FGS
Posted on 10/13/2003 9:41:44 PM PDT by kattracks
Whatever your politics, you have to be oblivious to reality to deny that America today is torn by ideological divisions as deep as those of the Civil War era. We are, in fact, in the midst of the Second American Civil War.
Of course, one obvious difference between the two is that this Second Civil War is (thus far) non-violent. On the other hand, there is probably more hatred between the opposing sides today than there was during the First Civil War. And I am not talking about extremists. A senior editor of the respected center-left New Republic just wrote an article titled, "The Case for Bush Hatred," an article that could have been written by writers at most major American newspapers, by most Hollywood celebrities, and almost anyone else left of center. And the conservative hatred of former President Bill Clinton was equally deep.
In general, however, the similarities are greater than the differences. Once again the North and the South are at odds (though many individuals on each side identify with the other). And once again, the fate of the nation hangs in the balance. The two sides' values and visions of America are as incompatible as they were in the 1860s.
For those Americans who do not know what side they are on or who are not certain about what the Second American Civil War is being fought over, I offer a list of the most important areas of conflict.
While the views of many, probably even most, Americans do not fall entirely on either side, the two competing camps are quite distinguishable. On one side are those on the Left -- liberals, leftists and Greens -- who tend to agree with one another on almost all major issues. On the other side are those on the Right -- conservatives, rightists and libertarians -- who agree on stopping the Left, but differ with one another more often than those on the Left do.
Here, then, is Part One of the list of the major differences that are tearing America apart:
The Left believes in removing America's Judeo-Christian identity, e.g., removing "under God" from the Pledge, "In God we trust" from the currency, the oath to God and country from the Boy Scouts Pledge, etc. The Right believes that destroying these symbols and this identity is tantamount to destroying America.
The Left regards America as morally inferior to many European societies with their abolition of the death penalty, cradle-to-grave welfare and religion-free life; and it does not believe that there are distinctive American values worth preserving. The Right regards America as the last best hope for humanity and believes that there are distinctive American values -- the unique combination of a religious (Judeo-Christian) society, a secular government, personal liberty and capitalism -- worth fighting and dying for.
The Left believes that impersonal companies, multinational and otherwise, with their insatiable drive for profits, have a profoundly destructive effect on the country. The Right believes that the legal system, particularly trial lawyers, lawsuits and judges who make laws, is the greater threat to American society.
The Left believes multiculturalism should be the ideal for American schools and for government policy. The Right believes that the Americanization of all its citizens is indispensable to the survival of the United States.
The Left believes that the Boy Scouts as currently constituted pose a moral threat to society. The Right believes the Boy Scouts continue to be one of the greatest moral institutions in the country.
The Left believes in equality more than in liberty. The Right believes more in liberty. For example, the Left believes that for the equality's sake, men's clubs must accept women. The Right believes that for liberty's sake, associations must be free to choose their own members.
The Left believes that when schools give out condoms to teenagers, they are promoting safe sex. The Right believes that when schools give out condoms, they are promoting more sex.
The Left believes that poverty, racism and psychopathology cause violent crime. The Right believes a lack of self-control, lack of religious practice and lack of good values are the primary causes of violent crime.
The Left believes that "war is not the answer." The Right believes that war is often the only answer to governmental evil.
Any one of these differences is enough to create an entirely different America. Added together, the differences suggest people who live in different worlds that are on a collision course.
And I have only listed some of the conflicting views.
Next week, in Part Two, I will discuss the other major conflicts making for the Second American Civil War.
©2003 Creators Syndicate, Inc.
FGS
Actually, I misspoke - it is the Exceptions Clause. It's in article 3 and it enumerates certain cases over which the federal judiciary would have original jurisdiction, "with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make." Look it up.
Pretty close: Article 3, Section 2, paragraf 2:
Article III
Section 1. The judicial power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behaviour, and shall, at stated times, receive for their services, a compensation, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.
