My Political Labels

To start, I despise how political labels are used in society currently. Often political labels are casually thrown around and become political buzzwords. They are used as empty insults to divide and dismiss others in conversation. As I discussed in the Voter Directed Democracy book, a political word or phrase becomes a “buzzword” when it is so often overused or misused that it no longer has a clear, singular, and objective meaning. Political buzzwords then tend to mean vastly different things to different people even when they are used between friends, family members, and other typically like-minded groups. Common political buzzwords in the US that are divisively and erroneously used that I try to avoid completely include: Liberal/Conservative, Left/Right, and Democrat/Republican.

To be successful, any type of human communication should convey an objective meaning to every human that receives the communication. But so often when political labels are used in the current political discourse there is no objective and clear meaning being conveyed. This is why, overall, it is much better to engage in political discourse by completing avoiding political labels and any terminology that is even vaguely a buzzword. Political communication and discussion is much better and much more useful to everyone when we approach political discourse using the language of values, virtues, and principles OR approaching the conversation and interaction with specific ideas, perspectives, and philosophies. It is so easy for any conversation or interaction about any social, political, or economic issue to devolve into hostility, frustration, and miscommunication when the phrases and terminology we use lacks precision, specificity, and objectivity.

Ultimately I prefer talking politics with ideologies, thoughts, ideas, values, virtues, belief systems, and philosophies and very specific opinions on every single issue. Clarity, precision, and specificity on everything. But that’s just not how humans tend to communicate especially in relation to social, political, and economic issues. I wish this was different. I wish we always had the capacity for long discussion, openness, honesty, empathetic listening, and collaboration but we’re just not there yet.

The only way to objectively avoid the misinterpretation of a political label or political phrase and prevent it from becoming a buzzword is to provide a very clear definition for the term. This is why glossaries and definitions are so important in political philosophy and legal proceedings. Thus in this essay I will attempt to be as clear and precise as possible with my definitions.    

The first political label that I identify with is Independent. This is the easy one and comprehensively explained in the Voter Directed Democracy book. I consider myself not associated with any political party. The political philosophy of Voter Directed Democracy is anti-political party because it is relentlessly anti-authoritarian. Voter Directed Democracy is also relentlessly pro-voter, pro-democracy, pro-democratic republic, and pro-Will-of-the-People at all levels of government for every single issue. In other words, Voter Directed Democracy and all voter directed voters and elected officials are literally independent from the immense flaws, brokenness, corruption, and increasingly authoritarian dynamics of political parties and party-driven democracy.

The last two labels that I identify with are Progressive Libertarian. I am a Libertarian in relation to how I believe democratic republic governing mentalities (governments) should operate and I am relentlessly pro-individual freedom, pro-liberty, and pro-justice for all. l also have many Progressive personal values. Libertarian is my noun, Progressive is my adjective.  

Unfortunately, however, I find that many people who also identify as Libertarian or Progressive fail to apply their philosophy accurately and consistently. So many people articulate an idea, stance, perspective, or policy and identify themselves as a “Libertarian” or “Progressive” and after they finish explaining themselves verbally or in writing the only thing I want to tell them is what they just explained is NOT Libertarian or Progressive, respectively. Their ideas and policies are inconsistent with their identified political labels. Most humans mean well. The vast majority of humans are compassion driven, caring, empathetic, kind, and helpful. But many struggle to remain logically consistent given how diverse and complicated public policy (at any level of government) can be. 

Please let me explain. 

First, you must understand my labels in the context of being in and believing in the immense superiority democracy. I wrote a whole book about this. I am endlessly and relentlessly pro-democracy, pro-voter, pro-democratic republic and anti-authoritarian on everything related to political philosophy and the functioning of government.

So if you are personally anti-democracy and pro-authoritarian to any extent just stop reading now. You won’t get it. You won’t understand what it means to me to be a Progressive Libertarian in this context if you stand against democracy and democratic republics. You are not ready for this level of discussion if you have allowed yourself to be so manipulated and misinformed.

In fact, if you lean so far right that you have fallen off the amazing and gigantic Plateau of Democracy into the Abyss of Authoritarianism and you find yourself thinking insane things like “monarchy probably wasn’t that bad” or “plutocracy can help a lot of people” or “oligarchy makes sense and is fair” kindly GTFO. Just go. 

Same thing goes for people who lean too far left. If you lean too far left and fall off the amazing and gigantic Plateau of Democracy into the Abyss of Authoritarianism in the other direction and believe that communism is a good idea- also, kindly GTFO. 

All of you authoritarians that are pro-monarchy, pro-oligarchy, and pro-communism can have the Pacific Garbage Patch as your country. You all live there and can live out your authoritarian fantasies. You’re also always welcome back to the US whenever you’re ready to be a sane adult and build modern, evolved, online, honest, and transparent Voter Directed democratic republics at all levels of government. All voters are always welcome on Voter Directed Network. 

I mean technically authoritarian American citizens do have a right to exist and even promote their oppressive and garbage ideas because of the First Amendment and our Freedom of Speech laws in the US. But you can’t really act on them.

Acting in any real way against the US Constitution in favor of implementing authoritarian rule is literally the dumbest thing any human can do. You won’t last long acting in direct opposition to all three branches of US government, the entire US military, many government officials, and all others that take an oath to protect and defend the US Constitution. Acting in such a way is an act of insanity. It’s honestly a great way to end up dead or in prison. 

But sure, you’re allowed to hang on to your authoritarian and oppressive beliefs. I’m sure they make you a wonderful, generous, and kind dinner guest as well. 

Anyway, I digress. Back to the main topic of my political labels. As long as you’re generally pro-democracy and pro-democratic republic you will understand what I mean when I explain what it means to me to identify as a Progressive Libertarian.

Let’s start with my Libertarian sides. Being a pro-democractic republic Libertarian means that I am all about individual freedom, personal liberty, and justice for all. 

Freedom. Liberty. Justice. Freedom for all individuals to live as we choose. Liberty for individuals to build the life that is right for each of us. Justice restored to anyone when acts of evil befall us. 

These are the backbones of being a Libertarian. These sentiments are amazing and give Libertarian-leaning, right-leaning Americans a philosophy that is…

For full access to all essay content, discounts on merchandise, first looks at all content, and other benefits please become a VDN Subscriber.