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December 24, 2007 at 16:42:22
Blind Partisanship Is Still Ignorance, Regardless of Party by Anthony Wade Page 1 of 1 page(s) |
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December 24, 2007 And so this is Christmas… We who have fought on the side of progressive causes, and in fact were using the term progressive before it was the cause celebre it has become today, should take a lesson from what has happened over at Daily Kos today. The long and the short of it is that the Editor of Opednews decided to post his article about supporting Ron Paul in the REPUBLICAN primaries, over at Kos. The response is a glimpse into the heart of the darkness that pervades this country, on both sides of the political process. Here is the link: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/12/24/11250/453/61/426080
The response is beyond disappointing; it is unintelligible at points and shows that there has been an invasion into the progressive platform by people who display the very traits that we were revolting against when progressivism began. This is supposed to be about debate folks. It is supposed to be about having an intelligent discussion, weighing the positives and negatives and hopefully reaching some point of agreement. The responses, 137 at last count, display the complete ignorance that exists on the democratic side of the process. That ignorance crosses many levels.
First the ignorance is obvious in the amount of responders who simply did not bother to even read the article. They read the title, and responded in ad hominem attacks on Rob Kall for even mentioning the name of a republican in a positive light. The main reason why there was not an intellectual exchange is that the people who responded never bothered to read what they were so upset about. This is ignorance at its best, responding in a vacuum, devoid of the information it needs to properly respond.
Secondly, the ignorance about Ron Paul was staggering. Some managed some media driven propaganda blurbs about how Paul wants to do away with everything under the sun. Others called him a racist because he correctly makes the argument that the civil rights act gave too much power to the federal government at the cost of states rights, which is at the core of his beliefs. Others attacked him as anti-woman, I am assuming because he is pro-life. Considering he is a doctor who has delivered thousands of babies, is that position really that surprising? Those that could not find a platform from which to launch an attack simply questioned Dr. Paul’s sanity. The last bastion of the ignorant is to blindly lash out at the mental stability of those they could not compete with intellectually. They wrote revisionist history then, claiming he seemed confused on Meet the Press where he successfully defended himself against the vicious attacks of Tim Russert. They attacked and dismissed his followers despite the fact that Paul consistently out-performs the other GOP candidates in every debate and in fundraising. The ignorance was now at full force.
But perhaps the worst display of ignorance by these people is in their sophomoric understanding of the very political system they think they are somehow involved in. The mere notion that Paul possesses progressive ideas through them into a tizzy. Never mind that he is anti-war, the main plank of the progressive platform. No, for these folks, they do not like the reason Dr. Paul is against the war; I kid you not. Never mind that he does not buy the 911 cover story. Never mind that he was a key person in the recent progressive documentary, Freedom to Fascism. Never mind all of that, because… HE’S A REPBUBLICAN!!! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!! Post after post filled with derogatory remarks and profanity, revealed that there are clearly some people claiming the mantle of progressivism or the Democratic Party who simply do not get it. To these people the only thing that apparently matters is party, that being the democrats. That is the substance we have rebelled against for seven years now folks! Blind partisanship is what has led this country into the mess it is in now. The GOP led congress abdicated their authority as the proper check on the GOP executive branch. It is exactly what Karl Rove has preached! Is that what we have become? Was our soul worth that little that we have become what we loathe? Do you honestly believe that a Hillary administration with a democratic congress would be any less corrupt??? If you do, it is time you got out of the business of politics because you are the problem. Ignorance and blind loyalty to people who would sell you out for a nickel. That is the problem.
I do not agree with everything Ron Paul believes in but I understand how government works. I understand that people have different opinions. When Dr. Paul speaks about this country bordering on fascism I think he is understating the problem. The United States has become a model of corporatism. Our elected officials are bought and sold every day through a corrupt lobbying system that encourages it and hides behind free speech. Do you honestly believe that corruption is only in the GOP? Sure it has been more pronounced for the past 7 years in the GOP because they have been in complete control but ask the guy with the cash in his freezer. That was a democrat folks. The Jack Abramoff’s of the world gravitate to power and money. If the dems controlled everything, it would have been the dems who were busted. If you think that is untrue, then you are too dangerous to vote. There is a machine working behind the scenes. It decides what you hear and what you see. It controls the media and selects your candidates for you. Ask Howard Dean about it. He was in complete control until the machine decided he wasn’t going to play along so they tanked his candidacy with “the scream”. Instead, they got their man, John Kerry, who walked away from you in under 10 hours even though he had a million dollars given to him to fight election fraud. Go ask Wasserman and Fitrakis if the 2004 election was stolen. It was stolen worse than in 2000 and the guy you backed walked away from you with a million dollars. What do you think Hillary will do? Do you think she is an independent thinker? She has taken more money than any candidate in EITHER party. She is bought and owned, plain and simple. There is not a more machine-bought candidate than Hillary Clinton. Is she better than George Bush? Of course, but so is 97% of America. Would she be better than Rudy? Absolutely, Bush might be better than Rudy, who is a thug to his core. But would she be better than Ron Paul who served his country in the military and for 18 years in Congress? I honestly do not know but I would LOVE to see the debates.
