Fascinating essay in Sunday’s Washington Post by Gerard Alexander, an associate professor of politics at the University of Virgina: “Why Are Liberals So Condescending?”
Every political community includes some members who insist that their side has all the answers and that their adversaries are idiots. But American liberals, to a degree far surpassing conservatives, appear committed to the proposition that their views are correct, self-evident, and based on fact and reason, while conservative positions are not just wrong but illegitimate, ideological and unworthy of serious consideration.
This condescension is part of a liberal tradition that for generations has impoverished American debates over the economy, society and the functions of government — and threatens to do so again today, when dialogue would be more valuable than ever.
Be sure to read the whole thing (don’t miss the comments, either) and then let’s have your thoughts.
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98 Comments
Because, according to a liberal, everyone in the world is an idiot except for the liberal. And therefore, all problems are everyone else's fault and never the liberal's fault. Life is a constant attempt to evade responsibility for their actions and their ideas, and to pin them on others who do not share their "vision" for humanity.
An example:
Liberals go on wondering why America's inner cities, run completely by liberals and made exemplars of their brilliant 'ideas,' remain the crime-ridden, corrupt, poverty-stricken hell holes that they are.
Their evident failure, evident to them and everyone else, cannot possibly be blamed on the liberal or their ideas because there were "good intentions" in those ideas. Consequently, everyone else is at fault for not being "enlightened" or "compassionate" enough to practice life, execute those brilliant ideas and "sacrifice" the way the liberal had planned for them. So everyone else (read: conservatives and non-liberals) must be berated and condescended to in order to alleviate the guilt and frustration of the liberal. Constantly.
Pretty sick, really. But there it is.
"The roots of liberalism – and its associated madness – can be clearly identified by understanding how children develop from infancy to adulthood and how distorted development produces the irrational beliefs of the liberal mind. When the modern liberal mind whines about imaginary victims, rages against imaginary villains and seeks above all else to run the lives of persons competent to run their own lives, the neurosis of the liberal mind becomes painfully obvious."-Dr. Lyle, Rossiter WorldNet Daily interview for Dr. Rossiter book "The Liberal Mind: The Psychological Causes of Political Madness."
The medicine for this is to simply continue to point this out. NOW more than ever, because everyone (literally) is watching politics at this time.
Attack at the throat! It is time to crush the Left in America. Show these Euro Libs that they can take their ideals and their families across the pond to enjoy that way of life. We want REAL American History taught in schools, as a matter of fact, We want our schools and academia back. We want to ABOLISH the 9th Circuit as a message to the other radical judges! Rebuilding the wasteland that the past 3 Presidents and now our current Ideolouge have helped to destroy or merely prop up on their watch will take time. This is a huge fight and I think that America's traditionalists will win because we ARE winning big now without saying a word. Proof that liberalism fails alllllll by itself!
We still believe in America…..provided we can rescue hearts and minds away from the Liberal pop culture that has ruined us.
Simple. really. One. Liberals allow people to be sheep. two. parties have different ideals, so they engage in a popularity contest … ignore the issues and cater to the few that make a fuss. Example – Barack's phantom 30 million who do not have health care. In Reality… that number is closer to 8 million. Mostly because those people do not work.
a fuss … an issue… a solution for 8 million that will punish the other 300 million.
How does that make sense?
Liberals see government as this arm that should control peoples liberties and give them certain systems and limited opportunity. LIberals want to safe guard the economy and take away the value of risk. Liberals attack the person. LIberals care about the NOW and the feelings of people. LIberals do not want people to feel personal responsibility and they fall into the trap of the people by reacting to animosity by throwing money at it.
Conservatives see government being successful when it is the smallest and people get to pursue what ever they want and have UNlimited potential to what can be done. Conservatives want the people to experience RISK because that is the drive to keep businesses honest and functioning and competitive. Conservatives attack issues. Conservatives care about the future generations. Conservatives want people to have personal responsibility because that puts people in the driver seat of their own destiny and not dependent on government programs to maintain their lives.
Uproarious.
I couldn't take the comments… they made the writer's point. A bunch of smug, self-important, "genius" libs being condescending… There's no doubt these people have a mental illness. I suggest we find a med to deal with it.
Left wing liberals (progressives) want to take more of your money so they can advance big government programs in the name of "social justice" or redistribution of wealth. In return, they care little about what or how you think, morally or otherwise.
Right wing conservatives will take less of your money and generally propose smaller government. In return, they urge you to think in a way commensurate to their beliefs, morally or otherwise.
Liberal Democrats voted in a self-important, colossal idiot who has never done anything in his entire worthless life (other than voting present). Now, when he looks down his snoot and lectures us, insults our country, insults our religion, insults my friends and insults me, I take offense!
How to create jobs…
…From a man who has never held a real job.
How to run our businesses…
…From a man who has never run a business..
How to run our education system…
…From a man who hides his college records.
How to manage our finances…
…From a man who spends money we don't have.
