Optimism, Cynicism and progressives

[SEpatriot]

With all of the press coverage of Reagan's death, there seems to be a great deal of gloss and some revisionism which is all to easily categorized as the "optimism" of Reagan - meant to translate to the "optimism" of conservatism.

Without delving into speaking derisively of the recently dead, I think that there is some need to counteract the notion that the "optimism" practiced or put forth by most conservatives is optimism. It is, in fact, really cynicism in action. Progressives, by nature, however, are optimists on the whole.

The conservative "optimism" is far too often couched in the ideology of ignorance:

"Hey (conservative say) the economy is improving, because less people are unemployed," while ignoring the real impact of economic policies which create a deeply economically divided society. They gleefully talk of great Wall Street numbers, while failing to recognize what happens to average American workers and families. They laud their freedom-giving tax cuts,and deregulation while actually placing a greater burden on the majority of citizens.

"Hey (the conservative "optimist" says) the world is a safer place," while ignoring the fact that support of oppressive regimes, weapons buildups and the militarization of both the globe and space creates more fear, more conflict, more terrorists and imprisons (literally and figuratively) our own citizens.

Progressives have taken a higher optimistic view. Progressives are not afraid to speak about the problems, (for which they are dubbed by press and the conservatives as being "pessimistic") but see America and humanity as better people who can overcome the problems with more humane and reasonable solutions. The progressive agenda is, at its heart, optimistic.

Remember FDR spoke eloquently of the four freedoms and that we had "nothing to fear but fear itself." John Kennedy told us to ask what we could do for our country. Conservatism turned that around. We were told be conservatives to fear others - communists, welfare queens, criminals,immigrants,terrorists, etc. Everyone became a potential threat. We were told that we needed to take care of ourselves and let the lazy, shiftless rabble fend for itself. Greed became good. But it was always wrapped up in a nice package, and even today the re-packaged "compassionate conservatism" is all about being "optimistic." But it is truly cynical.

Progressives believe that we, as a people and a nation can do better than fear and selfishness. Progressives should own their optimism proudly and not be cowed by a corporate press.

[checks-n-balances]

1. I really appreciate what you say because you're analyzing the psychologica

underpinnings of it all. Well put.

It's pretty obvious that the false optimism thrown around is more of telling the collective American ego what it wants to hear. I think it was too much truth for our society to deal with after the Vietnam & Watergate experiences uncovered failures and corruption of leadership within our governmental structures. Along came Reagan and others with an "I'm OK, You're OK" message that was eagerly received by many. Apparently being told by Carter to tighten our belts and conserve energy to help our environment was too much truth for the national psyche, and he paid a price for daring to tell us to grow up.

Yes, this is a special and wonderful country, but why can't we love it properly, knowing and admitting its warts & all? On the surface I don't think any of these folks consciously believe that their country is their god, but that is the way they are acting. Anyone who has lived through even the best of marriages has to admit that you have to deal with each other's flaws. Normally you don't stop loving someone after you realize they have flaws, but you still love them anyway, because you realize that they (and you) are not perfect.

It's unhealthy to pretend that the USA is perfect and to believe that we never make mistakes - even big, evil ones. It's much more healthy to apply honest and objective critique than it is to paper over our shortcomings and failures. Pretending otherwise does nothing to help us to be a great country in the long run.

Sometimes I think we've gotten so used to personal immediate gratification that we have little collective patience for hearing about, and dealing with the complex realities that the rest of the world (where there is less wealth, power, and comfort) has to deal with.

eor (end of rant)