Section 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority;--to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls;--to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction;--to controversies to which the United States shall be a party;--to controversies between two or more states;--between a state and citizens of another state;--between citizens of different states;--between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants of different states, and between a state, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens or subjects.
In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those in which a state shall be party, the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations as the Congress shall make.
In part one, I described nine areas of major conflict between the Right and the Left in American life, a conflict that rivals the First Civil War in intensity, though thankfully not in violence. Here in part two, I describe 15 others.
The Left regards American nationalism as dangerous, is more comfortable celebrating world citizenship and prefers that America follow the lead of international organizations such as the United Nations. The Right celebrates American nationalism, distrusts world organizations, prefers that America lead humanity and regards the United Nations as largely a moral wasteland.
The Left believes that sensitivity to minorities' feelings trumps the majority's will. The Right believes that when not immoral, the majority's will trumps that of the minority. For example, because some employees do not celebrate Christmas, the Left believes that organizations should rename their Christmas party the "holiday party." The Right believes that because the vast majority of Americans celebrate Christmas, the party should be called a Christmas party.
The Left believes that a woman must have an unrestricted right to choose an abortion but no right to choose a silicone breast implant. The Right believes that society must decide when abortions are moral and legal but a woman has the right to choose to have a silicone breast implant.
The Left believes that attacking world poverty will greatly reduce Islamic terror. The Right believes that poverty is largely unrelated to Islamic terror.
The Left believes that George W. Bush attacked Iraq mostly for economic gain. The Right believes George W. Bush attacked Iraq to protect America and to change the Arab world for the better.
The Left believes that a high rate of taxation of people who earn more money is a moral imperative. The Right believes that allowing people to keep as much of their money as possible is a moral imperative.
The Left identifies with the values of most university professors in the liberal arts and values their insights. The Right regards most of these professors as moral idiots.
The Left believes that the greatest danger to mankind, as former Vice President Al Gore wrote in his book "Earth in the Balance," is the threat to the environment. The Right believes that the greatest danger to humanity is, as it always has been, human evil.
The Left believes that marriage should be redefined and that judges alone are entitled to do so. The Right believes that the millennia-old definition of marriage as between members of the two sexes is inviolable and that it can't be redefined by jurists.
The Left believes that in terms of parenthood, all a child needs is love, whether that love comes from a single parent, two men, two women or some other adult. The Right believes that children do best with the love of two married parents of the opposite sex.
The Left believes that opposing race-based college dorms, graduation ceremonies, congressional caucuses or professional organizations is racist. The Right believes that race-based college dorms, graduation ceremonies, congressional caucuses and professional organizations are racist.
The Left believes that labeling any enemy of the United States "evil" is wrong. It was wrong when President Ronald Reagan labeled the Soviet Union an "evil empire," and it was wrong when President George W. Bush labeled Iran, Iraq and North Korea an "axis of evil." The Right believes that not labeling such regimes "evil" is a sign of moral confusion and appeasement.
The Left is preoccupied with health. Leftist parents are more likely to believe that it is preferable that their teenager cheat on a test than smoke. Parents on the Right are more likely to believe that it is better that their teenager smoke than cheat.
The Left believes that just as America and the Soviet Union were equally responsible for the Cold War, Israel and the Palestinians are equally responsible for Middle East violence. The Right believes that just as the Soviets were responsible for the Cold War, the Arab enemies of Israel are responsible for Middle East violence.
The Left believes that criticism of Christianity is important and that criticism of Islam is bigoted. The Right believes that criticism of Islam is important and that most criticism of Christianity is bigoted.
I am well aware that not everyone on the Left agrees with every leftist position and not everyone on the Right agrees with every rightist one. Nat Hentoff is a leftist who doesn't support abortion rights; Pat Buchanan is a rightist who doesn't support Israel. But the existence of individual exceptions does not negate the fact that all the positions listed here as Left or Right are correctly labeled.
The fact is that this country is profoundly divided on virtually every major social, personal and political issue. We are in the midst of the Second American Civil War. Who wins it will determine the nature of this country as much as the winner of the first did.
