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I really wish we could abolish "Left", "Right", "Liberal", and "Conservative" from political language. They've become no more than insults.

While it's true that they are often used as insults and inaccurate labels, they have a place. If the words didn't exist we'd invent some. If you have groups of things, be they people, animals, or even concepts, they'll get labelled. It's true even if the groups are fuzzy. While the labels can be harmful, they can prove useful tools to identify people with similar viewpoints.

Part of what your complaining about is simply groupthink and mindless obedience to a cause or organization. All of this can lead to highly divise politics where none of the sides are listening to each other. Getting rid of the labels won't get rid of the negative behavior.

And while there is some about of groupthink there, part of the reason for the disagreement isn't groupthink, but differing opinions on the issue; opinions that often happen to roughly align across these labels. This might point to groupthink, but it might point to a good set of labels that accurately divide common points of view.

For example, you cite the differing reactions to Clinton's lies about sexual behavior and the Bush administration's misleading behavior regarding Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. That the two sides appear to flip-flop on the topic of lying isn't necessarily hypocritical, it could point to the two issues being different in their minds.

It's a bit crude, but "World's Smallest Political Quiz" is an interesting way of sorting out the labels. It actually divides people into five labels Left/Liberal, Right/Conservative, Libertarian, Centrist, and Authoritarian. Using their guidelines a key distinction is how much government should meddle in ones private lives or economic lives. A liberal by thier definition would be someone who wants government involved economically, but not personally. A conversative by their definition would be the opposite.

By that definition to a liberal Clinton's deception is not a big detail because it's part of his private life while the misleading about Iraq's WMD is a big detail because ultimately war is about economics. The opposite would be true for a Conservative.

Now the Quiz's definition isn't perfect, but few definitions are. And in practice these crude definitions work fine. While someone identifies themselves as liberal, I know I'm more likely to share similar views on controversial issues than I am with a conservative. However, I'm certainly a free individual and I hold some opinions that are not traditionally liberal. There are some conservatives who views really resonate with me. But in general liberal summarizes, if a bit crudely, my views.

Maybe you are a Libertarian? Take the World's Smallest Political Quiz to find out. I used to belong to the Green Party until I realized that government was the problem, not the solution.

If they passed out pamphlets to the students, at least they won't be able to read them.

"Why Can't Johnny Read ?"
--- Because the teachers spend more time trying to brainwash and subdue the little brats than actually teaching them perhaps ?

Lovely...
Do any lawyers think there might be a case for equal time/access ? Send Linus or RMS around to teach kids for a while...

World's Smallest Political Quiz


"The Quiz has gained respect as a valid measure of a person's political leanings."
- The Washington Post

"The World's Smallest Political Quiz is savvy and willing to tell you the truth."
- YAHOO! Magazine

The World's Smallest Political Quiz stands ready to help you determine your political identity. Quick and relatively painless.
- USA Today

Give this quiz a try. It's fun, and who knows, you may be surprised at what you find."
- Politics on the Net by Bill Mann

Well, first off, I disagree with your categorizing (modern) libertarianism as "right wing". Even the party members don't (usually) fit under that category. Some libertarian positions agree with the left, some the right, and some send both sides screaming and running away. The Nolan chart theory gives some insight into the libertarians' inability to be categorized; check out the World's Smallest Political Quiz (and yes, the test is kinda biased and nowhere near complete, but it does give the theory).

I'd also have to take issue with your last statement, "Anarchism is diametrically opposed to capitalism first and foremost." CLASSICAL anarchism is, definitely. It is my belief, however, that the lack of government does not necessarily lead to the socializing of the means of capital, nor that it would be desirable.