I was thinking of Dirk when I listened to a News Report on BBC World today and they mentioned "Die Linke" News Party participating in the German Elections. Will you be voting Dirk, and what do you think about "Die Linke"?
I found the following info on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_Party_(Germany)
The reason they're being monitored is not the party itself but some of the more extreme members. I'd just like to clarify. The party has everything from social democrats to libertarian socialists. I've said on many an occasion that i highly respect Oskar Lafontaine for being able to keep so diverse a range of politics and yet completely avoid factionalism. Unifying the German Left is an incredible achievement. And it gives the socialists a much stronger voice, which is extremely helpful for democratic purposes.
In case you're wondering, i
do approve of the intelligence community keeping an eye on the Party, in some ways. There are some real Orwellian nutters in there. Naturally, they all think it's the Libbies they're keeping an eye on. I've said it before and i'll say it again. There's often more differences between authoritarian and libertarian than between socialist and capitalist. Particularly in Germany where society is very progressive but somehow also very conservative. Respect for authority is almost inbuilt. Then you get a few crazies like me who screw it all up through utter disdain for authority.
Will i be voting for Die Linke?
I will be practicing my democratic right to voter apathy, i think. I'm glad Die Linke provides a strong voice for the Left. It means a criticism of capitalism is taken far more seriously and concerns with the system and with society are seriously considered and addressed. Albeit in a very German way. The result is a far better social climate - with all needs addressed - and i'm much better for it.
But i'd rather not have Die Linke in power. The party is too broad to operate in a coherent direction. The authoritarians have a very different approach to ending capitalism than the libertarian socialists do. Usually in opposite directions.
Additionally, I don't live in Germany at the moment and although i have a right to vote from the outside, i have to admit i don't spend nearly as much time as i'd like to over there.
Finally, personally, as a side note, i'd like to achieve what we have in Germany in a different way.