Right Versus Wrong

[20score]

Last edited Sun Feb 1, 2015, 06:34 PM - Edit history (1)

There has always been a puritanical versus enlightenment fight going on for the heart of the country. Fascist, corporatist versus people, theocrats versus secularists, authoritarian versus freedom, racism versus decency, science versus ignorance and greed versus charity. During the times when the fight is most visible, such as the Great Awakenings, the Abolitionist Movement of the 19th century, the labor movement of the early 20th century, the Civil Rights Movement and today’s fights, it is not always apparent who will win the fight; even for those gifted with empathy and critical thought. And being right on one or more critical issues, such as civil rights, does not automatically put one on the right side of all issues.

Lyndon Johnson helped move civil rights forward and was great on poverty, but expanded United States involvement in a blatantly unjust war. There were African Americans helping the Mississippi Sovereignty Commission, a KKK type organization (with members of the Klan involved), because they believed the state would win the civil rights fight. And of course there has been overlap within many of the issues, with morality, reality and empathy being the common thread.

We are fighting numerous problems today, with clearly delineated sides of right and wrong. (Albeit with grey areas, degrees and nuances in each subject.) Our idea of democracy seems almost a joke in its current form (the Kochs spending close to a billion dollars to buy politicians, lobbyists writing our laws, entire media outlets - of which there are only six – devoted to propaganda, misinformation, scapegoating, wealth transfer to the top and diversion). Our idea of freedom is unrecognizable from just a generation ago with Total Information Awareness on a fast track to fruition, along with other repellant programs (NSA spying, DEA spying, asset forfeiture, militarized police, over 200 SWAT raids a day, license plate readers and indefinite detention). War crimes going unpunished and in many circles, unacknowledged (torture, the entire Iraq War). A reigniting of the civil rights fight, a fight against reprehensible trade agreements like the TPP and an effort for the middle class and the majority of the country to hold on to whatever wealth they have left. A fight to help the environment (global warming, endangered species, the health of the oceans, overpopulation, wilderness protection, etc.).

It’s easy to see which sides are right and which sides are wrong in these struggles. At least on the edges, where facts and decency are facing lies, greed and malice. What bothers me (aside from the ever-present War on Reality) is the fact that I don’t know which side will win this one.

[MisterP]

1. but the Abolitionists were packed with Puritans ...

[20score]

2. Yes they were.

Didn't have time for the nuances of that fight, but i assume everyone already knows.

[20score]

5. I tried to make this quick and short due to time constraints. (Super Bowl and all.)

But you're right and the same goes for the Civil Rights Movement of the 50s and 60s, so I added a sentence. Thanks.

[marym625]

3. K&R +a kabillion!

I have been afraid for a while that it's too late. That there's too much to fight with precious little time to get things right. But the budget bill that passed the House and Senate and was pushed by the Obama administration, did us in.

There's no way we can fight this kind of money, which is power. They, the powers that be, wouldn't care if we boycotted everything and didn't spend a dime on corporate America and/or marched on Washington en masse. They no longer care because they no longer need us. Our money means nothing to them so whatever we do, means nothing. Morality doesn't exist in our government.

I've never been as afraid for our country as I am now.

Well said, 20score. Thanks for saying it.

[20score]

6. Wow, thanks!

[marym625]

8. You're welcome

You said what I have been thinking. It needs to be said. Unfortunately, like you said, we don't know which side will win this time. Good or evil.
Sad

[20score]

9. And I don't have a good feeling, either.

[daredtowork]

4. One of the difficulties in talking to wealthy/established people about poverty

...is three minutes into the conversation they always wig about the "angry" left, the "extreme" left, the "radical" left. When they are cutting off the conversation like that, how do you make them see that the anger and extremism is being created by cutting off people's access to basic resources for survival? There are also a lot of stereotypes about "nothing ever getting done" when the left is in the room...but there is no consideration that this might be because the (extreme) right won't allow any "give backs" of the "take aways" that have happened over the years, much less allow new programs and infrastructure to be built on the "Left" side of the realm of ideas.

The "Left" has been invalidated a priori in their minds, before they even go into the room. Moreover, since they have all the power and resources, if they are even spoken to in a non-deferential way, they can just take their ball and go home. In fact that is what they are doing each time on some Internet forum some Very Important Person throws a hissy fit over anonymous people being able to get away with discourtesy. They want everyone to be identified because they are used to their status implying deference - and to keep people groveling, there needs to be inequality.

Anyway, I'm tired of hearing about what is wrong with the Abstract Left, because the truth is that the people with the power to do something to help the people who are on the Left for the political reason that this is the side that stands up for people with no access to livelihood or resources have an extremely selfish motivation for fault-finding with the "other" political side, and their hyperbole usually falls apart when they are forced to look at the actual people they are making abstract claims about.

[suede1]

7. K&R!

[suede1]

14. Looks like this could use a kick, hun.

It's well done!

[Faryn Balyncd]

10. A very thoughtful, relevant post.

Thanks.

[20score]

11. Much appreciated, thanks!

[hifiguy]

12. Excellent and thoughtful post.

I'd say the next ten years are going to decide the ultimate winner. And it doesn't look good for democracy, reality and rationality. The Other Side can shape what is perceived to be reality by a majority of the populace because they have the money and tools to do so in the way they wish. And the masses of Americans are some of the easiest people on earth to fool.

[20score]

13. Thank you!

And you're right. An unfortunate truth.

[marym625]

15. kicking again

This should have a ton of recs.

[20score]

16. Well thank you!

[20score]

17. I may resubmit under a different title.