Posted on 09/13/2007 2:23:39 PM PDT by shrinkermd
It began with the idea that thinking people (that is how they described themselves) determined their own person regardless, and in spite of, tradition.
Conventional and traditional views were to be avoided not because they were wrong (they were usually only assumed so) but because they were conventional, traditional views. The individual became an all powerful voice against tradition and traditional values. Each intellectual discipline and then each individual was to do similarly and then to live and advocate it.
This wholesale dumping of tradition as well as outright animosity for anything “conservative” had some unfortunate consequences: substance habituation, out-of-wedlock pregnancies, abortions and so on and so on. These outcomes then required a return to a quasi-bourgeois belief system. What was salvaged from tradition was the levers of power—entrance into the meritocracy and capitalistic success. This economic compromise tempered the fall from bourgeois status; indeed, it accentuated the idea that success in the workplace and in the professions was the only real measure of personal value and virtue.
Presently, those in Minnesota with postgraduate degrees vote 60/40 liberal RAT.
What is worse than the above, the progressives (60 liberals) also decided political power was the final arbiter of right and wrong. Winning elections meant right and losing elections meant wrong. The liberal belief system became a self-generating source of transcendental identity that demanded acquiescence, if not worship, by all.
So now, we have an agglutination of beliefs that claims individuality yet, on close inspection, are without any hint of individualism—they are lock step, superordinate beliefs that no one dare contest—environmentalism, political correctness, socialism with a small “s,” and so on and so forth.
Besides a new agglutination of liberal beliefs not based on empirical findings we also have a new denial—self-observation is a denied value since any question as to liberal understanding and belief is considered a heresy.
Rush Limbaugh may label “liberalism” a mental disorder. I choose to see it, as many others have, as a religion. This new religion is the dominant theme in our schools, universities, professions and in the fine and performing arts. If Russell Kirk were alive today he would relabel his classic work as “The Conservative Rout [not Mind]: From Burke to Eliot. “Rout” was his original choice but his editor demanded, and got, “mind.” Kirk was more prescient than even he imagined.
Some progress has been made over the last two Presidential elections--Thank you, President G. W. Bush. But the real change may be the increasing numbers--both absolutely and proportionately--of voters living in the suburbs. Living in the suburbs requires individual effort and the necessity of voluntary associations--churches, school advocacy groups and political activism. Hurray for our side!
Well of course! Minn is full of democrats and Muhammadans. No doubt she’ll do well in Michigan too.
It’s pretty clear that the Democrat party is the party of choice for our enemies, especially the Muhammadans who wish to destroy the USA as we know it and turn it into another Islamic crap hole.
Prayer mat sales are doing very well in those states.
Dukakis led Bush by double digits this early in the game, too. Be patient.
Government handouts, rent control, government day care promises, government housing, welfare, promises of never ending freebies and never having to work.
Bingo halls.
"Commrade, can I git me a fishing license here?"
Cause most of the folks here are dumber than a bag hammers don’t ya know! FDR was a saint and the demoncraps are going save us all from the evil Republicans! These people are just plain stupid when it involves politics!
Amen to that!
That’s where all the welfare freebies , emasculated male metrosexuals,and sucker-er, soccer moms are, among other things.
You’re right, I forgot about government workers in my previous post.
I remember we were discussing MN as a possible pickup because of suburban/exurban growth coupled with pro-life rural Dems voting Republican. Didn’t turn out that way, but it was still pretty close. I’d give it time. It doesn’t surprise me that Clinton leads in these state polls. She’s running strong in the primary, and Republicans still haven’t settled on their choice yet.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.