This beginners view of how I understand the Conservative view

I was watching Netflix's House of Cards and I had a kind of epiphany. 

During the pre-show credits there is a montage of Washington, D.C. views, some of which show a positive outlook while others show the underbelly of the city. Two times during the opening, the image of the Lions at the memorial for U.S. Grant are shown. These are proud beasts on their posts of honor, with heads held high. More than any other part of the program these images seem to personify the power of American pride (see what I did there?   ;-O).

I have been struggling lately trying to understand how those on the right can be so obtuse. I just cannot understand how a large segment of our society can work against a segment of their very own society. I have been trying to bend my brain into excepting the thought that they just don't care about those not as fortunate, or lucky or forceful.

As I understand it, Conservatives and Libertarians, among other things, pride themselves on their independence and self-sufficiency. They picture themselves as the lone wolf (or lion, as the case may be)...the leaders who need no support, only they can do it right.

Now lets remember, I am not a part of this political movement, so what I am saying here is my interpretation, or observation.

The Conservative right wing of the Republican Party seems to think that a smaller government will be the best thing for our country as a whole. There is no doubt that a smaller less regulated society would be better for, in the short run at any rate, many members of our society. Business 101 says that a business needs to do whatever it takes to create a better bottom line. This is a sound business practice that has worked for a long, long time (long before the Earth has gotten as populated as it is, with its resources becoming scarce as they are now).

This thinking does not take into account the environment, or the socio-economic world we live today, it only rewards the making of money equalling success. Nor does it, in my opinion, take into account the ability to keep making money while growing a powerful base for the future.

I have a whole lot more to say on the subject, most of it is progressive in nature. What I have to say looks out for the future of our world and society. So lets get a conversation going and see what we can do for the future of our kids!

As in the opening credits of House of Cards, lets understand that we have a beautiful and powerful country, but there is an underbelly of corruption and filth that we, as citizens of our great country, need to purify!

olc

Here is my, totally insignificant, and short review of writing.com

         The plethora of resources available on writing.com is great! There is so much here that I have not even begun to discover it all. I like the that I can review some one’s story or poetry and get recognition for it. When I finally do get the story I am writing finished, I will be able to have people look at it and give advice on editing through final publication, whether it is be an ePub or actual book form.  There are writing contests to be entered---and won. If I decide to upload a story and have it reviewed by other authors, this can be dune too. If I get to a place in a story where I don’t know what to do, their prompts will help me find my muse. Such a great resource for such a minuscule price!

My time is limited and this means that I do not get to spend much of it exploring the depths of anything. As I bump into something that I think will benefit me, I look into it. So, that means I have not really delved into the depths provided by this site. Yet, from what I have seen so far, I like it.

Reviewing another author's story is a great exercise in self analysis. It helps one to look at some ones work and find something different. It also helps the reviewer to find perceived flaws in their own work and maybe find a better interpretation, thus helping to open new ideas and literary and imaginative roads to pursue. The only thing I have an issue with is the reward system. Most if the time we are given a fairly short amount of time to read then reread and write and rewrite a brief review. Now I am of the opinion that if some one puts their hard written work up for review, they want an honest and well thought out critique. To be honest, I cannot not do a quality assignment in an hour or so, especially if the work is over 1000 words.
Now I know I could just ignore the gift points that are offered as incentive, but I don't want to loose out on them. Quite the dilemma though, I will however, keep reviewing a project even after the time allotted for rewards has passed. Hmm, quite the dilemma.

The whole idea of crowd editing is a great one. There will be a time when I'll need to have my work edited and eventually published and the idea of reaching out is made easier because of the resources provided by writing.com. Also, due to the contests, I have found myself, writing some short stories and submitting them for review. And as I said earlier anytime we can get positive feed back is a time to rejoice.

Though this is far in my future, a couple months anyhow, the site has access to publishing agents and, hopefully, by then, I hope I'll have enough savvy to reach out and use them. And from there the sky is the limit.

Well, that is about all I have been able to figure out concerning the site. I know there is so much more to explore here and I'll get to it eventually. Suffice it to say that for the meagre amount of money for subscription, I am very happy with everything I have seen. Now let's see if the site can improve my writing skills to the point of a professional! (of course we know the writer ios not the tools he, or she uses, but the imagination and the ability to put those thought into a cohesive form. Good tools do help though, just sayin’

Thank you for taking a moment of your life to read my words. Please leave a comment and any critique to make it better.

