History - The Universal Solution

Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.....

As relevant as ever. We need to stop falling for the politicians promises of something for nothing. Because how can something that produces nothing provide anything without first taking it from someone else.

"[America] remains the only super power on the face of this planet today." - I don't think this is true; what about China, to whom we owe a considerable amount of debt, and who's population and economy continue to grow?

"It is commonly thought that because we are still standing and considered better off then the rest of the world, that nothing is wrong." Who thinks this? Honestly I don't think anyone, no matter what party affiliation or ideology they follow, thinks this. To say that it's "commonly thought" that "nothing is wrong" in America is a plain out false statement.

Indeed the rest of this...um, editorial, seems to make an assumption about either it's readership or the majority of Americans, and it's not a flattering one: we're stupid. Americans are stupid and we listen to what the television and internet tells us to do.

Yet you think you can SOLVE this problem by...ranting on the internet, and telling people what to do? Let's look at the solutions provided:

"Turn off the TV, grab a book, read the book, then discuss it with others." Because books can't be just as biased as the television? That seems a little naive, no? Let's not idealize one form of media over another!

"Know what you’re voting for, and the history behind those decisions. Know who your voting for, and check their voting record." Um... DUH!

"When the next election cycle comes, you will be able to pick and choose better, and if necessary, nominate a candidate that will do the right thing, even if it is the harsh thing." But did you not spend the entire first part of this editorial saying how people are biased, and how people seek out information that agrees with their bias? What is the "right thing"- isn't that in the eye of the beholder, or in this case, voter?

"Every developed country has public news that tells them what to think. What has made us different, is that we are (or at least used to be) a nation of free thinkers."

Not for nothing, but I'm sick of this blame the media crap. If you believe everything you hear on the radio or on television or in a book or on the internet you are a fool, plain and simple. And who really does? We are constantly making the assertion that Americans are stupid and people are lazy and TV tells us 'what to believe'- but who really lives like this? I certainly don't let anyone TELL me what to think, do you?

National Socialism is being repeated in the USA. Obama has ridiculed people of faith, and is trying to force people to violate their own beliefs, by forcing legislation that flies in the face of thousands year old cultural norms. First Amendment rights are rapidly being eroded, the 2nd amendment is under attack as well. Politicians willingly ignore history in their quest for power- power OVER the people.

Delai- "It's not suprising then that they get bitter- they cling to guns or religion or antipathy towards people who aren't like them." Remember when he said that? Saying religious belief is just as irrational as "antipathy towards people who aren't like them." i.e., disagree with obama, and you're frustrated and irrational. In "Dreams of My Father" 'My mother's confidence in needlepoint virtues depended on a faith I didn't posess. (Interesting, as his mother was an agnostic.) During LGBT Pride month at the White House, he referred to people who disagreed with the idea that homosexual behavior is sinful behavior, as they "who still hold fast to worn arguments and old attitudes". (refering of course, to scriptural texts against homosexual behavior.) I.e., reject these 2,000 year old "worn arguments and old attitudes" that span across cultures from Judaism, Christianity, Islam, etc. and you'll be "enlightened."

...how in the hell does history support the notion that "libertarianism" is a good idea.

certainly it has good components but nothing in history suggests it could work or that it would be better for the people.

e pint is that it has never been tried on a national level, while every other type of govt so far has been used and has failed...... Why use a system of govt that has already failed, when there is something new???

Delia, as you said- "Our culture and morals are constantly shifting as humanity progresses." No- for the godless atheist, perhaps- but that does not apply for the American who identifies themselves as Conservative (the majority, in fact.) For example, the US Constitution is not a fluid document, liable to change with the times- it that was the case, it would have been already discarded. The Second Amendment is the second amendment. It is not subject to change according to the whims of "progressives." The Natural law is not subject to change. You would say, since morality is ever changing, that Peter Singer is quite correct when he promotes infanticide, and that PP is right on when they target little Black babies for elimination. You believe in a world of no moral absolutes, no right or wrong. So why should be be outraged if a fellow goes onto a university campus and starts shooting? Apathy of right and wrong gave us the Holocaust. "Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashion." or this one- "The people who are the most bigoted are the people who have no conviction at all." G.K. Chesterton

Ronald Reagan gave the last illegals amnesty. Leftists aren't for unfettered immigration the right wingers are because they hate paying a living wage. Which party is for world domination and imposing the will of companies? Both. When China comes with their boatloads of US dollars I don't want to hear any crying that they bought everything.

@unclecharlie

"No- for the godless atheist, perhaps- but that does not apply for the American who identifies themselves as Conservative (the majority, in fact.)"

So conservatives were not on board to give women the right to vote? To abolish slavery? To recognize minority rights? These are some examples of our culture and morals shifting and I'm pretty sure it wasn't just atheists rallying for them!

"You believe in a world of no moral absolutes, no right or wrong. So why be outraged if a fellow goes onto a university campus and starts shooting?"

That's right, I don't believe in "moral absolutes"- this leaves morality open to discussion and questioning. Hence, our human law system and moral relativism in society. Why would I be outraged if someone goes on a shooting spree? Because I don't think that type of behavior is warranted nor productive and in fact is a danger to society. Being "godless" does not mean that I promote violence, it means I think freely and reasonable about actions and decide for myself if they align with the moral code I have chosen for my life. It means I make choices based around human law, not "god's"- I follow the laws I agree with and seek to change those I think are unfair.

Questioning ourselves, our culture, our beliefs is what drives the progress of humanity. No society, no matter what ideologies they embrace, can escape change.

I agree with much of what you've said- but your being a proponent of moral relativism is where I disagree. There is a foundational Natural Law that can never be changed. Like it or not, our founding fathers believed in God, and it helped shape their consciences, as well as our laws. Again, I quote GK Chesterton: "Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions". It would seem to me, after reading your comments, that you yourself have no moral convictions about anything, and are unwilling to stand up for anything- and there are many who share your philosophy.

"A man who has nothing which he is willing to fight for, nothing which he cares more about than he does about his own personal safety, is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." -John Stuart Mill

"There is a foundational Natural Law that can never be changed." And what is that law?

"It would seem to me, after reading your comments, that you yourself have no moral convictions about anything, and are unwilling to stand up for anything- and there are many who share your philosophy."

Why would you think that? Where in my statements did I lead you to believe I have no moral convictions or don't stand up for anything? Do you have any idea what I do for a living, or what volunteer work I do, what activism I'm involved in, or what my passions are?

No, you don't. You are jumping to the conclusion that because I have no preset morals determined by god or religion, that means I have none at all. But this is both untrue and insulting. As I explained to you, I chose my own moral convictions based on experience, reason and educating myself on situations to make the best decision.

Since you are keen on quotes, I have some for you as well:

"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense. " - Buddha

"Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding." - Gandhi

"Every generation needs a new revolution." -Thomas Jefferson

The same old bs - tv-that ship sailed 2 decades ago. BOOKS? That actually takes time and concentration. Education-can't you get that online in your pj's. Think - why - when you can anesthetise your mind with electronics. Oh yeah blame it on the liberals they've got the reins now-liberals blame it on the conservatives - they were in power. Blame yourselves sheep.