A paradox of the parties

[cthulu2016]

Last edited Fri Jan 6, 2012, 02:11 AM - Edit history (1)

The traditional left/liberal American view is that government is a good thing that must never be trusted.

The traditional conservative/republican view is that government is terrible... and must always be trusted.

The RW view is just cognitive dissonance.

The LW view is correct, but only as long as the left side of the spectrum does not trust government.

[earcandle]

1. Cool!

[Laelth]

2. Very interesting.

Do you have a source for this, or is it your own observation.

If the latter, I'd like to hear more about why you believe your assertion to be true, specifically why it's important for lefties to distrust the government.

-Laelth

[Bandit]

3. As a "lefty: I grew up with one consistant thought "Question Authority"

"Trust but verify" I learned that the Government LIES...I was sitting near the DMZ one day listening to LBJ telling the nation that the bombing of North Vietnam had ended. At the very same time I was listening to the massive bombing going on in North Vietnam...The government is not to be trusted and anyone that believes differently is a fool IMO.

[Laelth]

4. I agree that people, generally, should be suspicious of power.

What I don't understand is why, according to your equation, it is essential for lefties, specifically, to distrust the government.



-Laelth

[Bandit]

6. Because "Leftys" don't view Government as All Powerful as right wingers seem to.

Conservatives want to be in government so they can RULE because they feel they have all the answers and no one should ever doubt them or question them. Liberals want to be in Government so they can help GOVERN the Nation or State or City....They know Government is made up "of the people" with many differing viewpoints, some of which are just plain false... Always question and seek the truth and governing works better IMO.

[cthulu2016]

5. The OP is my observation, though unlikely to be a unique observation

Perhaps I should have said the left view works as long as the citizenry is distrustful of government. Works out much the same.

But those favoring expansion of government seem, to me, to have the highest obligation to skepticism.

I was noticing how a democratic presidency is always a dangerous time for the ideals of the left side of things as the level of skepticism (and antipathy toward authority) decreases.