Lament

I have had delusions of grandeur for the last few years. Truth is I really don’t want to work for someone else, I want to write for a living. I think I have interesting ideas and I have deluded myself into thinking that others may be interested in them.

Seems I am wrong in that assumption.

When I post on any of my blogs; A Daddy Grows Up: A Chronicle of Our Journey, Rants and Brain Echoes, My Rantings (a journal of thoughts), or even just update my status on Facebook, I get a smattering of views and almost no comments. Much less any follows.

I spend a good amount of time writing these posts and most of the them are pertinent to something going on outside of this electronic box. I always want to have feed back from my readers and most of the time ask for it in the post. Yet I get very little. I want feed back on the content and style, yet all I get is encouragement with no editorial rebuttal.

I’ll keep on trudging along writing here and working on my fictional writing too, but it sure would be nice to get some followers and comments, so please read and let me know what you think. I even want to know if you, the reader, will never look at a posting of mine again. Just let me know and maybe an indication on better writing, or more interesting topics, anything that could help me in rise to journalistic sufficiency. 

Thanks, olc 

IMHO

So I have been giving this whole situation some thought lately. It is  a really frustrating and confusing one. The question is how can otherwise intelligent and well adjusted people be deluded into following, adhering to and even propagating the salacious lies that are being pumped out by the extreme right wing?

I listen to lots of talk radio, mostly left leaning, but I also dip my ear into more conservative talk shows. Most of my credible news comes from NPR. Though many conservatives may consider NPR to be left leaning, it does attempt to keep as neutral as possible; when a reporter/journalist expresses their own opinion, the listener knows. I also listen to the right a little. Rush Limbaugh is an entertaining entertainer who is a loud mouth piece for the right wing.

I feel that if I am to make well informed decisions on important topics, I need to be informed on BOTH sides of an issue.

There seem to be two formats coming out of talk radio, when listening to the extreme left or right media. The left, or more liberal will give information as they see it. Sometimes, a talking head will give his or her opinion, shoving it down the listeners’ throat, if you will. They Talk, talk and talk about the subject, giving suggestions on how to consider the subject, they will even explain the logic of their reasoning. Yet rarely will they tell their listeners WHAT to think. The listener is supposed to think and come to their own opinion.

On the other hand, the conservative spectrum has its own way of disseminating its opinion. The talking head will define the issue and explain it several times in as many different ways as possible and in doing so will explain why theirs is the only opinion that matters. Then he will use the most extreme consequence, sometimes the most outrageous outcome to make his point, usually a mere hypothisis. After he, or she, has pounded into the heads of their listeners the problem, telling every one how dire the situation is, the talking head will then TELL his listeners how to think and what to do about the issue.

Now I am not saying one party is more smarter than the other. Honestly, I think it has to do with ones outlook. One party presents the information and lets the consumer digest it and come to their own conclusions, while the other smashes info into their listeners heads and demands they think as they should.

So which is the smarter party, the liberals for letting its constituents think for themselves, yet allowing them to have varied opinions? Perhaps the conservatives for lording over their constituents telling them what and how to think?

Unfortunately, right the now the conservatives seem to be winning the race for popular opinion. It seems to me that the vast majority of people want to be told what to think and how to react to the many important issues assailing us.

What do you think about what I have said here? Please let me know.

olc

Who Is Dr. Sowell, or is he even relevant?

A friend CCed this article by Thomas Sowell, to me. The article had a picture of an actor whose name I cannot remember, but he has a sever, yet wise face. For the most part the articles Ted sends to me are feel good ones, if you are a conservative, blasting the current administration. I look at them and wonder what they may be thinking, but realize we are all entitled to our opinion.

This article however, was so over the top that I just had to reply. Briefly Dr. Sowell is trying to compare the Occupy Wall Street movement with every negative cliche he can come up with. In 339 words he has not only equated the Occupy movement but the President, with bad hygiene, communism, socialism, public sex, the 1%, Black Panthers Unions, destroying the American way of life, racism, class warfare, the degradation of the Family and the loss of personal liberties as well as bad hygiene I want to take a writing class from this guy for a number of reasons. Here are a couple; his ability to draw emotions is pretty good, and the way he uses fiction to slant the truths he is misleading us with is truly a work of art!

