Have your political views changed over time? (3 Viewers)

[nisseltaria]

I believe that capitalism would work much better if concepts such as inheritence were relegated to our feudal past. Each person should be given a set amount of money upon attaining majority and left to make the best of it.

But, in the real world, I think a free market with an extensive socialist safety net is more workable.

 

[Graney]

Zeitgeist: Have read Marx.

Forgot to add centrist to poll. Centrists are homos anyway.

 

[Omium]

Im a Communist, or a Far-right winged political extremist, i cant remember right now though :mad1:

 

[rasengan90]

I'm a social liberal, support the free market and have a conservative view of foreign policy.

 

[moll.]

Im a Communist, or a Far-right winged political extremist, i cant remember right now though :mad1:

Why troll for, huh punk?!
Gunna gitcha! Gunna shank ya!
Ma'fucka.

 

[Zeitgeist308]

Zeitgeist: Have read Marx.

Reading and comprehending are two very different things. Beside, I'd be interested to know what constitutes reading. "The big phrasebook of leftist rhetoric" doesn't count, though the supposed communists and ex-communists on this board will tell you otherwise.

Forgot to add centrist to poll. Centrists are homos anyway.

I wouldn't call them "homos", good for nothing, apathetic fence-sitters maybe, but not "homos".

 

[Groucho Marxist]

Those damn despicable Neutrals.

"Tell my wife I said... Hello."

what makes a man turn neutral? lust for gold? power? or were you just born with a heart full of neutrality?

 

[JaredR]

They've gone right. In every sense of the word.

 

[Rockyroad]

Well you'll probably see me as a younger you, so far I agree with my parents beliefs which are socialist. I am not satisfied with the way the world is. Like you, I see that there are problems in society, and unlike my classmates, I don't blindly accept the status quo for no reason. I rather do think that defenders of capitalism often repeat simple buzzwords like "freedom", which are meaningless platitudes, freedom for some, oppression for the many. I think I am getting a better education than "under communism, why would people work as a doctor when they would get paid the same as a bum who cleans toilets". My history extension teacher is good, believes like many that communism is good in theory but doesn't work in reality and we will soon study marx's view of history. I think my father is very intelligent and educated me well and I attend political meetings regularly. I don't claim I am right since I am still young and not as knowlegable as so many others but I am trying to learn more. I haven't decided whether to reject or follow my parents views. But so far I agree with what they believe, as you'd probably expect.
I haven't been university educated since I am still in high school etc. And I'm almost through the public school system which apparently doesn't explain why communism and marxism are wrong. So if what you say is true. Then please, explain to me what was explained to you that made you change your views so radically. Lets see if the same thing happens. 'Educate me in liberalism'! 'Explain why the market works' ! (especially in light of the market 'working' recently)
Please explain these things in a way that will ensure 'my beliefs change quickly'.

 

[yuri_gagarin]

comrade, i am yuri gagarin, hero of the soviet union, first class. me and my dog laika think you are a fake and know nothing of the socialist ways of the glorious motherland. stfu

 

[moll.]

Well you'll probably see me as a younger you, so far I agree with my parents beliefs which are socialist. I am not satisfied with the way the world is. Like you, I see that there are problems in society, and unlike my classmates, I don't blindly accept the status quo for no reason. I rather do think that defenders of capitalism often repeat simple buzzwords like "freedom", which are meaningless platitudes, freedom for some, oppression for the many. I think I am getting a better education than "under communism, why would people work as a doctor when they would get paid the same as a bum who cleans toilets". My history extension teacher is good, believes like many that communism is good in theory but doesn't work in reality and we will soon study marx's view of history. I think my father is very intelligent and educated me well and I attend political meetings regularly. I don't claim I am right since I am still young and not as knowlegable as so many others but I am trying to learn more. I haven't decided whether to reject or follow my parents views. But so far I agree with what they believe, as you'd probably expect.
I haven't been university educated since I am still in high school etc. And I'm almost through the public school system which apparently doesn't explain why communism and marxism are wrong. So if what you say is true. Then please, explain to me what was explained to you that made you change your views so radically. Lets see if the same thing happens. 'Educate me in liberalism'! 'Explain why the market works' ! (especially in light of the market 'working' recently)
Please explain these things in a way that will ensure 'my beliefs change quickly'.

