Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Why Are Conservatives So Mean?

H/T to Constructive Feedback for turning me on to this Pajama TV production that I missed.





Kanye West says "George Bush don't care about black people" that statement still makes my blood boil some 8 years later. Likewise whenever I hear grown men talk about which politicians "care" about black people and which politicians don't "care" about black people I want to scream...."YOU ARE A GROWN-AZZ MAN WHY DO YOU NEED ANOTHER GROWN-AZZ MAN OR WOMAN EMPLOYED AS A POLITICIAN TO CARE ABOUT YOU?" I seriously can't see how anyone with the slightest modicum of self-respect could utter such a thing. Why in the world can't they take care of themselves? Are they retarded? Are they daft? Are they children? Hell, even children eagerly await the day when they can take care of themselves as they protest "I can do it, let me do it" but then these kids grow up to be democrats and suddenly someone else is expected to "do it" and the liberal democrat is all too willing to make the promises. Except that these "promises" of a false utopianism where every one's need is met is really just a tyranny in disguise. But it sounds so wonderful all of this Hope & Change. President Obama never really spelled out exactly what "Hope & Change" was but I think everyone implicitly understands what he was speaking of. But FDR did spell it out in his 1944 State of the Union address some call it the "2nd Bill of Rights":

"We have come to a clear realization of the fact that true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. “Necessitous men are not free men.” People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.
In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all—regardless of station, race, or creed.

Among these are:

The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;
The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;
The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;
The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;
The right of every family to a decent home;
The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;
The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;
The right to a good education.
All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.
America’s own rightful place in the world depends in large part upon how fully these and similar rights have been carried into practice for our citizens."


This all sounds pretty good except that it is Utopia. Grown-ups realize that all of these things are possible and good but it is not a function of government to secure these things for you. It is up to you the individual to provide for your sustenance and well being as it should be. Grown-ups are not willing to give up personal freedom in order to have our needs met by the state. I illustrated this concept to my daughter this way--We would be willing to support you financially for the rest of our natural lives and meet your every need if and only if you live at home with us, go out with only those friends that we choose and allow us to go too if we want to, and you can never ever marry or have sex--do we have a deal? She said no. What a smart child young woman.

36 comments:

DJ Black Adam said...

@CBW:

You wrote: "Kanye West says "George Bush don't care about black people" that statement still makes my blood boil some 8 years later. Likewise whenever I hear grown men talk about which politicians "care" about black people and which politicians don't "care" about black people I want to scream...."YOU ARE A GROWN-AZZ MAN WHY DO YOU NEED ANOTHER GROWN-AZZ MAN OR WOMAN EMPLOYED AS A POLITICIAN TO CARE ABOUT YOU?"

CBW, re-read the bill of rights. COMMON WELFARE of the CITIZEN is what the government is supposed to advocate for.

Damn, after Katrina I don;t think it was too much to expect our government to help out the people there.

Linda said...

Well, I'll probably get into trouble again, but I agree with you CBW. We shouldn't expect the government to take care of every need that we have. As we have seen since BO has been in office, things are going to he** in a hand basket. People are losing jobs, and I don't think we can see where there have been any jobs created, except for the pork barrel government jobs.

I agree Katrina was a mess, but there are people there who have made it without the government. I think a lot of Americans were repulsed at the behavior of some, no many, of the people there.

The government can't make people treat others with dignity...that comes from each individual.

We need to care about ourselves, teach our children how to care about themselves, and treat others the way they want to be treated.

I don't think conservatives are mean, but they know the government can't and won't provide everything. Just because we, as in the collective 'we' conservatives, don't 'kow-tow' to the mass media, we are classified as 'mean'.

Deanna Bland Hiott PhD, MSN, RN said...

Great illustration for your daughter. I also agree that it is so annoying when everybody wants and expects the government to fix everything!