Here are the most salient points I want to discuss.

Dr. Sowell says the America being fostered is lawless, unaccomplished, ignorant and incompetent in rule. The Occupiers have stayed on Public land, well within the laws of local municipalities. They have moved several times when local restrictions have been enacted trying to“clean”up their area. In fact, in Asheville alone, the protestors have moved at least 4 times because of local changes in regulations.

He says these kids are unaccomplished and ignorant. Considering they are still in college or just graduated, we can understand their lack of success - but ignorant? Come on Dr. Sowell, these protestors, for the most part are going to school to beat their lack of education! As far as having incompetent rule, they don't really have a direction to the movement, but their protest has gone on for almost six months and it takes a certain amount of skill and leadership to keep a movement together for so long. However, it seems that the good Doctor may be referring to the President on this matter. All I can do is ask what has President Obama done so far? Answer: gotten us out of a costly and misdirected war, brought the unemployment rate down to 8.5% (the lowest in how may years?), gotten the auto industry working again and now I hear that high tech ordering is up to a ten year high!

Dr. Sowell says the Occupiers are pillaging those who have scarified greatly while giving nothing of themselves. They are giving themselves to the very cause of democracy equality. They are giving and sacrificing their time and energy, and career prospects voluntarily, to the betterment of their country and ideals. They are giving time and energy trying to make others aware of the inequality that is perpetrated by the vaunted 1%, while sacrificing their time and career building for the better good of their country. This may not be a shooting war, yet there is a battle for the rights of the people going on.

In another paragraph he says they are promoting class warfare, racism, hatred, violence and murder. What is he thinking? One wonders if he is projecting is own feelings upon the protester. Yes, these negative aspects of our society may be in evidence at Occupy camps, but they are not being promoted. In any microcosm or subculture we will see aberrant behavior and in many cases these behaviors will be amplified. Most of the lawlessness that occurs in the camps, however are from infiltrators or those taking advantage of an established camp, not the Occupy protestors.

He attacks the way they Occupiers live on public land. He makes a good point. The cities where the Occupiers are have allowed them to use the public land. The problem with hygiene was taken care of by using portable johns. In an effort to“clean”up the parks though, the portable johns have been removed. So whose fault is it?

Dr. Sowell says the basic tenets of society are being rejected. Huh? He says free press, family values, faith and individual rights are being rejected:

1. Free press is also freedom of speech. The occupiers are talking freely trying to get their message out. Those in power are trying to repress their message.
2. Families are out in the camps teaching their kids the meaning of freedom and our democratic way of life.
3. He says faith is under attack. The protesters are the embodiment of faith in the democratic system. They show faith in themselves and their leaders and even those who do not understand what the fight is all about.
4. He says individual rights are being slighted by the Occupiers. It is their right to protest.
   In his letter, Dr. Sowell tries to equate President Obama, Michelle Obama, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Joe Biden, with the Black Panthers and other anti-American entities. Last time I checked, the Black Panthers did not exist any more. Even when they were active their influence was minimal and short lived.

Dr. Sowell's last bomb throw in this eloquent though misguided letter is to accuse President Obama of being a communist who is using the Occupiers as a tool to annihilate America. That is just plain stupid. It is true the recovery has taken longer than anyone wants it in getting our economy rolling again, but that can be attributed to an ineffectual Congress. To imply President Obama is trying to annihilate America as we know it, is blatantly wrong.

Dr. Sowell is trying to start a fight making statements that are wrong and in some cases malicious to the point of open lying to make Occupiers look evil. He is trying to say that the Occupiers are being sponsored by the current administration. Where is your evidence, Dr. Sowell? More importantly, where is your logic: What is the President's motivation? Why would someone lie to get their agenda in the public view? Please have a look at some of Dr. Sowell's rants and see what kind of bomb thrower he is. It looks like he wants to stir trouble without finding, or offering solutions. His conservative agenda seems to be feed paranoia and bigotry, while serving his need to be relevant.

OLC

A Lousy Pretzel Shaped Sausage.

