Leftist/socialist posters - Your positions & ideology

[NOVA Green]

Is this a study which you are using as some sort of College or University Thesis?

Although I am not necessarily uncomfortable with expressing my personal political beliefs and perspectives on a wide variety of topics, this almost appears as some sort of "Litmus Test" for appointment to office....

I do have to admit that this list looks pretty comprehensive in terms of presenting a variety of positions and attitudes that might be considered "Leftist or Socialist" by US American standards....

[T'Chenka]

Is this a study which you are using as some sort of College or University Thesis?

Although I am not necessarily uncomfortable with expressing my personal political beliefs and perspectives on a wide variety of topics, this almost appears as some sort of "Litmus Test" for appointment to office....

I do have to admit that this list looks pretty comprehensive in terms of presenting a variety of positions and attitudes that might be considered "Leftist or Socialist" by US American standards....

Not a study and I'm not in school. I was just curious and also thought it would be nice to not have to try to memorize which posters support which policies, but to instead have a quick reference for anybody to use.

Feel free to post some of your positions and keep others to yourself.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Talk about your political framework. So, you're a leftist. Are you a "liberal"? "Progressive"? "Social democrat"? "Democratic socialist"? "(Actual) socialist"? Some form of communist? What defines your belief system and how far left do your beliefs go?

I'm a democratic socialist, and am supportive of some forms of democratic communism. Democracy is however inherent to socialism, and that's why i'm unsupportive of undemocratic "socialist" governments. In reality, those governments aren't socialist and income inequality is high in those countries, with few exceptions. Europe is democratic, not technically socialist but has low income inequality compared to other regions, so i'm pretty happy where I live in and i'm most supportive of European socialist parties. My beliefs go pretty far, but i'm moderating my views more recently, and I would say i'm to the right of PVDA, especially on social issues.

Talk about women's rights, minority rights, gay rights and trans rights. Are you a feminist? What are your thoughts on Black Lives Matter and the #MeToo movement? Do you support affirmative action? Is the gender pay gap a real problem? Do you have any thoughts on intersectionality? Are all white people subconsciously culturally racist? Can oppressed people without power be considered racist? Is cultural appropriation a bad thing and/or a problem?

I'm supportive of those rights where it's relevant. There has been a debate about transforming Black Pete to a less racist version or changing the name of Christmas Market to Winter market, but i oppose those, because these don't affect lives and are not racist at all. We should aim to fight racism where it matters like racist police violence in the USA or occassionally in Europe. That's racism that affects lives. Bullying, name calling and all should not be accepted, but people entering our countries should adapt to our traditions that may have a racist origin, but are not racist anymore. If they don't like it, they could always return to their country of origin.

The gender gap is an issue, and females and males should be paid equally to what they earn, but regardless we should focus on the issues that do matter and affect lives, and not change every little thing that's deemed to be racist or sexist, because it doesn't help the cause. The people revolt against it, and it's not helpful or it doesn't change lives. Don't understand me wrong, i'm certainly anti-racist and anti-sexist, but fight the issues where it matters.

I'm pro-LGBTQ rights. Period. I'm anti-affirmative action as I believe the best person that fits a position should be appointed, regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation. If that does happen to be a 90% white male club, so be it. If that happens to be a very diverse coalition, so be it. But merit should be the main factor in appointing people, not racial / sex quota.


Talk about "social justice warriors (SJWs)", safe spaces and trigger warnings. Are these things okay or are they too authoritarian? How much diversity and inclusion should be required as opposed to encouraged (EDIT - equality of opportunity VS equality of outcome)? If (for example) gay latinos are allowed a safe space, is it only fair that straight caucasians are provided one too? Should white people feel guilty about their privilege?

I'm not educated on the issue, but i'm generally against it. We should all get along in the society regardless of race, gender and sexual orientation. Forming own clubs of your origin, gender, race of sexual orientation isn't making progress at all, but is by definition racist or discrimination as well. We get along if we are more mixed, not if we create bubbles of certain groups, because it doesn't allow integration for those people.

Talk about immigration, both legal and illegal. Is too much immigration disruptive to our cultural values? Should permanent residency be on the table for anybody who lives here illegally? What about DREAMers and children born here who's parents had come here illegally (which is currently legal)? What should the policies be on deportation and detention centers? How negatively would America be affected by "open borders" soft laws and loose enforcement? Should illegal immigrants receive medical care if we adopt single payer and they aren't paying in? How do we "solve" illegal immigration long-term?

Yes, too much immigration is disruptive of cultural values. We can't eradicate poverty by importing poverty. We should first make sure all our citizens are fully integrated and that's why i want to tighten immigration laws. Immigration is not harmful, but uncontrolled immigration can lead to instability. We should focus on re-integrating some of refugees to their country of origin, and focus on getting those places safe back again.

Permanent residency should always be an option however, esp. if children are born here and go to school / work, and if parents found work and if people pay their taxes. Deportation should happen in a humane way. People should always receive medical care if needed, regardless of their situation (illegal or not, refugee or not, inhabitant or not, foreigner or not). All healthcare should be subsidized by the state, including for people who don't live here.

