Why I Align with Liberals/Moderates in the US Political Spectrum

The United States political landscape is complex, encompassing a wide spectrum of ideologies. While the country has two major parties, there are four major factions that shape the debate. In this article, we will delve into why I align myself with the Liberals or Moderates, distinguishing my preferences from the other major factions and providing insights into the reasons behind my choice.

US Political Factions

The US political arena is not solely dominated by the Democrats and Republicans. There are four major factions within the spectrum:

Among these, I align most closely with the Liberals, often referred to as Moderates in places like San Francisco, where I reside. However, my preference for Liberals/Moderates is based on specific reasons, as we will explore further.

Alignment with Liberals/Moderates

Reason 1: Social Issues and Ideological Alignment

The core issue that shapes my alignment is my stance on social issues. Both the Progressives and the Center-Right are polarized on social issues, with the former often categorically opposed to certain groups (such as minorities and the LGBT community) and the latter maintaining a weak stance.

As a minority and a gay man, I cannot unequivocally support a political party that is either weak on social issues or hostile towards certain groups. Any political party that wants my support needs to be at least strongly socially liberal.

While I agree with the Progressives on social issues, they often fall short on economic issues, leading to a nuanced view from me.

Liberals vs. Progressives on Social Issues

On social issues, Liberals and Progressives align quite closely. However, the stark divergence occurs on economic policies, where Progressives often take a more radical stance. This is where my alignment with Liberals becomes crucial.

It is often misunderstood that Liberals are heartless or opposed to helping the poor. In my case, I support many of their programs but fundamentally disagree with their approach to economic growth.

Economic Policies and Growth

Reason 2: Economic Policies and Growth

While I agree with Progressives on social issues, my disagreement lies in their economic stance. They prioritize tax policies and fail to consider economic growth and development comprehensively.

Progressives have no trade policy, no development policy, and no ideas on how to stimulate certain industries. They just don’t care. Their entire economic plan is focused solely on taxing the rich and corporations, which is a short-sighted and unsustainable approach.

Short-term tax policies, while necessary, cannot guarantee long-term economic stability. For instance, the Kansas Experiment demonstrated the dangers of simplistic tax cuts without a comprehensive economic strategy. This approach often backfires, leading to a loss of businesses and a decrease in economic growth.

Conservative Economic Policy Critique

I have previously argued that:

Tax cuts are not a silver bullet. The GOP often tries to solve every economic problem with a tax cut. However, there is more to an economy than taxes. Lower tax rates in one region do not guarantee an influx of jobs and money.

Similarly, Progressives often focus solely on tax hikes, which can also have detrimental effects on economic growth. For example, raising taxes on building owners and developers in San Francisco has not only exacerbated the housing crisis but also driven away potential new businesses.

Final Thoughts

While I support many of the Progressive programs, my ultimate alignment is with the Liberals/Moderates. The key difference lies in their ability to incorporate economic growth and development into their policies. Only when they integrate these elements will they truly have a comprehensive and sustainable approach to governing.

My stance is clear: until Progressives can balance their social and economic policies, the Liberals/Moderates will remain my preferred choice.