Category: Let's talk
I apologise for the length of this post. But I did have to fit many topics into one piece, and some required explanations.
Many people have tried to put me into one political category or another. I've been called almost everything: Liberal, Socialist,, Communist, Fascist, and even Nazi! The last and Communist are the most ridiculous. If you were to ask me, personally, where I belong, I would tell you that, although I was born, brought up and still live in America, and have no Hellenic blood, I'm strictly a Greek patriot and nationalist. But upon hearing that, most would automatically think that I'm purely a conservative. In fact, I have views from all over the spectrum, and this essay will explore several of them. I have also written other essays, devoted to specific issues discussed here, which I will post if asked.
I believe in universal health care, including coverage for evidence-based natural medicine, and education, at least up through the high school level or equivalent (including trade or vocational schools). But there should also be private options for those who desire and who can afford them. The elderly, the disabled and those who are truly poor, should be able to receive benefits, although there are those who abuse them who deserve none. This includes illegal immigrants. I believe in sex education, beginning in the early teens, as part of health class. While we all hope that our children wait until they're of legal age to have sex, this does not always happen. Even if they do, they still need to be aware of the risks and of various options in contraception, so that pregnancy can be avoided. That said, I am pro choice (except in the case of partial birth abortions). I'm also pro death penalty, and pro euthanasia (the last meaning not only the right to die but also the euthanisation of the criminally insane and babies born with severe mental disabilities which would prevent them from knowing basic things or taking care of themselves when they're older.) I believe in harsh punishments, including various forms of torture, for certain serious crimes, such as purposefully harming children or the elderly, and especially for harming the nation. I support nonchemical castration for anyone who rapes/sexually harms children on the first offence, and on the second offence for other cases involving adults. But in all of the above, the guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, and the criminal must be over 18 years of age (16 at the minimum).
I support full rights for children, the elderly, homosexuals, women, the functionally disabled (including those who are physically ill but mentally competent), minority religions, tobacco smokers, raw milk drinkers, etc. That said, I do not agree with affirmative action. Helping someone achieve education, via adaptive technology, for example, is fine, and so is educating the public so that they can be aware of the work and/or academic potential of certain groups which may be overlooked. Forcing companies and universities to have a quota of minorities, whether or not they are as qualified as other candidates, is wrong and degrading. Likewise, I oppose the provision of the ADA which states that employers can't simply ask potential employees about their disabilities and how they can accomplish certain tasks, and can't just tell them that they weren't hired due to their disability. I'm also against firearms in the hands of civilians, and feel that, if they must possess them, there should be strict gun control laws in place. Note that I do not oppose Airsoft and similar guns, bb guns, stunguns, bows and arrows,, sling shots, darts, or cap guns. Yes, the last have actually been prohibited in several places, though I have no idea why. For those who may be unaware, cap guns are toys which produce a loud noise but nothing else.
I find the ideas of Communism to be childish at best and insane at worst. The idea of classlessness, for example, is ridiculous in modern society. I also don't agree with the notion of violent revolution of the workers, nor, for the most part, of civilians in general. I don't approve of the way in which the American states sometimes act like little countries instead of uniting as one nation. I could never understand such a thing and feel strongly that, local laws aside, a nation should be as one. But I don't believe in centralisation USSR style, as this is very dangerous, not to mention economically and culturally harmful. Furthermore, people should never receive the same amount of money when their work is vastly different. They should be intitled to their own private property and should be allowed to own their own companies.
I despise anarchy, and don't believe in direct democracy, nor do I support globalism, except in very limited instances, as I feel it is eroding culture and patriotism. I don't believe in constant protests and strikes, which harm the economy via blocking traffic and/or crippling the transportation system, nor do I ever agree with shootings, bombings and throwing rocks in shop windows etc. I firmly believe in Ησυχία Τάξις και Ασφάλεια, which translates to calm, order and security. It was one of the motos of The Revolution of 21 April 1967 and I wish it were followed more today.
I normally support a democratic form of government. But there are also times when I feel that military rule is necessary. Usually, this is the case when there is an above average level of corruption, lies and theft by the government, when most parties have become many faces of one whole, and when there are massive strikes, protests and demonstrations which run out of control. I'm referring to Greece for the most part. America neither needs nor could handle this type of rule in the proper manner. In any case, There are certain rights which, during a dictatorship, need to be suspended. These include obvious ones like freedom of speech and freedom of the press, but may also include ones which are done to cater to the supporters of the leaders. So they may strip rights for various minority groups, religious rights, rights on what to wear in public etc. All of these must be returned once democracy is restored, and a good dictator will recognise that his rule is not meant to be permenant nor passed onto his children. There are also rights, such as what to do in your own home, the right to grow your own food, what to eat, the right not to be tortured or executed without just cause by those in power/under them, what to believe (even if you have to keep it private) etc. which should never be touched. In short, the public is a dictator's domain. The home always belongs to the people, unless it can be proven that they're working against the government. Now am I saying that they have the right to go after innocent civilians and start shooting them for no reason? Absolutely not. But sometimes, healing takes sacrifice. Please note, however, that my support of military rule does not mean that I agree with starting (or entering) needless wars, as America often does, nor do I believe that one nation should force its' views on others. In fact, as a nationalist, I rarely care what other nations do, so long as their actions don't effect Ellada.