Talk about America's role in the world and what it's goals should be. Should we be using the military to punish naughty governments? Should we leave the UN or work closer with them? Is our relationship with Saudi Arabia appropriate with all the unethical things they do? Is America too friendly with Israel to the point that they aliemate Palestine? Is it possuble to be against Netanyahu's Israel occupying Palestinian land without being anti-semetic? How do you feel about the BDS movement? How do you feel about free trade agreements?

We should first try to consider diplomatic options. If those don't work, i believe in case of genocide an invasion is allowed (Syria-ISIS, Israel-Palestine, Turkey-Kurdistan). Our relationship with Saudi Arabia is not appropriate and in fact hypocrite as we oppose similar governments elsewhere, but we hold relations because of economic reasons. Saudi Arabia should be condemned as a crime nation. America is too friendly for Israel i believe. It's possible to be against Netanyahu's Israel without being anti-semitic. It's called being humanist. I don't know what the BDS movement is. I'm generally against free trade outside Europe because other countries held different labor, environmental standards that harm our interests, and if countries don't follow the same ethic, they should pay a prize for trading with our nations. So i'm in general protectionist to keep our jobs safe, and to make sure companies don't move elsewhere because environmental and labor regulations elsewhere are looser.


Talk about climate change and the future. What level of urgency is needed and what type of plan? Do you like the idea of a Green New Deal? Would the infrastructure part of the plan be a big boost the economy? How do you feel about nuclear energy? Do you support carbon taxes and/or cap and trade systems? Should we be willing to let the economy suffer to reduce emissions?

Climate change is high priority, if not the highest priority of all. We should negotiate with every country on the world, including crime nations to form a climate agreement, and there should be strict sanctions for countries that don't follow those strict regulations and don't meet their goals. We need a high level of urgency and i'm a proponent of a Green New Deal, even if expensive. I support expanding our infrastructure where needed however, and especially investing in green infrastructure. Bridge disasters like Genua have painfully showed us that a bad state of infrastructure can cause lives. I'm supportive of nuclear energy as a short term solution to stop climate change. I support a progressive carbon tax. The more carbon you emit, the more you get taxed. I believe we need to limit production and consumption and that we should adapt the economy in an economy that serves us, instead of we serving the economy. The planet is our home, and we need to treat our home with respect. The economy will suffer if climate change is left untreated and that's why we need to focus on green infrastructure, green technology, green jobs and green energies.

Talk about health care and what it means to you. Is it a luxury or a human right? Do you believe in single payer? Should hospitals be privatized or public facilities? Should dental and ocular health be covered under single payer? Does having a private option (for basic care) work or ruin everything? Are "death panels" and long wait times a real issue or mostly right wing talking pointz? Do we need more government control over pharmaceutical costs?

Healthcare is a human right and should be fully subsidized by the government. I believe in single payer and in public facilities. Dental and ocular health facilities should be covered under single payer, as well as abortion clinics and psychiatric hospitals. A private option doesn't work. Long wait times are a real issue, that's why we need to focus on expanding those facilities and hiring more health workers. I believe Cuba (however not a democracy) is a perfect example of how health workers should be put to work. We need more government control over pharmaceutical costs, and i believe those should be fully subsidized by the state as well. Healthcare is important, and investing in healthcare saves lives, and make people able to contribute for a longer time to the economy.


Talk about worker's rights in America, including unions and minimum wage. Do unions in America need to focus on their members more instead of benefitting themselves? Are you pro-union? What perks would unions offer instead if single payer is implimented? How high should the minimum wage be? Should all full time workers be able to afford shelter and food? Does a high minimum wage lead to businesses leaving a country and damaging the economy?

We need more labor unions. We should implement a higher minimum wage, adjusted to inflation but however adapted to the circumstances where some people live in (rural vs suburban vs cities). Unions should obviously focus on their members, and should be non profit organizations. The right of a home and the right to food are fundamental human rights that everyone should be able to afford, including those who don't work. Higher minimum wages don't cause businesses to leave a country and damaging the country, if we adjust that in our trade deals.



Talk about the role of the government in providing certain things for all of it's citizens. We have roads, police, fire departments and an army, but what else should be provided? Is it moral and practical for the multi-millionaires to pay extra to ensure certain things for everyone else? Will that ruin the economy as postulated in the theory of "trickle down economics"? If taxes are raised on corporations, will they leave and damage the economy?

Healthcare, food, energy, electricity and water are all things that should be provided to all of cour citizens. It is ethical for those who can contribute more to pay extra for certain things for everyone else. If we are more strict on who we trade with, businesses and rich men won't leave. We should also fight economic fraud at a higher rate.


Talk about who you think holds the power in America. Is it the legislators? The Illuminati or some secret government (jews, extraterrestrials, the ultra-rich)?  The corporations and the oligarchs? Do politicians really represent their voters or do the donors and lobbyists call the shots in Washington and tell Pelosi and McConnell what they can and cannot do? Is government corruption fixable without a massive overhaul of the law and the establishment?

