Ideological Isolation

An angry letter to the editor in the local newspaper was written in response to an article published a couple of days ago by Jonah Goldberg, who pointed out the desperation of the Left in attempting to marginalize the Tea Party movement with racism allegations.

This letter writer angrily proclaimed that the Tea Party is indeed a collection of racists and greedy rich white people who don't like the idea that poor and minorities might finally have access to healthcare.

Never mind the lack of evidence of their racism, he says; Their hatred of the President and opposition to healthcare legislation and the rest of the President's social agenda are proof positive of a deep-seated racism.

It seems this guy represents the most important reason for today's political polarization. I'm guessing he doesn't know any Tea Party activists, or he would know their agenda has nothing to do with race.

Another possibility is that he may know one or two of these folks as passing acquaintences, but has never engaged them in political conversation. Not that it would make any difference to him anyway. I'm going to take a wild guess and predict that he would tell you, "I don't know anybody who is against healthcare reform!".

That's because he won't willingly step outside of his comfort zone of like-minded friends to find out what somebody on the other side really thinks.

As a conservative-minded person, I know first-hand the futility of trying to discuss today's issues with a Democrat. For a Democrat, everything is about feeling. They believe they're the compassionate ones, and feel they are courageous in strongly supporting redistribution of wealth. Interestingly, those I've met don't think that includes redistribution of their own wealth; they of course are not wealthy. It's that evil class they call "the rich" that need to start paying "their fair share".

Any attempt in engaging them in practical or factual discussions about economic realities in a socialist society, consititutional governance, personal responsibility, or really anything that might refute their emotion-based worldview falls on deaf ears.

Lacking a reasonable argument, Liberal folks will respond with sophomoric comebacks like,

"The richest country in the world should be able to help everyone have healthcare"

"The rich have had a free ride for too long. It's time for them to step up and help"

or, my favorite:

"You've just been listening to Rush Limbaugh"

When I was young, I believed myself to be a sort of nominal Democrat. My first couple of voting cycles I tried to vote for who I thought was the best candidate, regardless of party.

Then came Jimmy Carter, who ushered in the worst economy in my lifetime, at least before this current one. I voted for Ronald Reagan, and became politically aware for the first time. And my own life got better relatively quickly, as I saw a government that actually seemed able to solve problems.

The hostages returned from Iran, the Cold War ended, and prosperity returned to the country.

Now we have this generation's Jimmy Carter in the White House. And a whole new generation has to suffer the pain he's inflicting until, hopefully, Ronald Reagan's party finds the new generation's version of the Gipper to turn things around.

I don't see him out there right now, but have faith one will emerge over the next couple of years.