In short, I have many different views on a wide variety of topics. So trying to categorise me is very difficult. Perhaps, the rambler or Little Miss Wordy might be best.
interesting and well written... I myself do not fit into a particular group either, that's why I consider myself an independent.
Thank you for reading this essay and also for your compliments. I think it's a fairly good introduction to my beliefs on a wide variety of topics. I usually recommend that those who wish to hold serious debates with me read it, so they can better understand my point of view.
Great post. It's inspiring me to do the same. I agree with some of what you're saying, but not all. I like how you're able to state your views without bashing others who hold different ones. In a nutshell, thanks for the post as it has led me to want to write one of my own, thus more fully examining my own beliefs and laying them out in some simblence of structure.
These are the types of debates I wish people could have, stating our beliefs and reasons behind them without resorting to the nastyness that usually ensues with political discussions.
I'd much rather debate the issues than personally attack my opponent. It's far more productive that way. The latter has only happened maybe two or three times in my life, and I've been involved in many debates, with a huge variety of views which disagreed with mine. But during those few times, I was also personally attacked first, and the person wasn't listening to reason. That said, I'm really surprised that, such a small number of posts have been made here. I really thought that, given some of my views, we would have a roaring discussing going.
Eleni, I think that many people these days do not commit to a political party/ belief system, and even if they do, they may have some beliefs -that are more conservative or liberal than others.
I myself am very liberal--a hardcore democrat. I don't believe I have a conservative bone in my body.
I think you paint a pretty good picture of the beliefs you hold, I just have one question. When you say you support full rights for children and the functionally disabled, what do you mean by "full rights?" And when you say "full rights," according to what government or governing/legislative documentation should these people have full rights. I only ask because children and certain types of functionally disabled individuals are not autonomous, and so I'm not sure if they are due certain rights such as the rights to vote or bare arms.
Actually, there is a political party which I support, called Σύνδεσμος Εθνικής Ενότητας, or the Association of National Unity. But I cannot vote for them, as I don't live in Greece and am not a citizen. But if they didn't exist, it would be next to impossible for me to choose one. They're nationalists, but not extremists, and have a level-headed platform. Plus, they're composed of retired military officers, not run-of-the-mill politicians, so I feel I can trust them. The only problem is that they're really small, so not many people know about them, and they're not in Parliament, so don't really have any power to change things right now.
http://www.syndesmosee.gr/
That was an extremely good question about rights, and for this reason, I will post my essay on the topic. There, I explain, quite clearly, the different kinds of rights in which I believe, who should get what, which can be temporarily stripped etc. But to answer your question, when I said "full rights" I was really thinking of the right for homosexuals to get married. But all of the groups in that list have a history of being discriminated against in one way or another. So I suppose what I meant is that they should be treated like everyone else, including having the right to be able to speak up against abuse etc. But I mean real abuse, not, as in the case of children, being grounded for a week for not cleaning their room and not doing their homework.
Certainly, children should not have the right to vote, as they don't yet understand the political system or complex things. But they should be taught about them, on a level that they can understand, and maybe have some kind of practice voting, as they get older, at home or in school, so that they can learn how to study up on important issues and the views held about them by the various parties.
I'm not particularly fond of the idea of civilians baring firearms, as I said. But if it must be done, then no one under the age of 16 (preferably 18) should be allowed to own or carry them. As for weapons that are not firearms, perhaps they can carry them when hunting or going to target practice with their families. I see nothing wrong with a child learning how to use a sling shot, a bow and arrow, and maybe even a bb gun, all under supervision. I have no problem with an Airsoft gun, as those are fairly harmless.
As for the functionally disabled not being autonomous, some of these are fine, and need only a little care. Perhaps, they're forgetful or can't do certain things for themselves, like go grocery shopping etc. But if they're so mentally disabled that they're a threat to society, or that they can't understand basic things, I think the best choice for them is euthanasia.
Hmmm it is probably better than allowing them to rot in a sell somewhere. Also, a bit off topic but I just was wondering:
If you admit to not beeing greek (post 1) how can you consider yourself of a certain political party over there?
I am not Greek in blood or citizenship. That is certainly true. But I am a Hellenic patriot and nationalist. So naturally, I read the news from there and am up-to-date on politics, though I may be slightly behind now, as I haven't read the news in a week or so. You may enjoy my essay called "My Greekness: How it Began", under Getting to Know You. There's nothing political there. It's just a bit about how it all started for me.
I'll have to read that.
Thanks to Sword of Sapphire's question on rights, I was prompted to post my essay on the subject. I does mention some of the same ground covered here, but is more specifically related to types of rights etc. margorp, when you said, "Hmmm it is probably better than allowing them to rot in a sell somewhere", were you referring to euthanising the severely mentally ill?
I was refering to that, yes.
I'm glad to see that someone on here agrees with me and doesn't make me out to be a monster for it! I thought that I explained myself well on this topic, but many still don't seem to understand my view and think I believe these things just to be cruel.
It would be cruil to send these people to rot in prison with no contact from the outside world. I'd rather be dead than that.
well, voting pupurposes I am a republican but otherwise I am a laisez-faire capitalist and a very strict radical one too. I am a huge advocate for that, but everyone should know that!