Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - A Question for Conservatives: For whom should I vote in the upcoming Texas primary?

Ustwo · 02-14-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru

Again, calling a liberal (even with socially progressive ideals) a socialist is like calling a conservative a fascist. Don't fall into the trap of binary opposition. The world doesn't work that way.

I understand that, as a conservative, you disagree with some of the Democrats' social policies, but they aren't Marxists, and they aren't trying to start a revolution. They respect private property rights and other trappings of capitalism; no need to worry.

Socialist does not have to equal communist.

Quote:

In 1989, the 18th Congress of the Socialist International at Stockholm adopted a Declaration of Principles which declares that "Democratic socialism is an international movement for freedom, social justice and solidarity. Its goal is to achieve a peaceful world where these basic values can be enhanced and where each individual can live a meaningful life with the full development of his or her personality and talents and with the guarantee of human and civil rights in a democratic framework of society."[40] The objectives of the Party of European Socialists, the socialist bloc in the European Parliament, are "to pursue international aims in respect of the principles on which the European Union is based, namely principles of freedom, equality, solidarity, democracy, respect of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and respect for the Rule of Law." The companion to contemporary political philosophy states: "The rallying cry of the French Revolution - equality, liberty and fraternity - now constitute essential socialist values."[41]

In 1995, the UK Labour Party revised its aims: "The Labour Party is a democratic socialist party. It believes that by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone, so as to create for each of us the means to realise our true potential and for all of us a community in which power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many, not the few."[42] Cabinet minister Herbert Morrison famously argued that, "Socialism is what the Labour government does,"[43]. Anthony Crosland argued that capitalism had been ended, stating, "To the question 'Is this still capitalism?' I would answer 'No.'"[44]