That is how the political process is supposed to work in America. We are supposed to have favorites for sure but we are supposed to actually listen to both sides and make informed decisions. To decide 12 months before an election is anti-American and is the very thing progressivism fights against every day. I will not even get into defending Rob Kall himself, a man who has fought tirelessly for the true cause of progressive politics for years. His work stands for itself. He deserved better than to have people hiding behind fake names curse at him and drag his name through the mud because he had the temerity to mention a republican’s name on a democratic website but he can stand up for himself. I hope Markos at Daily Kos takes a serious look at the buffoons he has ruining his website because I know he has worked as hard for progressive causes and his work deserves more than to have this atrocious display of ignorance disguised as progressivism.
Ron Paul is the best choice for republican voters during the primary season; which was the point Kall was trying to make. The other guys are all arguing over who can blow up the world better and take away more of your civil liberties. The only sane voice belongs to Paul. Within the world of the neocon Republican Party, Ron Paul is the progressive. His stance on the federal income tax is an educated understanding of how the constitution was supposed to work. The fact is that the amendment allowing the collection of income taxes was never ratified. The Federal Reserve System merely allows rich bankers to get richer at your expense. The majority of services provided by the federal government are actually paid through other tax streams, not your income taxes. Do I think that the government should be as small as Paul wants? No. But once again, I understand how our government works. Without a libertarian Congress, Dr. Paul would be forced to come to the center and compromise. At least he would be doing that from a principled start, not bought and owned by corporations. At least he would be moving to the center understanding that we need to get out of Iraq, something Hillary seems very determined not to do. At least he would be moving to the center from the position that our civil liberties are precious and have been nearly eviscerated under Bush. At least he would be moving to the center with an understanding of the impending problem with our currency. The more radical portions of what Paul may envision for America would never come to pass because the government would again be balanced.
Anti-war, pro-civil liberties and a clear understanding of the impending economic doom hanging over this country. If Barack Obama ran on that platform everyone over at Kos would be embracing it but because Ron Paul runs on it, they dismiss and marginalize him. Why? Because he is a republican and in the tiny minds of those who think they have a vague clue how the system they are in actually works, that is simply unacceptable. Nothing like being a pawn on the grand chessboard. Unfortunately for them, at the end of the day, there is nothing progressive about ignorance.
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From George Washington's Farewell Address in 1796
The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation on the ruins of public liberty. by J.R. Thompson (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 6 comments) on Monday, Dec 24, 2007 at 5:31:37 PM  (0+)
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Thank you
The responses at Daily Kos assured me that I am in the right rEVOLution with Ron Paul, who like you Mr. Wade, I don't agree with Paul on all the issues. However, this has been a great experience, and if Ron Paul can cure this nations' apathy as many claim, well...I hope that helps cure the indigestion at Daily Kos. by Jeanette Doney (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 307 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Dec 24, 2007 at 5:53:47 PM (0+)
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Thanks
Excellent how things written so long ago still hold truth today. And apathy, excellent point. Paul is getting alot of people over the apathy that has infected our political processes for far too long now. Excellent point. by Anthony Wade (160 articles, 2 quicklinks, 44 diaries, 890 comments [19 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Monday, Dec 24, 2007 at 6:03:42 PM (0+)
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Thank God For Rational Thought.
AMEN !!! by Brad Evans (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 221 comments [11 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Monday, Dec 24, 2007 at 6:04:43 PM (0+)
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Couln't agree more
This partisanship that exists in America is stupid brand loyalty. Of course, the less educated we are as a population, the less we are able to discern for ourselves, and must rely on others to form our opinions for us. Honestly, Libertarian-conservatives like RP have a lot in common with honest-to-goodness constitution-loving Liberals. There are some complicated differences, too, but the unwillingness of so many people to even discuss those similarities and differences disgusts me. by jdoss (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 22 comments) on Monday, Dec 24, 2007 at 9:23:27 PM (0+)
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Blind Partisanship
I always thought people who voted blindly for a straight Republican or straight Democratic ticket were stupid.lazy, or both. After all ,"Republican" and "Democrat"are just labels. Wouldn't it be obvious to vote for the person who was best suited for the job? Do your homework and vote for the most worthy candidate, not a label! by Bob Gormley (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 1094 comments [65 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Dec 24, 2007 at 9:56:43 PM (0+)
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Divide and conquer
is and has always been the plan. Convincing one group that the other group is the enemy, and therefore "elect me" as your protector, has worked out nicely for our two party system. Perhaps we will have an opportunity to bring those closest to the middle to find common ground. Ron Paul is not running for dictator, he is running for President and the system will work to moderate any extremes that seem to exist. It says so in the rules. by Mike Folkerth (120 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 566 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Dec 25, 2007 at 9:51:57 AM (0+)
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new years revolution
Join the New Years Revolution. Please donate $101.08 to Ron Paul's campaign on 1-01-08 at ronpaul2008 dot com to make your new years revolution and vote for (freedom) Ron Paul. Thank you PS: please pass this on! by New Years Revolution (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 4 comments) on Tuesday, Dec 25, 2007 at 12:46:24 PM (0+)
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A voice of reason
Thank you for having the intellectual integrity to see past knee jerk stereotypes and blind prejudice. If Ron Paul were running as a Democrat, I would have registered as a Democrat in a heartbeat. Divide and conquer is THE strategy of the political establishment. By arguing over so many petty issues we miss the great truths that unite us. Flag burning, stem cell research, gun control, prayer in school, and, yes, even abortion... as important as each of these issues are to certain groups or individuals, they really only ammount to distractions in the greater scheme of things. We all want to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We all want to live in peace, have the opportunity to earn an honest living, give our children and grandchildren the opportunity for the same. Thank you for speaking out against the ignorance that threatens to enslave us all! by John Bowery (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 20 comments) on Tuesday, Dec 25, 2007 at 2:51:29 PM (0+)
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Very true.
