Is it normal to support some aspects of socialism but get annoyed by it?

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I'm not part of the actual Occupy movement as I'm not camping out in St Paul's Cathedral or anything like that, but I admire how the Occupiers are protesting against the greed of the banks and politicians.

I hate how the UK's current government is out to destroy the lives and livelihoods of all except their little upper-class mates with cuts and Workfare (Forcing people to take on unpaid work that they may well be unqualified to do; forcing the terminally ill to work and cutting off benefit to people with disabilities and mental illness after a year in the vain - and extremely stupid - hope they'll "get better".
Also, I enjoy shopping far too much and am quite brand-conscious.

Most of my "political ""activity"" " on Twitter or filling out online petitions. I follow a few accounts along the lines of @ManufactDissent; @GirlsManifesto; @Anti_Church and @InjusticeFacts.
I agree with some of what they say, but I find some of their views extremist. @GirlsManifesto is - I think - particularly bad for this and this account turns its nose up at anything to do with the mass media.
Actual examples:-
"The revolutionary girl hates the fashion industry because it violates and maims the psychology of women." - Only if you're stupid enough to take the fashion industry literally! It IS possible to enjoy fashion and have a conscience, strangely enough.
"The revolutionary girl despises capitalist 'pop' culture because it is mindless, stupid and poisonous to the struggle." - Sometimes you need a mindless escape from things!

I **know** I can unfollow the accounts that annoy me easily enough! It's just that I haven't yet because, irrationally, I feel like I might be betraying someone or something if I do.

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72% Normal
Based on 18 votes (13 yes)
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Comments ( 2 )
  • dappled
    11 years ago

    This is the exact reason I stopped reading The Guardian. There's a certain brand of socialism that is so "right on" and politically correct and never happy unless it's pointing out somebody else's political failings. Worse, you're made to feel you have to agree with every single edict. It's an all or nothing scenario and the world doesn't and couldn't work that way.

    This kind of socialism takes itself much too seriously and can't help but push out towards the radical fringe. The worst thing of all is that if you are centre-left, there is not only no newspaper for you in this country, but no political party either.

    I don't understand why the right wing can cope with multiple shades of rightness and the left wing doesn't seem able to do the same with leftness.

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  • howaminotmyself
    11 years ago

    The online conversations are much different than the conversations on the streets. I stopped reading a lot of it due to the soapbox mentality of online communication. The movement is evolving. An idea was planted and the roots are establishing themselves. What takes shape is dependant on what we nurture. What is important to you?

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