The origins of the political terms, "Right and Left"

[Stuart G]

The idea of a political "left" and "right" originated during the French Revolution. (1789)

Simply put, those in favor of change and getting rid of the king and his structure, sat on the left side of the assembly. Those that wanted the most change were furthest left of the center..
If you were with the king's way of doing things ,and keeping things exactly the same, you sat on the right side of the assembly. Those strongest with the king, sat farthest right.

.. Also, those who were in favor of changes toward democracy allowing others to participate, vote, and have a voice in government, (like had occurred within the new United States in 1776) and having an open government, also sat on the left side of the assembly. The more in favor of change, the more left you were. That is the origin of the political terms, "left" and "right"

I am proud to be a "leftist" in favor of "open" government and inclusion in the process of the most people possible.

The more people that vote, the better. The more we know about the government, the better. No secret deals. Everyone gets treated as fair as possible. The more open the government is about what it does, the better..

Those in the government do not get any kind special treatment. All people in the country get..."fair and equal treatment" The leaders friends get the same treatment as the poorest people in the country. Big contributors and bigshots..get no special treatment.

[Cal33]

1. Glad to know how the terms "left" and "right" originated. Thanks.

[left-of-center2012]

2. "Those strongest with the king, sat farthest right."

Yep ~ that's the Tea Party folk wanting a totalitarian form of government to rule the 99%.

[Stuart G]

3. Yes, I agree with you.

The Tea Party is really about their control of the rest of us. It is all about selfish motives of their rule. Like the king, no one questions them. Total rule... just like the Sun King, Louie XIV...