Your Favorite Modern Day Political Leader(s)

[Meridiani Planum]

The only living political leader that I can think of that I admire is Gary Johnson, former Governor of New Mexico.

[Fortschritte]

Nicos Anastasiades, doing a pretty good job through a pretty shit time in Cyprus. And who knows? The north and south might even reach a settlement under him.

Natalie Bennett, she's definitely my favourite of the big political leaders in the UK at the moment.

Isn't the role of President of Cyprus largely ceremonial? If so, that means that Anastasiades didn't really get Cyprus throwing the "shit times." But, correct me if I'm wrong, since my knowledge on Cypriot politics is a bit fuzzy.

[MERIZoC]

Xi Jinping

Zhu Rongji

Mandela

Mandela is dead, besides that he has a good amount of blood on his hands.

…..Are you seriously vilifying him because he fought against a brutal, oppressive, racist regime?

[The Seleucids (Ancient)]

Mandela is dead, besides that he has a good amount of blood on his hands.

…..Are you seriously vilifying him because he fought against a brutal, oppressive, racist regime?

Not at all, but one cannot deny he has blood on his hands.
Having blood on your hands =/= being a bad guy

On the other hand, two rights don't make up for one wrong.
Its how you look at it.

I wouldn't say he's bad, but i wouldn't say he's a hero either.

[Krumbia]

Nicos Anastasiades, doing a pretty good job through a pretty shit time in Cyprus. And who knows? The north and south might even reach a settlement under him.

Natalie Bennett, she's definitely my favourite of the big political leaders in the UK at the moment.

Isn't the role of President of Cyprus largely ceremonial? If so, that means that Anastasiades didn't really get Cyprus throwing the "shit times." But, correct me if I'm wrong, since my knowledge on Cypriot politics is a bit fuzzy.

The President of Cyprus is both the head of government and of state. His role is as ceremonial as Obama's, apart from the fact that Anastasiades actually has the support of the parliament as well as the government. To quote Wikipedia (I know), "Unique among member states of the European Union, the President of Cyprus possesses considerable power".

[Fortschritte]

Isn't the role of President of Cyprus largely ceremonial? If so, that means that Anastasiades didn't really get Cyprus throwing the "shit times." But, correct me if I'm wrong, since my knowledge on Cypriot politics is a bit fuzzy.

The President of Cyprus is both the head of government and of state. His role is as ceremonial as Obama's, apart from the fact that Anastasiades actually has the support of the parliament as well as the government. To quote Wikipedia (I know), "Unique among member states of the European Union, the President of Cyprus possesses considerable power".

Oh, I was completely unaware of that. Since he wields considerable power, I'll commend him for steering Cyprus through a utter shitstorm. He did a better job than AKEL.

[Costa Fierro]

Mmm. The US is the other, and maybe even bigger, reason.

Cal, that is a load of bullshit and you know it.

It isn't that simple. Venezuela borders Colombia, and Colombia has some of the most violent cartels in the world. Some of those cartels crossed the border and settled in Venezuela. Moreover, the opposition's province (Miranda) is the most insecure of the country.

(Image)

Colombia has nothing to do with it. All the drug cartels have not moved to Venezuela but Peru, where the government there has less influence in the interior than Venezuela or Colombia does (and where there is prime coca growing territory also). Colombian cartels have no interest in Venezuela. Not to mention that those organizations which produce cocaine that still remain in Colombia are either in hiding or negotiating with the government (FARC).

However, you know where the violence comes from? Same as Colombia these days. Street gangs, many of which have access to a large amount of illicit firearms which are present in Venezuela.

You are simplifying things waaaay to much.

I'm not. That's the situation in Venezuela. Where the government plays down or denies the seriousness of the situation.

And Colombia, Guatemala and lots of other countries in the northern part of South America are even more dangerous.

Colombian cities are actually seeing a decrease in murders and other violent crimes. I also never said that Venezuela was the most dangerous country. I'm saying it's one of the most dangerous.

That's not true.

Yes it is.

The Healthcare system was absolute crap in the 90's when only the rich had access to it.

It's absolute crap now.

Absolutely true. But this has more to do with Maduro than with Chavez.

No. The rot set in under Chavez and Maduro has failed to treat it.

This is a big lie.

It's not.

Maduro saw a little bird in a chapel, while praying. And he ''felt'' the presence of Chavez. He never said that Chavez talked to him whatsoever. Here you have the original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsNTljd4DsU

The bird appeared to him again.

Absolutely not true.

You seem to be denying a lot of things. Have a look through the Venezuelan military and marvel at the new equipment they have.

I am not here to defend Chavez.

You are doing just that. I expected better.

[Estado Nacional]

You're out of your mind if you think Ron Paul is a libertarian, he's a paleocon. Gary Johnson is an actual libertarian.

You mean he doesn't support free markets, legalizing marijuana, cutting back foreign interventions and ending unwarranted wiretapping?