This is why people who know nothing about economics should not be allowed an opinion on the communism vs. capitalism debate.

 

[4lettersdown]

I guess the charges many people make, that the public school system is run in such a way as to indoctrinate children in socialism and marxism is basically fair. You're taught many times who Karl Marx was and what communism and marxism stand for, but you're never taught why we believe these are wrong, and I was never once taught in 13 years of education, why we believe in free markets and why they work best.

this is one of the things that has bothered me most. It seems to me that our society's distaste of marxism is based solely on history rather than a working understanding of the ideals behind communism. mind you, Im not pro communism.
Is socialism similar to communism in that the state provides services such as medical care, libraries etc???? IDK an actual defenition and I've always wondered what certain terms like socialism etc actually mean. (I get the basic ones like fascism and anarchism, but it does seem to me to get a bit convuluted.) anyone care to attempt the impossible and break it down?

 

[Graney]

this is one of the things that has bothered me most. It seems to me that our society's distaste of marxism is based solely on history rather than a working understanding of the ideals behind communism. mind you, Im not pro communism.
Is socialism similar to communism in that the state provides services such as medical care, libraries etc???? IDK an actual defenition and I've always wondered what certain terms like socialism etc actually mean. (I get the basic ones like fascism and anarchism, but it does seem to me to get a bit convuluted.) anyone care to attempt the impossible and break it down?

My understanding is that communism is ideally government ownership of all property and means of production, equal distribution, a classless, stateless society society.

Socialism has the same basic ideals, but it's modern advocates i.e. K. Rudd, are generally more liberal and a bit less extreme.

Socialism is a whole school of economic theories, but it generally is referring to theories promoting public ownership of the means of production to some extent, and a belief in government intervention as an essential tool in promoting equality.

 

[zstar]

My understanding is that communism is ideally government ownership of all property and means of production, equal distribution, a classless, stateless society society.

Not exactly because ideally there is no government and public ownership in this context means that no individual can own the means of production therefore it is supposed to benefit everyone.

 

[SnowFox]

comrade, i am yuri gagarin, hero of the soviet union, first class. Me and my dog laika think you are a fake and know nothing of the socialist ways of the glorious motherland. Stfu

roflamocopter!!!

 

[Rockyroad]

This is why people who know nothing about economics should not be allowed an opinion on the communism vs. capitalism debate.

Yes I don't know as much about economics as many people but I know a little. I'm aware of how much I know. I want to learn more. What's wrong with what I said, I was under the impression that the last 30 or so years there's been less economic regulation (Laissez fair) which has contributed to the recession. I've never been rude to you. If I'm wrong why don't you tell me instead of turning it into a bitch fight no for reason. Why don't you teach me something instead of insult me, my mind's open.

 

[moll.]

Yes I don't know as much about economics as many people but I know a little. I'm aware of how much I know. I want to learn more. What's wrong with what I said, I was under the impression that the last 30 or so years there's been less economic regulation (Laissez fair)

Yes.

which has contributed to the recession.

No.

I've never been rude to you. If I'm wrong why don't you tell me instead of turning it into a bitch fight no for reason. Why don't you teach me something instead of insult me, my mind's open.

Your mind is so open it's leaking out your nostrils.

 

[Graney]

There has never been a nation run on Laissez-faire principles in history.

No, not one.

 

[moll.]

I think he was saying that it's been heading that way. Or at least I hope he was.

 

[Graney]

And even in light of the GFC, the great socialist Rudd will fiddle with the liberal reforms of past generations, but he's not going to seriously overturn the progressive liberal policies of Hawke, Keating, Howard etc...

There has been less economic regulation in the last 30 years. Even Rudd, in a rage about neo-liberal's, isn't serious about turning back the clock, because it's overwhelmingly evident liberalism works.