[davep]

Ok, it's not rocket science, but it's worth reiterating.

What does it mean when we can no longer distinguish between the actions of the left and the right? If that dynamic no longer accurately distinguishes what occurs, why are so many of our policy debates framed in Left/Right terms?

http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2010/09/you-vs-corporations/

[Ludi]

What does it mean when we can no longer distinguish between the actions of the left and the right?

It means the so-called "Left" isn't left anymore.

[EnergyUnlimited]

The Left Right Paradigm is Over: Its You vs. Corporations

And I am totally agreeing with you.

Left - Right divisions are becoming meaningless these days.

Is there any difference about American life style being non negotiable as per beliefs of right or inalienable* as per beliefs of left?

*Ludi pointed out this fine difference in one conversation with me not long ago.

[ItalyRules]

The US has about 400 Billionaires. These are the people with the power and through the exercise of that power, they get what they want.

This is normal and natural, not some abhorant deviancy. The winners win, the losers deserve no consideration, because they are losers. It has always been this way.

You are a nation of losers, whining about the winners winning and walking.

You have been made like sheep. Under fascism the strong survive and move on towards glory with heads high. You whine, and seek solice in each others company. To me you are a bunch of old women.

What I don't understand is why the strong do not just kick you aside and shame you for your weakness.

[EnergyUnlimited]

What does it mean when we can no longer distinguish between the actions of the left and the right?

It means the so-called "Left" isn't left anymore.

...and Right isn't right either.

[EnergyUnlimited]

The US has about 400 Billionaires. These are the people with the power and through the exercise of that power, they get what they want.

I think, in late 18 century there was about 400 prominent aristocrats in France and maybe 100 000 their supporters... and look what have happened.

The winners win, the losers deserve no consideration, because they are losers. It has always been this way.

It is not clear yet who are winners and losers in this game.
Your 400 billionaires may well end up like late 18th century French aristocrats did or they may prevail and form a power structures of coming feudal system.

You are a nation of losers, whining about the winners winning and walking.

Do you mean Americans?

What I don't understand is why the strong do not just kick you aside and shame you for your weakness.

Maybe they ignore dissent to some degree?
Maybe they are not that strong after all?
Maybe they understand as well that not much can be done?

[Ludi]

The Left Right Paradigm is Over: Its You vs. Corporations

And I am totally agreeing with you.

Left - Right divisions are becoming meaningless these days.

Is there any difference about American life style being non negotiable as per beliefs of right or inalienable* as per beliefs of left?

*Ludi pointed out this fine difference in one conversation with me not long ago.

But you confuse "life style" with "rights" apparently.

[EnergyUnlimited]

But you confuse "life style" with "rights" apparently.

I am not an American, but my impression is that in land of free a chosen life style, particularly if it is middle class consumer life style is considered to be right.
That is as per paper records at least.

[davep]

The US has about 400 Billionaires. These are the people with the power and through the exercise of that power, they get what they want.

You obviously didn't read the link. This is not about rich against poor. It's about corporations usurping democracy against the will of the people. It's a form of fascism. Just like your beloved Mussolini. And that ended well

Edit: I've just read his sig. He obviously loves the trains running on time. I lost family in Italy when the fascists machine-gunned them. He's nothing but a troll.

And for everyone else, this is not just about the USA. The corporate takeover of the state has been happening elsewhere for a while too.

[Ludi]

I am not an American, but my impression is that in land of free a chosen life style, particularly if it is middle class consumer life style is considered to be right.
That is as per paper records at least.

I've never seen the American left claim the American middle class lifestyle is an inalienable right. Do you have a reference for that?

Thanks.

[EnergyUnlimited]

I am not an American, but my impression is that in land of free a chosen life style, particularly if it is middle class consumer life style is considered to be right.
That is as per paper records at least.

I've never seen the American left claim the American middle class lifestyle is an inalienable right. Do you have a reference for that?