That sounds quite Libertarian to me.

That's not what Libertarianism is, and Ron Paul doesn't really support free markets.

[Sentrhul Yurop]

It seems like names get thrown around here and then other people on here drop these names so that people will like them and their "views".

[Sentrhul Yurop]

Nicos Anastasiades, doing a pretty good job through a pretty shit time in Cyprus. And who knows? The north and south might even reach a settlement under him.

Because my head has been in the sand for too long. But I have realised now that if you keep your head in the sand and pretend that there aren't any problems, someone will come over and cut it off. Her solutions might not be perfect, but she's the only political leader in France at the moment who recognises the extent of the immigrant problem in France, and so she's the lesser evil.

Yes France does have an immigration problem but vilifying a religion is not a solution. Its a downright deplorable and abhorrent act. Yes keep her around as her opinions are different but please don't vote her into power.

Oh for fucks sake.

[Anglo-California]

Patrick Buchanan.

So, you are an anti-Semitic Lindbergh Isolationist? Because you support one.

I am not a fan of Israel and Charles Lindbergh was awesome. America for the Americans.

Guilty as charged.

[Sentrhul Yurop]

So, you are an anti-Semitic Lindbergh Isolationist? Because you support one.

I am not a fan of Israel and Charles Lindbergh was awesome. America for the Americans.

Guilty as charged.

I doubt he's anti-semitic honestly. Being anti-Israel and being anti-semitic are not the same thing.

[Mushet]

I've been struggling to think of one, so I'll just go with whoever pisses off the left the most (that's open to interpretation).

Kim Jong-un

[Ardoki]

He's dead. And one of the primary reasons why Venezuela is in the crapper.

Mmm. The US is the other, and maybe even bigger, reason.

Reducing poverty is one thing.

Reducing poverty from 50,0% to 31,9% is a really big thing. I think you forgot the failed 2002 Coup that was backed by the United States of America and Henrique Capriles. Thanks to that disastrous coup of the opposition millions of Venezuelans were plunged into poverty: 61,1%. I bet you are not aware of the fact that Chavez, back then, implemented pro-market reforms.

Crime? No. Crime increased under Chavez. Venezuela is now one of the most violent countries in the world, with Caracas one of the most violent cities.

It isn't that simple. Venezuela borders Colombia, and Colombia has some of the most violent cartels in the world. Some of those cartels crossed the border and settled in Venezuela. Moreover, the opposition's province (Miranda) is the most insecure of the country.

There's something seriously wrong when you country has 19,000 murders every year. It's got to the stage where the government hasn't bothered keeping track of statistics.

You are simplifying things waaaay to much. And Colombia, Guatemala and lots of other countries in the northern part of South America are even more dangerous.

It's got to the stage where the government hasn't bothered keeping track of statistics.

That's not true.

And you know what's happened to that healthcare system? It's collapsed.

The Healthcare system was absolute crap in the 90's when only the rich had access to it.
Here you have some important statistics to show you how much it improved during Chavez presidency:

Lack of government funding,

Nope. False. Every year more money goes to healthcare:

chronic supply and equipment shortages and rolling blackouts will kind of do that.

Absolutely true. But this has more to do with Maduro than with Chavez.

But that's OK. He can continue to lead Venezuela through Nicolas Maduro, his slightly unhinged successor who sleeps beside Hugo's tomb some nights and is convinced Hugo appears as a little bird that speaks to him.

This is a big lie. Maduro saw a little bird in a chapel, while praying. And he ''felt'' the presence of Chavez. He never said that Chavez talked to him whatsoever. Here you have the original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsNTljd4DsU

Most of Venezuela's largest companies are state owned, including petroleum ones.

That's not true. Only the Energy, Education and Healthcare sectors are mostly state owned. In 2010 the Public Sector only represented 30% of GDP, while the private sector represented 70%. The private sector continues to be the most important in Venezuela.
Source (opposition newspaper): http://www.eluniversal.com/2010/07/19/e ... -c_1976614

And you know what Chavez did with all that new money? He rebuilt the military. Venezuela has hundreds of new tanks, he's outfitted the army with thousands of new assault rifles. There are new fighter jets, new surface to air missiles, new artillery pieces, new amphibious assault vehicles and new armored personnel carriers. He created an entirely new internal security force and outfitted them with firearms, equipment, armored vehicles and patrol cars. He spent billions of dollars on "upgrading" the Venezuelan military.

Absolutely not true. In 2010 Venezuela's military expenses only represented a tiny 5,14% of the total amount of South America's.

