Brain Fertilizer

I particularly like the discussion going on over at Q and O Blog, and I particularly like what I have to say. I know when I'm reaching, and I think I know when I'm on to something, and I think I nail it this time. Go read the discussion, if you want. But my comment does stand on its own, for the most part. (in the extended entry)

Liberals/Progressives/"whatever term hasn't been worn out yet" seem to think that all values and consequences are the result of society's attitudes and preconceived notions. Thus, if you change the way people think, you can create a perfect society in which no one hurts and there is no misfortune. Big government, higher education, news media...these are the main tools by which the liberals/progressives attempt to change the way people think so that there are no social penalties for any decision. That's how they can support this list:

* bans of smoking in private businesses * seatbelt, helmet, and airbag laws * forced unionism as a condition for holding a job in several occupations * eminent domain - taking private property in order to provide it for another private businesses which will pay more taxes * bans on use of fireworks by citizens anywhere, no matter how safe * termination of late-term pregnancies * licensure requirements for trades (hairstyling) * costly construction permits - no matter how inconsequential the project * taxes for the sole purpose of redistributing wealth

and insist they are for individual freedom without experiencing any distress over cognitive dissonance. "Freedom" is just a malleable term that can be utilized to get people to think the "right" way. Once everyone thinks correctly, they will do the right things and suffering will be eliminated. It's one of the reasons liberals/progressives hate religion, because they all state there is a higher power, and that some values are not negotiable.

Conservatives, on the other hand, seem to think that there are certain traits, values, and attitudes that appear naturally in humans and thus in society. The more people deny these values, the more they hurt themselves. The more people align themselves with universal truths, the smoother things go, although you still have to go through painful experiences to really learn these lessons. Conservatives don't mind temporary suffering that leads to greater maturity, understanding, or success later. Believing that there are natural consequences that guide behavior and ensure the well-being of society as a whole, conservatives *tend* to accept religion as a truth, or at least are not antipathetic toward it. And since these natural values/attitudes (call them morals) are best taught on a personal basis, the more people internalize and adopt them, the less government is needed.

Liberals/Progressives see government as a powerful and far-reaching tool to spread their message. Conservatives see government as a way to control negative behavior and resolve disputes. And so in what conservatives see as an increasingly immoral age, bigger government is necessary to counteract the "If it feels good, do it" mentality.

And that's what I see as the organizing philosophies.