Thanks archy. I knew of an "exceptions" clause, but wanted to see if exmarine knew whereof he spoke(and I didn't want to look it up). As our elected representatives, congress has the duty and moral obligation to reign in the judiciary on our behalf. Why they in fact don't is the question of the hour. One has to admit, conservatives must necessarily pick our battles because the left is waging war on us on all fronts. I will personally give them(our Pubbies) the benefit of the doubt, and assume for the time being it's a non starter, or they have bigger fish to fry. At some point however....
FGS
I give no one the benefit of the doubt when it comes to following the LAW OF THE LAND - the U.S. Constitution - and all but a handful do not follow it. They IGNORE IT. That's ONE reason why I am not a Republican - they are a constitutionally compromised party. We have federal bureacracies making new laws and rules in place of Congress, we have an out-of-control judiciary, and we have republicans who are expanding government faster than any democrat ever did! They ALL need to read the Constitution where it limits the powers of the federal government! You can't get a glass of water without some fed interfering. Enough! This is not the government that our founders established - that government is gone!
Heartily agree! Where we disagree is how to roll back the unconstitutional mess we're in. I promise you I would like nothing better than to immediately eliminate every unconstitutional law, administrative rule, and judicial fiat that has been foisted upon us over the last 100 years, give or take. It ain't gonna happen. We have been Gramsciied to death. It has taken decades for the socialists to reach this point; we are not going to change it overnight, or even in a few years. It's an unrealistic expectation IMO.
Furthermore, if one has that expectation, only disappointment will follow. I know, because like you, I've been there. I fully expected after the '00 elections, our Pubbie majorities and Pubbie president would begin work on the socialist lunacy. Didn't happen to any meaningful extent. Then after the '02 elections, I thought surely we could get to work on the leftists lunacy. Again, didn't happen. After contemplating the problem some I basically reached the conclusion I stated above. The problems we and our Pubbies face is systemic. The socialist mindset is embedded so deeply in the bureaucracy, it's gonna take a long time to root it out. The social engineers are still running the gummint, and from most accounts it's virtually impossible to weed 'em out for political reasons, ie, idealogical differences. Our free press would have a turkey shoot in this target rich environment.
I don't know if you're willing to reconsider your position or not. I understand the frustration you're dealing with, and the only thing I would offer is that you consider how long it's taken to get in the mess we're in, and is it truly realistic to expect any significant changes in the immediate future. The ship of state don't turn on a dime.
Regards,
FGS
Republicans no longer represent my interests or the interests of the U.S. Constitution. They are spineless jellyfish. They are PART OF THE PROBLEM, not part of the solution, and in many ways, they are my enemy as well. A little leaven ruins the whole batch. I will no longer compromise on the Constitution or moral principle. Voting for a Republican is a compromise in most cases. I will vote Constitution Party from now on, unless I am sure that a Republican candidate gives a hoot about the U.S. Constitution - and that is unlikely.
Show me a sign that anything has begun to change. I see it just getting worse and worse under Bush. The govt is getting bigger and bigger! Tell me, who are the voices for change? Name names!
And the DemocRATS thank you for that. I learned my lesson in '92. Nobody has a chance except 'RATs and Republicans. You only get two choices. You can rail against harsh reality all you want.
Temper tantrum? Tell me you're at least not stamping your feet. I dare say every one on this forum would give most anything to see a turnaround....yesterday! Maybe a question would serve our purposes better: Considering all the forces set against you, what would you do in "W's" position?
FGS
Haha. No not a temper tantrum, just exclamation points for ummpphh. What would I do if I were W? I would start following the U.S. Constitution as he swore an oath to do! How's that for starters?
You are wrong. Moral principle DEMANDS that I not vote for a constitutionally or morally compromised candidate - regardless of the party. I am more aware of reality than 99.9999% of all Americans. America is on a moral and political national freefall. But I am not as dismayed as most of you will be - my hope is not in the U.S. govt - it is in the LORD.
I am more aware of reality than 99.9999% of all Americans.
Are you aware of what that statement makes you sound like?
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