/r/centerleftpolitics
A place for moderately left leaning people to discuss and share ideas about global politics and world news.
This community is for center-left people to discuss world news and global politics with like-minded individuals.
Post relevant articles, videos, memes, etc. outside the Discussion Thread. Use the Discussion Thread for more off topic comments. Moderators reserve the right to remove posts at their discretion.
This is NOT a subreddit for debating or a sub for argument and confrontation. If that is what you are looking for, then you are not welcome here. There are plenty of "unity" and "debate" subs out there, feel free to visit those. And there are not many, if any, subreddits for center-left people that haven't been overwhelmed by those farther left or on the right.
If you are not centre-left, you are NOT allowed here. Period. Trolls/brigaders will be banned on sight. If you post on the_donald or chapotraphouse or other similar subreddits, you will be banned.
Democratic Socialists of America and Justice Democrats are NOT center-left. In other words: If you admire politicians like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, or Jeremy Corbyn and/or their platforms, this sub isn't what you're looking for.
Be aware that this is not a hate subreddit. Calls for violence against political opponents will be removed and likely get you banned. This is not an ANTIFA LARPing sub, and this is not latestagecapitalism; guillotine and gulag "jokes" will get you a ban. Glorifying death will be punished as well.
This is not /r/politics and low quality posts/articles that don't fit this sub will be removed.
The center left occupies the area of the political spectrum to the right of the far left or left wing, and to the left of the center.
The center left is made up mostly of Social Liberals and Third Way Social Democrats, ideologies that wish to build upon and enhance capitalism, not tear it down.
Recent examples of center-left politics in action are the the New Democrat Coalition in the United States, and New Labour in the United Kingdom.
Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown were the driving forces behind New Labour, and Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton were self-described New Democrats.
There are many center-left political parties all over the globe, here are a few good contemporary examples:
-Orange Democratic Movement in Kenya
-Democrats 66 in the Netherlands
-Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan
-Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan
There is not any list of defining characteristics of what makes someone politically left of center, but here are some common ideas or themes:
We recognize that capitalism has provided substantial freedom, progress, and growth. However, left to its own devices it is a wild animal in need of taming. Center-leftists support regulated capitalism, NOT laissez-faire.
The center-left are generally in favor of market economies, and want to vastly expand civil rights. It is believed that it is needed and just that the government intervene to address certain economic and social issues.
The center-left prefers incremental change and pragmatism over vast sweeping rapid changes and reforms.
The center-left prefers multilateralism and internationalism over unilateralism and isolation.
Center-left political parties in Europe are strongly Pro-European, the European Union has delivered a lasting peace and economic prosperity to the once war-torn continent. Outside of Europe, the center-left supports other similar political and economic unions.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is one of the most effective keepers of peace and protectors of democracy in the modern world. NATO commits the allies to democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law, as well as to peaceful resolution of disputes. The center-left are supporters of NATO and other treaty organizations.
Intergovernmental organizations like the United Nations maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international co-operation, and are a center for harmonizing the actions of nations.
We have a strong commitment to international trade, we supported the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the North American Free Trade Agreement, and we will continue to advocate and advance similar international trade deals.
The center left is pro-immigration, and believes in freedom of movement.
Climate change is real, and one of the most pressing dangers to humanity currently. The center-left strongly supports taking action to lessen the damage. One action the vast majority of both environmentalists and economists can agree would be a preventative measure is a carbon tax, a tax on carbon emissions. Beyond that we can continue to move away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources. We cannot continue to rely on coal and shy away from wind, solar, and nuclear.
Making higher education universally free of charge is actually a regressive policy that benefits the upper and upper middle classes, who can afford to pay for higher education without assistance. We believe in increasing aid to the poorest among us, so that they can be on a level playing field with the privileged.
All of us want universal health care, but there are however different ways to achieve that goal. Single-payer =/= Universal Healthcare. There are multi-payer systems that allow private insurance and government health care to coexist.
This subreddit is a a community in favor of social justice. We are feminists and strongly pro-choice. We support modern civil rights movements like Black Lives Matter and organizations like Planned Parenthood.
We Believe Women.
We are a safe community for LGBT+/queer/GSRM individuals, always.
The members of this subreddit are proud Rainbow Capitalists.
