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 13th, 2009 at 12:21 PM

CUSA: Who's the lady?
Ryan: Name one of these people

cusa2 on July 13th, 2009 at 12:09 PM

"The lady doth protest too much, methinks!(Act III,Scene II)

ryan29 on July 13th, 2009 at 11:36 AM

no one is angry except you people who are so close minded. I just write without holding back. you should do the same. Some of the people on here seem to be unpst that someone is so vocal on what he thinks. Get a fucking life and realize that people have opinions and can express them however the fuck they want. GET OVER IT!

Retired_Navy_Rob on July 13th, 2009 at 8:30 AM

or just your degrees of separation?

or degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon

cusa2 on July 13th, 2009 at 1:38 AM

Ryan

Are you referring to your academic degrees, the degrees on the thermometer that your anger creates, or just your degrees of separation? Inquiring minds want to know!

Count on July 12th, 2009 at 10:56 PM

ryan29: Count Moron, When you have as many degrees as I do, then you can say something.

Your attempt at bragging is ironic, considering thus far you've demonstrated the exact opposite.

But your right my grammar was poor. Sorry. What I meant to say was: Yes you are a closet conservative and a Moron, did that get through, you jackass?

You're obviously a profoundly intelligent and educated thinker; I think it only fair to ask: what evidence do you have that I'm a closet conservative?

Count on July 12th, 2009 at 10:50 PM

Thank you cusa2. I agree wholeheartedly that most proponents of both ideas are well-intentioned. Individualism and a free, competitive market tends to create the right conditions where innovation can develop, but they must be tempered with compassion for those that are unable to help themselves. Likewise, redistribution usually works out the best for the group in charge of it, and has a notorious track record for being abused- to catastrophic ends.

I also agree that there are fair, open-minded people on both sides of the political spectrum, but the truth is most people are so busy with life that they don't have the time or desire to weigh every side of an issue and completely think it through. We rely on the media to present it to us in a fair, balanced, as well as concise message. Some outlets do a good job of this; many do not. The blame can't all be placed on them however, they present what sells. I really enjoy boards like this because I get exposure to points and arguments I never would have heard from the popular media.

I do disagree partially with your last point. I believe many people don't think about these things not because they are incapable but because they don't have the time or interest. I believe nearly every individual person is highly intelligent and that most will never realize even a fraction of their potential. That being said, when people get together in groups any larger than about 5 or 6 they tend to grow exponentially dumber as a whole. Once the number gets big enough, it takes on an irrational, crazy life of its own, full of mantras and idealogues

ryan29 on July 9th, 2009 at 8:01 PM

Count Moron, When you have as many degrees as I do, then you can say something. But your right my grammar was poor. Sorry. What I meant to say was: Yes you are a closet conservative and a Moron, did that get through, you jackass?

Retired_Navy_Rob on July 9th, 2009 at 9:55 AM

For example, you can be fiscally conservative and socially liberal.

Very true. However unfortunately the line between the two is so thin.

cusa2 on July 8th, 2009 at 3:24 PM

Well written Count! Unfortunately truth is usually wrought through friction. Only the Kool-aid drinking ideologues have their truths carved in stone. Education make us think and challenge. Polarization is needed to highlight the extremes. It facilitates our decision making. Having said that, the values with which identify do prejudice our judgment. FOr example. some believe in rugged indvidiualism and personal accountability, and others beleive in a redistribution so that everyone gets an equal share whether they contibute or not.
Both ideas are well intentioned. Of course, the former encourages ambition and performace, and the latter neutralizes and discourages the ambitious. The point is that the thoughtful on both sides will have certain non-negotable ideals, and a flexiblity on others. For example, you can be fiscally conservative and socially liberal. Unfortunaely a large percentage of the population is invincibly stupid and would have no idea what we're talking about

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