I don't believe in conspiracy theories, but donors and lobbyists hurt our interests, and that's why we need to oppose both Democrats and Republicans as they're corrupt and a bunch of elitists who work for theirselves and their donors and multinationals. Our interests are stake, and that's we need more folks to turn out at the polls and on the streets, and why we need to elevate third parties to have a bigger chance of success.


Talk about government control of our speech and bodies. Are you pro-choice or pro-life? Do you support assisted suicide? How strongly do you support free speech and where do you draw the line? What are your thoughts on making it illegal (discrimination) to use a trans person's wrong pronouns?  What are your thoughts on letting fascists speak at college campuses, providing they do not incite or promote violence? Do you think the Social Justice Warrior and Cancel Culture movements are at times too authoritarian by advocating censorship, or do you agree with the censorship?

I'm pro-choice, and abortion clinics should be subsidized by the government. I support assisted suicide as the right to die is a fundamental right. I support free speech, including racist speeches. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and that's a fundamental right, otherwise we live in a dictatorship. As long, violence is not promoted, i don't care about fascists speaking at college campuses, providing there is room for debate and for fact-checking. I disagree with the censorship of all groups.


Talk about your views on drug laws, gun laws, prostitution and the prison system. Should marijuana be decriminalized (or legalized)? Should all drugs or most be legalized or decriminalized? Are non-violent drug sentences too harsh in America? Should a citizen be allosed to own a functional army tank or nuclear warhead? Do you think there is a serious problem with the private prison industry lobbying Washington to keep prisoners flowing in and providing profits? Should a prison provide mostly punishment or mostly rehabilitation?

The prison system is overcrowded, and should be more humane. They're still people. Their sanction is their freedom taken away. We should still make sure that life in prison is good, and we shouldn't starve them to death or make those prisons anarchist like in Latin America. We should work on a day and night structure for prisoners, that they still contribute to the economy in their prisons, work on psychological and psychiatric healthcare of prisoners and making sure life is acceptable in prisons. Their sanction is as i said their freedom taken away. All drugs should be decriminalized, marijuana should be legalized. Citizens should not be allowed to own an army tank, nuclear head, or weapons of destruction, but i'm not opposed to citizens owning a hand gun. Prisons should be non-profit organizations.

[Dr. MB]

im gonna bring this back. I think it could be kinda useful these days with so much talk over the "left"


Talk about your political framework. So, you're a leftist. Are you a "liberal"? "Progressive"? "Social democrat"? "Democratic socialist"? "(Actual) socialist"? Some form of communist? What defines your belief system and how far left do your beliefs go?

When the thread was posted this wouldn't have been the case, even though I was definitely sympathetic, but I feel 100% comfortable calling myself a socialist. I believe in a democratic vision of socialism which encompasses a democratized economy in which the means of production are collectively owned and all workplaces are controlled and managed by their workers.

Talk about women's rights, minority rights, gay rights and trans rights. Are you a feminist? What are your thoughts on Black Lives Matter and the #MeToo movement? Do you support affirmative action? Is the gender pay gap a real problem? Do you have any thoughts on intersectionality? Are all white people subconsciously culturally racist? Can oppressed people without power be considered racist? Is cultural appropriation a bad thing and/or a problem?

The struggle against all injustice can't be separated from the struggle against capitalism, and neither can they be ignored in favor of exclusively class-based politics because that does a good job of masking injustice. I feel like most social movements, including and especially Black Lives Matter in 2020, have been co-opted into capitalism; the issues they highlight are simply minor flaws in the system that can purportedly be fixed through minor adjustments rather than more fundamental flaws which require systemic change to truly address. Mass movements without a theoretical basis and organizational backing behind them are doomed to fail.

Talk about "social justice warriors (SJWs)", safe spaces and trigger warnings. Are these things okay or are they too authoritarian? How much diversity and inclusion should be required as opposed to encouraged (EDIT - equality of opportunity VS equality of outcome)? If (for example) gay latinos are allowed a safe space, is it only fair that straight caucasians are provided one too? Should white people feel guilty about their privilege?

This goes back to the last point, these are solutions largely implemented by corporations and other organizations with a lot of institutional power to seem like they're "doing something". Yeah we hired a DEI officer so we're not racist. We're on your side, guys! To end up with equality it's gonna need more than that. I don't think this is a very useful question though.

Talk about immigration, both legal and illegal. Is too much immigration disruptive to our cultural values? Should permanent residency be on the table for anybody who lives here illegally? What about DREAMers and children born here who's parents had come here illegally (which is currently legal)? What should the policies be on deportation and detention centers? How negatively would America be affected by "open borders" soft laws and loose enforcement? Should illegal immigrants receive medical care if we adopt single payer and they aren't paying in? How do we "solve" illegal immigration long-term?

Immigration restrictions are reactionary and run counter to the internationalist ideal; nationalism divides the working class among itself and furthers ethnic tension and hatred. I'm against the notion of nationhood or citizenship, or the idea of hard borders in general.