#YIMBY
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No Trolling or Brigading
No Spam, Advertising, Illegal Content or SOME NSFW Content
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Stay on Topic, No Promotion of non-Center Left Politics
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/r/centerleftpolitics
Vote-swapping is an electoral strategy where a protest voter in a swing-state promises to vote for Harris in exchange for two people from safe blue states voting for the protest voter's preferred third-party or protest vote.
In past elections similar projects moved thousands or low tens of thousands of votes to Democrats in swing states.
This can potentially make a real difference. Al Gore lost Florida, and America by 537 votes. This is less than the total (1,400) number of vote swaps in Florida in 2000 (and 80,000+ non-swapped Nader votes).
Vote-swapping can also help protest both the electoral college and the two-party system. Independent/Protest/Third-Party voters can amplify their protest by voting for Harris in their swing state in exchange for TWO safe-state votes for their preferred candidate, increasing their preferred candidate's popular vote count.
SwapYourVote.org has seen a large day-on-day uptick in interest and signups since we launched 3 days ago. This is very last minute for an elections project, but we're still hoping to have a real impact on the presidential race.
You can learn more about us on SwapYourVote.org. I've volunteered extensively for this project, and I'm more than happy to answer any followup questions.
An Analysis of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s Policies and Character in Light of the Teachings of Jesus Christ
This analysis examines the policies and character of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump through the lens of the teachings of Jesus Christ, specifically focusing on the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and avoiding the letters attributed to Paul. The Gospels emphasize compassion, justice, humility, care for the marginalized, and the value of life. This report includes an assessment of each politician’s policies, particularly on the sensitive issue of abortion, and an evaluation of their personal character in the context of legal and ethical controversies.
The Gospels’ Ethical Framework
Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels are centered around several key themes:
1. Compassion for the Poor and Marginalized: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:3, 7).
2. Peacemaking and Humility: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
3. Justice and Mercy: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness” (Matthew 23:23).
4. Value of Life and Protection of the Vulnerable: Jesus emphasized care for the vulnerable, saying, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump: Policy Analysis
Abortion: A Complex Ethical Issue
The Gospels do not directly address abortion, but they do focus on the sanctity of life, compassion for the vulnerable, and care for those facing difficult circumstances.
1. Kamala Harris: Harris supports a woman’s right to choose, advocating for access to abortion services as a matter of health and autonomy. She sees her stance as respecting women’s agency and believes in robust reproductive healthcare, including federal protection of abortion rights. Harris’s supporters argue that her position demonstrates compassion for women facing complex situations, consistent with Jesus’ mercy toward those in hardship. However, those who emphasize the protection of unborn life see her stance as conflicting with the Gospel’s concern for the vulnerable, including the unborn.
2. Donald Trump: During his presidency, Trump supported strong anti-abortion measures, including appointing conservative judges to the Supreme Court who overturned Roe v. Wade. His policies aimed to limit abortion access, reflecting a commitment to the protection of unborn life—a stance aligned with a pro-life reading of the Gospels. Critics, however, argue that Trump’s anti-abortion stance lacked comprehensive support for women, children, and low-income families after birth, making his commitment to life selective.
Compassion for the Poor and Marginalized
1. Kamala Harris: Harris has consistently emphasized expanding social safety nets, access to affordable healthcare, and addressing racial and economic inequalities. These policies align with the Gospel’s focus on justice and compassion for the poor and marginalized. In Matthew 25:35, Jesus says, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” Harris’s policies generally reflect a broader concern for those in need.
2. Donald Trump: Trump’s economic policies prioritized tax cuts, deregulation, and market-based solutions, with an emphasis on encouraging self-reliance. His administration cut back on some welfare programs, arguing that it incentivizes work and independence. Critics argue that this approach often disproportionately benefits the wealthy and fails to address systemic inequalities, challenging the Gospel’s emphasis on direct care for the poor.
Justice and Peacemaking
1. Kamala Harris: Harris has spoken in favor of justice reform, focusing on racial equity, police accountability, and prison reform. Her positions on these issues resonate with Jesus’ call for justice and mercy, especially toward marginalized communities. However, her record as a prosecutor in California has been criticized for not always aligning with a compassionate justice framework, with accusations that she sometimes enforced harsh penalties that disproportionately affected minority communities.
