The Rightward Swing of the US

[bananacat]

This has actually been an active topic on many blogs I read since the 2008 election or earlier. Obama is the perfect center-right president. He's better than the alternative, but is by no means liberal. I guess it's good to have someone so moderate, except that the compromise between far-right and moderate lands squarely in conservative territory. It's called the Overton Window. Conservatives have gone so ridiculous that it changes the framework of what is even discussed. I doubt that any of them actually expect abortion to become blanket illegal, or to just pretend carbon emissions are harmless, but when they're so extreme, doing the conservative thing makes it seem like the liberals aren't losing as bad.

[emmiedahl]

Yes, now liberal-socialist means that you don't want the public schools dismantled, and conservative means you cackle into your martini served by an illegal immigrant maid while whining about the need to build walls at the border.

[countressrascal]

Here is my issue with the election is the amount of money that is spent. They estimate that by the time this silliness is over they will have spent over $3B. Just think if all these people would donate the money to social service agencies that provide services to the disadvantaged?

[emmiedahl]

SO MUCH MONEY!!!! I wish we could ban campaign ads. Then, they would have to do well on debates and such. Also, the reason most third parties can't get a foot in the door is the lack of funds to compete with the big boys.

Instead of campaign finance reform, I would like to see a prohibition on it completely, or limit the amount they can spend to reasonable travel expenses.

[Austin]

Here is my issue with the election is the amount of money that is spent. They estimate that by the time this silliness is over they will have spent over $3B. Just think if all these people would donate the money to social service agencies that provide services to the disadvantaed?

[bananacat]

I don't have such a problem with the large donations, but I really hate that it can be done anonymously. I say let a corporation try to buy their politician, but make it public so that people can boycott them if we want to. Corporations get their money from us, and we have a right to know if they're using it to influence our politics.

[crazyforkate]

A huge problem is that since a Supreme Court ruling a couple of years ago, corporations can donate huge amounts of money to the candidate of their choice. So campaign finance has been kind of turned on its head. One of its worst decisions ever.

[debrand]

I used to be conservative but as I've gotten older, I've gotten more liberal. Most people go in the opposite direction as they age.

[desertvixen]

AnnieC 305 - That's fucked up.

I spent 8 years under Bush keeping my criticisms of the President out of my military life, and I got to watch the election results from inside of one of the Iraqi palaces.

I'm not totally satisfied, but I still feel like it was better than 4 years of McCain would have been.

I do get severely pissed off, though, at the people who now act like it's okay to disrespect the commander in chief because they don't like him, especially the birther asshole who volunteered for a deployment, then tried to get out of it on the grounds that Obama is not the rightful CiC.

[crazyforkate]

I do get severely pissed off, though, at the people who now act like it's okay to disrespect the commander in chief because they don't like him, especially the birther asshole who volunteered for a deployment, then tried to get out of it on the grounds that Obama is not the rightful CiC.

[2xx1xy1JD]

If you believe all of that why are you voting Conservative? I'm really not trying to be rude, I'm just asking as it seems to me as though your views are quite different from theirs.

Many Conservative MPs were against Dr. Henry Morgentaler receiving the order of Canada and the Conservative Government refused to fund abortions in our G8 health plan. When it came time to vote on same sex marriage the Conservative Party was largely against it and Harper is against it himself. Jason Kenney also tried to remove mention of gays and lesbians in our book for new immigrants. And while they are not exactly against all the other things, I wouldn't necessarily say they are especially and passionately in favour of them either.

[Mais Pourquoi]

Just to ditto other posters: abolishing public schools, making birth control illegal, getting rid of the minimum wage, destroying unions...the fact that any of these things are seriously put up as valid actions is insane and just shows the wingnuttery going out of control.

[Bookworm89]

Canadian politics is quite boring, although I'll take it over crazy American politics any day. The Conservative Party is pretty much what their name implies, they are conservative both socially and fiscally, however because of where the economy is right now they are pretty much focusing all their energy on the economy, cutting back, getting us out of deficit and I they are still doing some job creation programs. While many individual conservatives probably are against abortion, gay marriage and the like those issues are pretty much viewed as dead in the water, we already dealt with them and they will not be opened up to debate again. However, the Harper government is not all fiscal responsibility and what not. They are incredibly anti-woman (http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/arti ... ation?bn=1) and have made a lot of cuts to women's programs. For more amusing and sad stories about Harper I invite everyone to check out shitharperdid.ca including such gems as:

And also, in case you are dissatisfied with both Republicans and Democrats, Canada is offering you a third option!

BrhA0sEkuaM

[Daenerys]

If you believe all of that why are you voting Conservative? I'm really not trying to be rude, I'm just asking as it seems to me as though your views are quite different from theirs.

