Political views, what political parties and ideologies do you like and/or vote?

As politics together with geography is one of my big side-interests next to zoos and animals, I just wondered what political parties and ideologies you like and vote. It is difficult to make a poll about this, because the political parties are different from country to country. Therefore I have based this poll on political ideologies, rather than parties in European fashion, from far left, to far right. So maybe some countries have parties that dont fit into these groupings. Also I have listed main ideologies, and not sub categories, like classical libertarianism or market socialism. In other countries than the European ones, this poll would also maybe not be appropriate as they have parties their like religous parties or special interest parties that are different than their European counterparts. Also some countries have two-party systems, and for the Americans im soon making a Democrat/Republican poll.

Also it would be nice if people would tell a little about why they like the party and ideology they do, or why you do not. Also please tell a little about what political issues you are most concerned with.

Personally Im a Socialist, and member of the Socialistic youth group. In Norway the Parent party is called "Socialistic Leftparty" or in Norwegian "Sosialistisk Venstreparti, SV". Important political issuses for me are the environment, school related issuses, and a fair foreign policy. I want the rich people to pay their taxes, so they are not so rich anymore, and I am a strong supporter of Palestine, and against Israel. Animal wise we are against fur farming, and we support the carnivores, like wolf and bear to thrive in the Norwegian fauna, (even though the farmers and poachers does not)

So what do you think? Vote on the poll, and comment below!

 

Hmmmmmm. Think it might be best to stick with issues concerning conservation and our shared enthusiasm for well run zoos exhibiting animals in dynamic and educational settings. I will say you sound idealistic (and young) and having that kind of passion directed towards conservation issues can only be a plus....I'll pass on the rest. ;-)

 

Why?

Political discussion is no different to anything else on this website. I have no interest in the 'nonsense thread' but I don't deny its right to exist for those who choose to partake.

 

Nor do I.

 

Ethnicity polls, political orientation polls...this forum is becoming more prying than FB...

 

We have loads of non-zoo related threads on Zoochat. This just shows that we have many interests, in addition to our zoo-addiction. If you feel that this thread is irrelevant for you, or have little or no interest in the subject, please dont ruin the thread for those of us that actually are interested in the subject.

 

@Norwegian moose: no need to be defensive. I do not intend to "ruin" anything for you. Just a personal observation, and as signaled by the smiley, a friendly one.

 

In Australia, voting is mandatory, in that I will get fined if I don't vote. Is it the same where you folks live?

 

In the 2012 election only 57.5% of people voted. In midterm elections the rate can be around 42%. These are both obviously low, is it really that hard for people to spend an hour every two years to decide there nations future.
[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voter_turnout_in_the_United_States_presidential_elections]Voter turnout in the United States presidential elections - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

 

I think this has to do with the fact that America have only two major parties. People that dislike these two parties have little alternative than to quit voting, although there are a few micro parties like The Green Party...etc. Also many people may think that the two major parties and presidential candidates are far to similar, that is my view. I think that politically, not rhetoricaly Barrack Obama and Mitt Romney are very similar.

Nevertheless I think it is stupid to force people to vote, and give people that dont a fine. I wouldnt call countries that practise that system a true democrazy, because in democrazies you are allowed to refuse to vote, if you want to.

 

No Libertarian?

 

About taxes, why does the Government have more right to the capital you produce than you do? You claim you don't want the rich to be rich, why? If people can't be trusted to control their own capital then how can they be trusted to control the capital of others? (As a part of government/bureaucrats).

It is fascinating there is almost no concept of "individual liberty" as a viable political movement in Europe, especially mainland Europe. It shows the uniquely American perspective of having and expecting more private control of capital ie chattel.

 

Well I mixed up Liberalist, and Liberal/Libertarian. Those ideologies are quite similar so please vote Liberalist if you support the said ideologies.

 

@Tschandler71: The biggest problem with being rich is that when you are rich, other people are poor. I think it is unfair that for example a man that owns a supermarket chain, should earn and own much more money than the employees he has, even though his employees works much longer and harder. Much of his money could be better spent on society with paying taxes, that would improve our infrastructure, and give money to schools and hospitals. When the government controlls the capital, it is controlled by politicians that are choosen by the people, and the money is spent on important issuses like schools and hospitals. I think that is much more important, than that rich people can buy yet another bathtub. I think it is good that Norway can offer free healthcare and schooling to its people. In America you often have to pay to get that kind of services. We would not have this kind of services if we did not have taxes. Also it is proven that people in societies with large gaps, differences economically between people are less happy than in societies with small differences.

You also wonder why the so called consept of "individual liberty" are less widespread in Europe that in America. You obviously dont know what you are talking about as many people in Europe believe in the consept of "individual liberty". However I dont like the term, and I obvioussly dont support that kind of mindset, because I think that true liberty for all people are only achieved in societies with great equality, and you can only achieve that with having high taxes and a strong state.

Also I would like to know, since you asked me, you are obviouslly quite conservative, and being an American what viewpoints do you have on the Israel/Palestine conflict? What makes you support your prefered viewpoint?

 

If the man (or woman) owning the supermarket chain has worked hard and invested a lot to get where he/she is now, I see nothing wrong in having this initiative rewarded by being wealthy. His/her example can serve as an impetus for the employees to follow suit to improve themselves.

...which has worked oh so well in practice all over the world in the past and present, right?