Talk about America's role in the world and what it's goals should be. Should we be using the military to punish naughty governments? Should we leave the UN or work closer with them? Is our relationship with Saudi Arabia appropriate with all the unethical things they do? Is America too friendly with Israel to the point that they aliemate Palestine? Is it possuble to be against Netanyahu's Israel occupying Palestinian land without being anti-semetic? How do you feel about the BDS movement? How do you feel about free trade agreements?

America's role in the world (which reaches beyond its government) is absolutely negative and it should divest from its international entanglements as much as possible. As an American taxpayer our dollars are directly going to fund the war machine and this is even more true in the context of the current crisis. We shouldn't be supporting Israel.

Talk about climate change and the future. What level of urgency is needed and what type of plan? Do you like the idea of a Green New Deal? Would the infrastructure part of the plan be a big boost the economy? How do you feel about nuclear energy? Do you support carbon taxes and/or cap and trade systems? Should we be willing to let the economy suffer to reduce emissions?

Again, climate change won't be solved under capitalism. As long as there is profit to be made from exploiting fossil fuels, those fossil fuels will continue to be exploited, and as long as people rely on excess profit to get rich, nature as a whole will be exploited much more than is necessary. Capitalism relies on excess consumption and waste to sustain itself.

Talk about health care and what it means to you. Is it a luxury or a human right? Do you believe in single payer? Should hospitals be privatized or public facilities? Should dental and ocular health be covered under single payer? Does having a private option (for basic care) work or ruin everything? Are "death panels" and long wait times a real issue or mostly right wing talking pointz? Do we need more government control over pharmaceutical costs?

Healthcare should be a public service (alongside the rest of the economy), with zero private aspect. Part of ensuring it's a public service means ensuring it's adequately staffed and has the resources and medication necessary to operate. The shortcomings of the NHS and other systems come from them being socialized services existing under capitalism and being continually cut and underfunded.

Talk about worker's rights in America, including unions and minimum wage. Do unions in America need to focus on their members more instead of benefitting themselves? Are you pro-union? What perks would unions offer instead if single payer is implimented? How high should the minimum wage be? Should all full time workers be able to afford shelter and food? Does a high minimum wage lead to businesses leaving a country and damaging the economy?


The shortcomings of the labor movement in America have mostly had to do with them cozying up too much to business, not advocating for their workers as strongly as they should have, and bureaucratization instead of mass-member rank-and-file politics. Without a socialist economy having strong labor unions is 100% the best way to ensure a more equitable one. Ideally the wage system would be abolished completely but having high minimum wages is a good stepping stone.

Talk about the role of the government in providing certain things for all of it's citizens. We have roads, police, fire departments and an army, but what else should be provided? Is it moral and practical for the multi-millionaires to pay extra to ensure certain things for everyone else? Will that ruin the economy as postulated in the theory of "trickle down economics"? If taxes are raised on corporations, will they leave and damage the economy?

The economy should, eventually, entirely be a public good. Redistribution is a good start, but redistribution shouldn't just be about transferring the wealth of the rich down to the rest of us but rather removing the rich from the positions in which they're able to accumulate such a huge amount of wealth.

Talk about who you think holds the power in America. Is it the legislators? The Illuminati or some secret government (jews, extraterrestrials, the ultra-rich)?  The corporations and the oligarchs? Do politicians really represent their voters or do the donors and lobbyists call the shots in Washington and tell Pelosi and McConnell what they can and cannot do? Is government corruption fixable without a massive overhaul of the law and the establishment?

The U.S. government under its current framework can only do so much (and it doesn't wanna do much). And they've proven themselves to be utterly incapable of standing up to the owning class in any meaningful capacity, which again they don't really want to do. So yeah of course business has an outsized amount of power, but the framework of government doesn't really care about addressing that.

Talk about government control of our speech and bodies. Are you pro-choice or pro-life? Do you support assisted suicide? How strongly do you support free speech and where do you draw the line? What are your thoughts on making it illegal (discrimination) to use a trans person's wrong pronouns?  What are your thoughts on letting fascists speak at college campuses, providing they do not incite or promote violence? Do you think the Social Justice Warrior and Cancel Culture movements are at times too authoritarian by advocating censorship, or do you agree with the censorship?

Having state limitations on what you can and can't say is a very slippery slope and I don't think there should be any. But yeah some people deserve to be ridiculed.

Talk about your views on drug laws, gun laws, prostitution and the prison system. Should marijuana be decriminalized (or legalized)? Should all drugs or most be legalized or decriminalized? Are non-violent drug sentences too harsh in America? Should a citizen be allosed to own a functional army tank or nuclear warhead? Do you think there is a serious problem with the private prison industry lobbying Washington to keep prisoners flowing in and providing profits? Should a prison provide mostly punishment or mostly rehabilitation?
[/quote]

There shouldn't be any punishment for the sake of punishment, and this goes for all types of crimes. People operate under the conditions of their society, and changing society should reduce, for most people, the incentive to commit crimes. There can't be a societal revolution without a change in culture to go along with that. If a criminal has been rehabilitated there's no reason for them to be left under that label. Prison shouldn't really exist.

