rhys 0 #1 October 20, 2008 Another thread got me thinking about this, i often wonder what goes on inside other peoples minds, especially in here as the majority seem to have opposing thought processes to mine. For me the left represents sharing and caring, obviously there is the extremes on both sides and we'll call the extreme left hippies or commies (for all you righties out there), for the right greed and power seems to spring to my mind. For me the ideal situation (centre) is a balance between capitalism and socialism. The socialism would give the people the voice and power to stop large greedy entities from abusing their power and lust for more control and money. The capitalism would allow individuals to make something of themselves and reward hard work and entrepreneurial skills. Completely socialist(extreme left) or on the contrary completely capitalist(extreme right) societies are doomed to failure, not because the systems are at fault but human nature and the ever increasing desire to satisfy ones desires is never ending. what are your 'individual' thoughts on left, right and centre. I don't mean prove me wrong or discuss other peoples opinions, just talk about your own!"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #2 October 20, 2008 >For me the ideal situation (centre) is a balance between capitalism and socialism. Yes, and that's sort of the definition of the USA. Socialist police, roads, air traffic control etc. Capitalist economy with socialist controls (i.e. anti-monopoly laws, bailouts, labor laws.) The trick is finding the right balance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #3 October 20, 2008 Quote The socialism would give the people the voice and power to stop large greedy entities from abusing their power and lust for more control and money. The capitalism would allow individuals to make something of themselves and reward hard work and entrepreneurial skills. The problem here is that the government is made up of the same sorts of people who are greedy when running private business, except now they're officers in a company with 3000 billion in revenues instead of $50B for a large company like Microsoft . For things to work well, you probably need to limit government size so that people can do better in private industry. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mdrejhon 8 #4 October 21, 2008 The center is shifting all the time, it's a balance between the left and the right. I think the voting process of a democracy is kind of what defines the center. If the people of a country, on average, wants to move further right, more people vote for what they think is the right-wing party. Or left-wing if wanting to move left. The losing party (more or less) gradually shifts slightly, to re-balance the center and try to regain a few lost votes on the next time around. It's a survival mechanism of any long-running political party, especially very obvious in any long running 2-party systems. Otherwise, the party eventually goes extinct or replaced by a different party that better pivots around the center. (Imagine the hypothetical scenario what would have happened if one of the U.S. parties stayed the same as 150 years ago. One party would have likely gone extinct eventually, since it would be no longer adapting to the evolving demands of the electorate) The pressures to win the vote, forces both parties to shift over time. In a two party system, one appears typically slightly to the left of center and one is slightly to the right of center. As it is being observed, even McCain is more left of Bush (even though it's debatable by how much). And Schwartzenegger, arguably more 'left' than an average Republician, successfully won California some years ago after the Gray Davis years. (Actually, I was working in Silicon Valley just shortly before it happened). Even though the U.S. presidency moved right (Clinton being replaced by Bush in 2000). So the center shifts around, and the center is different is in different parts of even the same country... Utah's definition of center would be very different from California's, even. The center fluctuates all the time - as the electorate changes, voting patterns, how the parties shifts and all. Tug of war. So there's no such thing as an 'absolute' center -- it'd be like saying the Sun is the absolute center of the Universe... All we know it's somewhere between left and right. Somewhat simplistic, I know. More good chat here too: One country's "right" is another country's "left"... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #5 October 21, 2008 The centre is what I think. If you disagree with me you are right/left wing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #6 October 21, 2008 Centre noun 1. antiquated way of spelling center.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mdrejhon 8 #7 October 21, 2008 May I have the middle instead, please? (Eats an Oreo cookie.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,150 #8 October 21, 2008 A point within a circle from which every part of the circumference is equidistant.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #9 October 21, 2008 A leftist is anyone to the left of me. A right-wonger is anyone to the right of me. Because I'm actually centrist. Which is what probably 90 percent of people think. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #10 October 21, 2008 QuoteA leftist is anyone to the left of me. A right-wonger is anyone to the right of me. Because I'm actually centrist. Which is what probably 90 percent of people think. Damn, I should have said that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #11 October 21, 2008 Quote A point within a circle from which every part of the circumference is equidistant. Which bring up an interesting point. If the universe is infinite then from me to the outer point of the universe must be infinite in every direction, which, obviously must mean I AM the center of the universe.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #12 October 21, 2008 The logic is sound but the conclusion is flawed, therefore the (conditional) premise must be false. The universe is not infinite. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #13 October 21, 2008 Quade: You have secured a nomination for next year's Ignobel Prize in physics (about another 50 weeks away). But then, I also think that if you are the center of the universe, then the expansion of the universe explains the expansion of the middle of your middle. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #14 October 21, 2008 QuoteQuade: You have secured a nomination for next year's Ignobel Prize in physics (about another 50 weeks away). But then, I also think that if you are the center of the universe, then the expansion of the universe explains the expansion of the middle of your middle. I like that. I've been blaming my belly size on getting too broken to exercise and too few hobbies after moving other than beer drinking to compensate for a stressful job but now I can just say that my growing gut and pant size are a simple consequence of me being at the center of the universe. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhys 0 #15 October 21, 2008 QuoteCentre noun 1. antiquated way of spelling center. only in America, the rest of the world spells it centre."When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #16 October 21, 2008 QuoteQuoteCentre noun 1. antiquated way of spelling center. only in that part of America where they were illiterate for 100 years or so, the rest of the world spells it centre. Fixed it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #17 October 21, 2008 If you Limeys would learn to speak and right English we wouldn't be having this discussion. The letter "u" is not necessary for "color" or "neighbor." Furthermore, there is no "f" in "birthday" and no "r" in "idea." Americans simplify and make things efficient. We even have dentists. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #18 October 21, 2008 Quote If you Limeys would learn to speak and right English we wouldn't be having this discussion. The letter "u" is not necessary for "color" or "neighbor." Furthermore, there is no "f" in "birthday" and no "r" in "idea." Americans simplify and make things efficient. We even have dentists. And no pussy "lorries". Americans have trucks, by God. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,150 #19 October 21, 2008 QuoteThe logic is sound but the conclusion is flawed, therefore the (conditional) premise must be false. The universe is not infinite. How do you know that? The part we can detect is not infinite. Quade's conclusion is reasonable, but I think nerdgirl would be a better choice.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nerdgirl 0 #20 October 21, 2008 QuoteIf the universe is infinite then from me to the outer point of the universe must be infinite in every direction, which, obviously must mean I AM the center of the universe. QuoteQuoteThe logic is sound but the conclusion is flawed, therefore the (conditional) premise must be false. The universe is not infinite. How do you know that? The part we can detect is not infinite. Quade's conclusion is reasonable, but I think nerdgirl would be a better choice. Thank you. I really don't want that responsibility, however. I prefer to be at intersections, margins, and bridging gaps. I'll pass the nomination to Wendy, who can decide how she wants to respond. VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #21 October 21, 2008 QuoteAnd no pussy "lorries". Americans have trucks, by God. Well, if not by God, then at least by Ford or Chevy.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
