That’s a bit oversimplified. The left and I’d say a good part of the total population believes in progressivism. We are imperfect, the system is imperfect, but we are always, ideally, advancing in the direction of perfection. That’s why America was labeled exceptional. The constitution, freedom, abundance and intellectual vigor of our yo…
That’s a bit oversimplified. The left and I’d say a good part of the total population believes in progressivism. We are imperfect, the system is imperfect, but we are always, ideally, advancing in the direction of perfection. That’s why America was labeled exceptional. The constitution, freedom, abundance and intellectual vigor of our youthful nation made us, seemingly, different than any other nation that arose before us. This period, now, where a vocal group of regressives have captured the megaphone is an anomaly. Maybe it signals that we are doomed to fail, or maybe it’s a blip in our history and will soon be shown to have been one of those inevitable pauses progress takes to catch its breath.
"This period, now, where a vocal group of regressives have captured the megaphone is an anomaly."
Is it? I would argue the reason we have the system of government we do, and the bill of rights is because the founders understood that man's natural inclination is to reduce the freedom of others.
See for example the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798. With many many examples in the years since, from the unconstitutional war on drugs (where is the amendment authorizing the federal government to do this), to unconstitutional attempts to muzzle speech, to all the anti gun laws that seem to struggle with "shall not be infringed". Oh and let's not forget all the government spying on people without warrants.
Every year, every day, people must stand up for freedom, not just for themselves, but for those they disagree with.
I don't think it's oversimplified: except, possibly, for the use of "divine". When compared to history, the parallels are stunning. I sure hope the current insanity is an anomaly. But I know enough history to know a small, loud group can seize power and quickly change history for the worse. Over time, perhaps 300-500 years recovery will occur and in 1,000 years I have confidence in what will be the dominant political/economic structure in the world. Getting there could be difficult and bloody.
Russia in the early 20th century, China in the cultural revolution, Iraq when Saddam took over, Venezuela and Hugo Chavez, Cambodia and Pol Pot, Iran, Chile, France during the Reign of Terror...the list is long. It doesn't matter how long it lasts, the damage that is done is massive. What may be an anomaly in historic terms is still a major, brutal, shock to those who live through it.
First. Yes. It would be horrible to live through something like the cultural revolution or be starved to death because a national leader was unwise. But then again, it’s brutal to die from cancer or to be homeless and drug addicted. Depends on the frame. Personal, local, national, world. Notice that the examples you gave are all national. They didn’t bleed over to other nations. Their ideology didn’t sell and was soon discarded. In history, over the ages, that’s all you can ask for. Always bending towards freedom, justice and equality.
Now a personal question. Your emails are listed as section230stan. Did you change your name or is there a glitch in the system?
Yes. There were different communist nations. And there was fear that more nations would adopt that ideology. That’s why we were over there in Vietnam. Technically you are correct. My error. Thanks.
That’s a bit oversimplified. The left and I’d say a good part of the total population believes in progressivism. We are imperfect, the system is imperfect, but we are always, ideally, advancing in the direction of perfection. That’s why America was labeled exceptional. The constitution, freedom, abundance and intellectual vigor of our youthful nation made us, seemingly, different than any other nation that arose before us. This period, now, where a vocal group of regressives have captured the megaphone is an anomaly. Maybe it signals that we are doomed to fail, or maybe it’s a blip in our history and will soon be shown to have been one of those inevitable pauses progress takes to catch its breath.
"This period, now, where a vocal group of regressives have captured the megaphone is an anomaly."
Is it? I would argue the reason we have the system of government we do, and the bill of rights is because the founders understood that man's natural inclination is to reduce the freedom of others.
See for example the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798. With many many examples in the years since, from the unconstitutional war on drugs (where is the amendment authorizing the federal government to do this), to unconstitutional attempts to muzzle speech, to all the anti gun laws that seem to struggle with "shall not be infringed". Oh and let's not forget all the government spying on people without warrants.
Every year, every day, people must stand up for freedom, not just for themselves, but for those they disagree with.
Well stated. That is why Reagan said "freedom is never more than one generation away from being extinguished".
I don't think it's oversimplified: except, possibly, for the use of "divine". When compared to history, the parallels are stunning. I sure hope the current insanity is an anomaly. But I know enough history to know a small, loud group can seize power and quickly change history for the worse. Over time, perhaps 300-500 years recovery will occur and in 1,000 years I have confidence in what will be the dominant political/economic structure in the world. Getting there could be difficult and bloody.
What parallels? Communism? How long did that last in Russia? Hitler? How long did that last?
Russia in the early 20th century, China in the cultural revolution, Iraq when Saddam took over, Venezuela and Hugo Chavez, Cambodia and Pol Pot, Iran, Chile, France during the Reign of Terror...the list is long. It doesn't matter how long it lasts, the damage that is done is massive. What may be an anomaly in historic terms is still a major, brutal, shock to those who live through it.
First. Yes. It would be horrible to live through something like the cultural revolution or be starved to death because a national leader was unwise. But then again, it’s brutal to die from cancer or to be homeless and drug addicted. Depends on the frame. Personal, local, national, world. Notice that the examples you gave are all national. They didn’t bleed over to other nations. Their ideology didn’t sell and was soon discarded. In history, over the ages, that’s all you can ask for. Always bending towards freedom, justice and equality.
Now a personal question. Your emails are listed as section230stan. Did you change your name or is there a glitch in the system?
glitch
"Notice that the examples you gave are all national. They didn’t bleed over to other nations."
I would argue communism certainly bled over to other nations. Fascism as well.
Yes. There were different communist nations. And there was fear that more nations would adopt that ideology. That’s why we were over there in Vietnam. Technically you are correct. My error. Thanks.