Open Thread...
Rational Nation USA
Purveyor of Truth
I happened to run across the following list while surfing the net this afternoon. So, being in an inquisitive mind stopped to read it and give a few moments thought to each and every one of the twenty five items. Can't say I agree in total but there is much that I do.
Given the current mood of the combined GOP, particularly the tea party, neo con, and religious fundamentalist wing I thought it would be fun to run this post without comment moderation for a day. Perhaps thoughtful, reasonable, intelligent, and rational republicans will stop by and posit intelligent comments as to why they disagree (or agree) with certain or all items on the list.
Have fun and please keep it clean...
SOURCE
Purveyor of Truth
I happened to run across the following list while surfing the net this afternoon. So, being in an inquisitive mind stopped to read it and give a few moments thought to each and every one of the twenty five items. Can't say I agree in total but there is much that I do.
Given the current mood of the combined GOP, particularly the tea party, neo con, and religious fundamentalist wing I thought it would be fun to run this post without comment moderation for a day. Perhaps thoughtful, reasonable, intelligent, and rational republicans will stop by and posit intelligent comments as to why they disagree (or agree) with certain or all items on the list.
Have fun and please keep it clean...
25 Reasons Why I’m Thankful That I’m Not a Republican (in no particular order):
- I respect the civil rights of all Americans, not just those I choose to agree with.
- I understand basic economics that consumer demand creates jobs, not tax breaks.
- I know that while mental health does play a part in gun violence, guns are still part of the problem.
- I understand that science isn’t some form of liberal magic trick.
- I know that women deserve the same rights in the workplace (and everywhere for that matter — see #1) as men.
- I know that racism isn’t natural, it’s a learned behavior — and skin color says nothing about the content of ones character.
- It doesn’t matter if John wants to marry Jane or Jake, it’s none of my business.
- I know Christianity is about hope, love and compassion—not fear, hate and judgement.
- When someone needs help, I ask “What can I do?” not “Why?”
- Health care is a right, not a privilege. Our ability to live healthier lives shouldn’t be determined by how much we can afford.
- I understand capitalism can create great things, but it can also destroy them without proper regulations and oversight.
- I don’t believe that “freedom of religion” means the freedom to force Christianity on every American.
- I believe diplomacy should be attempted before war.
- I understand the the government is extremely flawed—but it’s not the enemy.
- Our right to vote should be made easier, not more difficult.
- I believe being “pro-life” means supporting all life, not just a fetus before it’s born.
- Women should determine what they do with their own bodies, not the government.
- A higher education shouldn’t just be for those who can afford it.
- I believe in actual history, not the version I wished was real.
- I understand that we’re not all created equal and some of us need more help than others.
- I know that there are people who abuse our welfare programs, but that doesn’t make all people on welfare lazy moochers.
- I believe teachers, fire fighters and police officers are heroes–not overpaid government employees.
- I feel that unions protect workers rights, they don’t inhibit them.
- I know climate change is real, and it’s caused by man—not God’s wrath over legalizing same-sex marriage.
- I believe education is an asset, not a tool for liberal indoctrination.
SOURCE
No. 25 is fascinating. All we hear from the extremists on the right is that our schools are nothing but liberal indoctrination camps that teach our young to hate America and embrace socialism, diversity, and tolerance. But unless every single far right extremist went to private school or was home schooled, how do they explain their conservatism? Those liberal indoctrination practices in public schools haven't worked very well on half the population, since we are a pretty much divided country. But don't expect self-reflection or insight into what those extremists blather about. No critical thinking exists in that tribe.
ReplyDeleteRather valid observations.
DeleteI agree. My personal experience is that a majority of teachers and professors tend to lean left, something I think has very likely been the case forever. But there certainly are knowledgeable and effective conservative teachers and professors as well in academia not to mention there are a lot of conservative mom and dad role models as well.
ReplyDeleteAs I see it the problem with conservatives, to be clear I am speaking of the strident tea party neo con religionist individuals, is somewhere along their growth path they accepted blind ideology and thus lost the will (and ultimately ability) to reason. They became part of a tribe of like minded ideologues and anything that doesn't conform to their paradigms and beliefs must be destroyed.
Sadly these folks are not entirely alone in this. Extremists do exist in progressive circles and they present the same dangers to societal cohesiveness as do the extremes on the right. Thankfully the majority of America is still closer to the middle leaning either slightly left or slightly right.
Interesting that no raving con has taken advantage of this 24 hour unmoderated post.
RN... They probably have not realized you are off moderation or don't read your blog...
ReplyDeleteOr, figure you'll delete the boilerplate they post at various blogs. There's nothing more I like than seeing the exact same post show up at Free, AOW, The Smut Hut and more under completely different sock puppet names.
Unless it is reading a grammatically challenged rant that has nothing to do with the post.
Great list... I particularly like #19 about history and believe we should teach the good, the bad and the ugly to kids. Whether we like it or not...
I agree Dave. For our nation to realize the full potential and promise of our founding vision it must confront and address the bad and the ugly. I doubt very much the cons have the will, and in some cases the intelligence, to do so.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the troll hole residents were dormant, like locusts or something, during this period?
DeleteAnd now for something which might or might not be relevant to what you were just saying...a quotation I just ran across (to consider in the light of its own words, and not the reputation and other statements of its maker)
"Here's what I don't think works: An economic system that was founded in the 16th century and another that was founded in the 19th century. I'm tired of this discussion of capitalism and socialism; we live in the 21st century; we need an economic system that has democracy as its underpinnings and an ethical code."
- Michael Moore
/socialism.html#RRsH58kWx7YAKhw3.99
Comment moderation back on as OF 7:00 PM 10/1/15.
ReplyDeleteDmarks... tough to get there in such a pluralistic country and connected world. Where do we start?
ReplyDeleteWhen the Pope called "unbridled capitalism" evil, he was quickly dismissed by folks who couldn't, or chose not to see the word unbridled.
How we get to another system is, IMHO, impossible here in the US.
Like any type of gun control, it would require politicians to sacrifice their careers to do the right thing. Do you expect to see that anytime soon?