  I have been listening to some of the rhetoric coming from the talking heads on both the right and left side of the political spectrum. One of my biggest questions about the marketing of the various views being pushed on us is why does the Republican side of the aisle get their message out to the people so much more effectively then the Democratic?

  The democratic, or progressive, message seems to be more in line with the ethical and moral leanings of most of the people I know and interact with. Even the more militant conservatives understand that we need to take care of our own to make a safe and secure future for the our kids. 

However, the more conservative members of our society keep yelling that we need to do it their way, while the Progressives whine and mule about social injustice.

      Back when George Bush was The Decider and he accomplished something, he would get up on a podium and decry his victory, then others in his cabinet would do the same. The massage would be trumpeted all the way down the political line. Now that we have a Democrat in the Big Office, we do not hear anything even close to the same rhetoric from his side of the aisle. When a goal has been attained by the current administration, all we get is a subdued announcement from the left and then a cavalcade of criticism form the right, “He did not go in with enough force,” “he used too much force,” “the announcement was  made in the wrong room,” “I would have done it this way.” While the  Democrats just sit back and take the “high ground” acting too confidant to need to toot their own horn letting the positive message, and credit flounder away.

  When I was growing up, I was taught that we should not bellow and shout and boast. It was thought as egotistical. I have seen, as I get older, that the ones who get ahead let others know their outstanding deeds, or have others do it for them. The strength of the Republican party seems to be their ability to get the message out to the public. Though each person has a different set of words, they all get the message out there for the public to hear: “We are the right way to go, and we know how to do it!” doing it over and over until it just feels like the truth. While their message may be debatable, it is very powerful way to go about it!

  In our world of multiple multimedia sources of information and so many political, social and economic issues to follow, not to mention the world of sports, fashion, reality TV and just what is Kim doing today, the average person who is merely trying to get by and keep up with his or her family, the average dude or dudette may only hear the loudest, or most unique shout, the one that stands out. Remember when Representative Boehner was talking about his past and tears welled up? With his emotional out bursts so powerful, people listen to him because he has built a bond of sorts. What is more important though, is the way he did it. Inside of a month, Mr. Boehner was caught tearing up several times. Have you noticed that we have not seen him tear up for at least a couple of months. I conjecture that is because he made his point and has moved on. My point is not only did Mr. Boehner create an issue, but others touted it for him. If the media and other talking heads had not made such a big deal of it then there would not be such empathy for the man. He used others to make him into a sympathetic figure.

      When a democrat accomplishes something of significance it makes a splash and then, after a few days, no one seems to follow through. Nancy Pelocy, the Democratic minority leader in the House, does not do anything. we hear nothing from her, or her staff or the Democratic side of the aisle. Harry Reed --- well, I have heard even less from him. These are the leaders of the Democratic party, why are they not leading? because of this lack of leadership, the we do not get the coverage of, nor accolades to keep the momentum of positive accomplishments growing.

  Here is an example of what I am talking about. When Muammar Gaddafi was slain, the Republican party went ballistic. They praised the French and English for a job well done. They praised the local people for standing up for themselves. They gave a nod to our troops for a job well done. Was President Obama’s name mentioned? Yep it was, --- in a disparaging way. He did not do it right, or he did this wrong: that kind of thing.  John McCain, Senator from Arizona  even flip-flopped his opinion of the whole operation when the deed was done!

       
      Did we hear anything of substance for the left?---Uhhhh, Silence.

   
      This is only one instance of the failings in messaging that is being perpetrated by the democrats. It is true that Obama should not toot his own horn, BUT SOMEONE HAS TOO! OK so there is a Facebook presence and I get emails from the Administration, and I am sure there is some kind of Twitter feed for the President, but where is the media coverage? Why don’t the talking heads do more to carry the torch of their leader, Barack Obama? Why are we not hearing about the accomplishments of this Administrations? I listen to the radio all day long and I hear only from Stephanie Miller and Ed Schulz and Bill Press. Where are the politicians, the people who count, in this? They need to get in the fray and let their constituents know about the positive things they and the President have done. 

      Instead, they sit quietly by wondering why all the good work they have done gets overruled, or worse twisted in a lousy pretzel shaped sausage.

olc