Why I'm a Socialist

In reading a lot of the nonsense by right wingers the past few years, I feel it is necessary to point out several of the major flaws in their thinking and to likewise state what I believe in and what I assume many others actually believe in. 

I refer to myself as either a democratic socialist or a libertarian socialist. 

By these terms I mean that I believe quite profoundly in the intimate connection between liberalism and socialism.  I tend to see that socialism is the logical development on liberal/libertarian ideological principles. 

There is a great deal of talk by the right wing about the principles of libertarianism, limited government, and individual liberty.  There is often the claim that these principles are what this country was founded on and that they are the true form of liberalism.  I say let’s go back to the writings of the father of liberalism, John Locke, and really examine what he was talking about.

President Obama instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency

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APV:  President Obama Instructed all Federal Agencies to Promote Openness and Transparency

On his first day in office, President Obama issued a Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies on Transparency and Open Government; a directive stating his administration's commitment to "creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government."

"My Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government.  We will work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Openness will strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in Government."

1. Government should be transparent.

2. Government should be participatory.

3. Government should be collaborative.

"I direct the Chief Technology Officer, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Administrator of General Services, to coordinate the development by appropriate executive departments and agencies, within 120 days, of recommendations for an Open Government Directive, to be issued by the Director of OMB, that instructs executive departments and agencies to take specific actions implementing the principles set forth in this memorandum. The independent agencies should comply with the Open Government Directive."

"Should banks be a public utility?" No, but I like the idea of a community banking system [VIDEO]

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"Should banks be a public utility?" No, but I like the idea of a community bank system

I’m a liberal who has no interest in making the federal government any bigger than they already are and actually wants to make it smaller -- the budget and workforce -- and more efficient…but without the irresponsible behavior of our private banking system and without the fact that they can bring down our economy like in 2008.

A note from America's Progressive Voice

[Here is a special note from America's Progressive Voice...a most outstanding Facebook page that you should follow (just search them in the search bar).  If you would like to contribute, email peopleforpolity@gmail.com.]

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America's Progressive Voice

Facebook is an outstanding place to talk with old friends, make new ones, and share family pictures and recipes. We can use it for more.

We can gather and learn and organize and disseminate.

Together, with the other progressive Facebook pages, we can track down every last liberal on here and get them to start feeling confident enough to join in the conversation and FIRE UP AMERICA!

Woo Hoo! (and the crowds go wild!)

Big Government Republicans: Michele Bachman and Rick Perry deeply associated with dominionism [VIDEO]

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"Michelle Bachmann & Rick Perry Deeply Associated With Dominionism!" -- Big Government Republicans

As a Liberal Democrat with a strong belief in Liberal Democracy, who believes Free People in a Free Society should be able to live freely without government interfering in how Free People should live their own lives (as long as we are not hurting anyone else with our freedom), I get worried every time I hear Big Government Democrats or Republicans, Socialists on the Far Left or Authoritarians on the Far Right, come out in favor of policies that restrict our freedom, whether it be Economic or Social.

Let's have a governmental flash mob

[Check out Kenna Toney every day over at Notes 2 Ponder!]

Law-enforcement officials in cities from Washington to Las Vegas have struggled to control flash mobs here in the United States.  Meanwhile in England, The Labour Party, Prime Minister David Cameron, and his Conservative-Liberal Democrat government have used water cannons and plastic bullets in an effort to curtail what they are labeling as rioting.

These events point to a potential change in the way the disenfranchised express their displeasure with government, says Paul Levinson, a professor of communication at Fordham University in New York and author of New New Media.

Tea Party blues...

[Today we welcome back conservative writer AlwaysRight.  If you would like to contribute, please email peopleforpolity@gmail.com!]

I don't think I've been called a racist more times in my life than when Obama took office.  Is that because I've all of a sudden become a bigot?  Or is it because people have gotten overly sensitive and protective because a black man is in office?

Nah…probably because of the cross burning incident with my lesbian Jew neighbors with the hispanic/black mixed child.

They just REFUSE to stop parking in the damn street.

Side note:  I don't use the term "African American” unless you are from Africa…which my wife is.  She is more African than most black people in this country and refuses to use the term.

And there is nothing wrong with black, as there is nothing wrong with white, so don't start.  We're all American.  People get a kick out of it when I call her an "African American" in public.

You see, when Obama took office, it was a landmark day in our countries history.  It really was.  First black man to be president…and although I didn't vote for him, it was a key point in our nation's timeline.

But it was also a turning point in the way we are used to critiquing politicians.  Especially for us white folk.