I've been trying a new approach with Tea Party types. It stems from the incessant mantra that Obama is a raving socialist liberal. It started with some conversation or other about the plethora of liberal hosts on Fox News and the lack of conservatives on MSNBC. Now, I fully agree with the latter, but liberals on Fox? This fellow went on to cite Alan Colmes as the most iconic liberal in the universe.
And this is where it began. I respectfully disagreed and explained that just because Colmes (or anyone) is more liberal than you, that doesn't make him a Liberal. See, it's not one or the other; that's why it's called the "politicial spectrum." Spectrum, not a bimodal system. (oh no, I did not use such a fancy, latte-drinking word as bimodal). There's Tea Partiers on the one end, and Communists over on the other, and in the middle lies a whole bunch of everyone else.
This middle zone contains a HUGE pool of what are rightly called Centrists. And this is where Obama stands. Is he more liberal than a Tea Partier? Hell yeah. But to someone on the Far Left, he's dead center. But apparently Partiers (TP-ers?) can't grasp anything more complex than a simple them/us scenario. Call me crazy, but I thought the idea of a spectrum was pretty simple, and I really expected this guy to come around and agree.
But see, it's that dang faith in humanity that bit me in the butt. I have tried this approach several times since, and NOT ONE person would admit the existence of anything other than Conservative (them) and Liberal (everyone else). This phenomenon goes hand in hand with being Tea Party conservative; other Conservatives can and will have this discussion and acknowledge differing degrees of Right/Left. I don't expect to win anyone over to my political views, but I shake my head in disbelief that there are people who are so ignorant that they can't even allow that things are not so simplistic.
But of course, that's the way our Corporate-bought politicians like us: simple. It makes us easy to control, easy to lie to. If you think everyone else is a liberal lunatic commie, then you'll be scared and will vote for all kinds of crazy policies that are not in your best interest. It's time for everyone to realize that we have more in common with each other than we do with the billionaire corporatists. The us and them isn't Right/Left, it's working people vs. the insanely rich. Which none of us will ever be, no matter how many lottery tickets we buy.
So please, please, PLEASE Tea Party Nation: can we stop with the polarizing slurs and just, for one brief moment, acknowledge that there's a whole lotta space between you and the Left, that's filled with different ideas?
Yeah, I know: somewhere, monkeys fly out of somebody's butt.
Showing posts with label parenting. socialism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parenting. socialism. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Friday, April 2, 2010
He Said/She Said: I lob the ball back!
First of all, my friend, these ideas are not "irksome." I love nothing more than intellectual discourse.
You claim that we cannot be socialist or have socialist ideas because we are designed to be a capitalist culture. That is somewhat accurate. The Founders definitely envisoned a country with a certain level of free enterprise. However, they also had a deep sense of the common good.
What the Founders sought to create was a democratic republic. Not a captialistic republic. Their aim was democracy, not an economic system. That came later. Their focus was on individual liberties and rules of governance, not the marketplace. In fact, they set up several things to avoid corportist culture. I'll be damned if I can remember any of them, but I know I heard Thom Hartmann talking about this just recently. Like the whole concept of corporate personhood (which is complete and total BS) -- there was something the Founders set up to avoid that very idea. Go search around Thom's site for details.
In any event, your response doesn't really respond to the original hypothesis that in a capitalist society we all serve our country. In a capitalist society, we only serve our masters -- ie, those with power over the paycheck. Captialism as an economic system contains nothing regarding social values or the commonwealth. It's all about the individual, and therefore, inherently selfish.
Which is not to say that capitalism is evil. Or even that pure socialism is the best. As with most things, the neither extreme is optimal. When I say socialism, I mean what they have in Europe. It's a blend of both systems. It does not eliminate personal/private wealth (like pure Marxism), but neither does it glorify the "free market." Anyone with the slightest understanding of our current economic structure (and, ahem, crisis) can see that unregulated capitalism is dangerous. In fact, I'd bet money that unregulated corporatism is exactly opposite to what Jefferson et al had in mind.