A point well made about how the system works as opposed to how it is Dennis Kucinich for President http://www.dennis4president.com/ by all owners (1 articles, 58 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 144 comments) on Tuesday, Dec 25, 2007 at 6:46:48 PM (0+)
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Reply: and then came the Ron Paul rEVOLution
Didn't Dennis sell out to the Democrat Corporation in 2004 when he conceeded to warmonger Kerry without a whimper? That's why Dennis does not have nearly 19 Million dollars in the bank from the antiwar, pro-peace movement that calls itself a rEVOLution. Neocons call us "insurgents", "the enemy", "terrorists". They are cancelling straw polls, limiting ballots, refusing to seat chairs on the federal elections commission, refusing to publish ads, letters, articles, events about Ron Paul and absolutely lying using terms like "isolationist", "white supremist", and the liberals are buying it, those liberals who exist on a HATE BUSH platform, and think in tems of corporations but not government imbedded with corporations as being a problem. Medical marijuana is a perfect example. It's capitalism that the drug war, (talk about Orwellian) feeds on. The government gets more powerful and we the people give up rights in the name of the govt protecting us, so help me katrina! by Jeanette Doney (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 307 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Dec 25, 2007 at 9:48:56 PM (0+)
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Reply: No revolution to me.
I believe Kucinich conceded because he didn't have sufficient support within the parameters of our current implementation of democracy. What would you suggest he did as an alternative, attempt a coup? Kucinich is targeted just as Paul is, he has been shut out of the debate because he is an independent thinker who would upset the status quo. I'm not buying anything, I will debate on the facts, I will not participate in an emotional two-sided rant consisting of divisive labeling. Don't blame the liberals for attacks made by Republicans on Paul. If you will re-read my post you will notice it is non-partisan and not based on the "HATE BUSH" platform. As for thinking about things in terms of corporations embedded in the government, re-read my post, you will see just that point strongly made. The salient point is that power is vested primarily in corporations who have taken over our government. In the world of our Democratic Ideals, we are the government. by all owners (1 articles, 58 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 144 comments) on Tuesday, Dec 25, 2007 at 10:21:03 PM (0+)
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Link for my previous comment post
This apparently got parsed out by security functions of the blog software to eliminate greater-than, less-than characters. Anyway, I think it is an important and insightful link. Newspeak: by all owners (1 articles, 58 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 144 comments) on Tuesday, Dec 25, 2007 at 7:37:25 PM (0+)
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One more try.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspeak by all owners (1 articles, 58 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 144 comments) on Tuesday, Dec 25, 2007 at 7:42:00 PM (0+)
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Crazy?
Wow! I went and read those comments... They sure have some nerve calling Ron Paul "crazy" (pot, kettle, black). They seem like a real ignorant bunch of people. Remind me again why the daily koz is relevant??? by Andre Page (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments) on Wednesday, Dec 26, 2007 at 3:40:14 AM (0+)
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Absolutely true
One should never confine one's vote exclusively to one political party or to a particular wing of a political party. To say that an idea is bad when it comes from a political opponent but good when it comes from one of your own is just foolish. If an idea is good it shouldn't matter where it comes from. Vote for the person who is going to do the best job for the country, not the person who represents the party you and your family have been voting for for generations. To go into that voting booth and blindly pull levers or push buttons without knowing anything about who you are voting for apart from what line they are running on makes you nothing more than a robot or zombie of your party and not a free thinker. You should always be open to new ideas regardless of the source. If the idea is bad, then time will tell but you will never know if you don't break from old habits and give others a chance to try running things. by Watching (0 articles, 1 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 313 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Wednesday, Dec 26, 2007 at 10:27:19 AM (0+)
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Willful Blindness and Willful Ignorance
I belong to the party of smarts. The Republicans do the robbing and killing, while the Democrats drive the getaway car. It is never good against evil. It is evil against evil. That is American history. by John Hanks (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1762 comments [39 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Wednesday, Dec 26, 2007 at 7:48:47 PM (0+)
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