Comments on: On the fractious diversity of The Left (Updated) http://barrdear.com/john/2008/04/05/on-the-fractious-diversity-of-the-left/ Thoughts about economics, politics and life in general Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:54:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: John Barrdear http://barrdear.com/john/2008/04/05/on-the-fractious-diversity-of-the-left/#comment-149 John Barrdear Sun, 06 Apr 2008 12:03:44 +0000 http://barrdear.com/john/2008/04/05/on-the-fractious-diversity-of-the-left/#comment-149 Dani points out that it might be partially explained by the fact that often, those on "the left" are advocating a move to an entirely new place for the given society, while those on "the right" advocate a return to what (they believe) once was. There is a reason why those on the right call themselves "conservatives" and those on the left (are trying to rebrand themselves as) "progressives". Dani points out that it might be partially explained by the fact that often, those on “the left” are advocating a move to an entirely new place for the given society, while those on “the right” advocate a return to what (they believe) once was. There is a reason why those on the right call themselves “conservatives” and those on the left (are trying to rebrand themselves as) “progressives”.

]]> By: John Barrdear http://barrdear.com/john/2008/04/05/on-the-fractious-diversity-of-the-left/#comment-147 John Barrdear Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:44:34 +0000 http://barrdear.com/john/2008/04/05/on-the-fractious-diversity-of-the-left/#comment-147 From the point of view of the lefties, I'm sure that the policies of the Howard government over their time seemed like huge jumps, but I'm equally sure that from the point of view of the Howard supporters, they seemed like incremental change. I'll grant you that the US Patriot Act was a pretty huge step, but it seems to me that overall, the erosion of the US government's willingness to grant me some privacy has been continual over Bush's term. More to the point, though: I don't think that the crazy-right is interested in incremental change. They want dramatic change just as much as the crazy-left does. The difference is that the crazy-right are willing to move towards their goal one step at a time, while the crazy-left want a bleeding revolution. From the point of view of the lefties, I’m sure that the policies of the Howard government over their time seemed like huge jumps, but I’m equally sure that from the point of view of the Howard supporters, they seemed like incremental change.

I’ll grant you that the US Patriot Act was a pretty huge step, but it seems to me that overall, the erosion of the US government’s willingness to grant me some privacy has been continual over Bush’s term.

More to the point, though: I don’t think that the crazy-right is interested in incremental change. They want dramatic change just as much as the crazy-left does. The difference is that the crazy-right are willing to move towards their goal one step at a time, while the crazy-left want a bleeding revolution.

]]> By: Alec http://barrdear.com/john/2008/04/05/on-the-fractious-diversity-of-the-left/#comment-148 Alec Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:31:12 +0000 http://barrdear.com/john/2008/04/05/on-the-fractious-diversity-of-the-left/#comment-148 Ummm... You criticise the crazy left, but if you think the crazy-arsed right is interested in incremental change you just don't read the news. Ummm… You criticise the crazy left, but if you think the crazy-arsed right is interested in incremental change you just don’t read the news.

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