especially to revive the areas of the UK outside of the SE and London).
We never got to vote the EU president or the various treaties (no referendum) which have systematically made the EU more federal and more powerful.
The EU wants to fine London for breaching pollution limits-this is utter madness and an abomination to UK sovereignty!
I know I'm risk of getting negged for this but I have to speak the truth. The move towards the left/socialism has slowly removed the Great from Great Britain.
Though the Thatcher years saved us!
Never mind North Korea!
USA a somewhat right-wing country has absolutely thrived into the world's #1 economy by a long stretch!
In the Uk :
We are too soft on crime. Spending more on food for prisoners than patients is a disgrace!
We sell ourselves short and stick with the EU which costs us over £40 million a day (never mind the costs of all the legislation and regulations which stifle growth) and is totally necessary as we have the WTO and UN
We have allowed the Welfare state to grow out of control
We have allowed government spending to increase as well as debt meaning we are paying more and more each day to service the national debt
We need a strong leader who is not a populist.
Maybe a Thatcher-style leader (but with paid more attention to the social effects of their policies).
We desperately need a move not to the right or left but a move to Fairness for the law abiding and taxpayers
My thoughts on the EU
I think UK should hold onto the pound with all its might and NEVER use the Euro
I think the UK should leave the EU and trade more with the dynamic economies of the commonwealth
I think the money the UK spends directly funding the [increasingly federal] EU (and the billions lost through excess regulation from the EU) could be much better spent investing in UK infrastructure (especially to revive the areas of the UK outside of the SE and London).
We never got to vote the EU president or the various treaties (no referendum) which have systematically made the EU more federal and more powerful.
The EU wants to fine London for breaching pollution limits-this is utter madness and an abomination to UK sovereignty!
I know I'm risk of getting negged for this but I have to speak the truth. The move towards the left/socialism has slowly removed the Great from Great Britain.
Though the Thatcher years saved us!
I want to answer this. It's an interesting question.
When you talk about why are many people "left wing", I think it's because health care, welfare, free education, free this and free that sound very appealing.
I agree with you in you're Eurosceptic view. I'm Eurosceptic as well because of a lot of the philosophies I've read from Immanuel Kant. The thing is with the EU is that it is anti-autonomy, and in essence heteronomous.
That means an action influenced by a force outside the individual (the EU telling the UK what it can and can not do for example). Kant considered this immoral and contrast to autonomy; one who gives oneself their own law.
The bureaucracy in the EU is completely mad, a bunch of non-elected officials residing in Brussels who can't be charged if anything goes up in smoke.
The most despicable thing as well is this. The UK never asked for political union, it asked for a common market and then re branded it a different name and the people were not given a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty either, how's that for democracy?????? Complete joke.
I share a lot of right wing views, but I share a lot of liberal views as well.
Welfare for example. People are fed up of welfare being dished out, but what about the people who have worked for 55 years of their natural life contributing to national insurance. I realise you get work shy benefit thieves, but to cancel all welfare and pensions is to disadvantage those who worked hard all there years and not give a damn just because of a minority - most people do in fact work and its the welfare system which is more of a state than the people getting welfare themselves. It all roots down to responsible regulation.
I believe in free health care. National health care, but because of EU law we have to give these facilities to other EU nations like Romania, where their health system is nowhere near as good. It's essentially a massive power grab and the British people have to wait significantly longer to get seen now - it's a huge strain on the NHS.
As for the USSR, that was considered communist and while I agree communism was set up in good intention it simply didn't work because you have a plutocratic oligarchy at the top and then everyone else was slave labour at the bottom - complete government control, zero democratic rights. The socialism we have is more democratic, we're social democrats basically and I guess I'd say I'm that as well.
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