by: Dylan

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:56:09 +0000

Why would the right have a problem with the Red Cross collecting donations? I mean, I tend to think most of the blathering heads on Fox News are jerk-offs, but I’ve never heard any conservative or libertarian ever express a problem with voluntary giving. It’s often their argument against government social programs — that private charity is the way to go.
Regardless, I again agree … there are plenty of people on the left who don’t harbor some deep-rooted ideological commitment to government. They just see social problems and think something has to be done. I think that something could be achieved in many cases by more freedom, choice and competition, and I also think that the government’s actions throughout history have often exacerbated — or even created — a lot of these problems. These are debatable points, and they ought to be debated among people who share the same goals.
But before that can happen, I think a lot of leftists have to shake not a deep-rooted commitment to government (most of my liberal friends don’t have any real affection for the state — they simply see it as inevitable and think the Democrats are the lesser of two evils), but a deep-rooted suspicion of free markets and those who espouse them. They have to realize that small government advocates and supporters of individual freedom, property rights, competition, etc don’t hold these views simply because they’re greedy, uncaring people (I’m sure some are, but there are those kinds of people all over the political spectrum), but because they think these things help make a better world. They also are often confused by the concept of a “free-market” — one friend of mine couldn’t understand my objection to the use of eminent domain for the benefit of private business. “What’s the problem, Dylan? You’re all for private business, aren’t you?”
It might sound simplistic — and I realize that there are also many leftists who do understand this stuff –but I’ve ecountered this enough to know I’m not completely off the mark. It’s also based on experience, because I had a hard time shaking a lot of those views of conservatives/libertarians myself as I moved away from the leftism of my college days. And the media that has inundated a lot of my generation all their lives hasn’t helped in this regard either. Hollywood and television are notoriously left-leaning, and their characters often reflect that. So many bad guys from movies and TV shows are evil, rich capitalist businessmen.
Anyway, I’ve probably flogged this idea to death by now, but I’m not as cynical as Todd about the possibilities of libertarians and leftists coming together on at least some issues.

by: dave

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:46:57 +0000

And there you have common ground with the left. Cite examples of free market forces supporting disaster relief and government regulation inhibiting it, and you will find allies.
Years ago, I remember Fox News hosts attacking the Red Cross for collecting voluntary donations for disaster relief situations (such as Katrina turned out to be). So I’m not sure where the right stands on voluntarily helping others. But the left supports it. Take the government out of the equation, and you’ll find allies.

Comments on: Retro-Journal: Catastrophe and Jazz in Late 2005

by: Dylan

by: dave