[Mechavada]

Talk about your political framework. So, you're a leftist. Are you a "liberal"? "Progressive"? "Social democrat"? "Democratic socialist"? "(Actual) socialist"? Some form of communist? What defines your belief system and how far left do your beliefs go?

I am not inclined to give myself a "label".  This isn't some contrarian thing, just that I believe in giving myself some leeway in terms of adopting various elements from different ideologies.  I would say overall that I believe we need a system that is just, equitable, and allows for the "Pursuit of Happiness".  The wealthy and powerful have way too much influence today and have proven time and time again they will put their interests first and foremost above everyone else.  And they have proven time and time again that they can best do this under the guise of pretend justice.  I believe in a system where the lowest among us can rise up and claim their greatness and where the fruits of labor are never denied to them.  A system where unemployment and health problems do not damn people to a life of failure.  A system where the workers are the owners.  A system where money does not rule the government or its politics.  If that makes me a "Socialist" so be it.

Talk about women's rights, minority rights, gay rights and trans rights. Are you a feminist? What are your thoughts on Black Lives Matter and the #MeToo movement? Do you support affirmative action? Is the gender pay gap a real problem? Do you have any thoughts on intersectionality? Are all white people subconsciously culturally racist? Can oppressed people without power be considered racist? Is cultural appropriation a bad thing and/or a problem?

The real issue at the heart of all of this is we live in a fundamentally unfair system that rewards the corrupt and powerful.  One of the easiest ways the corrupt and powerful divide us all is on sectarian lines.  We are taught at a young age and as we get older that we are on some level fundamentally different from our brothers and sisters.  It should be unacceptable for any citizen of any race, gender background, or sexual orientation to be subjected to authoritarian policing.  All citizens should have their justice in court against violent and corrupt agents of the state.  All citizens should have access to the trades, to the schools, and to their faiths and beliefs.  And pay should be based on an individual's merit, not their identity or social standing.  Affirmative Action should be about lifting up the lowest among us regardless of where they are from or what skin pigment they are.  We should aspire to be a society that judges people less on things they cannot change and encourages everyone to help and learn from one another.  I have no interest at all in discussing if folks of certain races are more naturally racist than others or if borrowing elements from another culture is "oppressive".  That is simply doing the bidding of the corrupt and powerful for them and making it harder for the masses to unite against the tyrannical few.

Talk about "social justice warriors (SJWs)", safe spaces and trigger warnings. Are these things okay or are they too authoritarian? How much diversity and inclusion should be required as opposed to encouraged (EDIT - equality of opportunity VS equality of outcome)? If (for example) gay latinos are allowed a safe space, is it only fair that straight caucasians are provided one too? Should white people feel guilty about their privilege?

A problem we face nowdays is the ability of corrupt capital institutions and their ability to divide the working classes along sectarian lines to hold onto their political standing.  While being mindful of the challenges that racial and gender minorities face we shouldn't forget that it is much easier for corporate power to pretend support for these groups with lofty words and "virtue signalling" than actually going through with real action to help the the most disadvantaged among them.  This is also true of the forces that appeal to "MAGA" types with "white grievance" politics.  The political establishment has a vested goal in keeping the working class divided against itself on identarian grounds.  When the Left decides to remove itself from the "Universalist" approach it ultimately does a disservice to itself in fighting the injustices it claims to fight.  The overall goal should be to fight inequality in all its forms, not just when it's convenient for political reasons.

Talk about immigration, both legal and illegal. Is too much immigration disruptive to our cultural values? Should permanent residency be on the table for anybody who lives here illegally? What about DREAMers and children born here who's parents had come here illegally (which is currently legal)? What should the policies be on deportation and detention centers? How negatively would America be affected by "open borders" soft laws and loose enforcement? Should illegal immigrants receive medical care if we adopt single payer and they aren't paying in? How do we "solve" illegal immigration long-term?

We need a system that allows for the free and fair movement of labor over the preferences of Capital.  I am not at all opposed to "Open Borders" in theory, so long as the framework of such is designed to prevent wage slavery by corrupt individuals.  It needs to be understood that while "Globalism" sounds sexy that it is like anything else can be manipulated by corporate oligarchs for their own benefit. Someone earlier mentioned maybe starting with a Schengen Area that would reduce the bureaucracy involved in moving between states.  I believe this would be a good start in allowing workers with less power to move to areas where the cost of living and pay is the most beneficial to them.

Talk about America's role in the world and what it's goals should be. Should we be using the military to punish naughty governments? Should we leave the UN or work closer with them? Is our relationship with Saudi Arabia appropriate with all the unethical things they do? Is America too friendly with Israel to the point that they aliemate Palestine? Is it possuble to be against Netanyahu's Israel occupying Palestinian land without being anti-semetic? How do you feel about the BDS movement? How do you feel about free trade agreements?

