My Thoughts on the Left and Right :: The American Critic

My Thoughts on the Left and Right

by Count
May 18th, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Filed under: Politics

In an ongoing discussion on this site, it was recently brought to my attention that I was a closet conservative. This got me thinking about the two major political ideologies and their values and arguments. There seems to be a lot of polarization on the internet between the two sides (as well as some on this board), and a fair amount of stereotyping (e.g. calling liberals spineless cowards and conservatives toothless rednecks). There also seems to be a temptation to do this with ourselves, claiming to belong to one camp or another. To look at the entire political spectrum as the right side vs the wrong side, the intelligent vs the mindless fools, the sane vs the crazy. Is it really that simple- a “right” side and a “wrong” side?

The reality is that life is rich and detailed, it's deeper mysteries still largely unknown. Even something that appears simple is, if broken down, nearly infinite in its complexity. The social and political topics we discuss on this site are no different. The issues of our time are a lot more complicated then the black and white crusades they're portrayed as. We are blessed with being the proud owners of the most complex structure in the known universe, residing right in our very heads. To ally oneself with an entire political philosophy for the multitude of current political issues seems completely ridiculous to me. Leaning toward one side or the other is understandable, but following an entire political ideology laid out for you by others, no matter how neat it appears, is idiotic and even a little selfish. Each of us has a personal responsibility to think for ourselves.

I strongly disagree with the polarization between the two parties by the media. It promotes the “us vs them” mentality seen so often on political discussion boards. It works wonders for stirring up people's emotions and getting them to tune in, but tends to simplify topics too far, sometimes even pitting two irrelevant points against each other. Labels can be a useful tool to describe groups or trends, but to describe oneself as either a Democrat or a Republican robs them of their individuality and ultimately, their freedom. It's easy to call others (usually those we disagree with) sheep, but very diffiult to take a hard look at ourselves and see if we might be in a flock, following the words of a charismatic shepherd.

For the record, I could never claim to be either a Republican or a Democrat. I agree with (most of) the conservative point of view on some issues, such as gun control and I agree (mostly) with the liberal point of view on others, such as religion. I agree on some issues that the majority of people agree on regardless of political affiliation, and on a few issues, disagree completely with the vast majority. But my beliefs aren't set in stone; if new or superior evidence comes along I will (and have) change my opinion. I strongly believe that keeping an open mind is the most important part of learning and becoming wiser as a person. The clearest sign of intelligence isn't how much someone knows, but rather how much they realize they don't know.

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julita on July 16th, 2009 at 11:22 AM

My initial idea, which is here, echoes ultimate capitalism, I suppose. I thought we should let GM and its subsidiaries fall naturally. And just as naturally (Marc)

I agree with your thought. Enron shut down in Guam. Thanks

Count, you be alright

Marc on July 14th, 2009 at 8:41 PM

Perhaps we should not allow the thought of complexities, but find a way to put a stop to all this bail out & spending. ---Foxy

I agree. As far as I'm concerned, corporate executives are appointed to make a business prosper, just like fry guys are hired to make French fries. So if either of the two fail at their job, let them be jobless and thereby attempt to find somewhere else to fit in.

Granted, in a fast food joint, the fry guy isn't accountable for other employee's jobs. However, in stark contrast, there were innocent employees of Enron corporation who suffered miserably, so why didn't we protest to bail Enron out? Just food for thought.

My initial idea, which is here, echoes ultimate capitalism, I suppose. I thought we should let GM and its subsidiaries fall naturally. And just as naturally, I supposed that we could offer tax incentives to the surviving, succeeding companies poised to expand for absorbing the unemployed GM talent, at least those still interested in and eligible for work in the industry. Such a tax incentive would have been MUCH cheaper than a bailout, not to mention less bucks in the failed executives' pockets.

Again, Enron wasn't bailed out.

Foxy on July 14th, 2009 at 5:16 AM

Closet Conservative is very appropriate because we don't have to be black or white, but can be somewhere in the middle zone.
However I do think you got carried away with expanding on municia & detail that could go on forever on a subject if disected. Be willing to put yourself out there & take a stand without escapes.

