What international parties do you support on the other side of the spectrum?

[TheGlobalizer]

When I do, it's only because the party on "my" side of the spectrum is so morally bankrupt and corrupt that it is indefensible.  (New Democracy in Greece, for example.)

If it were broadened to include parties with views diametrically opposed to mine but generally on the same "side", I'm sure there's plenty.  Lega Nord jumps to mind.

[TheGlobalizer]

When I do, it's only because the party on "my" side of the spectrum is so morally bankrupt and corrupt that it is indefensible.  (New Democracy in Greece, for example.)

If it were broadened to include parties with views diametrically opposed to mine but generally on the same "side", I'm sure there's plenty.  Lega Nord jumps to mind.

Let me understand, did you say you would support the Lega ?

That's what he's probably saying. I think he has made some Pro Lega Nord comments in one of the Italian election threads. Looking at his Political Matrix scores, it's probably because of LN's stance on economic issues and federalism.

In this case... EPIC FAIL

Phil's right.  I think they're a bit retarded with all of the immigrant hate, but otherwise, they seem somewhat aligned with my own views, at least to the extent than any European party could align with a rabid American libertarian/anarchocapitalist.  I don't support their independence rhetoric but I do support devolution/federalism.

[TheGlobalizer]

You guys really need to know Lega Nord better. If reading wikipedia's article doesn't make you vomit, it means that article isn't accurate.

I don't think people that aren't Italian or follow Italian politics can really understand it. I mean, I'm obviously for federalism but Lega Nord's version of federalism is different. I can understand people on the Right thinking that they like Lega Nord's economic stances but you dig deeper than just a Wikipedia page and find out that their policy is basically, "We hate the south. They're animals. They're North Africans. Cut them off entirely."

I'm not overly versed in Italian politics but I've seen enough to get the gist.  Lega's position on immigration/southern Italy is repugnant, but I think there's some merit to their view that northern Italy is an entirely different place culturally and economically.  They are definitely nutty, just like the rest of Italian political movements, which are either quasi-fascist or fantasy-land leftists.

Interestingly, the rule of law in Italy is such that there's more of a de facto libertarian feel than here in the US.  As much as I prefer American economic views, I loathe the overwhelming fixation on law enforcement here and found the laissez faire legal system in Italy to be refreshing.  Must suck if you're in business, tho.

[TheGlobalizer]

Oh yeah, sure : mafia, corruption, tax evasion are so great things...

They're not, but neither is police brutality, punitive taxation schedules (and enforcement), and...corruption.

That's why I'm a libertarian, it takes away the power from powerful people.  Government is always a tool for some power group, be it corporations, labor, or some other agglomeration.  With Obama, it's big labor and big business.  With Bush, it was big business and socially conservative organizations.  And so on.

[TheGlobalizer]

When the State is too weak, it always serves coalitions of interests, which more often than not are also involved in criminal activites. Just have a look at Southern Italy and you'll realize that.

That's why I like small, strong government.  Limited scope and does what it does well.

I enjoyed Italy's vibe, but it certainly made it clearer to me why the mafia can hold such power.