My "Salade Macedoine" Politics

Like many neo-cons, I also come from a leftist tradition. While the neo-cons venerated Trotsky, I came from a family tradition where it was often said that "if Stalin and Tito had not split in 1949, the communists would have won the Greek Civil War and Macedonia would be united and free within the framework of a Balkan Federation." Or small talk over a barbecue ... "lets face it, Stalin made a few mistakes".

I am a federalist, in the Balkans, the EU and in North America. I am even open to the idea of Canada joining the US, with Quebec having the status of "Puerto Rico of the North", while the other nine provinces join as individual states. (While we are at it, let's through in the Caribbean).

I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that capitalism, with all its faults, is the best system for the majority of the people. This revelation came to me while taking an economics class in university. The professor showed brilliantly, in a low key and self-effacing manner, that the greater the freedom, the greater the prosperity. I am now a"functional capitalist", or, if you will, a libertarian ... with a heart.

A book called 'functional socialism" made the case for government regulation of the economy without direct government ownership. I believe in the same technique, lets call it"functional capitalism". For example, I am open to the privatization of the entire public school system, with proper regulatory guidance. To me it just makes common sense and not part of a far right conspiracy. The far right favors partial privatization merely as a way of breaking the teachers' union. This I oppose ... because I have a heart.

Notwithstanding political theories, the rich always seem to hold power over government and corrupt the legislative process. The result is that some people get the elevator and while others get the shaft. I do not worship at the alter of business, big or small. I take my cue from James, the Brother of the Lord.

Letter of James

Warning to Rich Oppressors

"1Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. 2Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.^[a] 6You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you."

And finally, because of Macedonian history, I am an anti-imperialist. I believe in the rule of law in international affairs which is opposite to the concept of "national interest" (the doctrine of the Devil). The UN is a flawed organization (FYROM anyone?) which cannot be reformed. My solution is keep the UN, but expand the OSCE to include all true democratic countries of the world and have this group take over most of the "functions" of the UN in areas of human rights and aid to the Third World. In a real sense, we can start from scratch. Eventually, the UN will wither away and "the lion will lie down with the lamb"!

All in all, a nice "salade macedoine" mixture of political philosophy.