There is a myth about America. It's that we are a nation founded on the ideals of individualism, in relation to economic success. That if we just work hard enough, we can achieve anything. That has never been true and never will. Our individualism is in regards to freedoms -- of religion, of speech, of thought, of belief -- and yes, I suppose the freedom to be a capitalistic asshole. It's really about freedom from oppression, from King George, from a dictatorial government, from our corporate master.
The bottom line is: there's no reason we can't have economic success AND social commonwealth. People just need to get off their "I hate the guvment" barstools and really think for a moment. I know that will be painful for some. But you know it's the truth.
You claim that we cannot be socialist or have socialist ideas because we are designed to be a capitalist culture. That is somewhat accurate. The Founders definitely envisoned a country with a certain level of free enterprise. However, they also had a deep sense of the common good.
What the Founders sought to create was a democratic republic. Not a captialistic republic. Their aim was democracy, not an economic system. That came later. Their focus was on individual liberties and rules of governance, not the marketplace. In fact, they set up several things to avoid corportist culture. I'll be damned if I can remember any of them, but I know I heard Thom Hartmann talking about this just recently. Like the whole concept of corporate personhood (which is complete and total BS) -- there was something the Founders set up to avoid that very idea. Go search around Thom's site for details.
In any event, your response doesn't really respond to the original hypothesis that in a capitalist society we all serve our country. In a capitalist society, we only serve our masters -- ie, those with power over the paycheck. Captialism as an economic system contains nothing regarding social values or the commonwealth. It's all about the individual, and therefore, inherently selfish.
Which is not to say that capitalism is evil. Or even that pure socialism is the best. As with most things, the neither extreme is optimal. When I say socialism, I mean what they have in Europe. It's a blend of both systems. It does not eliminate personal/private wealth (like pure Marxism), but neither does it glorify the "free market." Anyone with the slightest understanding of our current economic structure (and, ahem, crisis) can see that unregulated capitalism is dangerous. In fact, I'd bet money that unregulated corporatism is exactly opposite to what Jefferson et al had in mind.
There is a myth about America. It's that we are a nation founded on the ideals of individualism, in relation to economic success. That if we just work hard enough, we can achieve anything. That has never been true and never will. Our individualism is in regards to freedoms -- of religion, of speech, of thought, of belief -- and yes, I suppose the freedom to be a capitalistic asshole. It's really about freedom from oppression, from King George, from a dictatorial government, from our corporate master.
The bottom line is: there's no reason we can't have economic success AND social commonwealth. People just need to get off their "I hate the guvment" barstools and really think for a moment. I know that will be painful for some. But you know it's the truth.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Parenting Left
Someone recently asked me if I would let my children read The Rude Pundit. Well no, of course not, although they do know all the colorful words he uses. But I do let them listen to him on the radio, where the FCC requires that certain words be omitted.
So, how does one effectively raise children to be liberal thinkers in today's tea bagger climate? Thankfully, I'm not worried what the neighbors think, so it's pretty easy for me. It all boils down to exposure. Cuz if you don't expose them to it, they sure ain't gonna get it anywhere else. And next thing you know, they'll be joining the New Neocons of America group at school.
Step 1: progressive radio is just about the only radio in our house. It's on every morning, while we get ready for school and work. My kids are inundated with Stephanie Miller (and Rude every Monday!). They get a dose of Thom Hartmann every evening during the transition time between school and dinner. And as any parent will tell you, they're listening -- even if they don't show it. My 8 yr old love the moniker Caribou Barbie so much, I had to have a chat with her about using it in front of her Republican friends.
Step 2: Progressive shows are the only grown-up programming we watch (well, except for Lost). My kids have known Jon Stewart since day 1. And just now, the 8 yr old begged to watch Fareed Zakaria! Yeah, they still like Wizards of Waverly Place too, but at least they are balanced!
Step 3: When they hear Daddy and Mommy talking about some political issue and ask questions, I answer them honestly. "Why are you and daddy so angry?" "Because our government doesn't care about helping the people; they only care about making money for their friends." (this was in the W years). Then it's not only a lesson about the government, but also about the values of helping people and caring about others, the planet, etc.
