Posted by
voice_of_reason on Friday, June 15, 2007 7:42:17 PM
What is ruining America - making us slouch Leftward with every passing generation - is our moral predisposition towards altruism. What remains of our intellect leads us to laissez-faire capitalism and freedom. But our moral code extols sacrifice, so we lack ideological ammunition against the illogic of welfare statism or any other Leftist concept.
Many conservatives assume that conservatives are immune from the weakness that is brought about by the lack of moral ammunition against welfare statism. However, there is plenty of proof that Republicans too, have slouched to the left over the past few decades. It is well worth our while to examine the reasons for this.
Consider this: despite all evidence to the contrary, why do so many Americans moisten up when a politician (of either side) makes a generous campaign promise - with public money?
Whether the issue is Universal Health Care, Public Education, Global Warming, Illegal Immigration or Welfare, good intentions (and sincere-sounding, heart-string-tugging sound bites) seem to be the currency du jour with voters.
Arguments based on American self-interest just don't seem to cut it with voters any more! When asked why our presence in Afghanistan and Iraq is more important than, say Darfur, we flinch from saying "because American self-interest is involved in the former, not the latter". Since that would lead to a chorus of "Blood for Oil" and "selfish Americans", we have to couch our responses in smarmy political rhetoric such as "we're fighting for a better Iraq".
Similarly, when asked why conservatives oppose Universal Health Care, we flinch from saying that it is morally obscene because it makes parasites of one segment of our population and victims of the other. Hmm .. perhaps those are the Two Americas, that Senator Edwards conjures up?
Sure, we can oppose every new entitlement scheme with the plaintive cry "it doesn't work as intended". And we would be right - with plenty of factual and anecdotal evidence.
But, unless we attack the cause of the American public's support for such policies, this will be a losing battle.
I have taken the position (not particularly popular at TH) that religion-inspired altruism is the root cause of this predisposition. While that may be a sweeping generalization, it does seem to be a resonant ideological thread in our country.
I hold out hope for an electorate that would put economic issues and American self-interest before social issues. Otherwise, we will continue to muddle through ideologically and be robbed blind .. as we slouch Leftward.