Random Area XVI: The Random Menace

No consent

Why on earth would anyone do that?

I'm a bit of an odd duck. I consider myself a strong Traditionalist Archdove Keynesian Deficit Hawk Tariff Man. Businesses cannot be trusted, we need to regulate them to protect the working man, i.e. I support issues like a $15 minimum wage, increased regulations against price gouging, limited donations from businesses on the campaign trail, and various others designed to curb the power that business owners have over their workers.

On the other hand, I am firmly anti-union. I have seen far too many things happen under them for me to think that they are any better than their business overlords. On the other other hand, I think that their ideals are excellent, just not their actual position of power.

Furthermore, I am a strong deficit hawk who believes that the free market is the most efficient way. "Huh?" Well, I think that the free market is the most efficient way, but it does a terrible job of protecting the workers and consumers from the corrupt. Ergo, while it will produce the most revenue and lower prices the most, it will inevitably reduce quality of life for the majority of people.

In addition, I think that there cannot be both big debt and big governmental spending. It is just not a sustainable economic model. Thus I oppose efforts like Medicare and Medicaid for the government to pay for things for the consumer. A far cheaper option is for the government to implement price transparency regulations (to increase competition) as well as, in extreme cases, put in price controls.

However, I think that the US should increase disability and social security spending, as well as spend more for single parent households (and make deadbeats pay alimony), by taxing the rich. In addition, I would support a system where anybody can get a job, be it in military or infrastructure, if they need to, that pays minimum $15 an hour.

Finally, I think that Tariffs are necessary to protect a nation's workers. While I wish that free trade would be available, the fact of the matter is that if other countries treat their workers like dirt, and we are one of few that don't, we can't compete with other folks' low wages and will increase unemployment. Same with environmental standards.

So sort of a populist, centrist-but-not-moderate outlook to the economy. I've never met anyone else with the same views.

Gerd von Rundstedt, until today I thought you were more of a libertarian, more or less on the positions of reason magazine. Now I see that it's more complicated than that.
As a socialist, I find some of the things you mentioned agreeable and some less so. I find your opinions interesting, anyway.

It doesn't surprise me, they are very... convoluted!
(But not contradictory, as far as I can understand)

I did actually lean Libertarian a few years ago, but I have come to have a far more cynical view of the people that inhabit this world.

I am of the opinion that socialism is faulty, bot just through histpry, but by its pure ideals. Businesses must check governmental power just as governments must check businesses'.

It would probably be through that sentiment (even if I am in favour of smaller governments anyway) that I can accept social democracy as a probable middle-ground between the free market and a fully communal economy.