I'll take a stab at responding. Nice simile about a narrow absorbtion line, and pretty accurate. ER's drawing the distinction you're looking for, between the values we all have in common, and the narrow-minded types who believe that they own those values and have a monopoly on them; and maintain the dividing line by spewing a solid wall of invective and hatred.
The age of the tea partiers is a significant factor. We're talking about the personality type of the angry old man who rushes outdoors to yell at the kids walking on his lawn. Or Abe Simpson yelling at clouds.
Tea partiers are working entirely from the gut, and while the superficial values expressed aren't that objectionable, it's the underlying irrationality that I'm opposed to. You can't base a successful national policy on bitterness and disillusionment. "Hell no!" isn't a policy or any kind of meaningful ideology, it's merely a kneejerk reaction. To choose our leaders on the basis of sharing that irrationality is...well, it's irrational. That ways lies doom.
Current Events » in reply to Re: Perfected over many years
Re: Defining conservatism
The whole thread (32 posts)
- Obama nominates Elena Kagan for SCOTUS...and so it begins.
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- Re: Obama nominates Elena Kagan for SCOTUS...and so it begins.
- Looks like we dodged a bullet.
- Just noticed again...
- Re: ..and so it begins.