I thought Don Monkerud's essay "No Left In America" was an honest and
succinct summary of where the left generally stands on many issues. It also
serves as a stellar example of why I and others can't get behind the left.
As I see it, the basic division between left and right comes down to how
one views human nature and humankind as a whole.
>>During his tenure, Ronald Reagan organized extremely conservative and
wealthy forces to turn America back to the 19th century when laissez faire
capitalism ran hegemony over the public agenda. As a result, the public
today more often champions opposition to government than opposition to the
multi-national corporations that control every aspect of our lives and
redistributes wealth to the rich.<<
>>Our political climate is held hostage to advertising that convinces us
that corporations have our best interest at heart, while they control our
economic life.<<
>>Unless people begin to see their interests as different from the
interests of the corporations that control our economic and social lives,
America will be held hostage to corporate interests well into the 21st
century.<<
If I were to accept D.M's. view I would conclude that America is being run
by people whose primary purpose is aggrandizing their wealth and power
while subjugating the rest of us. I would further conclude that such people
are criminal. Can it be true that we're under the control of evil overlords
devoted to keeping us enslaved, taking great measures to prevent us from
flourishing and prospering?
Perhaps that is ultimately true, but the reality is that people, by and
large are not criminal. And here's where we may differ: Oppression is just
as often the result of incompetence as it is criminality--perhaps even more
so. It's true that the corrupt activities of a few can deprive us of
prosperity and justice. But the criminal does not reside exclusively in any
political or social group.
I've met some extremely bright and capable people in my time, decent beyond
reproach. Some just happen to be rich and powerful. Success and prosperity
don't preclude one from also being devoted to family, community, country,
and their fellow man.
If the left is headed for failure, it will be due to an inability to
recognize, or an unwillingness to avail itself of the wealth of human
ability that exists in this country in the form of people who have achieved
high levels of affluence and power. I, for one don't automatically view
such people with suspicion and disdain.
C.S.
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