2. Donald Trump: Trump’s approach to justice was often defined by a “law and order” stance, which prioritized strong enforcement and security. He was a vocal supporter of policing and strict immigration policies, including the controversial family separation policy. Critics argue that these policies were harsh and lacked compassion, conflicting with Jesus’ call to be merciful. His focus on national strength often overshadowed the Gospel’s emphasis on humility and care for the “stranger” (Matthew 25:35).
Personal Character in the Light of the Gospels
Kamala Harris’s Character
1. Integrity and Empathy: Harris has presented herself as a leader committed to justice, equality, and inclusion. Her emphasis on dialogue, compromise, and collaboration resonates with Jesus’ teachings on humility and empathy. However, her prosecutorial history has led to questions about whether her actions have always been consistent with the values of mercy and justice emphasized in the Gospels.
2. Legal Controversies:
• Federal Charges: Kamala Harris has no federal charges against her. • State Charges: Harris has no history of state charges. • Sexual Misconduct: There are no allegations or accusations of sexual misconduct against Kamala Harris.
Donald Trump’s Character
1. Humility and Truthfulness: Trump’s character has been characterized by controversy. His confrontational style, focus on personal success, and often divisive rhetoric sharply contrast with Jesus’ teachings on humility and meekness: “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 14:11).
2. Legal Controversies:
• Federal Charges: • Classified Documents Case: Trump has been indicted for mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House. Allegations include unauthorized possession of sensitive materials and obstruction of justice. • Election Interference Case: He faces federal charges related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, including accusations of conspiracy to defraud the United States. • State Charges: • New York Business Fraud Case: Trump faces charges in New York for allegedly falsifying business records related to hush-money payments. • Georgia Election Interference Case: In Georgia, he faces charges for attempting to influence the outcome of the 2020 election. • Sexual Misconduct: In a civil case in May 2023, Trump was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation in a case brought by E. Jean Carroll, who accused him of sexual assault in the 1990s. Trump has also faced numerous other allegations of sexual misconduct over the years, which he has denied.
Gospel Teachings and Policy Evaluation
Sanctity of Life
• Kamala Harris: Advocates for reproductive rights, which she views as respecting women’s autonomy. However, her stance is often seen as contradictory to the Gospel’s emphasis on protecting the vulnerable. • Donald Trump: Takes a traditional pro-life stance, aligning with a defense of the unborn. Yet, his policies often lacked support for vulnerable populations beyond birth.
Care for the Poor
• Kamala Harris: Focuses on healthcare, education, and economic support for the marginalized, echoing Jesus’ call for compassion for the poor. • Donald Trump: Emphasizes economic independence and job creation, with critics arguing that his policies favored the wealthy.
Welcoming the Stranger
• Kamala Harris: Supports more inclusive immigration policies, aligning with Jesus’ call to welcome the stranger. • Donald Trump: Advocated for strict border controls and immigration policies, which some argue conflict with the Gospel’s emphasis on hospitality.
Conclusion: Whose Policies Align More with the Gospels?
From a Gospel-centered perspective, evaluating alignment with Jesus’ teachings depends on which aspects one emphasizes:
• Social and Economic Justice: Kamala Harris’s focus on social justice, healthcare, and care for the marginalized reflects a closer alignment with the compassionate and inclusive teachings of Jesus. • Abortion: Trump’s anti-abortion stance aligns with a pro-life interpretation of Jesus’ protection of the vulnerable, but critics note an inconsistency in his broader support for life and dignity. • Character: Harris’s approach is often seen as more collaborative and empathetic, resonating with Gospel values of humility and justice. Trump’s legal controversies and confrontational style present significant challenges when viewed through the lens of Jesus’ calls for truthfulness, humility, and peacemaking.
Thus, the determination of alignment with the Gospels is complex and depends on the weight given to different ethical and moral priorities. Harris’s policies align more closely with the compassionate care emphasized by Jesus, particularly concerning social justice and care for the poor. However, Trump’s anti-abortion stance may appeal to those who prioritize a traditional view of the sanctity of life. Each presents a challenge to the holistic application of Jesus’ teachings in the modern political landscape.