Insight into US politics.

[Mondo]

As a Brit I don't get US politics. I get the process and the whole electoral college thing but not the division of parties and what they represent. In this country and many others you have 3 sides, Left (although you could now argue that after Tony Blairs socialist left wing reign of power that wasn't turned the left wing into a centre party), Right and liberal.

Left is more social policies, Right is more capitalist policies and liberal mixes up the best of both worlds.

In this US it seems to be a bit different. Left is never mentioned, it seems to be almost offensive to call someone left wing, you might as well call them a communist! (although communism is vastly different from tolerant left wing policy), Democrates/Liberal seems to be the left equivalent in the US and isn't the best of both worlds party that it is over here (its policies are almost right in some cases) and Right in the US seems to be almost non secular conservative and short of far right.

What gives? Why do the democrats/liberals shy away from admitting to have social leftwing tendencies? Why do people see 'Liberals' or those on the left wing as appeasers in the 'war on terror'? Why are typically left policies not labeled as 'left' but liberal in the US?

These questions often pop up at election time the other side of the pond.

[TKDLady]

I don't get them either and I am American!!!

[darkangelism]

well democrats are left, but they are still right of the british parties. Republicans are right and are one of the most conservative major parties probably in the world.

I think the reason why we are less socialist is that the country was build on individualism, and the American dream, that anybody can do anything.

[Duke]

I like Ponies.

[darkangelism]

ok i have an extra point to make, it really doesnt matter, democrats and republicans are so close viewpoint wise the country never really changes which is why we are so successful.

[TKDLady]

I don't think they are close in their viewpoints.

[darkangelism]

in comparison to the rest of the world they are. Most countries have a major party that is communist or socialist. Its like mondo said even the conservative party in britain is more left then the democrats.

[Mondo]

Originally Posted by darkangelism

I think the reason why we are less socialist is that the country was build on individualism, and the American dream, that anybody can do anything.

I guess that explains it. I always thought that it stemmed from the anti communist purges in the 50's and people being so scared of being termed a traitor etc for having any socialist thoughts!

[darkangelism]

that may have contributed but for the most part the political parties were well formed by the 50s.

[IR_Efrem]

heh Duke...

Here's my take on politics they are all lying, cheating ****ards. They say what you want to hear then once in office they do whatever they want. Look at the benefits package that they get with the job..... yes you guessed it, they voted on that not us.