I am tired of the dirty label of liberal, linked to the color of pink, just as there are conservatives who are tired of being linked to the Christian right. Liberal to me means an eclectics or cherry picking of New Deal, Socialism — big government where needed. To most conservatives, I think, wish to be perceived in the bright side of Goldwater and Reagan — government with restraint. I do not profess there is little difference here, but the common thread is that those of good will want what’s best for the nation.
Conservatives, to arrive at that goal, primarily trust the self reliance of the individual but where they go wrong is in trusting big business as though it were made of an organization of trusted individuals. Similarly, liberals primarily distrust self reliance when they perceive an uneven playing field; liberals go wrong in trusting big government as though it were made of an organization of trusted individuals to oversee this playing field. Conservatives, true ones, that is, do not need God to officiate; neither do liberals, true ones, that is. This does not imply that the moderate right and left are without religion; on the contrary, both have faith in free will with a little help from basic catechismal precepts, to wit, common decency in the interactive, secular arena. Conservatives do to a degree acknowledge the uneven playing field and support the welfare state when monitored properly, despite unwarranted cries that most on welfare are lazy, irresponsible dirt bags. Liberals, on the other hand, are infamously naive in perceiving, for the most part, the disadvantaged as innocent victims of an uncaring nation structured to preclude opportunity.
It would appear, then, there exists a middle ground: conservatives should give a little in their worship of big business and entrepreneurial activity and the liberals give ground in their worship of big government as the wherewithal. For instance where would the automobile be today had local, state and federal monies not been poured into a road and highway system? Where would government be today without the brilliant inventiveness of big and small business and the taxes generated therefrom? Where would Wal-Mart be? Surely, its arrogance needs taming. Essentially there is nothing wrong with successful companies that play by the rules. In the 30s and 40s Woolworth, the A&P and Sears raised havoc with Mom and Pop stores, but these juggernauts succeeded without the help of China and paying abysmal wages — chances were the “displaced” were paid better and introduced to some fringe-benefits — unheard of at the time — in moving from the independent stores to the chains.
In conclusion, is it possible to explore the common ground and stop tearing ourselves apart?
Copyright © 2005 Richard R. Kennedy All rights reserved. Revised: November 21, 2005.
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