EnMasse

[Eleutheromaniac]

OK - so I've gathered that the people on this board tend towards the 'left wing' in their viewpoint. My question to you is: what does that mean? What are your values? Can you please tell me what you believe, using your own words?

[TS.]

You're going to have to be a little more specific. Do you mean what do we believe about the organization of the economy? What do we believe about tax policy? What do we believe about redistribution of wealth? What do we believe about reproductive rights? What do we believe about equality rights? What do we believe about gun control laws? What do we believe about limitations on free speech? I could go on with that list, but I won't. We also don't have one unitary set of views here.

If you mean what is my general philosophy, I consider myself to be a socialist and a feminist, and that shapes my views on the above issues as well as many others.
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"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." - Thomas Jefferson

[Eleutheromaniac]

Yes

Why are you a socialist and a feminist, and what exactly does that mean? Please describe it, in your own words.

I'm not expecting a uniform set of views. Even in the most homogeneous group you're going to find different viewpoints. I want to find out what your individual members think, and why.

Let me re-phrase: what do you consider to be your most important values?

[TS.]

I am a socialist because I see the everyday reality of capital being used by the ruling class to beat down the workers and the poor around the world and because of the history of my family and the awareness of my own privilege as a member of the middle class. To me socialism is about equality. Not a liberal equality of opportunity, but about equality of outcome. To me it means that everyone, no matter who you are or where you were born, who is so inclined can get a higher education and a good job. That people, not profits, should drive the economy and fiscal policy decisions of the government. I believe that the government can and should be a force for good in regulating and planning the economy. That everyone has a right to high-quality universal healthcare. I believe that there is a positive right to safe shelter and nutritious food, and that the government should guarantee that. I believe that at bottom capitalism is exploitation, of the many by the few for the benefit of the few.

I am a feminist because I see the way that patriarchy conspires to control women, and because I have had the enormous benefit of strong feminist women in my life, who opened my eyes to my unearned privilege as a man. I believe that every woman has the right to control her own body, including the choice of whether or not to become pregnant, and whether or not to abort a pregnancy. I believe in equal pay for equal work, and the elimination of the pink-collar ghetto. I believe that the personal is political and that the political is personal. I believe that we have a positive duty to take such actions as are necessary to smash every glass ceiling and every old-boys network.

So I suppose the values that is most important to me are equality and justice. So much else is covered by those values. Social justice, equal rights for all regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, class of birth. Equality in health, equality in education and equality in housing. Equality and justice underpin all of the beliefs above.

How about you?
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"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." - Thomas Jefferson

[RP.]

I believe you're trying to wind people up.

[No Yards]

Eleutheromaniac, you said you came trying to find if "is it possible to find an intelligent, well-reasoned discussion on the Internet".

Define discussion please.

The views of the board "regulars" is well documented here, a little bit of reading will get you your answers.

Since "our" views are easily available to you, I would suggest that YOU should be the one answering your own questions so we can see who we are dealing with.

Sorry, but usually when people come here asking for our opinions first rather than sharing their opinions with us so everyone can be more comfortable no one is being "played by a troll", then the experienced poster starts to get suspicious.

You may not be a "troll", but the way you're starting off with your line of one sided questioning rather than trying a more "sharing" approach, sets off a lot of alarms for many of us.
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I follow, but more importantly, respect the Golden Rule. I fully and completely respect your right to be 'done on to' as you would 'do on to' others.

[RP.]

Indeed. Usually when one starts a thread asking others to share, they get the ball rolling.

[TS.]

I figured the benefit of the doubt was in order, and decided to answer the questions. I would like to hear your views, and what you value, Eleutheromaniac.
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"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." - Thomas Jefferson

[RP.]

You know, besides having a madness for freedom.

[Vundo Draxon]

I believe in Harvey Dent.

[Eleutheromaniac]

I have only asked honest questions. I have not spammed, trolled, baited, insulted nor attacked. To be confronted with such suspicion is, well ... telling.

I believe that the scientific method is the best way of finding truth, hands down. Only by subjecting our ideas to the cold, hard process of objective testing can we find out if they're true or not. The demands of rational evidence strips away hype, spin and propaganda. The progress of humanity proves it.

As per my nickname, I believe that the best society is one that affords the most personal freedom for everyone. This means we need to have rules that are applied impartially to everyone and there has to be penalties for breaking those rules - usually involving loss of of some sort of liberties. Respect for another individual is best expressed in allowing that person to make his/her own choices, even if you disagree with them. I believe that personal freedom and personal responsibility are inextricably linked - and breaking that link is a recipe for problems.

I believe that the government's prime function is to prevent the individual's choices from being restricted by the rich, powerful, popular and the loud.

I find the concept of a person or group overriding an individual's personal choices to be morally repugnant. On a macro scale that's usually called tyranny or domination, but it's just as vile on a micro scale.

I believe that the psyche of mankind was largely formed while staring out a cave entrance or tent flap, knowing that anything that came out of the darkness was likely to kill you, your family and your clan. That's where our fear of the unknown came from and that's what still drives us to cluster into groups and draw lines separating US from THEM. It is our lust for power that drives us to reach beyond those lines and attempt to bend others to our will. I believe human behavior is still mostly tribal.

It has been my experience that truth sometimes lies somewhere in between two or more extremes, sometimes is a mix of both, and is only extremely rarely found only at one end of the spectrum.

I believe that most people are intellectually lazy and physically energetic.

I believe that life is rife with paradox.

I believe that when people from vastly different worlds, with vastly diverging viewpoints can find middle ground and decide that the things they agree on are the things that will define their relationship; that is among the best that humanity has to offer.

[Willow]

TS Is there an emoticon for a Standing Ovation? Well said. Ditto for me.
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There is a wisdom of the head, and....a wisdom of the heart. Charles Dickens

[bshmr]

This showed today and gave me pause, though I would title it Three Marks of Existence

[Tricycle.com]Daily Dharma March 6, 2012

We Are Not Alone

Sometimes when I’m asked to describe the Buddhist teachings, I say this: Everything is connected; nothing lasts; you are not alone. This is really just a restatement of the traditional Three Marks of Existence: non-self, impermanence, and suffering. The fact that we all suffer means we are all in the same boat, and that’s what allows us to feel compassion.

- Lewis Richmond, "The Authentic Life"