No that is not what I was talking about at all. I was talking in generalities, and my theme was only related remotely to politics. The real point I was trying to make was that all discourse emanates from different parts of a philosophical continuum, that no one has consistent ideas on every issue, and that there is no single ideology or philosophy that can be used to organize anyone's opinions. We may have general feelings about how things are put together, but there is no single truth, no organizing principle, no constant truth that must be served everywhere all the time. Even if there is, how will you know it when you see it? And why should anyone else believe you?

The universe presents us with a kaleidoscope of impressions which we further confuse by our own subjective perception. Our task is to make sense of it all and try to integrate it into a meaningful life that can serve our moral and intellectual and emotional needs. Sure, I have opinions on things like national defense and health insurance, but I do not see the world as a struggle of monolithic opposing and irreconcilable forces as I suspect you do. I believe there are an infinity of agendas and alliances, and that they know not me.

I know there is conflict but I recognize conflict well enough without others constantly having to point it out to me. I try to form my opinions on what I know, and what I feel is right, not on what I feel is some master plan the universe should follow and that those who reject it are either misled or self-serving. Other than a handful of physical laws, and the conviction that anything which needlessly or deliberately causes human suffering is wrong, the universe does not need me to guide it and I don't need anyone who wants to do so.

This does not mean I have no opinions, that I don't care what happens, that I don't endeavor to improve my own condition or defend myself from my enemies, or to join with those who share my goals in the struggle. It just means I am extremely suspicious of belief, ideology, master plans, religions, faith, or partisanship. I may have preferences as to how my country is defended, or how my health care is administered, and I may even wish to occasionally discuss these issues with others for my own education and benefit.

But when others insist on how these things should be organized, and especially when they cannot stop attempting to persuade me about the correctness of their views, and the inadequacies of mine, then my instincts tell me that these souls are either misguided or predatory, or both, and I want no part of them or their convictions. I do not believe in chaos when it is just a mask for opportunists to hide behind and to exploit.

This has been the theme I have tried to communicate in my posts here in the zone. I'm trying to make sense of the world, and after 60 years I am no closer to any answers than I was as a child. But there is one thing I have learned, when some eager enthusiast comes to me declaring "I have a wonderful idea, here's what YOU need to do", I get suspicious. And when he will not take a polite "no" for an answer, I get angry.

I know what you're thinking, that these sentiments seem inconsistent with someone of professed liberal views, but believe me, they are not. There is no laissez-faire world. There never was or will be. As I mentioned earlier, behind chaos there are always opportunists, and as long as they are organized and promoting an agenda, none of us is safe.