New Definition of “Liberalism”

I do not like this definition. Please read the article.

I don’t normally like to get into discussions about “conservatism” or “liberalism” because not only do I find those words troublingly undefined, but I find those who use them to be far too cavalier for my taste—bantering about without really caring to define things exactly.  In this present case, however, I’m making an exception.

I ran across this image (see the black t-shirt image) at Facebook today and had to share my take on it.  While it is clever, it also misdiagnoses the true state of things.  It says:  “liberalism: moochers electing looters to steal from producters!”

My response to this t-shirt is as follows:

liberalism:
a dangerous substance that causes “conservative” producers to feign utter helplessness against the mooching and looting of their wealth.

I, for one, have had enough of all the whining from “conservatives”.  (I am not a “conservative” and I am not a “liberal”, either.)  Many self-proclaimed “conservatives” say they want an end to entitlement, but they keep taking “no” for an answer.  Naturally, they didn’t get any relief from entitlement under Obama’s first term, but they didn’t get it under eight years of W, either.  Nor did they get it under four years of Bush 41 or under eight years of Reagan.  Entitlement remains the American way.

Apparently, however, this is acceptable to “conservatives”.  They still complain about it, mind you, but they do not appear to feel the slightest compunction to organize themselves into some movement that might actually do something about it.  They, you see, are simply not accountable for entitlement nor mooching nor looting nor corruption.  Nope.  All accountability for such things they place squarely on the shoulders of the “liberals”.

Like Superman in the presence of kryptonite, “conservatives” melt helplessly into a powerless puddle in the presence of “liberal” policies at work in government.  Not only do their natural human tendencies for self preservation go into dormancy, but so does their ability to understand the word complicity.

“Complicity?” you ask.

Yes, I hold the “conservatives” complicit in entitlements on at least two counts:

1. They do not put a stop to it.
2. They are the ones who are financing it with their tax dollars.
3. They continue to support candidates (yes, even those with an “R” after their names) who perpetuate the scourge of entitlement.

OK, so that was three counts, which only serves to strengthen my case.

“Conservatives”:  You can’t blame us for those things, Jack, because we are on the record as having complained about entitlements.  Therefore, we are not responsible for it.

Jack:  Ah, well, I thank you for exposing your true political paradigm here.  Clearly, you believe that lip service is all that is required of you. 

“Conservatives”:   Well, what else do you expect us to do?  The stupid obstructionists in Congress won’t let our minority get anything good done, Jack.

Jack:  Well, you’ve got a point there.  I didn’t realize that when there’s an obstacle present, the best policy is simply to surrender. 

“Conservatives”:   I wouldn’t put it like that, Jack.

Jack:  Of course you wouldn’t.  Otherwise, you’d acknowledge the error of your ways and reform your paradigms.

It is sickening to me to watch grown people put forth such stupid excuses for why they can’t fix their own government.  At least the “liberals” are honest about their corruption, but you “conservatives” are hypocrites inasmuch as you are clearly content to do nothing but to complain for things that you yourselves could change if you really wanted to.

Watching your behavior in the four-year political cycle is downright embarrassing.  You are like those “fainting goats” (see the video below if you’re interested), freezing up anytime a “liberal” policy is in play.  You simply take a time out, as if someone else is going to swoop in and save the day for you while you are under “attack”.

Well, how’s that going?

Entitlement, mooching, and looting have been happening since the First Congress of the United States in 1789.  And so far, you have not once put a stop to it.  Not once.

So please, enough already about your “deep convictions”.  I know better.

If you really believe that this problem is unfixable, you’re just not thinking.  And if you really believe that somebody other than you is supposed to fix it, you are delusional.  I say it’s time that America grows up and learns how to clean up her own messes.

ap 2012" src="http://www.jackpelham.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/red-state-blue-state-map-2012-300x186.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="186" /> See all these “red states”? Are we really supposed to believe that there’s just nothing they can do about the mooching and looting of the public treasury? Really?

Assuming that the majority of people in these “red states” really are against entitlement, who could possibly deny them in being free from it if they were so determined?

Folks got upset enough about it in 2009 to take to the lawns of the capitols, court houses, and city halls in a phenomenon that was labeled the “Tea Party”.  That movement, however, was quickly co-opted by the Republican Party and no longer presents any viable threat to the established scheme of entitlement.

But please don’t tell the “Tea Partiers”, because they still seem to think they’re doing something substantial.  Take, for instance, their stunning sweep of the Congress and White House in the 2012 elections.  No, wait, they lost pretty much everything in the 2012 elections.  And already, the talking heads are boasting that “The Stop-Obama 2016 Express has left the station”.

So how about the new movement amongst “conservatives” to toss out any Republican incumbents who have supported entitlements in the past?  And how about their refusal to support Mitt Romney, who is historically a huge supporter of entitlements?

OK, neither of these things happened, either.

See what I mean?  There simply is no viable movement in the United States to stop entitlement.  Meanwhile, however, the movement to complain about it is as strong as ever.

Find a way, America!

If you are offended by my position, or would like to understand more about it, see also Not Yours to Give and Entitlement if Unnatural.