Recapturing the Single-Plane Left/Right Political Spectrum

Or, The Roadmap Toward Liberty

Part 3 of 5 by Chuck McGlawn July 1, 2010

What is the Left Right Political Spectrum Supposed to Measure?

When anyone objects to the efficacy or speak of the inadequacy of the Single Plane Left/Right Political Spectrum, it is because they do not know what is being measured. First of all, let us list what it cannot measure. The single plane Left/Right Political Spectrum cannot measure values it cannot measure any values, especially liberal and conservative values.

A thermometer keeps you aware of the ambient temperature. The altimeter measures how high you are above sea level. The pressure gauge measures the pounds per square inch (PSI) in a compressor tank. A speedometer measures the speed your vehicle is traveling. All of these are examples of single plane measuring devices. All of these single-plane measuring devices have two things in common. First, each provides the user with useful information. The temperature outside so you know how to dress, the speed your car is traveling and whether or not you are risking a speeding ticket or an accident etc. Secondly, they provide ONLY objective information, information that is not affected by feelings or prejudice or preconceived notions. The thermometer reads 92°, there is not a place on that single plane spectrum that says, “It is getting warm”. The speedometer reads 75 MPH, there is not a place on that single plane spectrum that says, “You are risking a speeding ticket”.

Conversely, when a very attractive woman enters a room, someone whispers to his friends, “A 10 if I have ever seen one”, his friend replies, “Naaa, no more than an 8.” Is either of them wrong? NO, because beauty is a subjective value, not chartable on a single plane spectrum, despite Hollywood’s attempt to the contrary with the movie “10”. Other examples of subjective values are: “He is bold.” “She is shy.” “He is gregarious.” “She is a loner.” “He is a rube.” “She is a sophisticate.” These are all subjective evaluations. The most subjective of all is, “She is liberal.” “He is conservative.” None of these values has a place on a single plane spectrum. It cannot be done. It is simple Physics, a single person may hold both liberal often called “leftist” and conservative often called “rightist” values at the same time, [Do you know anyone that doesn’t?] However, he cannot occupy both ends of a political spectrum at the same time. You cannot be acting to reduce the size of government and increasing the size of government with just one issue simultaneously.

It is possible, however, for one person to:

Using just issues 1 through 6, the person is liberal on five of the six issues. Does that make him a “Leftist”? It does not, because if you evaluate this same person, using just issues 7 through 12, the person is a Conservative five of the six issues. So, does this make him a “Right-Winger? It does not. The single plane Left/Right Political Spectrum was never designed to measure values. To make the Left/Right Political Spectrum provide useful information, you must know what it is you are trying to measure. Saying that a person is tall means nothing. I am tall until I go to a professional basketball game, around those guys I am short. However, that single plane spectrum called a tape measure says correctly that I am 72 inches tall.

The paramount question and solution to the prevailing confusion in the current usage of left/right is: What is the Left/Right Political Spectrum Supposed to Measure? In which direction a candidate or an issue will take us. If a candidate is running on a platform of promising “full employment” by increased government spending to increase demand and therefore increase the need for labor, that will require more government, or a move toward the left. If someone proposes a law that would eliminate the Federal Department of Education. If it is successful it will reduce the power of government, or a move toward the right..

Please grade my level of persuasion on What is the Left/Right Political Spectrum Supposed to Measure?  I found less persuasive than expected, I found  it as persuasive as expected, I found it more persuasive than expected. Chuckest@aol.com  It would be great if you could do it now.