It seems the idea that "violence begets more violence" is lost on many.  The more America interferes in the rest of the world the more it seems to create more opportunities for the Military Industrial Complex to make money hand over fist for a non-ending stream of conflicts.  We should always be alert when a politician of any side starts speaking in an overly jingoistic manner towards other countries.  We should also be wary of dishonest narratives that seek to justify this kind of large scale bloodthuggery.  What is going on Israel now is a perfect example.  Here we have a government ran by Benjamin Netanyahu and his cronies that commits mass bloodshed and starvation against an impoverished walled in population.  Tens of thousands of people (a lot of them under the age of 21) have died in this conflict and the Israeli government seemingly has no real interest in making sure their own citizens who were taken hostage by Hamas survive.  Hell they shot three of them recently.  We should not ignore these facts for fear of being labelled "anti-Semitic" by dishonest policy actors.

Talk about climate change and the future. What level of urgency is needed and what type of plan? Do you like the idea of a Green New Deal? Would the infrastructure part of the plan be a big boost the economy? How do you feel about nuclear energy? Do you support carbon taxes and/or cap and trade systems? Should we be willing to let the economy suffer to reduce emissions?

We needed a strong plan to address these challenges YESTERDAY.  The planet might not "end" if we do nothing but it will be a hell of a lot harder to ensure a fair and equitable standard of living for billions of people in the developing nations if things continue.  GND is an okay theoretical starting point though I would say that any large scale green infrastructure program needs to be largely focused on the agenda of ensuring both environmental sustainability and the creation of strong stable industries where this takes place.  I am not opposed to nuclear energy in theory but in practice we need to do more to make it efficient and minimize the possible health and environmental dangers associated with it.  In general we should be trying to get the most efficient energy possible that keeps costs for consumers at a minimum while keeping pollution to a minimum.  I don't believe these goals are at odds with each other and with the right funding and dedication we can avoid hurting the economy to do so.

Talk about health care and what it means to you. Is it a luxury or a human right? Do you believe in single payer? Should hospitals be privatized or public facilities? Should dental and ocular health be covered under single payer? Does having a private option (for basic care) work or ruin everything? Are "death panels" and long wait times a real issue or mostly right wing talking pointz? Do we need more government control over pharmaceutical costs?

I'll keep my answer short and simple here.  For profit healthcare is a crime against humanity.  There are too many people dying before their time because they couldn't afford to take care of themselves.  I support Universal Healthcare and I believe that funding should be devoted to creating "Community Health Centers" that anyone can use that are funded within this system.  These centers will provide tax funded nutritional and exercise classes, cafeterias, and gym memberships that will assist in keeping taxpayers fit and healthy.  Mental, dental, ocular health services should also be paid through this system.

Talk about worker's rights in America, including unions and minimum wage. Do unions in America need to focus on their members more instead of benefitting themselves? Are you pro-union? What perks would unions offer instead if single payer is implimented? How high should the minimum wage be? Should all full time workers be able to afford shelter and food? Does a high minimum wage lead to businesses leaving a country and damaging the economy?


The right to a good and fair pay is fundamental to the "Pursuit of Happiness".  A critical component of this is having dedicated organizations and resources in the marketplace that advocate for the worker.  That agenda gets threatened when labor union bosses focus too much on retaining their own power and influence with the very corporations they should be standing up to on behalf of the workers.  Corruption in labor union leadership and senior positions should be considered unacceptable and just as much a threat to worker power as corrupt corporate actors.  There should be measures in place that make it easier for union members to overthrow corrupt leadership and make the benefits of being in the unions more equitable.  At the same time "right to work" and other measures that limit the free speech and expression of union organizers should be overturned.  Forming a union shop should be a right guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution in my opinion.

Talk about the role of the government in providing certain things for all of it's citizens. We have roads, police, fire departments and an army, but what else should be provided? Is it moral and practical for the multi-millionaires to pay extra to ensure certain things for everyone else? Will that ruin the economy as postulated in the theory of "trickle down economics"? If taxes are raised on corporations, will they leave and damage the economy?

I agree with the notion of the economy as a public good.  Ideally citizens should be able to access any and all resources of the economy at no personal cost.  I do strive for the Star Trek ideal where humanity as a whole works to better itself over personal greed.  A lot of this will require us as a society to re-examine the beliefs we hold about the role of money and challenging the capitalist status quo.  Hundreds of years ago Capitalism and Market Theory emerged to challenge the status quo of mercantile monarchs.  We need another revolution of thought now, given the massive failings of Capitalism.

Talk about who you think holds the power in America. Is it the legislators? The Illuminati or some secret government (jews, extraterrestrials, the ultra-rich)?  The corporations and the oligarchs? Do politicians really represent their voters or do the donors and lobbyists call the shots in Washington and tell Pelosi and McConnell what they can and cannot do? Is government corruption fixable without a massive overhaul of the law and the establishment?

