The wee boy says ...hey I've it one of these ... The we girl comments oh honey ....with one of these I can get as many of those as I like...

You're starting to sound like a leftist, @chuckpo!

@WilyRickWiles, I told you I was an independent, but you didnt want to believe it because I'm so opposed to the radical left. I'm a 2a supporter, and I'm a conservationist. I am a conservationist while I disagree whole-heartedly with climate change alarmism. I believe strongly in equality and abjectly reject the radical left's approach to equality. So, when you point to values I Express that are more left than right, my response is, 'yep.' Thing is, most on the moderate right can identify with these positions. Sometimes I think the radical left forgets their propaganda against the right is propaganda.

@chuckpo
Too many people go through life never asking the questions.
Say what you will about leftists, but they are expressly concerned with those questions.

I believe strongly in equality and abjectly reject the radical left's approach to equality.
OK. I anticipate that part of your difference with the left comes down to a distinction between equality of opportunity and equality of outcome, but you seem to recognize that neither is achieved by the status quo. Moreover, you recognize that a class struggle exists. So what is the right approach?

@WilyRickWiles, the radical left isn't REALLY interested in sensible resolutions. I know you won't like that or agree, but it's what I think. I look at things first through a psychological lens. My lens isn't just like Jordan Peterson's lens, but I often agree with JP's positions. I'm more relational than JP in my approach. The problems I have with the radical left are the constant derision and division.

So, while it's true I reject equality of outcome, that's not the criteria that explains my observations or reflections. Also, I think the radical left needs this conflict. They're inflating negatives in response to the reality that is the world has improved a lot and would continue to improve if the radical left would get out of the way.

What is the right approach? It's another post, but it starts with being relational. Burning bridges isnt my thing, but I look around and the world is burning. I try to be relational, but half of the ppl just want to burn it all down. I can't get through. Guess who that half is? That's the biggest part of where I'm coming from.

@chuckpo Well we seem to agree on our true political opponent: not our neighbors but the very wealthy and powerful. At its core, past the propaganda and tactics, the left believes that right-wing parties are acting on behalf of the wealthy and powerful, to preserve their wealth and power. Do you disagree with that premise? If not, isn't it more counter to your goal of equality to ally with the right rather than try to influence the left?

And I disagree with your implication that the left is nihilistic. Some on the fringe may be, but most are reformists. Rather, Trump-aligned populists like Steve Bannon have been very clear about their desire to burn everything down.

@WilyRickWiles, no. I disagree that the right-wing acts on behalf of the rich and powerful. The Democrat party is full of the rich and powerful. They're probably more up front in their desire to rule everyone than the Republicans. That to me is one of those propaganda points. Just as many Democrats are tied into the rich and powerful, if not the rich and powerful themselves.

I don't ally with the right on this issue. I ally with the right in the culture war. Policy is beyond the right and left, in my opinion. I think we're doing most of what we do wrong. I can get quite Libertarian. I don't think the left is nihilistic. I think the left hates anyone who won't kiss their ring and recognize the left's ascendency. That's not a position of conciliation.

@chuckpo Hmm... my understanding is that the right is backed by more billionaires, particularly from industries that would benefit from the concentration of wealth, power, and resources--e.g., the energy industry. The center-left, on the other hand, has more support from the upper-middle, professional class, which includes the financial and entertainment industries. But I suppose a more rigorous study would be in order.

@chuckpo Isn't the right's culture war its mirror version of the left's propaganda, and doesn't it serve its electoral interests? And if those interests aren't those of the wealthy and powerful, then whose are they? Moreover, isn't the culture war counter to libertarian interests?

@WilyRickWiles, nope.

I don't hold to labels. I don't care about any of those teams. It's just shorthand for me. Crude and imprecise at that. Im anti-radical-left for the reasons I listed. I would NEVER expect you to accept what I'm saying--or even understand where I'm coming from.

@chuckpo Seems like a politically-motivated copout from having a coherent worldview. Despite your dislike of labels, you say you're anti-left, pro-equality, quite Libertarian, and pro-culture-war. And you refuse to define what those labels mean to you, how they interrelate, or what otherwise defines your supposed transcendent philosophy. Moreover, you dodge any discussion of whose interests are served by the right. I wonder why you even brought up the concept of a class struggle if you only have time to talk about how bad the left is. I guess I'll have to wait for that other post to learn what you think the correct approach is toward equality.

@WilyRickWiles, is this where you start calling me names and raging because you don't like the way the conversation went like you've done with so many others? I'm not interested.

@chuckpo Nope, I only return fire, never initiate.

@WilyRickWiles, I didn't fire once when you started in on me here. So many are complaining about you. I can see why. I could escalate you in one post.

@chuckpo What do you call this?

I would NEVER expect you to accept what I'm saying--or even understand where I'm coming from.

And earlier: I know you won't like that or agree

I may have escalated my tone, and only in response to you making it personal, but that is not the same as name calling and "raging."

@WilyRickWiles, you're reading something that wasnt there. That's all you, hahaha. Nice.

@chuckpo I guess we have to agree to disagree on the definition of the word "you" as well.

@WilyRickWiles whatever.