Polarization is a disease in the country now and it's unfortunate becausse it takes saway free thinking from those who have made themselves committed to being 100% Republican or Demacrat.
I'd like to think I've remained openminded, but honestly know that ended with the first 100 days with Pres. Obama. I find it very difficult to hear our President appoligizing for America whenon his travels to countries that have been & are our enimies & even those who are not.
America has set the standard for generousity to all countries when in need, & that seems to have been looked over by the media. This media is only focused on the negative & in full support of anything Pres. Obama has done so far

Had the media done it's jopb with integrity we probably would not have had such hatred & polarization withinn nour country.

The European & other countries only know the headlines they print & 99% of those headlines were not true & the media showed us they were not professional.

If we think we know it all, we know nothing, and keeping an open mind is the best way to go.

It's difficult to do when common sence & logic are telling us that something is terrible wrong. Most of us learned how to balance a checkbook by age 18, & it's hard to conceive that our Government has put us in debt that can't be explained especially when we've lost so many jobs & unemployment is so high.

Perhaps we should we should not allow the thought of complexities , but find a way to put a stop to all this bail out & spending. Lets keep the America we love the way she was and the reason so many wanted to come here.

Capitilism allows prosperity & creats jobs for anyone who wants to work & achieve.

ryan29 on July 13th, 2009 at 9:14 PM

wow this is getting really really stupid. congratualtions people this is a new low.

cusa2 on July 13th, 2009 at 8:28 PM

Yeah, Ryan Ask Cusa for tips! Now before you move to the State of Catatonia (a syndrome seen most frequently in schizophrenia, characterized by muscular rigidity and mental stupor, sometimes alternating with great excitement and confusion.) Allow me to Simply say FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK! Now that was cathartic! Now !
Would you care to sit with me
For a cup of English tea
Very twee, very me
Any sunny morning

What a pleasure it would be
Chatting so delightfully
Nanny bakes, fairy cakes
Every Sunday morning

julita on July 13th, 2009 at 6:20 PM

Thanks for clarifying that CUSA. I was going to say if, I was going to be labeled I want originality.

Ryan, avoid getting angry! Ask Cusa for some tips

ryan29 on July 13th, 2009 at 3:53 PM

Cusa, your humor sucks. I love how if a person types a few cuss words, he's angry. God get a fucking life. man there I go again, I must be angry. Sounds pretty stupid doesn't it?

cusa2 on July 13th, 2009 at 1:59 PM

Julita
The quote from Hamlet simply connotes someone who overly reacts to something in order to hide the truth I,E,; Someone keeps repeating that he is not angry when he really is. The term "the lady" is simply a euphemism for the writer. I was just trying to add a little humor to the name calling.
CUSA2

julita on July 13th, 2009 at 1:42 PM

Thanks Ryan. Religion is one of the most talked about so don't let it get to you. We have debates and open conversions about it all the time. I am feeling someone labeled me "Drama Queen". I am waiting for an answer.

ryan29 on July 13th, 2009 at 1:06 PM

You know, I somehow missed those 3 questions. I was re-reading the life of this article and how much response been posted. I thought I shoudl throw my 2 cents in. This should be my thoughts clear.
1. Pro choice
2.not sure about the porn. Child porn? under no circumstances. animals? nope! I guess the rest would fall under fetishes we all have.
3. not a choice, but how a person is born. End of discussion.
here;s some more so you know.
belief in freedom of religion as long as it's followers leave me the fuck alone. Also, must not try to hide scandels, i.e, the Catholic Church and the little boys and the Priests. People who claim to speak for God should of the highest moral fiber, not sick fucks who molest children. For the record, I'd consider myself spiritual, a belief in something more than the physical but have no use for organized religion.
I see the makings of an article to denouce lots of things here, so Ill leave you in suspense. looking forward to telling it like i see it.
BTW, The people I was referring to on this site as neo -cons and such, I'm sure your all really great people, obviously I would not want to hang out wiht you or even be your friend, but we are all Americans here and let's not lose site of the fact that we are on this site for the most part to express ourselves and hopefully work on our differences. TAC is a mircosom of America, we need a few more voices to make it complete, but it seems we have major issues on this country that we as Americans need to get over. Sorry about the spelling.