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> At least on the issue of taxation, it's clear that he is to the left of that country (and basically every other country on the globe). Sorry, but the basis f

> At least on the issue of taxation, it's clear that he is to the left of that country (and basically every other country on the globe). Sorry, but the basis for comparison isn't "What policies currently exist" but "what the 'left' in those regions claims is the next course of action." Otherwise, you're suggesting Sweden is somehow the yardstick of the global left, which is confusing. They're somewhat famously on the wrong side of several issues associated globally with the left, like sex work. > 2) He also is for virtually abortion on demand where in Sweden it is largely prohibited after the 22nd week. Sanders's platform remained extremely light on details of this policy. Anytime a critique of a policy includes the words "virtually" you're equivocating. > 3) On health care Bernie Sanders has said that individuals should have "no premiums, no deductibles, no copays" which is also to the left of Sweden where individuals are expected to pay for some of their own medical care (before the government steps in to cover all expenses past a certain point). It's not clear to me if this is "left" or "right". "The Government Pays for Everything" is not inherently a "leftist" position or even a Libertarian (classical) position. Nor is, "The Individual Is Responsible For Health Care" essentially a rightward or authoritarian (classical) position. > Do you seriously think that if Bernie moved to Sweden he would start calling their politics too left wing and start arguing for conservative market reforms? I uh... really can't engage with a hypothetical like this? I have no idea what fictional New Somehow Fully Citizen Bernie Sanders would do? But I suspect he'd advocate for the use of military force against other countries to secure prosperity for his new hypothetical fellow citizens, since he holds that position in America.

harryh 6y ago
Otherwise, you're suggesting Sweden is somehow the yardstick of the global left I didn't suggest this. You did: "labeling Bernie Sanders far left as opposed to, say, Sweden". You also mentioned Finland. TBH I just picked the first one on your list. I could have made very similar comparisons between Sanders and Finland. I stuck to only one for brevity. Sanders's platform remained extremely light on details of this policy. "Oppose all efforts to undermine or overturn Roe v. Wade, and appoint federal judges who will uphold women’s most fundamental rights." (under Women's Rights on https://berniesanders.com/issues/ https://berniesanders.com/issues/) Also the sentiment on his twitter feed is clear: https://twitter.com/search?q=from%3ABernieSanders%20abortion&src=typed_query&f=live https://twitter.com/search?q=from%3ABernieSanders%20abortion... Finally, Planned Parenthood gives Sanders a 100% rating: https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/congressional-scorecard#/VT/436/ https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/congressional-scorec... It's not clear to me if this is "left" or "right". It is generally accepted that the greater government intervention in the health care system the more "left" you are. The more health care is left up to individuals and private enterprise the more "right" you are.
- KirinDave 6y ago
  > I didn't suggest this. You did: "labeling Bernie Sanders far left as opposed to, say, Sweden" Sorry, that was unclear. Swedish leftism in politics. Not currently enacted Swedish law. > It is generally accepted that the greater government intervention in the health care system the more "left" you are. The more health care is left up to individuals and private enterprise the more "right" you are. This is just flatly wrong. Chomsky, for example, believes in non-government health care solutions and cites numerous ways individual communities have pursued this. We might imagine short-term pursuing these interventions because they reduce harm, but there are massive segments of the left that are deeply uncomfortable with a state run health care system.
  - harryh 6y ago
    When your politics are to the left of currently enacted Swedish law (and the law of virtually every other country on earth) you're not really a "slightly left-of-centre person in a global context."

harryh 6y ago

Otherwise, you're suggesting Sweden is somehow the yardstick of the global left I didn't suggest this. You did: "labeling Bernie Sanders far left as opposed to, say, Sweden". You also mentioned Finland. TBH I just picked the first one on your list. I could have made very similar comparisons between Sanders and Finland. I stuck to only one for brevity. Sanders's platform remained extremely light on details of this policy. "Oppose all efforts to undermine or overturn Roe v. Wade, and appoint federal judges who will uphold women’s most fundamental rights." (under Women's Rights on https://berniesanders.com/issues/ https://berniesanders.com/issues/) Also the sentiment on his twitter feed is clear: https://twitter.com/search?q=from%3ABernieSanders%20abortion&src=typed_query&f=live https://twitter.com/search?q=from%3ABernieSanders%20abortion... Finally, Planned Parenthood gives Sanders a 100% rating: https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/congressional-scorecard#/VT/436/ https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/congressional-scorec... It's not clear to me if this is "left" or "right". It is generally accepted that the greater government intervention in the health care system the more "left" you are. The more health care is left up to individuals and private enterprise the more "right" you are.

KirinDave 6y ago
> I didn't suggest this. You did: "labeling Bernie Sanders far left as opposed to, say, Sweden" Sorry, that was unclear. Swedish leftism in politics. Not currently enacted Swedish law. > It is generally accepted that the greater government intervention in the health care system the more "left" you are. The more health care is left up to individuals and private enterprise the more "right" you are. This is just flatly wrong. Chomsky, for example, believes in non-government health care solutions and cites numerous ways individual communities have pursued this. We might imagine short-term pursuing these interventions because they reduce harm, but there are massive segments of the left that are deeply uncomfortable with a state run health care system.
- harryh 6y ago
  When your politics are to the left of currently enacted Swedish law (and the law of virtually every other country on earth) you're not really a "slightly left-of-centre person in a global context."