The Pitfalls Of Libertarianism

I consider myself a libertarian on a lot of issues. But this Liberal Conspiracy article certainly points out the pitfalls of certain strands of libertarianism. I find it amusing when I see socially conservative people espousing libertarian values, but sadly that tends to be the main sort of folks who label themselves "libertarians". A shame.

I suppose my philosophy has always been (thanks to my teenage paganism) "An it harm none do what ye will". This is actually extremely limiting, but is (in my opinion) the only workable freedom there is. 

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Go Left

These last couple of weeks during the party conferences, I've found my political leanings moving ever leftwards. And considering I was already left of centre that's a pretty drastic move.

It's just, watching New Labour and the Tories, I get the feeling that those I would have previously characterised as a bit "wacky" (in a good way of course) on the left, are now looking pretty damn sane. The Tories BLATANTLY simply took their policies from those of New Labour (which had been BLATANTLY stolen from the Tories previously). They are not offering change, no radical "libertarian" shake up of the current order (which is what I'd truly want but based on the current politlcal parties... never going to happen!). They are offering more of the same, in the hopes somehow this will magically fix all the problems in this country

I don't see those on the right offering any radicalism. Nothing that might move our country forward. Their vision is truly Conservative in that they are not seeking change in anyway. Whereas those on the left of the Labour party and the Liberal Democrats are saying radical things. Things that might not work. Things I still have problems with. But at least I feel like they are wanting to shake things up, wanting to try something new, in order to change the way our country is going.

I'm tired of the consumerism, the ignorance and the apolitical nature of the population of our country. Someone at work yesterday said "I thought David Cameron is a Conservative?" I said "He is." And their reply? "Well it says here in the Metro he's a Tory." Is this our countries future? How have we let our society, and our educational institutions, descend to this level? It's deeply disturbing and for all the cries from the Tories about them wanting to fix "broken Britain", I just don't see how their proposals are going to cut the mustard.

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

The Tory Party: Not My Choice

Disclosure: I'm a Liberal Democrat (American readers will read that somewhat wrongly I suspect!). As someone who considers himself a libertarian I believe the Lib Dems are the closest fit for my political beliefs, and whilst I don't subscribe to all their policies I would be very happy to see a Lib Dem Government.

I've hated the Tories pretty much all my adult life, a consequence I suspect of being a child of Thatcher's Britain and being gay. Also I think that the fact that the most important "issue" to me is not healthcare or the economy but basic human liberty means a vote for the Tories is not something I would ever consider. But New Labour's erosion of those very human liberties, among many other failings, has made me a little more sympathetic to the Conservative Party. But still... this conference has reinforced why I, personally, could never bring myself to vote Tory.

Some articles that really sum up why I will stick with the Lib Dems, thank you very much, include:

We have been warned: the nasty party is still with us - Guardian

Cameron praises civil partnerships but prepares to put Iain Duncan Smith in charge of families - Pink News. Don't get me started on the lack of support for marriage equality.

Cameron’s speech: hollow and hypocritical - Liberal Conspiracy.

Biased sources? NEVER! ;)

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

Ben Summerskill Boycotts The Tories!

As you know, this blog is no supporter of Ben Summerskill or Stonewall (see here for why). And I was today about to launch into an attack on Mr Summerskill for attending the Conservative Pride event in Manchester as part of the Tory conference after reading an article on Tory reaction to a "Tory Shame" event at Poptastic. But within moments of getting my back up by attending he has decided not to attend. So let us give him three cheers for being sensible. Alas his reason was not that the Tory party fail to meet critical criteria on gay rights (no different to the Labour party and Stonewall at that!) but instead because the Tories are sitting with homophobes in the European Parliament. If this is the reason, why did he agree to go in the first place? We've known this since the EU election!

Silly man. But still, good decision!

Ooooo... Stephen Fry calls out the Tories on their connections to those homophobic parties in the EU. Watch the Tories squirm (video helpfully provided!)...

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

Stargate: Universe

I'll be totally honest with you; I've only been a casual Stargate watcher. Well I've never seen any Stargate:Atlantis and stopped even bothering to keep up with SG1 after about season 5. So I sat down to watch Stargate Universe without too much SG baggage.

I was more than pleasantly surprised with what I saw.

Obviously the producers have been watching Lost and Battlestar Galactica. This is filmed very much in the noughties sci-fi style and is greatly enhanced by it. Some of the infighting scenes just don't ring true but otherwise the writing, the characters and the acting all gell well together.

All this on top of the fact I have an active dislike for Robert Carlyle, means it must be a pretty good show! Looking forward to next week.

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

The Tory Agenda IS The Same As The New Labour One

I have a distinct dislike of public/private partnerships. I believe that if a Government believes something is in their "realm" of responsibility then they should ensure they have all the skills and facilities to carry out that duty. Otherwise they should stand well clear and leave the market to deal with it. I have faith that in the right hands both public and private options can be successful.

But I have little faith in using private resources to advance Government policies. This is why I'm not so keen on the welfare reform offered by the Tories. David Cameron promises more of the same by advancing the idea of private training companies training the unemployed. This is happening now! It's hardly reform. It's not going to change the situation we have whereby people are living on benefits for many years. Forcing people to take training they don't want to do, to get jobs they probably won't care about is hardly going to keep the long term unemployed off the benefit books. I don't have answers, but I do know doing the same things New Labour has been doing is not going to help!

And the Conservatives are failing to present a clear policy on Europe. They won't even say what they're policy will be if the Lisbon Treaty is successfully ratified in the Czech Republic (and almost shoo-in Poland). Labour too have been unclear and indecisive on this important issue.

Grr... same old, same old.

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

Scientology: Another Reason To Be An Atheist

Glosslip has a great article on the front organisations of Scientology. I think it's a timely reminder of the danger of religious organisations using "front" organisations to increase membership through subtle means. I see Christian schools as little different. But Scientology will always have a special place in my anti-religious thoughts.

I really recommend Piece of Blue Sky: Scientology, Dianetics and L.Ron Hubbard Exposed (US Amazon) which really goes into detail about the early history of the church and it's not all that glorious. But it's very, very interesting.

Scientology is not singularly evil, but it does serve as a singularly obvious example of the evils/excesses of religion.

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist