Toward a Civil Political Understanding in America

Politics Made Civil

Thinking today as a big picture person, I want to share some thoughts about the nature of our political divisions, without seeking to imply inferiority or superiority in either camp. This is big picture, objective (?) not small individualized labeling.

I speak of the two parties as liberals and conservatives, for lack of better terms, understanding the feelings that both words inspire positive and negative feelings. Not all liberals want to be called liberals but prefer the word progressive. Not all conservatives like the implications of the word conservative and may prefer moderate. Certainly, both camps have their moderates, but it's the radicals that stir the ire of their opponents and draw most of the fire from the opposition. Crazed liberals are only matched by crazed conservatives in their aborant behaviors...and vice versa - should my using liberals first offends anyone.

Keeping this simple, I have drawn the major positive characteristics of the two movements, hoping not to offend or misrepresent either. Pretend you are a Martian looking for a political party as you
read these thoughts.

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Liberals are primarily big picture, cause oriented people. They see life in terms of keeping a
balance between the haves and the have nots. They increase the influence of the federal government
and see it as the only legitimate and objective hope for society. Corporations may be good for
political donations but they are often described by the greed that motivates them. The rich are
the oppressors of the poor so the poor need advocacy from the elites in society who know what's best for others. For the liberal, government regulation is the only thing that protects and saves society from the ravages of greedy big business.

The CAUSE always trumps the means of achieving it. The CAUSE will often disregard anything that stands in its way. Too many people die from gun violence so ban guns, override the Constitution etc.
 Health care must be available to every person, even non-citizens. Do whatever is necessary to
Achieve it. The end justifies the means.

Liberals generally operate under DEDUCTIVE reasoning, first seeing the general picture then deducing particular issues and principles about it. EXAMPLE: Guns kill people so banning or limiting guns is the solution. The budget - or procedure - is NOT the most important factor, the CAUSE is.

Liberals value civil rights over civil responsibility.

The extremes of Liberalism are Communism and anarchy.

The liberal believes that the solution to poverty is found in large programs and federal departments that give the disenfranchised a safety net, or entitlements. A massive spending bill addresses the needs of society and pays for it by raising taxes on the "rich" who have too much money.

Pushing money up to the federal level is how problems are solved.

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Conservatives are by practice smaller picture people. They may be considered INDUCTIVE thinkers. The tragic violence resulting from individuals breaking the existing law and abusing their responsibility to bear arms is less important than protecting the sanctity of the Second Ammendment. Citizens losing their guns only enhances the power of the federal government, which is almost always a bad thing.

They believe the greatest harm done in society is allowing the bloated, deficit-driving government to eat more of the taxpayers money and determine to "best" way to live, as opposed to allowing private industry (both corporate and individual) and the supply and demand function of capitalism to determine the nature of society.

The PROCESS must be applied to every CAUSE. Healthcare reform is necessary, but only if the PROCESS of funding and obtaining all the answers are achieved first. Guns tragically kill too many people but there are current laws on the books that, if enforced, will solve many of the issues. The PROCESS is equal to the CAUSE.  The means justify the ends.

Government regulation is necessary in some areas, but to over-regulate is the downfall of the economy. Small businesses drive the engines of society and deregulation will more often help than hurt society. The poor need opportunity more than government "hand-out" entitlement programs that reduce individual incentive. The power of the individual and the individual states is more important than the heavy hand of the federal government.

Conservatives value civil responsibility over civil rights.

I don''t know what the extremes of conservatism is, possibly a form of constitutional fascism.

The conservative believes people need a helping hand that encourages individual responsibility and industry, and only severely disadvantaged individuals should receive ongoing assistance and that should come from the states, not the federal government.

Massive spending bills are seen as wasteful and politically driven by conservatives who believe in balancing budgets by cutting waste and unnecessary programs. Tax cuts are the best way to jump-start the economy because individuals are this empowered to invest and spend money as they think is best.

Allowing money to flow down to the citizen is the way most problems are solved.

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Both sides seek the best for society.
Both sides believe the other's radicals are out of touch and dangerous.
Both sides err in their excesses.
Both sides distrust the motives of the other.
Both believe in civil liberties but the degree is the issue.
Neither side likes to compromise and will only do so is they detect the
         opportunity for political gain.
Neither side wants to relinquish political power.
Neither side believes anything the other side says.
Neither side thinks they carry any of the blame for the ills of society.
Etc.

I say we need a third party. Two is a natural divider. Three demands compromise and conversation. I will leave it there and see what you think.

 Jack Getz
April 21, 2016