does anyone else not fall into the left-right paradigm?

reply to post by silent thunder

Perhaps the solution lies in identifying what human needs are served by having an ideology, and then seeking healthier, more sane, more effective, and more realistic alternatives.

That would be the way to go. To apply to ideology something like what Sam Harris has applied to morality. Determine the purpose for its evolution, then compare different ones (or parts from different ones) to determine which fulfill the purpose more or less. Since political ideologies are in many cases based on some morality (or even ARE personal morality applied to society governance), it would be quite logical.

"The first principle is the well-being of conscious creatures, from which we can build a science-based system of moral (in our cases, ideological) values by quantifying whether or not X increases or decreases well-being"

In the meantime, meet Masloism

I'm neither left-wing or right-wing, liberal or conservative.

I weigh up each individual issue on its own merits, as free as possible from unnecessary personal bias, and then form my views on the facts at hand, and what I think is the fairest and most beneficial position to take on each matter.

The problem with the left/right nonsense is that people start to hold on to these positions in a religious like manner, which leads to closed-mindedness, stifling of critical thought, and needlessly putting yourself in a box that will be forever opposed to those on the other side of the political spectrum.

Those who would largely identify themselves as ''right'' or ''left'' invariably adopt the right or left position on most issues, despite the fact that this is statistically improbable, and is just unquestioningly following other people's political doctrines.

It's no coincidence that the most vociferous left and right-wingers share exactly the same level of arrogance, ignorance, and aggressiveness.

reply to post by rubbertramp

is punishing the other party involved beyond being reasonable, or does the woman hold all responsibility for a pregnancy?

When men have the right to enforce a decision for or against the woman getting an abortion, then blame should be equally apportioned. That is only fair. However, since women claim sole jurisdiction in the matter they should also have sole responsibility. It is only fair.

Originally posted by rubbertramp
reply to post by sonofliberty1776

 

nicely said, but

Abortion is murder.

what shall the punishment be for a woman that has one?
life in prison, murder one, or would that only be regarding whomever performed it?
if a woman said she wanted one shall she be locked up till she gives birth?
wouldn't it be unconstitutional to create a law making abortion illegal without a penalty?

Abortion is generally "premeditated". Thus the penalty for premeditated murder should apply.