My husband is out of work; and I'm looking for a position with benefits so we can have insurance. I'm not whining; I'm just looking as hard and fast as I can. I certainly am not expecting the government to bail us out of hard times,insure us or give me a job. Government is too big. They don't care about me or my family but I do. Caring for them and providing for them is my job.

uptownsteve said...

CBW sez,

"I want to scream...."YOU ARE A GROWN-AZZ MAN WHY DO YOU NEED ANOTHER GROWN-AZZ MAN OR WOMAN EMPLOYED AS A POLITICIAN TO CARE ABOUT YOU?"

You really need to stop this nonsense.

As if you've never heard the righties claim that liberals don't care about "regular Americans" (white).

The elites don't care about the "working man". (white)

The left doesn't care about Christians. (white)

The Democrats blame "America first". (white)

This is why I get on you CBW.

Because you are not stupid and you see the games the righties play with race and class, yet you still make excuses for them and demonize your own people.

Black folks are Americans, taxpayers, working folks and predominately Christian but the GOP codes are directed at white resentment.

These "code" are disseminated by the leading GOP political officials and media spokesmen.

But you wanna talk about friggin Kanye West.

A rapper.

Shameful.

Conservative Black Woman said...

UTS~"As if you've never heard the righties claim that liberals don't care about "regular Americans" (white)."

Frankly, I have begun to hear that kind of thing of late. But I don't believe "righties" really give a flying fig if you care about them or not. I believe the point for them is love me or hate me just leave my money and freedom alone.


DJBA you write~"COMMON WELFARE of the CITIZEN is what the government is supposed to advocate for."

How do you define "COMMON WELFARE"?

JudyBright said...

Loved this video. Thanks for sharing it.

uptownsteve said...

"I believe the point for them is love me or hate me just leave my money and freedom alone."

JEE-SUZ.

You righties are the ones who deny freedom.

You want to hold suspects indefinitely without charges or defense.

You want to deny two consenting adults the right to marry.

And on the hypocrisy goes......

DJ Black Adam said...

@CBW:

"How do you define "COMMON WELFARE"?"

I don't know, but I am sure it can be at least construed to mean: "EMERGENCY SERVICES AFTER A NATURAL DISASTER". You know, like they effectively do when there are wildfires in southern California, etc.

@LINDA:

You wrote: "We shouldn't expect the government to take care of every need that we have"

Well, let's just stay on the topic of aid and assistance during natural disasters like hurricanes and such....

You go on with: "I agree Katrina was a mess, but there are people there who have made it without the government."

People pay federal taxes and state taxes for a police department, fire department and a FEMA. They have a job to do when stuff happens, they didn't do that job or didn't do that job well. Great that some charities and private individuals stepped in, great that some folks had their own resources, doesn't absolve the government of the people and for the people from doing what they should have done.

You go on with: " I think a lot of Americans were repulsed at the behavior of some, no many, of the people there."

See, here is where you begin to look like a white supremacist or just basic old school racist non thinking easily manipulated individual. Repulsed bu a FEW people doing crimes, shouldn't make you INDIFFERENT to the MAJORITY who were not.

You know CBW, I am surprised that you let some of this stuff stand, much of it is anti-Christ in all practicality.

DJ Black Adam said...

@CBW:

" I believe the point for them is love me or hate me just leave my money and freedom alone."

If you can have that money and freedom outside of our free SOCIETY, then you can be alone, if you need to make that money or have that freedom protected WITHIN a SOCIETY, don't complain about the taxes you pay that help keep that society in motion.

Katrina said...

CBW, I have been saying that for years. Why in the world do people WANT the government to take care of them?

The government is one of the most incompetent entities ever and people actually rely on it for food, shelter and health care.

Like you said, why would a grown, able-bodied adult want the government to continue raising him or her as though they are still children?

uptownsteve said...

"Like you said, why would a grown, able-bodied adult want the government to continue raising him or her as though they are still children?"

LIKE WHO???????

Who the f^ck are you referring to specifically?

The Wall Street financiers who went hat in hand to the government asking for bailouts?

The Big 3 automakers?

Who are these people begging for government handouts because they sure aren't I know personally.

If you righties didn't have your pathetic strawman arguments you'd have no reason to open your mouths.

Beyond-The-Spectrum said...

Yes, while West's statement was overblown and uncalled for, I think the crux of the argument is that Bush (and other elected government officials) like to label the capacity of the repective offices they hold as "public service." As such, if one is elected by the people and/or is supposed to represent them, then they should be held accountable for failing the people...even those who did not vote for them but still represent them as an elected leader. Insofar as Democrats being Utopia-peddlers, I think they are as every bit as ideological as conservatives...I think the difference is that they think government can do more than its supposed to, while conservatives don't give government enough credit.

DJ Black Adam said...

@Beyondthepoliticalspectrum:

Well stated.

Zabeth said...

I think defining (or not defining) "common welfare" is part of the problem and source of the division. One person's definition may mean emergency resources. Another's may mean ensuring that my child is fed, clothed, and educated.

I agree with Southern Drawl and for me, I want the government to be as far removed from my life as possible- stay out of my wallet, my bedroom, my doctors office, and preferably my (future) children's school.

Just a conservative girl said...

I hear this a lot. I live just outside of DC and it is pretty liberal here. The question I have for the left is why can't you help some? There was a big debate here about school vouchers for 1700 kids in dc. The President finally gave the funding for them to finish high school, but has stopped the program. All my liberal friends were against these vouchers because not everyone gets them. At least we helped these families. It is a start. I admire your courage to stand up and be open about your conservatism when it is not popular within the black community.

Constructive Feedback said...

[quote] COMMON WELFARE of the CITIZEN is what the government is supposed to advocate for.

Damn, after Katrina I don;t think it was too much to expect our government to help out the people there.[/quote]

DJ Black Adam:

Would YOU allow your loved ones to live in an area that has a geographic cross section such as this?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b2/New_Orleans_Elevations.jpg/800px-New_Orleans_Elevations.jpg

Where is a call for ACTION against the people who GREEN LIGHTED the original construction in the "Back Bay" which was built upon "peat moss" type ground that sunk as the water dried out

AND the people crying for the "Right of Return"?

Constructive Feedback said...

[quote]As such, if one is elected by the people and/or is supposed to represent them, then they should be held accountable for failing the people...even those who did not vote for them but still represent them as an elected leader.[/quote]

BTPS:

I walked the grounds of the Lower 9th Ward.....GPS in hand. I have an Elevation reading on my GPS.

This was the first time in my life that I saw a NEGATIVE (below) Sea Level Reading.

The Lower 9th Ward ranged from 16 feet up to 38 feet BELOW sea level.

As I stood on these grounds and saw the wreckage (1.5 years after the flooding) I thought to myself "WHO SHOULD FACE CRIMINAL CHARGES for allowing these poor people with limited transportation to live in these SUICIDE CONDITIONS?"

YOU see the "failure" in the RESCUE.

I say the FAILURE took place when the first BUILDING PERMIT was issued.

I have seen "knock down, drag out" zoning fights in my town in GA regarding places that are in 100 year flood plains that are at risk for 7 feet of flooding.

To see the Lower 9th ward BELOW DAMNED SEA LEVEL and the place was flooded when Hurricane Betsy hit - CLEARLY there is some gross negligence going on here that was BEYOND the scope of the rescue..

JudyBright said...

"George Bush don't care about black people"

Stuff like this gets to me too. I have a little different take on it though.

I want people in government to care what I think, to agree with my take on the world and what they need to do as legislators or whatever their duties are in their particular elected office. Elected officials should not ignore their constituents.

However, I do not want anyone in the government to take care OF me, and I think that's a key difference. Many want the government to take care of them, not just care what they think.

DJ Black Adam said...

@Judy:

"However, I do not want anyone in the government to take care OF me, and I think that's a key difference."

What the hell does that have to do with the Federal government, under George Bush, which dropped the ball and did not do right in the gulf coast area?

RiPPa said...

So you're using Kanye's statement which he made in the wake of the Hurricane Katrina which was almost 4yrs ago and not 8yrs ago as you illustrated to be the antithesis of personal accountability?

Are you kidding me?

You're using the WORST natural disaster in U.S. history for political expediency. An event which even admitted by Bush was a source of embarrassment for his administration?

What?

I guess if "those Black people" were Republicans or conservatives they would have known how to swim and not drown or be left to die, huh?

DJ Black Adam said...

@Conservative Feedback:

You wrote: "I say the FAILURE took place when the first BUILDING PERMIT was issued."

That may be true, heck I think all those people in Malibue who have houses on beaches supported by stilts in an are known for earth quakes are stupid to live ther to, BUT, I don't think we should RESCUE them if something jumps of and we can.

Why is it you can't even bring yourself to admit that the Bush administrations response to that natural disaster was beyond reprehensible?

Constructive Feedback said...

[quote]I guess if "those Black people" were Republicans or conservatives they would have known how to swim and not drown or be left to die, huh?[/quote]

RiPPA:

Do you see the corner that you and the Black Establishment paint yourselves into?

New Orleans is one of the most rock solid Democratic Party strongholds in the nation. The fights that you saw a few years ago between White and Black city council people were between WHITE DEMOCRATS and BLACK DEMOCRATS.

I struggle to understand how you and others achieve TRANSFERRENCE away from the fact that for decades you all worked to get PROGRESSIVES and DEMOCRATS into power because......the people who WERE in power DIDN'T CARE ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE.

When it came to Hurricane Katrina it was the "5 Days Of Bush" that swept away the 32 years that spanned between the last flooding from Betsy to the new flooding from Katrina. The people who GREEN LIGHTED the placement of poor people into a DANGER ZONE walked away without a scrape.

DJ Black Adam - how many WHITE FOLKS are KILLED in the Malibu fires each time they occur? I thought that human lives were more valued than property with you and other Progressives?

DJ Black Adam said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
DJ Black Adam said...

@Conservative Feedback:

You wrote: "DJ Black Adam - how many WHITE FOLKS are KILLED in the Malibu fires each time they occur? I thought that human lives were more valued than property with you and other Progressives?"

First off I am NOT a "progressive" or a "liberal", I find people who pigeon hole themselves in such silly and inane contrived and limited positions to be non-thinkers, conservative or liberal. I on the other hand THINK beyond a cookie cutter ideology. I would suggest you start talking “to” me as opposed to trying to frame inane conservative arguments against your arch enemy the “progressive”.

Second, it isn’t a matter of how many people are killed in natural disasters White or Black I don’t believe we should NOT help people during natural disasters even when they live in areas or build in areas that maybe shouldn’t be built on. JMY POINT TO YOU is that it does matter what we do to rescue people when they are in danger from natural disaster.

I'll leave the civil engineering to you, saying we should have never built somewhere in the first place does not mean when people who live in areas that maybe should never have had construction start to DIE from a natural disaster that we don't aid them.

Sociologically speaking, poor people often live in areas that are geographically dangerous. Does that mean that since affordable housing isn’t built in better places that when a hurricane, tornado, flood, fire or earthquake comes, we just leave them to their own devices because we shouldn’t expect “Government to do everything for us”? Ridicules. Further, I find the whole course of discussion about “self sufficiency” in regard to the victims of Katrina not only insulting and insensitive, but representative of the selfish, cold hearted and borderline evil ideology of the right.

Further you write: “When it came to Hurricane Katrina it was the "5 Days Of Bush" that swept away the 32 years that spanned between the last flooding from Betsy to the new flooding from Katrina. The people who GREEN LIGHTED the placement of poor people into a DANGER ZONE walked away without a scrape.”

Se, that is why I have no respect for you conservatives, stuff like this. False choices and purposed fictions. We are talking about the federal governments (and state government and city governments) failure to aid during a crisis. Yep, we can talk about where people should build and discuss what lead to the problem, but to those who DIED because of a lack luster federal response, talking about “where we should have built” is futile. Sure, talk about it in regard to what we do now since it was done in an bassackwards way before. BUT don’t try to absolve the Bush administrations f’up on that, to do so just makes you look like a sycophantic boot lickin lackey.

Meredith said...

Thanks for the video, CBW! Can't wait to share it with the kids, to help keep them grounded in REALITY. I was just listening and thought the guy from 300 was SATAN, that's just like something the devil would say...

Happy Hour...Somewhere said...

DJ Black Adam--"I on the other hand THINK beyond the cookie cutter ideology," and then "...selfish, cold-hearted,and borderline evil ideology of the right." That is a pretty common cookie for the left.

DJ Black Adam said...

@Happy Hour...Somewhere said...

I wrote: "DJ Black Adam--"I on the other hand THINK beyond the cookie cutter ideology," and then "...selfish, cold-hearted,and borderline evil ideology of the right."

You replied: "That is a pretty common cookie for the left."

I think the left's ideology is borderline evil also, just for different (and in some cases similar) reasons.

Unfortunatly, people like you can only find fault with the opposite ideology and have very little if any introspective ability.

Happy Hour...Somewhere said...

I made no comment on what I believe and thought your philosophy about being pigeon holed a non-thinking one accurate, but was only commenting on how easy it is to fall into pigeon holing.

I did not realize you felt the liberal ideology was borderline evil also. I just figured someone who writes "...if you need to make that money or have that freedom protected WITHIN a SOCIETY, don't complain about the taxes you pay that help keep that society in motion" was more of the progressive persuasion. Sounded like you were saying, pay up and shut up and don't complain. Yes, my tax dollars are being spent so well now, I should just pay and shut up.

minaka said...

CBW, your daughter is lucky to have such a smart mother and your illustration of "I'll take care of you all your life but also get to tell you what you can and can't do" is so clear that even a liberal should be able to understand it but as evidenced by many of the above comments they do not.

Or perhaps they don't object to being nannied all their lives in return for the blissfulness of never having to be responsible for themselves which is scary for eternal "children".

The people whining about Katrina to this day are gravely misinformed and probably got all their false knowledge from the media with its "get Bush" spin.

More whites than blacks proportionate to their numbers died in Katrina.

FEMA is not supposed to be the first line of defense in any disaster. The Democrat mayor and state governor dropped the ball big time. Meanwhile, neighboring Texas hit by the same hurricane at the same time did much better because the municipal and state officials knew what they were doing and implemented their disaster plan.

The mayor of what he called "chocolate city" was rewarded for his fecklessness with re-election which shows just how much voters were paying attention. The local police deserted their duty in mass numbers. Too many locals demonstrated the "learned helplessness" of long term Welfare dependency, waiting for someone else to rescue them.

Government despite Democrat empty air promises cannot be all things to all people all the time. Government is unlikely to save you whether you're facing hijackers on a plane, thieves in your home (police show up to draw a chalk outline around you) or a natural disaster. In fact, it is less and less likely as self-reliance drops and limited government resources have to accommodate more and more people flapping their arms helplessly or bitterly as the case may be.

uptownsteve said...

"FEMA is not supposed to be the first line of defense in any disaster."

The Federal Emergency Management Agency isn't supposed to be the first line of defense?

Wow.

"The Democrat mayor and state governor dropped the ball big time."

In what way specifically?

Can you even explain?


"Meanwhile, neighboring Texas hit by the same hurricane at the same time did much better because the municipal and state officials knew what they were doing and implemented their disaster plan."

Texas was not a city sitting below sea level surrounded by an antiquated levee system.

You righties occupy a parallel universe.

uptownsteve said...

