[Pessimist]

“It’s cruel, and just plain evil.”

Yeah, but it works.

I read somewhere that one of Alinsky’s rules was to hold the opposition up to their own highest standards. Why do you think he said that? ‘Cause he knew that would paralyze them.

[agere_contra]

I read somewhere that one of Alinsky’s rules was to hold the opposition up to their own highest standards. Why do you think he said that? ‘Cause he knew that would paralyze them.

Damn good point. But (contra that) I believe that the Conservative position at the end relies on simple truth.

We may be paralysed in Alinksy's view, because we refuse to use poisoned weapons.

But at the same time, using deceit or dishonest techniques in the primary battle of ideas must tend to weaken one's ability to discourse truthfully - must weaken one's ability to be conservative.

Democrats are always hiding what they believe. They make you sign onto a "war against poverty" or onto the "pro-choice" movement. They use victims as human shields.

We do not. The very essence of Conservatism is to let our true ideas wrestle naked with the alien deceits of the Socialists. If we start using subterfuge to cloak our ideas then we deny our ideas their power.

[concerned about politics]

Yeah, I know. Unfortunately, the right wing politicians don't make liberals play by their own rules.
The left wants choice, but denies choices for everyone else. Why not call them on it?
They want free speech, but deny it to others. Why not call them on it?
They want rights for homos living together, but object to unmarried heterosexual living together getting the same rights. Why not call them on it?
They scream about Corporate wealth and criminality, but ignore their own politicians who have "mysteriously" become millionaires after reaching Washington . Why not call them on it?

Our politicians are forced to live by their own rules, yes, but our own politicians at the same time give the left a pass. Why aren't they calling them out?

[Myrddin]

I read somewhere that one of Alinsky’s rules was to hold the opposition up to their own highest standards. Why do you think he said that? ‘Cause he knew that would paralyze them.

The Democrats do this all the time to the Republicans. The least inkling of moral discrepancy has the Democrats screaming for the Republican to "step down". The Republicans typically cave. When the shoe is on the other foot, the Democrats just give everyone the finger and sweep the misbehavior under the rug. The Republicans again cave and cease to force the issue.