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Pure opinion, no links in this one.
Talk to most people about politics and you are immediately thrown into a Democrat/liberal vs. Republican/conservative debate. There is no other axis of debate, there are no other schools of thought. Speaking out against an issue supported by one side means that you automatically fully support all issues, programs and candidates from the other.
This is complete and utter bullshit.
I can come up with five major political groups in the US, each of which has it's own internal debates and differences.
In no particular order:
Labor - There is a major Labor party in every other Western democracy. For a long time the Democrats were the de facto labor party but they have drifted, though they still retain the official backing of the big unions. Important labor issues are worker's rights, employer provided health care, minimum wages, labor union building, job markets, etc.
Fundamentalist Christians - Fundamentalists of all religions are pretty much the same, the only differences are window dressing and how far they are willing to go to subject every one else to their beliefs. It the US most of them are still only willing to pass silly or draconian laws, but there are more and more willing to take matters into their own hands. Their issues are always what they define as "moral" ones. Doing away with legal abortion, gay rights and women's rights, putting creationism in schools, culture wars, etc. The Republican party is this group's power base, particularly in the south and the administration.
Classical conservatives - Mostly concerned with taxes, government spending, governments regulations and dealing with foreign nations in that they are against all of them as much as possible. Most of them are in the Republican party, but a few brave/radical ones make up the Libertarian party.
Social Activists - A collection of environmentalists, feminists, freedom fighters, peace activists, social reformers, etc. Most of them are still in the Democratic party, but many are becoming disillusioned with the party leadership and are leaving it to join the Green party. They like to hold protest signs. I fit in here. Issues include environmental policy, decentralization, equality, etc.
Corporate - The rich always have a disproportionately powerful voice, and it is no different in the US. They want government deregulation of industry, both environmental and labor related, are against minimum wage increases, support corporate welfare and government spending if it means money for the corporations. They have been in control of the Republican party for decades. Much of this group, in particular the current administration, have allied themselves with the Fundamentalists, producing the neo-conservatives.
So then we have the two parties. The Republicans have a strong neoconservative leadership, pushing us even farther into an authoritarian oligarchy. They have their own internal divisions, but they have never been good at allowing them air time. In the Republican party you lead, follow, or get out of the way. The Democratic leadership has forgotten who they are and who they represent. They know they aren't Republicans but other than that they don't have a clue and it shows.
Talk to most people about politics and you are immediately thrown into a Democrat/liberal vs. Republican/conservative debate. There is no other axis of debate, there are no other schools of thought. Speaking out against an issue supported by one side means that you automatically fully support all issues, programs and candidates from the other.
This is complete and utter bullshit.
I can come up with five major political groups in the US, each of which has it's own internal debates and differences.
In no particular order:
Labor - There is a major Labor party in every other Western democracy. For a long time the Democrats were the de facto labor party but they have drifted, though they still retain the official backing of the big unions. Important labor issues are worker's rights, employer provided health care, minimum wages, labor union building, job markets, etc.
Fundamentalist Christians - Fundamentalists of all religions are pretty much the same, the only differences are window dressing and how far they are willing to go to subject every one else to their beliefs. It the US most of them are still only willing to pass silly or draconian laws, but there are more and more willing to take matters into their own hands. Their issues are always what they define as "moral" ones. Doing away with legal abortion, gay rights and women's rights, putting creationism in schools, culture wars, etc. The Republican party is this group's power base, particularly in the south and the administration.
Classical conservatives - Mostly concerned with taxes, government spending, governments regulations and dealing with foreign nations in that they are against all of them as much as possible. Most of them are in the Republican party, but a few brave/radical ones make up the Libertarian party.
Social Activists - A collection of environmentalists, feminists, freedom fighters, peace activists, social reformers, etc. Most of them are still in the Democratic party, but many are becoming disillusioned with the party leadership and are leaving it to join the Green party. They like to hold protest signs. I fit in here. Issues include environmental policy, decentralization, equality, etc.
Corporate - The rich always have a disproportionately powerful voice, and it is no different in the US. They want government deregulation of industry, both environmental and labor related, are against minimum wage increases, support corporate welfare and government spending if it means money for the corporations. They have been in control of the Republican party for decades. Much of this group, in particular the current administration, have allied themselves with the Fundamentalists, producing the neo-conservatives.
So then we have the two parties. The Republicans have a strong neoconservative leadership, pushing us even farther into an authoritarian oligarchy. They have their own internal divisions, but they have never been good at allowing them air time. In the Republican party you lead, follow, or get out of the way. The Democratic leadership has forgotten who they are and who they represent. They know they aren't Republicans but other than that they don't have a clue and it shows.