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My Politics

I'm finding it increasingly difficult to define and categorize my political views due to the nature of the political landscape we are living in. The main problem for me is how so many issues contradict one another. It's impossible to reconcile some issues and that means it is hard to label your politics and align yourself with one party. I have some notion of what I am politically, but it is undermined by other values and beliefs that people with the same or similar politics have. And so, that makes me question whether being politically interested in any way is worthwhile. Last night I was watching a video, and I found myself being in complete agreement with the speaker...until he mentioned Roe v Wade and abortion.

Examples of my politics:

Abortion - Con.

I am very much against abortion. It will never be stopped or reduced in the U.K or other Western European countries though.

Death Penalty - Con.

The death penalty is not an issue in the U.K, but it's still pertinent to mention.

Welfare - Pro.

Vulnerable people who can't work should receive some assistance from the state. Poor families with children should also receive some assistance from the state.

Overseas Aid - Con.

I recognize the value in international aid, but I think that most Western countries are spending far too much on it.

Defence and Security - Pro/Con.

I don't think more money should be spent on defence than say, healthcare, but it does warrant some spending and investment. I probably would limit defence spending though.

Family Life and Childcare - Pro.

I think there should be more emphasis on family life, and that childcare should be made more affordable. Maybe the government could incentivize family members to provide childcare?

Immigration and Asylum - Pro/Con.

I don't want to be a hypocrite here but I really think it needs to be subject to greater checks and in the context of economic migration, reduced.

Housing - Pro.

Maybe we should take greater care of the environment by not building lots of houses in the countryside or in rural areas, but it is difficult. If we are going to build more houses in this country, they should be affordable (most of them aren't). There are a lot of unused properties that could be used for housing as well. I think the government is obligated to provide housing to those who can't afford it. They should make private housing more affordable as well.

Tax - Pro/Con.

I think the tax system should be rearranged, and that the working-class and middle-class are paying too much tax in the U.K.

Education - Pro/Con.

I think too much is spent on the wrong areas in education. And this would apply to all Western countries at present.

Local government - Pro.

Local governments should be given more power.

Policing - Pro/Con.

Policing is essential, but there are problems with it in this country. Same as education.

Healthcare - Pro.

I am for universal healthcare and see healthcare is being a vital service to all people, but it is seriously lacking in the U.K. They need to make some major changes to their system and the way it is organized and delivered.

University Fees - Pro.

You should pay for your degree yourself.

Freedom of Religion - Pro.

I shouldn't have to explain that one.

Globalization- Pro/Con.

Globalization is a complex issue. It has benefits and detriments so I find it hard to decide what side I am on with respect to that.

Environment - Pro/Con.

I'm undecided because this is also a complex issue that conflicts with others.

Gun Ownership - Pro.

I am for gun ownership subject to background checks. Like the death penalty, this is less of an issue here and in other European countries though.

Minimum Wage - Pro.

Minimum wage is essential, lol.

Lockdowns? ALWAYS Con.

Anyway, these are the issues I can think of right now.
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Burnley123 · 41-45, M
You are centre left on economics and socially conservative.

The Lib Dems (for overseas people, they are labelled as centrist) are socially liberal and free market so kind of the opposite of you!

I'm also politically homeless for different reasons. I was a big supporter of Corbyn and I cant find a good word to say about Starmer.

My politics are classically libertarian left and on every issue.its easy to define and state where I stand. People can have negative opinions on that but I've never been a socialist to be fashionable: it's just the truth as I understand it.
SW-User
@Burnley123 I agree. I liked Corbyn but they were never going to let him win. The media were determined to misrepresent him in all ways possible. There were some things he didn't help himself with, but most of that can just be attributed to his honesty. For instance, when they asked him about whether he would defend this country by using nuclear weapons if it was going to be under nuclear attack, he more or less said "no", which no one wants to hear and is the one thing I disagreed with him on. I understood where he was coming from as nuclear weapons never should have came to be...they did though and it would be unwise to get rid of your own when other more nefarious countries refuse to get rid of theirs.

I don't like Starmer either for the same reasons...even if he was better though, he'd have similar (though not as bad) problems to Corbyn when it comes to the media. It's like this country is determined to have a Conservative government. I know that probably makes me sound like I am contradicting myself because of my social views, but they (the Conservatives) do nothing to defend social conservatism anyway.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@SW-User I agree with your take on Corbyn. The establishment did everything they could to discredit him and they succeeded. Also, Brexit delivided the labour base and Corbyn indeed, was not an effective leader.

Starmer will change nothing if he is elected. That might be better that the alternative under a rightwing ideologue like Truss but I get sick of backing lesser evils.

Yes, the Tories will only fight battles for rightwing economics because it's what their doners want. They like to play the culture war but they are not true believers like the DUP or the US Republicans
SW-User
@Burnley123
Yes, the Tories will only fight battles for rightwing economics because it's what their diners want. They like to play the culture war but they are not true believers like the DUP or the US Republicans

That's a perfect summary. There is no lively debate in this country...the Conservatives are the most dead of all.

Also I get what you mean about having to back lesser evils, but I guess it's the only thing you can do when there is nothing else. The Conservatives have been in power since 2010. It's weird to think that in a country that considers itself a real democracy they may have what will end up amounting to practically two decades in power if they are voted for again in the 2024 election.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@SW-User I meant donors. LOL. It was a typo.

Also I get what you mean about having to back lesser evils, but I guess it's the only thing you can do when there is nothing else. The Conservatives have been in power since 2010. It's weird to think that in a country that considers itself a real democracy they may have what will end up amounting to practically two decades in power if they are voted for again in the 2024 election.

This is why (shock-horror) I'm a Marxist at the point of analysis. What this basically means is that money is power and that group of people at the top work to perpetuate their own interests. What we call politics is secondary to that.
SW-User
@Burnley123 Got you...knew that was what you meant haha.

I agree with that assessment. Unfortunately this is why politics is failing people.