Is California more Leftist/Socialist or Libertarian/Neoliberal? (Orange: taxes, live in)

[lrmsd]

Originally Posted by FabianS

I never get why leftists think giant corporations are automatically somehow "neoliberal" or right-wing.

Is communist China a "neoliberal" country because it has so many giant corporations?

Small and medium sized companies that make due without excessive government connections could arguably be called neoliberal. Giant corps are crony-capitalist.

And the reason left wing areas of the country have the most income inequity is because left-wing policies destroy the middle class while leaving the ultra rich and their giant corporations largely unaffected.

Probably b/c the actual definition of socialism would not involve capitalist corporations. Communist China is not so much communist anymore, anyway. As with all 'communist countries' in history, it essentially began as/became a tool for control, organization, creating homogeneous populations and, in China's case, to move the country economically/developmentally in the desired direction. [although philosophically it is interpreted as having benevolent intentions]. I'm not sure I'd define any of that as 'neo liberal', so I agree with you there. But it's theoretically not possible to be socialist and have giant corporations. They don't really mix, philosophically speaking. But then again, the idea is that the recipe for socialism would not need to prevent corporations; it would simply preclude them from arising to begin with.

[surfman]

Originally Posted by spicymeatball

Americans have this idea that California is super left wing, almost communist even, ignoring the fact there is tons of wealth and powerful corporations headquartered there and that the state has the death penalty and extreme income inequality. I think calling California left wing is like calling Singapore left wing, ie there's not much basis for it even though both places do have some elements of socialism overall they're primarily neoliberal bastions.

I don't think being tolerant of weed or homosexuality alone makes a place left-wing and California has many residents who are opposed to both. What do you think?

Those corporations have been here for decades, if not a century. There's a lot more to it than homosexuality and weed. There's taxes, crumbling infrastructure, illegal aliens, corrupt politicians, and crony capitalism is out of control. I'm 4th generation Californian, and trust me, we have been overrun by progressive extremists.

Your poll is too narrow. There is a lot more to it than just your two choices.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by Tlaneloli

Not even remotely socialist, hardly left wing, just American liberalism.

People usually say stuff like this because:

1. They are further to the left of the general electorate, so they don't perceive the state as left wing.

and

2. Because the long term trend is toward more and more centralized power and control. What was considered socialist 50 years ago is now the normal way of doing business....exactly what our controlling elite wants.

[lookb4youcross]

Originally Posted by silverkris

Wanting to impede the constitutional rights of people whose political views you dislike is unconstitutional, ignorant, and un-democratic. Your ad hominem screeds speak for themselves.

No, those people that screwed up are ignorant low information voters, and clearly california has many of them.
The fact of the matter that I say it doesn't mean it will ever happen, if you want to blatantly change the subject thats up to you. Californians would sign a petition to take anyones rights away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpHOaW99ST4
Don't forget illegals will vote democrat, and thats why democrats want amnesty for illegals so bad. Those people will bring their values here and alienate the rest of us of our civil rights/liberties.

[Tulemutt]

Much as I was saying before: California is a clear and present danger to Manitowoc Wisconsin. Invasion is probably imminent. Time for Manitowoc to consider a preemptive strike?

[lookb4youcross]

Originally Posted by Tulemutt

Much as I was saying before: California is a clear and present danger to Manitowoc Wisconsin. Invasion is probably imminent. Time for Manitowoc to consider a preemptive strike?

I am going to repeat my earlier reply to you: No, no. I was just pointing out facts. Those left wing politicians I mentioned push their anti-american values on the whole country, not just california. So just because we are not in the same state doesn't mean those bad politicians ideas won't spread to other loony politicians in other states.

[Tulemutt]

Roger that Manitowoc. The "loonies" are zeroing in on you. Maybe time to pop smoke and evac. There are 10's of millions of 'em!!

[EricS39]

Originally Posted by spicymeatball

Americans have this idea that California is super left wing, almost communist even, ignoring the fact there is tons of wealth and powerful corporations headquartered there and that the state has the death penalty and extreme income inequality. I think calling California left wing is like calling Singapore left wing, ie there's not much basis for it even though both places do have some elements of socialism overall they're primarily neoliberal bastions.

I don't think being tolerant of weed or homosexuality alone makes a place left-wing and California has many residents who are opposed to both. What do you think?

I don't think anyone would call California communist. Where exactly is California forcing people to work or redistribute wealth? A communist regime would be redistributing the property of Apple Inc, Sllicon valley, ...Hollywood, Scripts, Disneyland, Orange County very soviet

Very communist lol.

[EricS39]

It's so Liberal open that if you are 18 years old and have a 16 year old girlfriend and it's suspected you both made out, that's jail time and lifelong sex offender registration. Not so Leftwing

3 strikes and you're out, how is that Leftwing

Tattooing is illegal under age 18...Europe 16 is drinking age

What is more Liberal about California? Taxes are higher in the northeast actually.

Maybe immigration policy that's it

I think people throw terms like Leftwing and rightwing around without diving into the content. It's pretty sad.

I would say there is a social Liberal/conservative divide that is most apparent between certain cities in California, and southern towns in Dixie. After that it's pretty uniform with more hype than anything else.

And I think I would describe myself as a Liberal Non-Democrat and no I don't lean closer to the Republican agenda...I just don't like the Democratic ways and methods of achieving their visions...I support their visions and not the Republican ones. I want a new progressive party affiliation that is less cowardly to try to form grassroots and build bonds at municipal levels and implement real ideas. If this isn't in place, voting Democrat is the lesser of 2 evil beaurocratic party institutions. I would guess this is where most Californians stand.

The only reason for a solid democrat force is to make it clear as bad as Democrats may be, Republican platform is even worse

It is not the vision of the left that is wrong... It is those powerful individuals who are misguiding the left and ruining it for the ones who have effective solutions that actually do work. The right uses this to say the leftist visions are wrong and this is a pity for everybody.

[EricS39]

And we sat through the 2012 presidential election and people in California were displeased with Obamacare which wasn't even what the Leftwing really was seeking...this dumb mandated fine....
no we wanted the public option .....we wanted better healthcare not "forcing people to pay carriers"
That idea was actually Romney's

But Romney and Ryan's vision was worse than continuing under the current administration by the standards of most in California

Romney vision was to incite a trade war with China, dwindle our diplomatic relations with numerous foreign countries, give big breaks to large businesses and deregulate consumer protections

Obama vision was do nothing which is still better than doing harm. Nobody came out of this saying Obama is a great president. It was which side is less horrible.

With low confidence in both but Obama as lesser of 2 evils, voting turnout was at an all time low and Obama won by a pretty narrow margin for how California normally votes


But California history DOES demonstrate that when a Democratic candidate is really really really awful, the state can compromise party. This was how Arnold became Governor over Gray Davis kicked out...and this guy Bustamonte who had zero governing experience trying to pull "I'm the new Gray Davis you know I have a D next to my name" strategy. Californians said no it doesn't work that way.