I would like to explain why I do not like to discuss political issues on this blog. First, there are many blogs where these issues can be discussed or debated or argued. Second, there are many blogs where the blogger is presents a strong political opinion about various political issues. I see no reason that I should be just another one of these.
I do, however, want to bring up histortical political issues. If I haven't yet, I will. For instance, I am contemplating a blog about the Civil War. There is pretty much nothing more political than that. So I am not afraid of political issues or politics itself.
I avoid political issues because I think people do not know, for the most part, where they stand on the political spectrum. The extreme folks pretty much know they are on the edge. But the majority of the rest all think they are moderates, close to the middle, pretty much mainstream. Very few of those will call themselves liberals or conservatives. You will know the liberals because they will call themselves progressives. The conservatives will tell you they are fiscal conservatives if pressed.
You see, liberal and conservative have become "bad words".
We get these distorted images of the political positions because of the extremists of each side. And no one wants to be seen as an extremist. So everyone is middle of the road. Until you mention the one issue (or two or three) that triggers their emotions. That's when you find out what political stratum they really belong to.
Now, you really don't want to know about my politics. Though you can probably figure them out by reading my comments on other more politically oriented blogs. But here I can truly be middle of the road. Just hanging out in the median. With everyone else.
[978/979/848]
A Night Unremembered
13 years ago
10 comments:
Douglas
I would be interested knowing your thoughts on the power in,or lack of, political opionions with respect to influence on anything beyond our immediate corner of the world?
Linda
I'm a classical liberal, but I obviously can't call myself that. I just go with minarchist.
Linda - I would say we have more power at the local level than anywhere else. By local level, I mean small city or township. The more people within an area, the less power you have. It gets diluted. Now, if you also happen to run the local paper or have a way of speaking to gatherings then you may have enough power to influence. When we get to state and national (or large city) governments, the only real power you have is when you agree with "popular opinion". Well, maybe if you are a clever attorney, you can influence through lawsuits... Power within a democratic system is the power of the majority opinion. Convince enough people and you can exert that pressure. I don't mean to make it seem we, individuals, are powerless. It is more complex than that. But power is diluted and that's reality. And all too often we see public opinion be ignored.
Steven - I'm a cynical optimist. There is no political category I actually fit in.
The very reason, Douglas, that I do not write on political issues.
Pearl
Pearl - That and you are smart, clever, and talented. All the things I am not.
Douglas..
I , of course, do not know where you got the idea that you are not clever or smart or talented...or if this is just tongue in cheek...but I have to take the opposite vote of this one...even if it is politically incorrect:>)
You are delightfully clever and smart
Also thanks for the time take for the response. Occassionally, I get cynical about politics.
Linda
Linda - I would say we have more power at the local level than anywhere else. By local level, I mean small city or township. The more people within an area, the less power you have. It gets diluted. Now, if you also happen to run the local paper or have a way of speaking to gatherings then you may have enough power to influence. When we get to state and national (or large city) governments, the only real power you have is when you agree with "popular opinion". Well, maybe if you are a clever attorney, you can influence through lawsuits... Power within a democratic system is the power of the majority opinion. Convince enough people and you can exert that pressure. I don't mean to make it seem we, individuals, are powerless. It is more complex than that. But power is diluted and that's reality. And all too often we see public opinion be ignored.
Steven - I'm a cynical optimist. There is no political category I actually fit in.
Pearl - That and you are smart, clever, and talented. All the things I am not.
Douglas
I would be interested knowing your thoughts on the power in,or lack of, political opionions with respect to influence on anything beyond our immediate corner of the world?
Linda
I'm a classical liberal, but I obviously can't call myself that. I just go with minarchist.
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