This blog is a political blog from a left-of-centre perspective. This is not specifically a party political blog, but does have a Lib Dem orientation. Constructive enagement with radical liberals, social democrats / democratic socialists and greens is particularly welcomed.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Do Liberals annoy you ?

This gem can be found on LabourHome. The original text is this :

Do liberals annoy you?

jkitleft Sat Oct 11, 2008 at 12:22:27 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook
I am young, so I don't know many in my age group who would describe themselves as 'socialists', or 'social democrats'. Most describe themselves as liberals.

What does that mean exactly? They're 'liberal', because they are pro gay-rights, pro-choice, and anti death penalty.

They annoy the hell out of me.



Don't get me wrong, I think gay rights, a woman's right to choose, and the abolishment of the death penalty are incredibly important, and I support all three causes. But to me, social housing, minimum wage, parental leave, redistribution, the fight to end child poverty etc. are more important issues.

I resent being told that the Labour party is more right-wing than the Tories, by 'liberals' who publically admit to being snobs.

These liberals would easily vote fo Cameron: ooh look, he has had a picture taken with a polar bear. There he is with one, wait, TWO(!), gay shadow cabinet ministers. He must be such a progressive then...

You can call yourself left-wing if you come help Labour defend redistribution and equality. You can call yourself left-wing if you come join Labour in defending universal healthcare. You can't call yourself left-wing if you're only claim to liberalism is being 'green', while fanning yourself with industrial sized air conditioning in Whole Foods Market, but not giving a damn about the day to day issues that effect the working and lower middle classes of this country.


Ok, rant over.


Even more interesting are the comments to this. These can be found out :

http://www.labourhome.org/story/2008/10/11/72227/583

Two quick points :

1) Few have any notion of any of the differing strands of Liberalism or understanding thereof

2) Remarkably many see their party as being on for 'liberals' !

Labels:

4 Comments:

Blogger Jennie Rigg said...

This is what happens when people absorb the American definition of Liberal from the telly and try and apply it in a British context.

12:47 am GMT

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Interesting post...the histroy and heritage of all strands on the left is a complex place I think and plenty of socialists would love to deny the historic closeness between socialism and liberalism and vice-versa...

I tend to think of the two as ill-at-ease siblings; related but often squabbling...sometimes pointlessly and just for its own sake...however, i see no reason why accomodations cannot be reached....

9:49 am GMT

 
Blogger edjoyce said...

'social housing, minimum wage, parental leave, redistribution' are fine for those people want them but what of those who don't want state interference in their lives ? How can we get away from this oppressive interference ? There are just so many rules and lists and queues and deception and other nonesense created by these. I don't deny that these have a role but there must be an exit for those who want to be free and are prepared to give up these 'priviledges' for freedom.

When are you going to leave people to live their own lives. Liberals might annoy you but we don't make you do anything you don't want to do but you want to constantly interfere in our lives with your petty rules. I don't want a minimum wage or parental leave I want freedom to negotiate these with my employer. I don't want any state interference. I don't want a council house I want to buy my own or live in rented accomodation and negotiate freely with a private landlord.

Please give an out for those who don't want to live by your rules.

Ed Joyce

12:44 am GMT

 
Blogger edjoyce said...

'social housing, minimum wage, parental leave, redistribution' are fine for those people want them but what of those who don't want state interference in their lives ? How can we get away from this oppressive interference ? There are just so many rules and lists and queues and deception and other nonesense created by these. I don't deny that these have a role but there must be an exit for those who want to be free and are prepared to give up these 'priviledges' for freedom.

When are you going to leave people to live their own lives. Liberals might annoy you but we don't make you do anything you don't want to do but you want to constantly interfere in our lives with your petty rules. I don't want a minimum wage or parental leave I want freedom to negotiate these with my employer. I don't want any state interference. I don't want a council house I want to buy my own or live in rented accomodation and negotiate freely with a private landlord.

Please give an out for those who don't want to live by your rules.

Ed Joyce

12:45 am GMT

 

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