The old "Left/Right" dichotomy doesn't accurately describe the Spectrum of political thought in America. I thought this was an interesting alternative ... No government (anarchy) on one end, totalitarian government on the other end. Submitted for your consideration...

Gives a whole new meaning to "Red Shift" huh?

Not bad, but switch the left and the right. Most I know consider libertarians hard right.

The left/right spectrum and the statist/anti-statist spectrum are not mutually exclusive. They can and do both exist at the same time.

The statist/anti-statist spectrum, while perhaps even more important at the moment than the left/right spectrum (which is why conservatives and libertarians have been allies on many issues), may be useless in describing the political conflicts of a hundred years from now. However, left and right will always be relevant.

I know plenty of Republicans who would use the force of government to compel citizens to act their way. While their issues differ from liberals, in effect their view of government's role is the same.

This is supposed to be an alternative to the whole left/right concept, so I think the totalitarians were put on the right side of the picture on purpose.

Hogwash.

Hogwash.

Stick around FR awhile - you'll see the posts. There are people on both the right and left who would use the power of government to achieve their ends.

And sometimes using government power to achieve certain ends is a very good thing...

And sometimes using government power to achieve certain ends is a very good thing...

The government definitely has its role, particularly protecting us from those who harm us. It's when people use the government's power to manage their perception of morality or fairness that is problematic. You end up with competing groups of folks trying to make the most laws that favor them, and huge do-nothing bureaucracies (and lawyers) are the only ones making out on the deal.