Can the term Libertist be applied to the United States and most of other Western nations in the way Fascist works for Nazi Germany and Italy under Mussolini, or Communist works for Cuba and the former Soviet Union?
Maybe if we went back in time 75 years ago. Things in the U.S. have been gradually becoming more like China while, meanwhile, the authoritarianism in China is being rolled back a bit and the country has had a growing middle class. Not saying China is freer than the U.S. at this point, but they have been coming closer to convergence.
The GOP is trying to make it like China - for example, forced patriotism from football players. But aside from the last couple of years, what do you mean? How is the US becoming like China?
That is good news for me in a way. Now only if China would have the Swedish or Dutch political views on sexuality (including discrimination and hate speech protection) but keep their restrictions on religious "freedom". Anyway, I'm trying to find a term for "free nation" ideology. I tend to see conservatives and liberals (especially of the American variety) in the same category. Basically a name for anyone who can agree with the United States' First Amendment and is against all the actions taken by dictatorships to ensure societal unity. So far Libertist has been the best, easiest label to work with.
Compulsory patriotism is part of what creates societal unity. However, I am not fond of the "GOP" and their Judeo-Christian oriented ideals.
MAAAAATE Compared to Australia you are so far right we have to get out a telescope each time we talk to you!!!
I am even more concerned about the number of members claiming to be conservative here who are backing the Russians
Hello Bowerbird. After electing an Atheist Prime Minister, and the moderate success of Fiona Patten (and the her Reason Party, formerly known as the Australian Sex Party) I actually feel there is a lot of hope for Australia possibly embracing ideologically syncretic policies. As for the United States, you are correct. It is very far right by my standards.
Putin is a Russian Orthodox Rightist who has a lot of control over his nation. That is why many conservatives in Western nations admire him. If I remember correctly, he was referred to by a Russian Orthodox priest as a "Lion of Christianity".
One of the few things I agree with you about. I don't understand conservatives who are pro-Russian either, and I say this as a conservative. Russia is not to be trusted.
I almost want to say libertarian, since that is the correct term, but it is already taken by a political party which believes in less law, rather than more. Maybe a constitutionalist, but the constitution has been aborted for something "living".
That's how I refer to some of them at times, as Constitutionalists. For Americans at least. Though given that every country has a constitution of their own, and a constitution can be made with authoritarian views in mind, I'm not sure it can be applied appropriately to all nations. Essentially, I'm looking for a term to call "non-totalitarians". Whether they are left or right leaning. I can't say I agree with America's founders, but I appreciate the link all the same. I do find it interesting to read. Thank you, Chester_Murphy.
A thought occurred to me - every time I watch a sporting event, invariably the announcers say that American soldiers are fighting overseas "for our freedom". Just what the hell are these people talking about? Neither Afghanistan nor Iraq represented any threat to the USA. No one threatened our freedoms in either of those countries nor anywhere else. The fact that this same message, this same blatant lie is repeated each and every night on sports events and on TV. Just who is paying these people to tell such lies?
I'm not sure who. It would be better if they claimed that their soldiers are fighting for America's interests. If I had a nation I could feel a deep sense patriotism for, I wouldn't mind such a claim. I don't see the issue with being the "aggressor". The problem is the lying aspect.