I do not think it is a question of WHO so much as a question of WHAT.  And that WHAT is GREED.  Over the years America has gone from a land formed on a promise of greater opportunity to one where as the Michael Douglas character Gordon Gecko once said in the film Wall Street where "Greed is Good".  Anyone with sanity can clearly see from the multiple economic crises since then that no Greed is clearly not good.  All too often folks get more into the mode of embracing what feels comfortable for them over what helps them sleep at night.  When there are millions of folks homeless and on the streets, when people can no longer save money because things are too expensive, when people are made obsolete by automation and credentialism, it only gets much and much harder to sleep at night.
It has become clear that the people in charge have no interest in fixing things, conservative or liberal.  Why would they?  They're the ones who are comfortable while the rest of us barely get any rest.  All this conspiracy theory nonsense and cultural war bs does is legitimatize what is going on by blaming individuals instead of the system that makes them corrupt.

Talk about government control of our speech and bodies. Are you pro-choice or pro-life? Do you support assisted suicide? How strongly do you support free speech and where do you draw the line? What are your thoughts on making it illegal (discrimination) to use a trans person's wrong pronouns?  What are your thoughts on letting fascists speak at college campuses, providing they do not incite or promote violence? Do you think the Social Justice Warrior and Cancel Culture movements are at times too authoritarian by advocating censorship, or do you agree with the censorship?

When authoritarianism is endorsed as an ideal, regardless of the side, we have failed as a society.  What someone does with their own body is their own choice.  How someone identifies as is their own choice.  Commitment to Free Speech should be consistent and not dependent on which political party is in charge.  When we decide to "draw the line" we only set the precedent for the line being drawn further and further away from free expression.  In general so long as no one is being threatened with violence free speech should be legal.

Talk about your views on drug laws, gun laws, prostitution and the prison system. Should marijuana be decriminalized (or legalized)? Should all drugs or most be legalized or decriminalized? Are non-violent drug sentences too harsh in America? Should a citizen be allowed to own a functional army tank or nuclear warhead? Do you think there is a serious problem with the private prison industry lobbying Washington to keep prisoners flowing in and providing profits? Should a prison provide mostly punishment or mostly rehabilitation?

I will echo MB's observation that people operate under the conditions of their society.  I also agree entirely with the point about how punishment for punishment's sake doesn't accomplish much.  In my own life I've observed that when I don't take an eye for an eye, when I show mercy and leniency the rewards for doing so are usually much greater than hard justice.  Which is why I support Rehabilitation as a goal.  Throwing people into crowded prisons with "the law of the jungle" in full display does not make them better people.  Having a black mark on their record that makes it very hard to get gainfully employed when their term is up doesn't help either.  Repaying crimes with rehabilitation, giving people who commit crimes room and board and mental and physical health services, seems a way more common sense approach to this issue.  This is similar to drug treatment programs which have much success.
There should be no "non-violent" drug offenses.  Drug tests for employment should be illegal.  It makes no sense to have a state where medical marijuana is totally legal but it's still legal for employers to ask employees if they use marijuana or to require them to take a drug test.  No one asks employees if they take prescription pain killers, the same standard should be held here.  I'd take the same mentality to issues like guns and prostitution.  Selling one's own body should not be considered a crime and the government can't be trusted with a monopoly of force.  How else will we achieve our liberation?

[Beet]

Talk about your political framework. So, you're a leftist. Are you a "liberal"? "Progressive"? "Social democrat"? "Democratic socialist"? "(Actual) socialist"? Some form of communist? What defines your belief system and how far left do your beliefs go?

I am a liberal and progressive, and not a socialist. I define socialism as government ownership over the means of production, and I don't want Microsoft nationalized. However, given that people like Bernie Sanders call themselves socialists, and they are people whose politics I support, I view the socialist label as positive.

Talk about women's rights, minority rights, gay rights and trans rights. Are you a feminist? What are your thoughts on Black Lives Matter and the #MeToo movement? Do you support affirmative action? Is the gender pay gap a real problem? Do you have any thoughts on intersectionality? Are all white people subconsciously culturally racist? Can oppressed people without power be considered racist? Is cultural appropriation a bad thing and/or a problem?

No one should be denied equality in life because they are a woman, a racial minority, or sexual minority. Intersectionality however has been massively abused and leads to bad places. Racial minorities can be racist and cultural appropriation is bad, but much less bad than was made out in the 2010's.

Talk about "social justice warriors (SJWs)", safe spaces and trigger warnings. Are these things okay or are they too authoritarian? How much diversity and inclusion should be required as opposed to encouraged (EDIT - equality of opportunity VS equality of outcome)? If (for example) gay latinos are allowed a safe space, is it only fair that straight caucasians are provided one too? Should white people feel guilty about their privilege?

SJWs are bad and single handed responsible for the collapse of the social left. I am not against voluntary self-segregation by anyone as long as it has no government support and complies with the CRA.

Talk about immigration, both legal and illegal. Is too much immigration disruptive to our cultural values? Should permanent residency be on the table for anybody who lives here illegally? What about DREAMers and children born here who's parents had come here illegally (which is currently legal)? What should the policies be on deportation and detention centers? How negatively would America be affected by "open borders" soft laws and loose enforcement? Should illegal immigrants receive medical care if we adopt single payer and they aren't paying in? How do we "solve" illegal immigration long-term?

