I disagree with some thoughts and premises, but I agree with most of your feelings... I think conservativism may partially be selfishness, but I think a lot of it is also pride, or misunderstanding or even just a general disinterest. I don't think that I can condemn all the conservatice people as subhuman... but I think that they have been conditioned by a society that craves money, power and position in a way that has made them into what they are. I don't think anyone makes a concious decision, "I'm going to focus on no one's well being but my own," I think that kind of general life-long mentality is something that is developed during a persons upbringing and developmental life - in the same way you and I were raised to respect and feel compassion for others, they were raised to play for number one. By saying this I don't mean to excuse any behavior, I just mean to explain why I can't condemn them as less than human. They are human. They were just taught what we consider to by moral-less values. I agree, however, that these people
( ... )
Patriotism isn't blinding pride. In my opinion, the most patriotic people ever to live in our country were the ones that saw the faults and worked to change them. The problem with patriotism today is that, in the wake of 9/11 (hehe, how often have we heard THAT phrase, huh? :o) patriotism turned from loving our country in a constructive way to an almost psychotic frenzie of flag waving and hatred for everyone of middle-eastern descent. The former, in my mind, is not patriotism. That's the result of anger, frustration and saddness exacerbated by war propoganda. That's not patriotism. I know I'm just talking about semantics here, but like I said, I think the most patriotic people in our country are the ones that have challenged what is wrong. And, when i say, "what's wrong" I don't mean homosexuality or abortion, I mean the dehumanization of blacks, the suppression of women's rights, etc. Patriotism isn't how many flags you have on your car, it is, in my mind, how you stand for your country. And, again, in my mind, you stand up for your
( ... )
I'm glad you qualified your vision of patriotism a bit. I was worried. I love the United States. SO many great things about our country, so many opportunities and wonderful things...but what I think you are talking about is nationalism. (splitting hairs here) Nationalism is nasty. I agree wholehreatedly with considering yourself a human first, and then an american
( ... )
Ok, I think you may probably know that I tend to lean further towards the conservative side of things than the liberal... but, fundamentally, I think both extremes are pretty screwed up. It's true, as you say/imply, that conservatism tends to foster a culture of selfishness and greed... but at the same time, liberalism tends to foster a culture of laziness! The analogy I always like to use is (pardon me for my unbearable cheesiness) - "Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he'll eat for a lifetime." It seems to me, liberals seem convinced that they should just keep handing out fish, while conservatives stick their heads in the sand and think that people will teach themselves to fish if they're hungry enough. I don't think *either* approach works. Sure, there are people suffering out there... but the ultimate result of what you propose (all of us helping one another, spreading the wealth around) is communism... and it's been *proven* that communism doesn't work, on a large scale! Small scale, yeah
( ... )
i realize you have a different perspective and rightfully so, you are a mother and married and you have been through some really hard things as i understand it. I always liked your personailty and i was shocked when i discovered you weren't and idealist and a liberial like us well minded people. In the time since i found out about your "problem" (being a republican, prolifer, etc.) I have honestly looked at you differently
( ... )
think when you make the analogy about the fish you say, its wrong to give handouts-- i disagree, i know there are people in this world (your children namely) you would do anything for. Some people (most liberals) feel that way about EVERYONE, and i dont want this to sound condesending but i do know thats going to be hard for you to rationalize, that doesnt make it any less trueI know this point of view exists... I'm just saying that it's counter-productive. Doing good for others so you can get a warm fuzzy feeling doesn't end up helping them in the long run. Another way to look at it is, conservatives are stuck in the past, and liberals are stuck in the present... there's not a damn person out there (at least, not in an organized, political fashion) looking towards the future. At some point, you just have to draw a line in the sand and say "NO MORE." If a few people get passed over in the course of things, that's just tough luck. I know when I talk about politics, I'm the Queen of Cliche's... but to make an omelete, you have to
( ... )
ok, a few things - first of all, i think that it is interesting that you call selfishness biological - actually, since humans evolved into beings with the conciousness that is now our biological hallmark, altruism has actually been SELECTED for as our evolution continues. and not just saving your own children, etc - it only makes sense that if you work together to protect your fellow human beings, you rown life will be easier because of the recipracal (sp?) aid that will return to you. true, this can be seen as selfish, but in the long run, everyone is cared for. according to darwin at least, and i have to say that i agree with him
( ... )
Comments 20
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
i just tried to csll them and i got a recorded message that did not say anything of importance
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment