Ten Things I Hate About You A Purple's Essay

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   GA Andersonposted 5 years ago

   I have found a kindred spirit in Joseph Mussomeli.
   
   This essay is about a Moderate's view of the political extremes of the Left and Right. It is a good read I recommend to all.
   
   Ten Things I Hate About You
   
   "Instead, it is an essay—actually, a diatribe—that tries to articulate why some Americans, who characterize themselves as neither fiercely rightwing nor leftwing, find little comfort and less welcome in an America that is increasingly polarized by rabid true believers of both extremes.
   
   I do not dare suggest that my views are those of all self-proclaimed moderates nor that thoughtful people on both the Left and the Right are guilty of all the extreme views raised in this essay. (And, of course, on some rare issue, the extreme view may be in truth the right one). But most Americans, I suspect, harbor a mix of views toward various issues and are not as mixed up as those who always see everything in sharp contrasts of black and white."
   
   He writes about 10 points and his last point sums up his views on the other 9:
   
   10. Tolerance
   "This essay came about when a close friend suggested that my views are inconsistent and replete with hypocrisy. This may actually be true—I suspect that I am quite capable of self-deception—but in an effort to assuage my own doubts about my beliefs, I started to jot down things that trouble me about so-called liberals and so-called conservatives, which soon grew into two distinct lists of ten issues each, aptly labeled “Ten Things I Hate about Pseudo-Liberals” and “Ten Things I Hate about Pseudo-Conservatives.”
   
   Beyond their views on various issues, perhaps of even greater concern is their attitude toward one another and the world. Frankly, it is a toss-up which is worse: the self-flagellation of some liberals or the self-promotion of some conservatives. But I do know this: America would be a more wholesome, more unified, and more decent place if liberals stopped thinking they have a monopoly on compassion and intelligence and conservatives stopped thinking they have a monopoly on patriotism and God.
   
   With apologies to the late senator Barry Goldwater: Extremism in defense of moderation is no vice; intolerance of opposing views is no virtue. In other words, I shop at Home Depot, drink coffee at Starbucks, eat at Chick-fil-A and at Ben and Jerry’s, watch both CNN and Fox News, as well as drink Pepsi Cola and Yuengling beer, all without any pangs of conscience."
   
   GA

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      IslandBitesposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I'm no moderate, but I shop at Home Depot, no Starbucks for me (but because I wont pay that much for bad coffee ), there's no Chick-fil-A here so I don't know what I'm missing. I drink Pepsi and have no idea what is Yuegling, but don't drink alcohol anyway. Also read (and watch some clips here and there) both CNN and Fox.

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         GA Andersonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         You drink Pepsi? There is no hope for you.
         
         GA

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            IslandBitesposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            On rare occasions, although I prefer Coke. I try to skip sodas anyway. Water for me, please.

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               GA Andersonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

               Okay, as long as you prefer Coke when you do drink sodas - you're in.
               
               GA

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                  IslandBitesposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                  Yay!
                  
                  
                  Thank you! It's been a hard day.

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      Credence2posted 5 years agoin reply to this

      "But I do know this: America would be a more wholesome, more unified, and more decent place if liberals stopped thinking they have a monopoly on compassion and intelligence and conservatives stopped thinking they have a monopoly on patriotism and God."
      
      The problem is that it is a broad statement and is relative. Who knows where to begin in dissecting it properly?  What gives moderates the idea that liberals claim a monopoly on intelligence? Compassion may not be quite same as "fairness"

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         GA Andersonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Of course it is a broad statement, it is intended to be a generalization.
         
         As for your question about liberals . . . the answer is almost everything they say and almost every program they promote.
         
         That you didn't ask the same question about the Conservative statement might also be an indicator.
         
         I agree with both criticisms - as general statements. I don't think any dissection is necessary to understand the message.
         
         GA

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            Credence2posted 5 years agoin reply to this

            "As for your question about liberals . . . the answer is almost everything they say and almost every program they promote."
            
            While fat cat conservatives bail out banks to the tune of millions or vote themselves tax cuts  increasing the deficits. Why is that better?
            
            I did not mention the problem with conservatives because the complaint has always been accurate.

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               GA Andersonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

               There was no mention of one being better than the other Cred. The point was about the hypocrisy of both.
               
               You spoke to me of being "blind" to a point about the EC due to my support of the EC . . .
               
               "I did not mention the problem with conservatives because the complaint has always been accurate."
               
               Here. I think you are showing that same claimed blindness with regard to the generalization of a criticism of Liberals.
               
               Maybe it is only a Conservative impression. But do you really think the compassion and intelligence criticism is completely unreasonable? My forum participation and what I see and hear from Liberals in public media leaves me with the perception it is a very apt criticism.
               
               GA

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                  PrettyPantherposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                  "But I do know this: America would be a more wholesome, more unified, and more decent place if liberals stopped thinking they have a monopoly on compassion and intelligence and conservatives stopped thinking they have a monopoly on patriotism and God."
                  
                  So, I've been thinking about this statement in the context of our current politics, and I have a lot of unanswered questions. If the above statement is referring to the average conservative or liberal citizen who expressed their views at the dinner table, here on the forums, or online, or elsewhere then, yes,I can agree with the generalizations.
                  
                  But here is where I do have a problem. Look at the president, the Senate leader and show me their policies that exemplify intelligence and compassion. Conversely, show me their policies that exemplify patriotism and God? The Democrats want to enact legislation to.protect our elections; the Republicans do not. Which is more patriotic? The Republicans want to take away a health care plan enacted by Democrats with no plan for replacing it. Which is more compassionate? The Republicans deny climate science and the Democrats don't. Which is more intelligent?
                  
                  Again, I acknowledge my bias, but I am having a hard time seeing compassion and intelligence in the current crop of Republican leaders who were, of course, elected by the people. I haven't even touched on foreign policy or the border fiasco.

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                     Credence2posted 5 years agoin reply to this

                     I could not have said it any better, thanks

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                     GA Andersonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                     I am glad that something in my comment, (even if it was someone's else's words), prompted you to give extra thought to something. (wait, that sounds snarky but it is not intended to be. I am just always glad when something sparks a thoughtful discussion)
                     
                     To take your points one by one is an easy task - generally speaking, I agree with them all.
                     
                     That is one reason my OP said "I" had found a kindred spirit. A non-politician, a 'normal' person that had similar perceptions as mine.
                     
                     I think if more of us "normal" folks thought this way it would affect our voting choices, which would hopefully affect the actions of our political representatives.
                     
                     GA

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      gmwilliamsposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Totally applaud the statement.   Politics as present is extreme as they come.  Liberalism has metamorphosized into leftism while conservatism has metamorphosized into being reaction.  Moderation has left the political arena in the 1990s.   Democrats & Republicans have become very extreme in their purview.   Moderates provide a reasonableness to the political dichotomy.   Now, everything in politics is in strict dichotomies, moderation & reasonableness are no more.

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