As a radical leftist, i often get called a liberal. This is a pet peeve of mine, as i wouldnt get caught dead a puss liberal. What many people (especially in america) dont understand is that liberals are on the left, but not very far. American politics seems to naturally lean to the center right no matter what party you belong to. The true left focuses on individualism and freedom, as well as equality. Liberals seem to focus more on sticking it to the conservatives.
IMO, a liberal can be a leftist...But, a leftist isn't always a liberal.. Again, that's just my opinion, so, I hope that doesn't lead to a flame war..
In truth, I rarely use the term leftist...I see people that are to the far left as collectivist. Maybe I'm wrong in that assumption...But, seems the better term.
I use the term progressive a lot. But then again, im a radical anarchist Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
When you are young you tend to think with your heart but as you get older you start to think with your mind. Everyone would like to help everyone but realize after awhile that they can't afford to do so. The government was never set up to do that because it can never have enough money to do so.
ive heard this one million times. Tell that to Noam Chomsky or Emma Goldman. Or my mentor. Or my much older anarchist comrades. Then eliminate money. People seem to forget that part of communism
I think the question should be what is a liberal? If you follow the American right wing a liberal is anyone who disagrees with the dictates of the Republican/Tea Party leadership.
Haha i agree. It just annoys me that people (especially the right) calls me a liberal just because im a radical leftist
So do you get more liberal, or more left, as you get older, then? That is a common pattern, but I never attributed it to thinking with the heart when young. I attributed it to outgrowing the self-absorption of youth, and learning gratitude for what was given in the past.
Christopher Hitchens has a good repost. When he was on the US show a caller accused him of being a liberal. He very indignantly responded, he was not a liberal, has was a socialist......... Liberals are dangerous compromisers.
Labels suck, every time I think I've identified with a common view, somebody goes and makes it look stupid. I wish we'd all just recognize that we all have different views and we've got to figure out a way to work together.
