We need to get over the idea that those in the rest of the world, who envy our achievements, have a right to define our terminology. We need also to stop cowering before the "politically correct" folk at home. Understanding that peoples differ is essential both so far as an immigration policy is concerned, but also as to any analysis of the macro statistics, that are always been cited by Leftist advocacy groups, to make this or that point. The Left calls that recognition "racist," because they have no argument--none--against applying reasonable definitions and classifications to people. They seek to intimidate by hissing, rather than engage in reasoned discourse in the pursuit of truth, which is the only approach which can ever hope to contribute to the solution of any problem.
Yes. When the Left struck out in promoting Class Warfare in certain Western Nations, they began to play the race card. The hissing insult, became their stock in trade; race and ethnicity became a metaphor for class. But it is no more evil to be a member of another race, than to have obtained a certain level of material success. It is just plain silly, however, to pretend that either racial identity or material achievement is evil.
When I suggest that Democracy has only worked for a few peoples in the history of man, I was not suggesting that it was either intended for America, or that--outside the New England Town Meeting--it has ever worked here. The present efforts to impose Democracy on America have been closely associated with the breakdown of our Constitutional values, and should certainly be opposed.
William Flax
I agree. Some supposed members of the Right (even on the FR) will call anyone who recognizes the differences between peoples racist. The Left doesn't even believe in assimilation -- they prefer "multiculturalism." Neither can argue -- they can only name call and hope to intimidate.
Yes. When the Left struck out in promoting Class Warfare in certain Western Nations, they began to play the race card. The hissing insult, became their stock in trade; race and ethnicity became a metaphor for class. But it is no more evil to be a member of another race, than to have obtained a certain level of material success. It is just plain silly, however, to pretend that either racial identity or material achievement is evil.
There has always been a high degree of social mobility in America (many well-to-do elderly today were born poor) so class warfare never went as far here as it did in other countries (where it often become a literal class war). This may change because of the massive offshoring of middle class jobs, but that's another story. So they successfully turned to whipping up racial, ethnic and religious hostilities. In fact, to cultural Marxists, Whites are not supposed to possess a sense of racial identity. That's racist.
When I suggest that Democracy has only worked for a few peoples in the history of man, I was not suggesting that it was either intended for America, or that--outside the New England Town Meeting--it has ever worked here. The present efforts to impose Democracy on America have been closely associated with the breakdown of our Constitutional values, and should certainly be opposed.
Human beings are by nature tribal and tribes are by nature territorial and competitive. People (and animals) instinctively prefer those they consider their own kind. One of the reasons democracy will work better in a homogenous society is because the population senses that it is really one big family of common blood, history, language, religion, culture, etc. Divisions will be regional or economic. This is true to some degree in the US -- the Republicans and the Democrats do tend to appeal to different racial, ethnic and religious groups. In third world countries, different tribes will literally have their own political parties. Arguably, monarchy is preferable in a heterogenous society because loyalty may be directed towards a person rather than a particular ethnic group or country.
It's also vital that voters make rational and just decisions -- the vicious, ignorant and just plain stupid are easy prey for demagogues. At one time in the US, self-government meant informed citizens making rational decisions -- now it means voters seeking to legally pick the contents of their neighbors' pockets or else trying to protect themselves from those who seek to pick the contents of their pockets. Otherwise, the government, the courts, and the bureaucracy ignore the wishes of the people on the overall direction of the country (e.g., on immigration).
I always enjoy reading your posts. There is so much to learn and think about afterwards.