Thanks.

How so?
They wanted to give poor enough benefits and free services to make them living like middle class does.

[Ludi]

How so?
They wanted to give poor enough benefits and free services to make them living like middle class does.

I doubt it. Besides, wanting to give someone something and claiming that thing is a "right" are not the same.

But you seem to have your mind made up about the American left. In spite of you not being either American nor left.

[EnergyUnlimited]

But you seem to have your mind made up about the American left. In spite of you not being either American nor left.

Well, news from Empire are reprinted everywhere around a world...

[ItalyRules]

Not a troll, just revealing the hard truths about how it really is.

So far the responses have just been more whining. Pick yourselves up, for God's sake.

If this isn't over as you claim, where is the action that says otherwise. All I see is the whining about how unfair it all is.

Having your way requires the courage to act to get it. No one is going to take pity on you, or be convinced by your arguments of the unfairness of it all. That is just whining not acting.

I see no courage. I see no one acting. I see a bunch of peasants about to have the rest taken from them because they will not fight for themselves.

[efarmer]

And gives us each day Our Daily Beast.

The mess that Obama is making with his liberal policies and broken promises, is preventing us from emulating the tremendous success of Italy throughout the 1930's and 1940's and leaving us to settle
for trolls from Alaska, instead of glorious triumph in Ethiopia.

[mattduke]

Ok, it's not rocket science, but it's worth reiterating.

What does it mean when we can no longer distinguish between the actions of the left and the right? If that dynamic no longer accurately distinguishes what occurs, why are so many of our policy debates framed in Left/Right terms?

http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2010/09/you-vs-corporations/

I read the article expecting a long list of bad actions taken by corporations. Instead I find a long list of bad actions taken by Government, leaving me more than a little confused by the choice of title.

[americandream]

Being "left" ( and I presume that means Marxist as opposed to variants of capitalism lite) is an objective as opposed to normative view of history. In other words, it's an understanding of what MUST be as a consequence of a set of facts, not what we would rather it be. No sooner do we impose our own expectations on a set of facts, no sooner is our understanding in the quicksand of reformism.

What does it mean when we can no longer distinguish between the actions of the left and the right?

It means the so-called "Left" isn't left anymore.

[Pops]

I read the article expecting a long list of bad actions taken by corporations. Instead I find a long list of bad actions taken by Government, leaving me more than a little confused by the choice of title.

That evil government! It just keeps re-electing itself!

[Outcast_Searcher]

How so?
They wanted to give poor enough benefits and free services to make them living like middle class does.

I doubt it. Besides, wanting to give someone something and claiming that thing is a "right" are not the same.

But you seem to have your mind made up about the American left. In spite of you not being either American nor left.

Ludi, I think you are playing semantic games, which unfortunately is most of what American politics seems to be these days.

The left continually whines about the fact that the poor have less than the rich, and make speeches and try to pass laws to redistribute as much wealth as they can to "fix that". They call anyone who makes a lot of money by being smart or highly productive "evil", pronounce that they can "afford" to be taxed more, etc.

Whether it's freebies or "benefits" for utilities, transportation, food, water, housing, medical care - what have you - the concept is that the "poor" have a RIGHT to these things, and the left will enforce that right by taxing (i.e. extorting) the funds from the "middle class" and especially "the rich".

One doesn't have to be a member of the left or an American to follow the media and see this very consistently come from the left, with an ever-shriller and bolder tone.

Playing word games doesn't change any of this, and the "rich" are certainly smart enough as a class not to be fooled by such gambits.

[americandream]

outcast-searcher

Is this the smart class who came with bowls outstretched, suspending their own deregulated rules of untrammelled entrepreneurship, as they sought access to taxpayer funds (largely funded by income earners) to fund their bankrupt gambling?

Socialised capitalism is hardly what one would expect of those hardened and "red in tooth and claw" from the rigours of a "free" market place.