Are you sure you want to delete this post?
Dutch
I have been trying to position my political ideology in the traditional left/right paradigm, and it has been a struggle. Even "moderate" does not describe my perspective. So I have come to these three tenets:
1) There are situations where individuals should make their own decisions and live with the consequences of those decisions.
2) There are situations that require collective action to move society forward, focusing on giving a hand up.
3) These situations and their solutions should be determined by due democratic process.
In these days, I work as a math/science teacher for adults who missed their high school training. I have to admit that it is a rather expensive approach to education, most of it borne by my provincial government. About a third of my students take advantage of the opportunity: they get their high school credentials and become nurses or engineers or tradespeople. Another third put in a reasonable effort but for whatever reason, they do not take their training that far. They return to similar occupations as they had before, albeit with more literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking skills than they used to have. The last third fumble for a semester or two, then fail themselves out.
Lots of freedom for individuals in such a social program. Lots of hands up for those willing to invest in themselves.