Many Conservative MPs were against Dr. Henry Morgentaler receiving the order of Canada and the Conservative Government refused to fund abortions in our G8 health plan. When it came time to vote on same sex marriage the Conservative Party was largely against it and Harper is against it himself. Jason Kenney also tried to remove mention of gays and lesbians in our book for new immigrants. And while they are not exactly against all the other things, I wouldn't necessarily say they are especially and passionately in favour of them either.

[So Many Lies]

A left leaning government is in power in Australia, it was a long time coming. But they still kowtow to the powers that be so at the end of the day there is hardly any difference between any party at all!

[So Many Lies]

Maybe the fundies are breeding so much in the usa dominionism is starting to take effect!

[apple1]

I used to be conservative but as I've gotten older, I've gotten more liberal. Most people go in the opposite direction as they age.

[Rosa]

I know this cranky, far-left Atheist and her husband are planning to emigrate north as soon as he's out of school. Vancouver here we come.

What's really sad is that my husband is a veteran. He put his life on the line for a country that has become so hostile toward people with his beliefs that he is no longer comfortable speaking out in public. When they found out that we go to the liberal UU church, when we do go, and that he voted Obama the local American Legion revoked our memberships.

I hope Canada will be home for us, I truly do. This isn't anymore.

[goldennotebook]

The Overton Window has shifted: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overton_window

[Avalondaughter]

I think the country is moving to the left actually, but the problem is no one wants to acknowledge it.

Gay marriages are becoming legal in state after state. We have a black president. People are starting to deal with the fact that people with darker skins and funny accents are starting to get respect, money and a little power in this country. Women still fight for reproductive choice. Poll after poll shows that the vast majority of Americans want to keep the social safety nets and tax the 1% more. Most Americans believe in global warming and support environmental measures and sustatainable resources. Women still have abortions and married couples still divorce.

The problem is that these voices are drowned out by the corporate-owned media. Also, "liberal" has become a dirty word. Even if you hold liberal opionions, most people will label themselves as "moderate" or "independent" because liberal has come to mean someone who loves taxes, hates families. It means someone who doesn't believe in working hard for a living. The liberal is seen as a clown, a buffoon, a hater of America and an enemy of capitalism (and probably a communist sympathizer to boot). Liberals don't take responsibility for anything but blame everyone else for their problems. If you're a liberal, you're probably an atheist and most definitely can't be a good Christian. So in the end, no one will call himself a liberal and won't voice his opionion on certain subjects for fear of sounding irrational to others.

It's not a lack of liberal attitudes in the US. It's the suppression of those attitudes.

[Boogalou]

Thanks 2xx1xy1JD for answering my question (not quoting, because it is getting quite long!) I can see why you would vote that way if that is what you are basing your vote on.

[Rosa]

Maybe the fundies are breeding so much in the usa dominionism is starting to take effect!

[pomology]

Meda, I know! They are all so wealthy that any meaningful change would interfere with their own standard of living. Don't get me started on Al Gore...

I get worried that there is no real leftist voice anymore. There are the crazy Republicans, and the Democrats saying, "Look, we are not nearly as crazy!"

Most of the Republicans I know are considering Obama for their vote more than any of the current conservative candidates. If the conservatives are voting for Obama, who the fuck are liberals supposed to vote for?!?!?

[Austin]

I think the country is moving to the left actually, but the problem is no one wants to acknowledge it.

Gay marriages are becoming legal in state after state. We have a black president. People are starting to deal with the fact that people with darker skins and funny accents are starting to get respect, money and a little power in this country. Women still fight for reproductive choice. Poll after poll shows that the vast majority of Americans want to keep the social safety nets and tax the 1% more. Most Americans believe in global warming and support environmental measures and sustatainable resources. Women still have abortions and married couples still divorce.

The problem is that these voices are drowned out by the corporate-owned media. Also, "liberal" has become a dirty word. Even if you hold liberal opionions, most people will label themselves as "moderate" or "independent" because liberal has come to mean someone who loves taxes, hates families. It means someone who doesn't believe in working hard for a living. The liberal is seen as a clown, a buffoon, a hater of America and an enemy of capitalism (and probably a communist sympathizer to boot). Liberals don't take responsibility for anything but blame everyone else for their problems. If you're a liberal, you're probably an atheist and most definitely can't be a good Christian. So in the end, no one will call himself a liberal and won't voice his opionion on certain subjects for fear of sounding irrational to others. It's not a lack of liberal attitudes in the US. It's the suppression of those attitudes.

[emmiedahl]

I disagree with the bolded. I am "older", and I am much more liberal than when I was younger (thanks to the school of real life). And I have a significant number of friends and associates who are the same.

I know there is a perception of the opposite, but I think it is a mistaken perception.