Why do people think everything is a 'left wing' vs 'right wing' issue?

[Nanny Goat]

Originally Posted by fireandice1000

I just don't get it. It seems like a troll question but I remember back in the day when Americans recognized a whole multitude of political opinions, not just the left/right spectrum. How does this left/right spectrum explain someone like me who could be called a libertarian on individual rights (no SS/Income Tax, freedom of speech and religion, no government intrusion into my private life) but as far as business regulation and government go leans more towards what the Democrat and Green parties push (regulations on business and corporations and a more democratic form of government versus what we have now)? It seems almost comical to me.

Everything is "easier" when it's polarized. People don't have to think through each issue, just go w/ one "party." I'm socially liberal and fiscally more moderate. I don't identify w/ Liberals, never have, don't identify with Conservatives, never had. I guess I'm a left leaning moderate? I don't attack people who think differently than me either.

[ClemVegas]

It seems like most of the time, people who complain about political labels are liberals.

I see a lot of people who support high taxes and high government spending who still call themselves fiscally conservative.

[burdell]

Why do people think everything is a 'left wing' vs 'right wing' issue? (brainwash, speech)


It's a 'feature' of our entrenched 2 party system, probably a bigger threat to this country than any outside force.

I'd be happy to vote for a fiscally conservative, socially liberal candidate, it seems highly unlikely either party would ever support such a candidate.