Reply #72: That is so revolting [View All]

[LeftishBrit]

I don't know whether 'many people were thinking this' or not; but whipping up hatred is an evil thing to do.

To me, perhaps the most fundamental difference between a Thatcherite/Republican on the one side and a moderate, liberal or leftist on the other is that the former starts out with a suspicious attitude towards anyone who has any problems or weaknesses that might require help - whether these be physical, financial, or other. The assumption is that, unless it can be proved otherwise, the person with the problem is faking it, exaggerating it, or using it unjustifiably to demand sympathy or special favours. A liberal, while aware that occasionally a person may fake their needs or problems for some form of gain (just as they may commit any other crime), is inclined to regard a person's needs or problems as genuine unless proven otherwise; while the Thatcherite/Republican regards them as non-genuine until proved genuine. At the extreme, this can degenerate into an attitude that even 'genuine' problems and disabilities can be justifiably sneered at; that to demand otherwise is 'political correctness' and that 'successful' people don't owe anything to those who are struggling, or experiencing misfortunes.

On both a personal and political level, I find this sort of attitude as nasty and hurtful as one can get!