I am not here to defend Chavez. I am not Chavista and I dislike Maduro. A lot of Western Media groups however, continuously lies about the situation in Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Uruguay.. Simply because those nations want to be sovereign nations. Here you have an interesting article ''US funds political groups in Venezuela despite ban'': http://townhall.com/news/politics-elect ... n-n1863589

I thank you for trying to provide the correct information. However I tired to do that earlier this year in the Maduro thread, but he just rejects all evidence and sources, and then makes incorrect statements either without any evidence of only unreliable sources. It's best not to debate with him, lest you get angry and waste a lot of time.

[Fortschritte]

I am not a fan of Israel and Charles Lindbergh was awesome. America for the Americans.

Guilty as charged.

I doubt he's anti-semitic honestly. Being anti-Israel and being anti-semitic are not the same thing.

Unfortunately, in Buchanan's case, he is a raving anti Semite. He's not just anti Israel.

[Ardoki]

…..Are you seriously vilifying him because he fought against a brutal, oppressive, racist regime?

Not at all, but one cannot deny he has blood on his hands.
Having blood on your hands =/= being a bad guy

On the other hand, two rights don't make up for one wrong.
Its how you look at it.

I wouldn't say he's bad, but i wouldn't say he's a hero either.

So you opposed Nelson Mandela fighting against a brutal, oppressive, racist, neo-nazi regime? You would have preferred he hadn't liberated South Africa?

[Servinta]

Not at all, but one cannot deny he has blood on his hands.
Having blood on your hands =/= being a bad guy

On the other hand, two rights don't make up for one wrong.
Its how you look at it.

I wouldn't say he's bad, but i wouldn't say he's a hero either.

So you opposed Nelson Mandela fighting against a brutal, oppressive, racist, neo-nazi regime? You would have preferred he hadn't liberated South Africa?

Technically he was a terrorist (for a short time) by our standards.

[Ardoki]

So you opposed Nelson Mandela fighting against a brutal, oppressive, racist, neo-nazi regime? You would have preferred he hadn't liberated South Africa?

Technically he was a terrorist (for a short time) by our standards.

According to that logic Jews who defended themselves against the Nazis were terrorists.

In reality the apartheid government were the true terrorists. They used fear and violence to enforce their racist segregation system.

[Servinta]

Technically he was a terrorist (for a short time) by our standards.

According to that logic Jews who defended themselves against the Nazis were terrorists.

In reality the apartheid government were the true terrorists. They used fear and violence to enforce their racist segregation system.

One mans terrorist is anothers freedom fighter (there's always two views of someones actions)

And I'm not alone in my view of him, the United States and Britain even saw him as a terrorist.

[Servinta]

Also I like Vladimier Putin, not politically of course but more so I find his macho persona entertaining.

[Inquista]

Aung San Suu Kyi.

Even though I doubt the Burmese Junta will ammend their Constitution and allow her to run for President, atleast she will still hold considerable influence. It will be good to see freedom and democracy gradually brought to a country without further blood shed.

[Servinta]

Aung San Suu Kyi.

Even though I doubt the Burmese Junta will ammend their Constitution and allow her to run for President, atleast she will still hold considerable influence. It will be good to see freedom and democracy gradually brought to a country without further blood shed.

She was under house arrest for 15 years, dang, I'd have succumb to cabin fever by at least year three.

[Republic of Coldwater]

You mean he doesn't support free markets, legalizing marijuana, cutting back foreign interventions and ending unwarranted wiretapping?

That sounds quite Libertarian to me.

That's not what Libertarianism is, and Ron Paul doesn't really support free markets.

Then explain to me why he isn't a true free marketer and why he isn't a Libertarian.

[Republic of Coldwater]

So, you are an anti-Semitic Lindbergh Isolationist? Because you support one.

I am not a fan of Israel and Charles Lindbergh was awesome. America for the Americans.

Guilty as charged.

Buchanan isn't a racist by any means, actually, because in his 2000 campaign, he had a black running mate. Racism as you can see.

Buchanan also doesn't oppose immigration, he wants to cut it down to 250,000 immigrants a single year so they can be assimilated as Americans.

http://www.ontheissues.org/celeb/Pat_Bu ... ration.htm

[Estado Nacional]

That's not what Libertarianism is, and Ron Paul doesn't really support free markets.

Then explain to me why he isn't a true free marketer and why he isn't a Libertarian.

Well, first of all, he opposes free trade agreements with other countries, he thinks they're 'unconstitutional' or something. Few ideas are more fundamental to libertarianism than free trade. He also opposed school voucher programs. Furthermore, he's a hardcore nativist who wants immigration to be reduced and all illegal immigrants deported. The freedom to choose where you live and the right to move to a freer and more prosperous society are among the most important of all libertarian principles. He's also against abortion. For Christ's sake, he wants to impose criminal penalties on women who terminate their pregnancies.

Libertarianism, is a philosophy which shares a deep love for liberties in society. The libertarian view point respects different liberties and does not believe in abrogating the rights of immigrants or a woman’s right to choose. Some of his views are laudable, but to say Ron Paul is a libertarian is just ridiculous.