This Election Has Made Me More Liberal
By Daniel Miessler on November 5th, 2008: Tagged as Personal | Politics
Perhaps it’s too early to tell, but it seems I’ve taken something of a swing toward the left lately. It’s odd, really.
I’m hesitant to call it permanent, however, as this could just be a reaction to an exceptionally incompetent and maligned GOP campaign. But I don’t think that accounts for all of this.
Libertarianism is Not the Answer
The thing is…even more than anti-Republican I’ve been feeling anti-libertarian, and that’s a big deal to me.
And before we go too far with that, let me highlight a distinction: it’s not that I’ve decided libertarianism is the wrong way to go, it’s that I’ve decided it’s not practical given our current situation, and therefore that it’s the wrong way to go.
Basically, libertarianism is based on what I am starting to believe is a fictional proposition, i.e. that people have the innate ability to make responsible decisions for themselves despite being retarded by their environments or hindered by their natural limitations.
If this is false then the whole concept of libertarianism breaks down, and I think it may be false.
This doesn’t mean libertarianism isn’t ideal. It doesn’t mean it’s not the best way. I think it most definitely is. But it fails to take into account what we are as humans, and as societies.
Most importantly, libertarianism ignores the basic formula of individual = environment x natural limits, and that natural law does not equate to moral law. Those who benefit from advantage in their environment, and those who have natural gifts will rise to the top. And those without one or both will sink. This is nature, but it doesn’t make it right.
Quite simply, libertarianism is a system of government for the evolved, and we’re nowhere near ready. That much freedom requires a whole lot more self-discipline than we currently possess. And that’s where socialism comes in–it’s the training wheels on our growth as humans. As I’ve said before, socialism is the means to libertarianism.
Compensating
So, now that Obama has won I am likely to swing in the opposite direction, as a control on a likely leftist extreme. He’ll handle many things well, and some things great. But after the shock of having someone competent in office wears off his weaknesses (see “disagreements with me”) will become more pronounced. This is especially true because even though he’s intelligent and thoughtful, there are many in the congress who are liberal extremists who don’t temper their compassion with logic.
There are a few of these that I intend to reject outright if I see them. The most important of these is multiculturalism, i.e. the dissolving of a single, American identity and/or the embracing of many that oppose it. Much more on this later, as I feel it’s the single biggest threat to America’s existence.
Anyway, this election has sharpened my desires to be involved politically, and there will be many times in the future when this will be brought to bear in opposition to Obama’s policies. Multiculturalism, education, crime–these are all areas where I am going break strongly from Obama on key points, and I’m more ready than ever to do so.
Forward
That’s the direction for me right now. I welcome and embrace the liberal swing, even as it leans toward socialist concepts, but I continue as a voice against the perilous lack of cold logic that often leads the overly compassionate to cause more harm than good.:
