Optimistic Conservatism
It is true that the conservative is a skeptical individual, but that is in the context of evaluating a proposal or situation for possiblilities. In particular, the conservative does not believe in the infinite improvement of man, or his spiritual being. We are all sinners. But, we are not dour and pessimistic either. Rather, we are realistic about the follies of man, and sincerely desire to look on the bright side of things from that realistic perspective.
The bright side I see is that I and my family lead enjoyable lives. We have quite enough to eat and drink, we all live in nice homes that we own, we drive good cars, and have or have had excellent jobs over the years. We live in sociable towns, have an array of friends, and have all of the main services one could need near at hand. We have our health, or such of it that the seventies allow! Our future is reasonably secure due to the combination of savings in the bank and retirement incomes. Thus, we have much to be thankful for in our personal lives.
We participate in the local political and community scene, we contribute well to several charities, both at church and in other causes we believe in. In addition, we support our political party financially and with donated labor when and as we can.
Into this decidedly ordinary and very pleasant existence in America comes the raucous and smutty language, the noisy and sometimes violent persons, the porn stars and pornsellers, and the terribly angry and totally disenchanted persons who spread a message of hate and discord everywhere they appear. My first reaction is: "What in hell is wrong with these people?" There seems to be absolutely nothing that pleases them in this life here in the US. Literally every act and every situation that arises in the country feeds their massive fires of discontent.
Cerrtainly, I am not happy with many aspects of our government and a number of our institutions, and I am deeply concerned about the future of the free world, and what my grandchildren and their children will inherit as a way of life. This concern radiates out from my family to the local scene and eventually to the grand scene of the world. We are all making (and have made) a contribution to that future, and we hope for the best. But so many on the Left politically see things entirely differently.
Even the well-off Leftist see things as a constant struggle against evil forces, against government intrusion, and against government policies. It is one harangue after another, instead of a steady, rational, democratic and civil process of debate and decision in the interest of the people -- as has been established for us in the Constitution. It is a politics of confrontation, defamation, and silly, childish tantrums: they will have their way! To me, it is simply unAmerican, impolite, and churlish, and in some instances absolutely subversive.
In truth, I don't understand the mindset of such people at all. If they really tried to relax and enjoy the blessings of this country, instead of confounding those blessings with their Marxist dogma and conspiritorial machinations, all of us would find it a far more pleasant world to live in.
Don't you think so too?
# posted by Mannning @ 7:06 PM
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