02-06-2009, 08:05 PM
I think "left" or "right" are used by many people as simply a convenient label (generally with an insulting tone) for those who disagree with them politically. The terms have little real meaning any more. The origins of "left" and "right" hark back to the french kings and basically referred to those who supported aristocratic, authoritarian rule ("right") versus those who had more socialist and democratic ideals ("left").
As to democrat and republican, I use those terms for people who support the platforms of those parties, regardless of whether or not they work for the government.
As to democrat and republican, I use those terms for people who support the platforms of those parties, regardless of whether or not they work for the government.