Immigrants are a good thing for America. We contribute our talents, our labor, our taxes, our spending power, and more people make America a more powerful country on net. But given the current political situation I support cracking down as much as needed on illegal immigration.

Talk about America's role in the world and what it's goals should be. Should we be using the military to punish naughty governments? Should we leave the UN or work closer with them? Is our relationship with Saudi Arabia appropriate with all the unethical things they do? Is America too friendly with Israel to the point that they aliemate Palestine? Is it possuble to be against Netanyahu's Israel occupying Palestinian land without being anti-semetic? How do you feel about the BDS movement? How do you feel about free trade agreements?

The interests of the American people do not require dominating every corner of the world.

Talk about climate change and the future. What level of urgency is needed and what type of plan? Do you like the idea of a Green New Deal? Would the infrastructure part of the plan be a big boost the economy? How do you feel about nuclear energy? Do you support carbon taxes and/or cap and trade systems? Should we be willing to let the economy suffer to reduce emissions?

Climate change is a huge threat and the book needs to be thrown at it, including the Green New Deal and nuclear energy.

However, the fossil fuel industry should not be banned in a way that causes a massive economic disruption. We should show compassion to the fact that it employs millions of people and these people are human beings who have to celebrate Christmas with their children as well. So careful planning for economic transition should be made. Current centers of fossil fuel production should also be favored as centers for GND industries.

Talk about health care and what it means to you. Is it a luxury or a human right? Do you believe in single payer? Should hospitals be privatized or public facilities? Should dental and ocular health be covered under single payer? Does having a private option (for basic care) work or ruin everything? Are "death panels" and long wait times a real issue or mostly right wing talking pointz? Do we need more government control over pharmaceutical costs?

Health care is a human right that should be provided with a public option or some form of Medicare for All.

However, once again, we should not be callous towards employees of the private health care industry or demonize them, recognizing that most of them are just normal people who also need jobs. No reform should be enacted in a way that throws millions of people out of work.

The left has to be very sensitive to this point.

Talk about worker's rights in America, including unions and minimum wage. Do unions in America need to focus on their members more instead of benefitting themselves? Are you pro-union? What perks would unions offer instead if single payer is implimented? How high should the minimum wage be? Should all full time workers be able to afford shelter and food? Does a high minimum wage lead to businesses leaving a country and damaging the economy?

Unions are essential and need to be expanded to every corner of the country. Taft-Hartley should be repealed.

However, I am not a fan of strikes unless absolutely necessary, as they are disruptive. Unions should ideally have a good relationship with employers and vice versa. In exchange, society should support unions by giving them monopolies.

Unions are nests of corruption and have to be very tightly regulated. Or else you get situations like the Kefauver investigation of the 1950's and the rise of the mob. This will eventually destroy union reputation and union political support. So they have to be very, very, very tightly regulated and this is perhaps the most important point.

Talk about the role of the government in providing certain things for all of it's citizens. We have roads, police, fire departments and an army, but what else should be provided? Is it moral and practical for the multi-millionaires to pay extra to ensure certain things for everyone else? Will that ruin the economy as postulated in the theory of "trickle down economics"? If taxes are raised on corporations, will they leave and damage the economy?

All essential good like housing, food, health care, and a job should be guaranteed.

Talk about who you think holds the power in America. Is it the legislators? The Illuminati or some secret government (jews, extraterrestrials, the ultra-rich)?  The corporations and the oligarchs? Do politicians really represent their voters or do the donors and lobbyists call the shots in Washington and tell Pelosi and McConnell what they can and cannot do? Is government corruption fixable without a massive overhaul of the law and the establishment?

A group of elites who ultimately are funded by corporations and the wealthy hold power.

Talk about government control of our speech and bodies. Are you pro-choice or pro-life? Do you support assisted suicide? How strongly do you support free speech and where do you draw the line? What are your thoughts on making it illegal (discrimination) to use a trans person's wrong pronouns?  What are your thoughts on letting fascists speak at college campuses, providing they do not incite or promote violence? Do you think the Social Justice Warrior and Cancel Culture movements are at times too authoritarian by advocating censorship, or do you agree with the censorship?

Cancel culture is toxic. People who only be canceled for truly horrendous stuff, that is indisputably beyond the pale.

Talk about your views on drug laws, gun laws, prostitution and the prison system. Should marijuana be decriminalized (or legalized)? Should all drugs or most be legalized or decriminalized? Are non-violent drug sentences too harsh in America? Should a citizen be allosed to own a functional army tank or nuclear warhead? Do you think there is a serious problem with the private prison industry lobbying Washington to keep prisoners flowing in and providing profits? Should a prison provide mostly punishment or mostly rehabilitation?

Society should gradually loosen up the criminal justice system on all fronts, but it should not move too fast or do anything to seriously risk a society-wide rise in crime, because that would be bad and would undermine support for criminal justice reform.