You're probably too young to remember, but the majority of the inhabitants of the USSR, GDR etc. wasn't in general renowed for being jolly and happy, at least not in regard to their government. Neither are the North Koreans these days.

True. Especially those who had to grow up in a system that negated them such liberty, or any liberty at all.

Long before you were born, many people, among them some very bright and couragous minds, had very similar pov's. They usually changed their mind rather abruptely once they found themselves on the receiving end of such "strong states". Or when they found themselves a nice cozy position in the system and forgot all their original good intentions.

Maybe you should remember this before asking for "strong states" and enforced "equality". And maybe, just maybe, you should be thankful every day to have been born in recent times into the second-wealthiest country in the world, giving you the liberty and time to politicize freely.

Tschandler71 will probably (and rightfully so) mention to you that Americans pay taxes, too. And that those taxes are, among others, also spent on important issuses like schools and hospitals in America...and elsewhere.

 

Well you say that the person owning the super-market chain can own much money because he has worked hard, and he should act as a good example for his employees? I think that this is a dangerous way of thinking. If you think like that, you can say that the store-workers should be rich as well, because they work more than the super-market chain owner, and earn 100 times less.

In a world where 80% of the people live on less than 10 dollars a day people cant be as rich as they want. The money have to be spread evenly in the population!

In fact I think that the former USSR states were better off comunist-controlled, than they are now. Off course I am a socialist and not a communist. But in that era most people had a fair income, there were almost no rich people, and very few poor people. And people had a greater access to free healthcare and schooling. Today there are more poor-people than there were, and a few rich. Also since they no longer have a full-public health system the poor people often can not afford to go to hospital. Also dont forget about the coruption in these countries.

It is proven scientifiically that equality means hapiness. And inequality is like poison for the society. Also countries with more equal incomes are happier than people in countries with large differences between rich and poor. Happiness and Inequality: Don't Worry, Be More Equal

I dont like "individual liberty" because it means liberty for the individual. In an "individual liberty-based society" all people cant afford to go to the hospital. In socialistic societies where all the hospitals are public, financed by taxes, all people can go to the hospital.

I know that Americans pay taxes, however compared to what money they have and earn American rich people pay much less taxes than they should. And in America they dont have a full-public health-system, therefore not all people can afford to go to the hospital. The Americans would rather use money on killing people in other countries.

And yes I'm glad that I live in the country which has been ranked the best to live in, in the world. But we had not been the best country in the world, if we did not have a system based on equality, public services and a fair taxation. However even in Norway there are very rich people, that I think should get even higher taxes. Only if evrybody participates we are going to solve one of the worlds biggest challenges, poverty.

 

Dangerous? Au contraire; I actually think that the prevalence of such a model is one of the reason that allows you to lead a pleasant life in Norway-and gives you spare time to muse about and pity those who are not doing as nicely as you do. The latter is actually a bit sanctimonious, isn't it? Wouldn't the time you spend debating here rather fruitlessly be not better invested in actual politicial activity in real life? And what makes you so sure that the employees working at the supermarket chain all work harder than the owner?

"The money have to be spread evenly in the population!"
Really? Even to the lazy, ignorant, nasty, corrupt and plain evil ones who have never done a single good deed, yet alone worked a honest day in their lives? Nope.
And where would one find motivation to do your best, if you get paid the same anyway?

"In fact I think that the former USSR states were better off comunist-controlled, than they are now."

Tell that to the millions of people who died in the gulags, during the famine of 1932-33 or all those who just "disappeared" during political turmoils, by the hands of the secret police etc etc. ...
[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_killings_under_Communist_regimes]Mass killings under Communist regimes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

Have you ever been to Russia in person, or talked to Russians personally?

"It is proven scientifiically that equality means hapiness."
What "scientific" studies are you referring to?
According to your idea of "equality", a situation where everybody is equally miserable is better than one where some are happy and some are not? Sorry, but I'll go for option 2 then. Better chances to be happy in that.

"In socialistic societies where all the hospitals are public, financed by taxes, all people can go to the hospital."
Have you ever been to a hospital in a socialist country?

"I dont like "individual liberty" because it means liberty for the individual."
Yeah, that's a really disgusting thing. Ugh! It even allows you to sit now in front of a computer and politicize, instead of being productive in your specified role within the socialist economic system. How awful.

Oh yes, the standard rebuke of the American healtcare system by an enlighted European. Now that's something new. May any of the American zoochatters feel free to reply to that.

"But we had not been the best country in the world, if we did not have a system based on equality, public services and a fair taxation." ...which you can provide due to having access to some economically very important natural ressources (O-I-L, for one), a manageable & rather homogeneous human population and a relatively stable history, quite untouched by any major political or social conflicts within the last decades.

Higher taxes for the wealthy won't solve international poverty. Sorry to pop that bubble for you.

Once you're older and maybe have kids on your own, you'll have learned to appreciate the benefit of the liberty of the individual and the greatness of not being confined by a strange notion of "equality" and "strong governments". Maybe then you'll laugh about the naïveté you displayed here. Been there, done that. So long!

 

Voting is on a Saturday, and you can apply to vote by post, or vote early etc if you have a big ski trip planned. Also, if you want to exercise your democratic right to not vote, you can simply spoil your ballot paper. Oh, and you can take a selfie with your ballot paper and post it to social media. Voting in Australia is fun! This is the third country I have voted in, and it's definitely chilled - you don't even need to show them ID to get to vote!