Doesn't the traditional spectrum put anarchy all the way to the right? With the Founders actually founding the most right wing government ever? Hitler, Pinochet and Pol Pot were in a very similar vein in that they wanted absolute power, and complate control over thier subjects lives. It really doesn't matter what the given reasons for control are, or what the method used is. Your picture needs to put Hitler and Pinochet on the left and also needs to show the so called "religious right" on the left as well. Although I morally agree with most of their stances, i disagree with their method. Using government to reduce your freedom of choice is a tool of the left.
There is a move afoot these days to rewrite the political spectrum in the way you described. Glenn Beck is a big devotee of it. I think it makes sense but I wasn't trying to engage in that debate so I put it together the way that most people who aren't so politically aware would see it.
My point was more about how liberals see themselves than how the rest of us see non-liberals.
Another point to discuss... some of those names just don't belong together on the same chart. Fidel Castro, Moa, Pol Pot, Pinochet, Hitler... agree or disagree with their philosophy - these people were willing to actually fight, and/or able to convince other people to fight on their behalf, for what they believed in. Aside from McCain, the other politicians and talking-heads listed are just cowards who dodge wars and run their mouths, but have never stood for anything.
I'm not sure I'd call it commendable that Pol Pot and Castro were so willing to kill a few people in order to see the remainder enslaved. Even John McCain was really only getting into the family business. (My family has a similar background so I know from where I speak.)
For good or bad, John Kerry was in the military. Worst president in living memory Jimmy Carter was a navy officer. People are 'willing to fight' for lots of complicated reasons, and they aren't always political.
If Obama were as willing to fight as Mao I'm sure the net result would be worse for America not better. so maybe we should let the talking heads talk and thank our lucky stars they aren't any braver.
I don't that it is a redefinition. I remember hearing that idea at least 15 years ago when I was in college. Stalin, Pol Pot, Hitler, and FDR all had one thing in common, and that was state control over your choices. What they tried to control might have been different, but it was still about denying the people thier liberty. Jerry Pournelle has a good explanation of this with his Political Axes (http://www.baen.com/chapters/axes.htm)
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Doesn't the traditional spectrum put anarchy all the way to the right? With the Founders actually founding the most right wing government ever? Hitler, Pinochet and Pol Pot were in a very similar vein in that they wanted absolute power, and complate control over thier subjects lives. It really doesn't matter what the given reasons for control are, or what the method used is. Your picture needs to put Hitler and Pinochet on the left and also needs to show the so called "religious right" on the left as well. Although I morally agree with most of their stances, i disagree with their method. Using government to reduce your freedom of choice is a tool of the left.
There is a move afoot these days to rewrite the political spectrum in the way you described. Glenn Beck is a big devotee of it. I think it makes sense but I wasn't trying to engage in that debate so I put it together the way that most people who aren't so politically aware would see it.
My point was more about how liberals see themselves than how the rest of us see non-liberals.
Another point to discuss... some of those names just don't belong together on the same chart. Fidel Castro, Moa, Pol Pot, Pinochet, Hitler... agree or disagree with their philosophy - these people were willing to actually fight, and/or able to convince other people to fight on their behalf, for what they believed in. Aside from McCain, the other politicians and talking-heads listed are just cowards who dodge wars and run their mouths, but have never stood for anything.
I'm not sure I'd call it commendable that Pol Pot and Castro were so willing to kill a few people in order to see the remainder enslaved. Even John McCain was really only getting into the family business. (My family has a similar background so I know from where I speak.)
For good or bad, John Kerry was in the military. Worst president in living memory Jimmy Carter was a navy officer. People are 'willing to fight' for lots of complicated reasons, and they aren't always political.
If Obama were as willing to fight as Mao I'm sure the net result would be worse for America not better. so maybe we should let the talking heads talk and thank our lucky stars they aren't any braver.
I don't that it is a redefinition. I remember hearing that idea at least 15 years ago when I was in college. Stalin, Pol Pot, Hitler, and FDR all had one thing in common, and that was state control over your choices. What they tried to control might have been different, but it was still about denying the people thier liberty. Jerry Pournelle has a good explanation of this with his Political Axes (http://www.baen.com/chapters/axes.htm)
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