DJBA

"See, that is why I have no respect for you conservatives, stuff like this. False choices and purposed fictions."

AMEN TO THAT.

CF rants all over the web that "Uptown disrepects people who have a different view point than him."

Absolute nonsense.

I have political disagreements with members of my family.

I have zero respect for black conservatives especially because with few exceptions they fall into two categories.

Grinning, self promoting hustlers trying to draw attention to themselves by being anti-black or self-loathing sociopaths who despise their own reflection in the mirror.

DJ Black Adam said...

@Minaka:

You wrote: "More whites than blacks proportionate to their numbers died in Katrina."

The fact you wrote that just exemplifies your own prejudices and ignorance. White OR Black, the PEOPLE who were all US CITIZENS did not receive the proper level of aid and / or support from THEIR Government. This isn't about BLACK or WHITE it is about people who needed help.

Now if your point was that Bush didn't care about the White people who needed help anymore than the Black people, well you can forward whatever belief you have, no of consequence to the overall point that the federal response was abysmal.

DJ Black Adam said...

Happy Hour:

You wrote: "I did not realize you felt the liberal ideology was borderline evil also. I just figured someone who writes "...if you need to make that money or have that freedom protected WITHIN a SOCIETY, don't complain about the taxes you pay that help keep that society in motion" was more of the progressive persuasion. Sounded like you were saying, pay up and shut up and don't complain. Yes, my tax dollars are being spent so well now, I should just pay and shut up."

No, you "conservatives" tend to need to be reminded that you don't live in an "individual" bubble but in a society, a society that you benefit from in numerous ways. If you were demanding ACCOUNTABILITY, I am there with you. BUT more times than not you all act as if lowering taxes solves every damn problem, which in itself is inane.

My argument with the left is often times they minimize the responsibility that the individual has in a society, but since I am not on "Liberal Black Woman's" blog or to the point I guess it would be "Liberal White Man's" blog" I see no point in debating people who are not here.

23eagle said...

Wow. You just keep getting better and better! God bless you!!!

Anonymous said...

CBW: I agree with you wholeheartedly.

To DJBlack Adam / UptownSteve

With regards to providing for the common welfare that is not the Bill of Rights (those are mainly restrictions on gov't)but at the Federal Level Article I Section 8 and Federalist 54 if I recollect correctly.

The point is not whether the gov't provides certain things but HOW: is it a matter for the Federal, State or local.

With regards (excepting 10 yrs of Reconstruction year I believe)to the Federal gov't and slavery - the 14th was passed in 1868 and it was the Federal judicial branch in defiance of the US Constitution that ruled repeatedly for segregation, Jim Crowe, etc. up until the 1960's. (Sure Brown v Board was in the 1950's and outcome is correct but they didn't cite the 14th which they should have)

Katrina is a prime example of what happens when local/state gov't gets lazy and waits for the Fed: in a diasaster what your local gov't does first is most likely to save/hurt you then state and finally Fed. Generally the Fed's failure might hurt you more but generally is less likely to kill then the other two.

Bush's FEMA guy was a dork but Nagin and the state governor were frankly criminally neglient in my opinion.

How you go about doing X is the question which I think you might not understand about either conservatism or libertarianism as competiting political philosophies to statism (the last is pretty representative of Washington DC Dem or Repub has been for awhile)

Anonymous said...

Dup! Just one more thing on Katrina:

The levee was breached in only two places and flooded 80% of the city if I remember correctly.

The last hurricane to hit New Orleans was in the 1960's so from the 1960's till Katrina hit nobody either A)Spent the tax money to upgrade the levee to withstand a category 5 storm (which is the most reasonable situation in a city below sea level) or B)Built additional levees that were Category 3 to comparmentalize the city.

That's local/state politics 'cause from an enginnering perspective what they had vs the risk would get your PE license yanked if you designed a bridge/building/airplane with that unacceptable factor of safety