Schrödinger's Cat
30th October 2008, 20:13
A few problems I've seen with socialist parties in the United States.
- They're way too compromising to social democracy. It's okay to disagree over subjects of socialism, but when you're pandering to welfare state candidates like Obama and Kerry, it becomes intolerable.
- They are in desperate need of some website designers. :laugh: This isn't a vital aspect to any political party, but I can't find too many Leftist sites that are aesthetically appealing. Unfortunately, this does make a difference. I log into some sites and think it's just a juvenile group, when it's really a legitimate political party.
- No real care to organize together. I see socialists in the Socialist Party US, Socialism and Liberation, Communist Party USA, Green Party, Democratic Party, and even Libertarian Party.
- The leaders are not good with debating. We can pick people for their ideology, but there needs to be some sense of decency when it comes to debating. I watched a debate between third party candidates where the candidate for the Socialist Party USA and Socialism and Liberation basically regurgitated lines about 'democracy' without any substance. Furthermore, these socialist principles aren't being catered to an American crowd. People don't want to hear the word "nationalize." Talk about the state benefits given to corporations, and why they should be turned over to the workers. I actually found myself agreeing more with the Constitution Party (Libertarian Party, but with more religious and social conservatism - yuck) simply because the candidates were praising government involvement without realizing Americans hate government, and you look just like a welfare candidate. We do have some things in common with typical "right-wing" Americans after all (gun rights).
- No emphasis on social issues. The Left has an actual vision for the future. Right-libertarians want to return to some "Glory Days" that never existed, Democrats peddle around trees when convenient, and Republicans are quasi-fascists. Prison abolitionism, feminism, drug liberation, and democratization are wonderful concepts that can go beyond the "means of production" standpoint.
Just my thoughts.
- They're way too compromising to social democracy. It's okay to disagree over subjects of socialism, but when you're pandering to welfare state candidates like Obama and Kerry, it becomes intolerable.
- They are in desperate need of some website designers. :laugh: This isn't a vital aspect to any political party, but I can't find too many Leftist sites that are aesthetically appealing. Unfortunately, this does make a difference. I log into some sites and think it's just a juvenile group, when it's really a legitimate political party.
- No real care to organize together. I see socialists in the Socialist Party US, Socialism and Liberation, Communist Party USA, Green Party, Democratic Party, and even Libertarian Party.
- The leaders are not good with debating. We can pick people for their ideology, but there needs to be some sense of decency when it comes to debating. I watched a debate between third party candidates where the candidate for the Socialist Party USA and Socialism and Liberation basically regurgitated lines about 'democracy' without any substance. Furthermore, these socialist principles aren't being catered to an American crowd. People don't want to hear the word "nationalize." Talk about the state benefits given to corporations, and why they should be turned over to the workers. I actually found myself agreeing more with the Constitution Party (Libertarian Party, but with more religious and social conservatism - yuck) simply because the candidates were praising government involvement without realizing Americans hate government, and you look just like a welfare candidate. We do have some things in common with typical "right-wing" Americans after all (gun rights).
- No emphasis on social issues. The Left has an actual vision for the future. Right-libertarians want to return to some "Glory Days" that never existed, Democrats peddle around trees when convenient, and Republicans are quasi-fascists. Prison abolitionism, feminism, drug liberation, and democratization are wonderful concepts that can go beyond the "means of production" standpoint.
Just my thoughts.