An open minded moderate [ordoliberal]

[rezzza]

Hi everyone, I have already opened a thread in OI if you have not seen it, really impressed with the responses so far, this site has been great so far.

Some background

I would consider myself an open-minded independent. I came here as it is one of the biggest revolutionary leftist sites on the web and I want to see with my own eyes your theories and beliefs, as opposed to the propaganda one is fed at school etc (i'm 16 btw).

I am hoping to be swayed further leftwards, as i am pretty centrist at the moment. I hope not to offend anyone here with my perhaps uninformed opinion of Marxism.

Some of my beliefs to give a better background of myself

Social issues

-decriminalization of certain drugs, full legalization of marijuana, tax and regulate its consumption, offer addicts rehab centers and spend money on research
-freedom of speech, expression, media is crucial
-separation of religion and state- people are free to believe what they want but keep it separate from the state (secularist)
-conservation of the environment is crucial, climate change is a threat (economic issue as well)
-rehabilitation is more important than punishment--> provide extensive programs into giving criminals a life again. Government programs to reduce crime etc

Economic issues

-good standards of education for everyone (but if you want to pay more for an even better standard then that's fine
-good standards of healthcare for everyone (but if you want to pay more for an even better standard thats fine
-policies encouraging investment, private enterprises etc
-a good welfare system to cater for the disadvantaged
-employment equity programs, programs for the poor, negative income taxes and trade unions all encouraged/endorsed
-excellent public infrastructure- state must invest in infrastructure, technology and scientific development
-ease of doing business, employment conditions laws, stable minimum wage
-programs to reduce unemployment etc

I have yet to embrace Marxist ideals like wage labor is wrong etc but I hope my stay at this site allows me a glimpse into the revolutionary left!

I hope I am not considered fascist btw as I know those are not allowed:confused:

Gabriel

[bad ideas actualised by alcohol]

I wouldn't exactly call you a fascist, more a social-democrat, in the current sense of the word.
You're the same age as I was when I got into leftist politics, well I was 15. Before that I would have had about the same opinions as you. So if, for whatever reason, you'd like to discuss politics with someone around your age I could help you out.
If you want to know more about revolutionary leftist politics, including but not limited to marxism, the Learning section is your place to go. Or you could send other users Private Messages, I know that a lot of users, including myself, are happy to answer them for you.

I hope you can learn from this place and, hopefully, move to the left politically, we shall see.

[rezzza]

Thanks for the response man. I will say I am having trouble understanding many Marxian concepts. Not really rejecting them, just need them explained in a simple way, i'll inbox you some questions i have :)

[Domela Nieuwenhuis]

First things first.
Welcom to this forum!

Why don't you start with reading some of Marx's texts first? They might explain his ideas to you.
You can find them (and of many other Marxists and other leftist writers/inspirers) at Marxists.org.

[rezzza]

funny enough that is where i am reading currently:D

can someone explain the labor theory of value and why it is preferable to the subjective theory of value theory?

how does one solve the diamond-water paradox for example, with the LTV?

i guess wage labor is exploitative because it follows logically from the LTV (that labor creates value), so i guess once my previous question is answered we can move on to wage labor :)