If we on the left are to effectively battle economic and social injustices we must understand the mindset of the opposition. As ironic as the stance of conservative Christian politics is on these issues we need to stop resisting. This is not so much an aberration of Christian doctrine as it is an expression, in no small part, of Christian doctrine ( Read more... )

I generally subscribe to the old political truism that “the government which governs best governs least”. That being said given human nature there are certain things that we must ask our government to do if we are to safeguard our civil rights, create sustainability in our economy, lifestyle and ecosystems, and we must also guarantee equal access ( Read more... )

Libertarians are the True Liberals

Libertarians are the classic liberals. They may be fiscally conservative but they are socially liberal. Both attitudes bespeak of keeping the government out of our lives as much as possible. I am of the opinion that the majority of the voting public espouses these two attitudes - socially liberal and fiscally ( Read more... )

The Roots of Liberty

This is my dilemma. I am a Libertarian trapped in a Socialist’s body. It’s interesting that to be a libertarian today is to be considered to be far right. Yet, in my mind the far right is the more authoritarian side of the conservative spectrum. It’s filled with Neo-cons, religious conservatives and, in extreme cases, fascists. ( Read more... )

The ethical and spiritual purpose of work is to sustain oneself and one’s family. It is with this in mind we should contemplate how we choose to earn our living and pay our bills. That isn’t to say that work should be joyless, or that it should be back breaking and menial. It also doesn’t mean that we must accept subsistence or below subsistence ( Read more... )

The attack against reproductive rights is getting sneakier. Having lost battles at both the state level, such as the resounding defeat of Colorado’s Amendment 48, and at the federal level conservatives are trying to snake in adjustments to existing laws.

The Bush Administration has proposed amendments to HHS regulations to expand provider rights to ( Read more... )

Once again one of my great ideas turns out to have already been thought of by someone else. Yes, Jill there really is such a think as Libertarian Socialism and minds such as cognitive theorist and philosopher Noam Chomsky are among Libertarian Socialism’s most notables. All hail the great Gods of Knowledge residing at the Oracle of Wikipedia.

( Read more... )

Barack Obama is not a socialist! He is a left leaning Democrat, which makes him socially liberal and an interventionist, but that doesn’t mean he is a socialist. I am a socialist! Perhaps it’s just the fact that my employer screwed up my payroll deposit - again! I mean, really - how hard is it to deposit the same amount every 2 weeks? Seriously, I ( Read more... )

A Libertarian Socialist’s Manifesto: Part II [1]

The Problem Posed by Welfare

& the Need for Social Insurance

No one places great value on things they get for free. If they get enough handed to them without earning it they will surely develop a sense of entitlement. If you try and take it away from them they will become like obstinate and spoiled ( Read more... )