This will not by my usual post of a news article with my own commentary – instead – I want to talk about something different – that age old question regarding liberals and conservatives – the fundamental difference.
I am in an e-mail discussion group with some very hard core progressive liberals. They drive me absolutely insane because their logic appears to be so flawed. One is a long time IRS worker, one is a disabled veteran, one is a housewife with her own Internet business, and one appears to be a college student or recent grad. If there are other flaming progressive liberals in that group they have yet to make themselves know.
Then we have two moderates – one a disabled college student and one another longtime government employee. The student tends to lean center right whereas the government employee tends to lean left. I think he’s a closet liberal as he always sides wit the liberal arguments.
Then – we have myself and three other right leaning conservatives. I don’t know what the other two do during the day – but the other is a retired soldier, retired teacher with three Masters Degrees.
Other than the rhetoric flying from both sides in these groups – I have found the progressives have a very very very illogical understanding of our constitution, the founding of our country, and the true meaning of American exceptionalism.
As for the constitution – I really don’t see how they can read it (if they actually have) and insist that it is a very flexible, living and breathing document and the founders made it this way to change with the times. In other words, it can be twisted to meet their liberal agenda. It is very clear the only flexibility of this document is the ability to amend it.
Their position is that the founders were in favor of big government and therefore the reason for generalities in the spending clause (Art. 1, Sec 8). This particular section also includes the general welfare clause. Until the 1936 U.S. v Butler case – the general welfare clause was ALWAYS narrowly interpreted as Madison suggested. Madison clearly and consistently stated in several instances that the general welfare clause and power to tax ONLY applied to the enumerated powers.
After 1936 – the ability to expand government using the U.S. v Butler decision grew exponentially. It has been the basis for social security, medicare, medicaid, welfare, unemployment and every other entitlement you can think of. I don’t understand the logic of progressives.
It boggles the mind that you can read the constitution, read the articles of confederation and the federalist papers – and still come out thinking the constitution is flexible beyond the 17 enumerated powers and the ability to amend it. In fact, when I suggested they actually read the words of the framers/founders and to read Madison for clarification on the general welfare clause – one stated that the constitution is the construct and OPINION of many. Really? The U.S. Constitution is just opinion? No wonder they’re so screwed up. They don’t even see the Constitution as being the law of the land. To them, it is just a piece of paper that gets in the way of their agenda.
On the founding of this country – they see it as an inherently evil beginning because of slavery and the slaughter and relocation of the native Indians. You know – we get that. There were some rocky spots – but – overall – this country had an exceptional beginning. Our founders were very bright, thoughtful individuals with great foresight. Blood was shed all across the Eastern Seaboard to gain our independence. That blood was shed by both blacks and whites together. If you recall – the actual beginning of the revolution started with the Boston Massacre and death of Crispus Attucks – a runaway slave.
Once the U.S. was an independent nation – the framers set out to form the basis of our government. A monumental undertaking. It took them several attempts before the U.S. Constitution was finally accepted by all. This country became the industrial leader and we never gave up that mantle until the last decade. We have seen a fundamental transition in our world standing since Obama took over. While America is still proclaimed the leader – China is trailing a close second and is expected to take us over before Obama leaves office. There has been considerable discussion around the world about dropping the dollar as the reserve currency. The progressives in this discussion group are in favor of it. They see America as the oppressor and we are evil. I don’t understand how they can hate this country, history, and laws so much and still proclaim themselves to be Americans. They claim capitalism is oppressive and is the cause of all misery around the world. They believe America is imperialistic and our motives for “nation building” is capitalism. Capitalism, innovation, and ingenuity is what elevated America above all others. Our founders were all capitalists and they designed the constitution in a manner to prevent government from interfering in private business.
On American exceptionalism – they believe that it is the government responsibility to take care of all the poor and downtrodden in this society – ergo, social security, medicare, medicaid, welfare, food stamps, etc. They do not see this as forced charity – something that both Madison and Alexander Hamilton were against. As it relates to the general welfare clause – Madison specifically stated that charity is not to be legislated by the government. Hamilton viewed it as more broad – except – it must be general in nature and cannot be specific to any one segment of the country. Entitlement programs are very specific and are not general in nature at all. It specifically targets the rich to pay for the needs of the poor through forced charity.
Don’t get me wrong – I don’t think we should leave the needy behind. In fact, as a Christian, I believe it is our fundamental duty to be our brothers’ keepers and to help the needy whenever possible. The difference is I believe charity begins at home and our time, treasure, and talent is voluntarily given. Progressives believe human nature is evil and that unless the government forces one to be charitable – the poor will go without aide. How flawed is that logic?
I see American exceptionalism being destroyed by turning this country from the land of opportunity to the land of hand outs. They claim our exceptionalism is being elevated by serving the poor through government services. They really don’t get it. Our founders were very specific with regards to the power of taxation and property rights – the power is with the people and no government has the authority to take away legitimately earned property (including earned income).
One other common trait all four of these progressives have in common – they are ALL atheists. They all believe the THEORY of evolution is fact and Darwin was right. So – what I don’t get – if they were true Darwinians – why are they so hellbent on supporting entitlement programs for the poor, weak, and needy? After all, the main tenent of the theory of evolution is “survival of the fittest.” Only the strong will survive. If they believe in that theory – wouldn’t it suffice to say they would also have to subscribe to the notion that the weak should be left behind? See, what comes with those entitlements for the poor is expansive government. Progressives want government control and regulation over everything – something that is so inherently against the American way of life, our constitution, and our founders’ vision for this country.
There are indeed fundamental differences between liberals and conservatives. What I don’t get is how they can hate this country so much that they want to reform and transform it – yet – they still call themselves Americans.
