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>America has just re-elected a left-of-center president This is exactly the problem. Everywhere except in the US political bubble he is solidly right wing. Th

>America has just re-elected a left-of-center president This is exactly the problem. Everywhere except in the US political bubble he is solidly right wing. The redefinition of people like Obama as left wing is exactly what Udo and others here are talking about.

humanrebar 14y ago
What about Obama would put him in the right-wing "everywhere except the US" (meaning Europe, I take it)? He has moved the U.S. to the left as much as was possible in his first term. He would have moved it farther if it were feasible but the U.S. government is large ship and it takes a while to turn.
- svachalek 14y ago
  What specifically has he done to make the US government more "left" other than health care reform (based on Republican proposals but for the sake of argument lets allow that as a liberal cause)?
  - humanrebar 14y ago
    I'm surprised it's not obvious that Obama is leftist, but... He supports raising taxes over cutting spending. He placed two leftist justices on the supreme court. He has cut military spending significantly. Supports gun control. Repealed don't ask don't tell. Supports gay marriage. Supports carbon taxes. Favors expanding social welfare programs. Favors debt and inflation over balanced budgets. Raised the minimum wage. Conversely, issues where he falls on the right side of the spectrum are few and I would challenge someone to come up with a list. Also, don't confuse his accomplishments with his political alignment. For example, I'm sure he would have created a single payer healthcare system if he could.
speeder 14y ago
Obama is center-right, for now it seems. He is taking several of Gramsci positions in social issues. But I won't say he will become a communist or anything close to it. Also I say "leftish" because it IS "leftish", not because I deride the left or something (I am a former socialist actually)

humanrebar 14y ago

What about Obama would put him in the right-wing "everywhere except the US" (meaning Europe, I take it)? He has moved the U.S. to the left as much as was possible in his first term. He would have moved it farther if it were feasible but the U.S. government is large ship and it takes a while to turn.

svachalek 14y ago
What specifically has he done to make the US government more "left" other than health care reform (based on Republican proposals but for the sake of argument lets allow that as a liberal cause)?
- humanrebar 14y ago
  I'm surprised it's not obvious that Obama is leftist, but... He supports raising taxes over cutting spending. He placed two leftist justices on the supreme court. He has cut military spending significantly. Supports gun control. Repealed don't ask don't tell. Supports gay marriage. Supports carbon taxes. Favors expanding social welfare programs. Favors debt and inflation over balanced budgets. Raised the minimum wage. Conversely, issues where he falls on the right side of the spectrum are few and I would challenge someone to come up with a list. Also, don't confuse his accomplishments with his political alignment. For example, I'm sure he would have created a single payer healthcare system if he could.

speeder 14y ago

Obama is center-right, for now it seems. He is taking several of Gramsci positions in social issues. But I won't say he will become a communist or anything close to it. Also I say "leftish" because it IS "leftish", not because I deride the left or something (I am a former socialist actually)