I disagree, just because you've managed to get out of an area, doesn't mean your experiences in life are suddenly invalid because you've managed to make a better life for yourself. I probably wouldn't be classified as working class anymore, but that doesn't mean the experiences of the first 40 or so years of my life have no validity; because after 40 years I now can afford to live in a nicer area.

There is more to be left wing and progressive, than where you live, and its absurd to think that someone who's moved upwards in life shouldn't want to see others do the same.

I had someone I know say something equally stupid, that once I got a decent job I shouldn't be supporting the left wing. As if.

Edited by jamiemartin721 (27 Nov 2017 4.06pm)

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
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I'm a progressive, I think the point of socialism is that we can all live in nicer areas. I don't like the idea of a communism or socialism, that's a race over everyone to be the same, and live in drab, identikit houses.

I see no value in being miserable or unhappy, to score political points, with people who will then just find another way to ignore your points.

I'm a champagne socialist, in so much as I believe that everyone should be able to drink champagne if they like it, not just those who can afford it (NB - its really just sparkling wine and those who pretend its not, are lying to themselves).

Nice homes for everyone, a good life for all. I'm with Emma Goldman, if I can't dance, its not my revolution.

Although I don't live in a mansion, now that I'm better off than I was, I do like to help others out where I can (I paid for a friends central heating, paid a friends deposit and stood guarantor for them, put friends up indefinitely if they need it, helped a homeless guy get back on his feet etc).

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
[Link]

Not everyone. Some do actually live without material goods and focus on their spirituality/god with the aid of the kindness of strangers.

Big chest and massive boobs

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I agree, hypocrisy is human nature and we are all hypocrites to a degree....and yeah, some is small fry.

However, this doesn't make it ok......we should be able to point at hypocrisy and moan about it.

The more a person lives by their principles the more honest that person is and the more understanding they are before they ask others to live by theirs....or ask for a moderation in others.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Ah it's Ray, the progressive Obi-Wan Kenobi to Nick's Luke.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

It's actually worse than that. If you look at what's happened in the US, gerrymandering - where voting districts are drawn to either unite one parties voting base or divide another's (see graphic) - means that our politics has become more and more extreme.

Once you have a district where the opposition vote has been nullified, you have no reason to court that vote. You speak only to the empowered majority.

However, because you cannot be challenged from the other side, your only fear is of a challenge from your own side. Ideological purity tests start to creep in, and candidates crab ever further towards to the fringes to protect themselves from a more ideologically pure challenger. It's the party activists who decide on the candidate, so you have to keep them on your side or they'll throw you out of your safe seat.

Diversified districts return more moderate candidates. Gerrymandered districts return candidates who are ideologically handcuffed. The latter generates exactly what we're seeing in the US right now; where one-party controls all the levers of power but can't get s*** done.

Attachment: How_to_Steal_an_Election_-_Gerrymandering_svg.png (11.42Kb)

We don't do possession; we do defense and attack. Everything else is just wa**ing with a football.