In fact, one night, the 8 yr old (when she was 6) was acting all shy about asking me what a "bad word" meant. She was afraid to say the word. I said, how do you know it's bad then? She said, because you and daddy are angry when you use it. The word? Hypocrite. A Mama couldn't be prouder.
Step 4: Get them involved in democracy. I took them to the caucus; took them to an Obama house party (even though I'm a Kucinich gal). Make sure they know how important it is to vote, what a treasure it is.
We held a Guy Fawkes party (google it) in 2008 -- it was right before the election, after all, so it was perfect. My oldest loved it -- was a perfect little hostess handing out pocket Constitutions and helping people make their effigies for burning.
Step 5: Surround them with books. Lots of them. Let them know that knowledge is power. Don't let them be like Texas! (ooh, and don't forget to take them to Banned Book Week at your local public library!)
I could go on and on. But you get the idea. Personally, I don't really find it too challenging. The schools are too pantywaisted to teach anything of substance, so there's little to contradict my teachings. Of course, there was that time the kindergarten teacher asked if I'd told my kid she didn't have to say the Pledge of Allegiance if she didn't want to....(she did have to stand respectfully for it, however).
Parenting Left and speaking out in this time of Tea Bagging Darkness (it's a dark brew indeed) are the paths I've chosen to keep the Left alive, to keep the notions of social justice, compassion, and truth going. And I don't need corporate media to do it. All I need is some Thom Hartmann, a good bookstore, and yes, Rude Pundit.
So, how does one effectively raise children to be liberal thinkers in today's tea bagger climate? Thankfully, I'm not worried what the neighbors think, so it's pretty easy for me. It all boils down to exposure. Cuz if you don't expose them to it, they sure ain't gonna get it anywhere else. And next thing you know, they'll be joining the New Neocons of America group at school.
Step 1: progressive radio is just about the only radio in our house. It's on every morning, while we get ready for school and work. My kids are inundated with Stephanie Miller (and Rude every Monday!). They get a dose of Thom Hartmann every evening during the transition time between school and dinner. And as any parent will tell you, they're listening -- even if they don't show it. My 8 yr old love the moniker Caribou Barbie so much, I had to have a chat with her about using it in front of her Republican friends.
Step 2: Progressive shows are the only grown-up programming we watch (well, except for Lost). My kids have known Jon Stewart since day 1. And just now, the 8 yr old begged to watch Fareed Zakaria! Yeah, they still like Wizards of Waverly Place too, but at least they are balanced!
Step 3: When they hear Daddy and Mommy talking about some political issue and ask questions, I answer them honestly. "Why are you and daddy so angry?" "Because our government doesn't care about helping the people; they only care about making money for their friends." (this was in the W years). Then it's not only a lesson about the government, but also about the values of helping people and caring about others, the planet, etc.
In fact, one night, the 8 yr old (when she was 6) was acting all shy about asking me what a "bad word" meant. She was afraid to say the word. I said, how do you know it's bad then? She said, because you and daddy are angry when you use it. The word? Hypocrite. A Mama couldn't be prouder.
Step 4: Get them involved in democracy. I took them to the caucus; took them to an Obama house party (even though I'm a Kucinich gal). Make sure they know how important it is to vote, what a treasure it is.
We held a Guy Fawkes party (google it) in 2008 -- it was right before the election, after all, so it was perfect. My oldest loved it -- was a perfect little hostess handing out pocket Constitutions and helping people make their effigies for burning.
Step 5: Surround them with books. Lots of them. Let them know that knowledge is power. Don't let them be like Texas! (ooh, and don't forget to take them to Banned Book Week at your local public library!)
I could go on and on. But you get the idea. Personally, I don't really find it too challenging. The schools are too pantywaisted to teach anything of substance, so there's little to contradict my teachings. Of course, there was that time the kindergarten teacher asked if I'd told my kid she didn't have to say the Pledge of Allegiance if she didn't want to....(she did have to stand respectfully for it, however).
Parenting Left and speaking out in this time of Tea Bagging Darkness (it's a dark brew indeed) are the paths I've chosen to keep the Left alive, to keep the notions of social justice, compassion, and truth going. And I don't need corporate media to do it. All I need is some Thom Hartmann, a good bookstore, and yes, Rude Pundit.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)