How he condemns cheating and dishonesty…
…From a man whose best friends are dishonest cheats.
How we should respect his faith…
…From a man who mocks Christian faith.
How to run our military…
…From a man who embraces those who attacked America.
How he respects our American Heritage…
…From a man who is dedicated to Socialism.
Obama Mocks Christian Faith
http://usataxpayer.org/?0033881580
Obama's Own Words
http://usataxpayer.org/?0097519370
Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. No matter how many times a liberal fails in his/her policy, they still cannot accept the fact that they are wrong. I don't even think they care whether their policies will ruin the country. The more they are successful in ruining our economy, the more they are successful in achieving their goal of control over the masses.
In order to have them take us seriously, we have to knock them on their ass and put a foot on their throat. I think, we've had enough of their crap.
the "progressives" should be renamed the "projectionists"…
There isn't much that can be said that wasn't covered by the author of the article.
There was however, a sound demonstration of what separates the liberal from the conservative mindset.
According to a liberal quoted in the article:
"What do these people really believe? I mean, they're not stupid — life would be a lot easier if they were. So they know they're not telling the truth. But they obviously believe that their dishonesty serves a higher truth. . . . The question is, what is that higher truth?"
A well-enlighted thinker (I use the term facetiously, I absolutely believe in absolutes) would posit that there are no absolutes. A well-enlightened liberal will SAY the same thing. But when you read the above quote, you see that one thing that is absolute, is the rightness of the Left. Even smart republicans know it, but have some deep-seated motivation for deceiving everyone else. Liberalism ueber alles.
We have never seen clearer examples of this blinded-by-ideology than now, in this administration. The White House is buried in snow, and is getting ready to debut a Global Warming administration. The American people have been loudly decrying the White House's Health Reform plan, and its proponents still believe we just haven't been told about it well enough.
It isn't like dealing with brainwashed people, it IS dealing with brainwashed people. The dropping poll numbers, and now dropping senatorial seats are creating a situation where they must struggle particularly hard to reconcile their ideology with the apparent stupidness of the American people. This where the "We haven't been doing enough" crowd comes in. To them, the options are, "Help where we want (whether it is wanted or not)," and 'REALLY help where we want." The idea that Americans are independent, and can get along just fine without them never occurs to them.
This must be the terrible lie perpetuated by right-wingers and their unwashed hordes.
All the while, middle class folks, by the millions, are organizing tea parties, because it has long been apparent that we are no longer represented in D.C.
The conservative accepts one golden egg a day from the goose and keeps him well fed and happy.
The liberal cuts the goose open to get all of the eggs so he can distribute them equally and then wonders where all the eggs went.
Let us be concerned about what we think not what they think. They'll still be thinking when we steamroll over them come the 2010 & 2012 elections.
There is more than one kind of liberal. There is the "academic liberal" who the author describes very well. Unable to recognize a fact, he will distort facts to fit his position. Hence, hide the global wamring data. Insist there are 47 million uninsured. Blame racists. Read a book by Robert Reich from the 1970's, and read another one from 1990's onward, and despite the change in economic circumstances, he will always reach the same conclusion, fitting reality toward his national socialist end. Facts don't matter to him at all. Lawrence Summers is the best example.
The author missed though, the beaucratic liberal. These are the evil ones, bent on sitting on top of state apparatus when its all done. Their goal is to be the one in the black Zil Limo, summering on the Black Sea, while the rest of the country starves. Kennedy, Pelosi, Bill Clinton, the Emmanuel boys, Hollywood come to mind. They believe in nothing, they crave power.
Lastly, there are the Prols. The great unwashed mass, who are controlled by creating ethnic, racial and class divisions and playing them against each other. They have no real knowledge of politics, and are primarily driven by the desire to take. The government handout and the union contract are their reward.
In contrast, an extraordinary range of liberal writers, commentators and leaders — from Jon Stewart's "Daily Show" to Obama's White House, with many stops in between — have developed or articulated narratives that apply to virtually all conservatives at all times.
Hands down the best quote from the article. The tired narratives from the 30 year old play book aren't working anymore, (and we have the poll numbers to prove it). What will the liberals do? Tuck that book under there arms and march right off the cliff… Its all they have left anyway… They played there hand and lost.
Tune in to the BIG sites daily for a detailed account of their implosion. Makes for a good read…;)
This article explains why our representatives either didn't hold town hall meetings (read Senator Durbin), or, when they did, brushed off the protesters–they simply believe their protesting constituents are delusional with illegitimate ideas and concerns. It explains why, when our President says he will continue to "fight", I feel as though he is fighting AGAINST me.
This also explains why I've joined a tea party, attended a 9-12 rally, made a small contribution to Scott Brown's campaign (based on his 41st vote promise), and will continue to contribute to those that I think will help roll back the progressive agenda, regardless of which state they're in. I encourage others to do the same, but beware. Many politicians are trying to ride the Scott Brown wave but are liberal/progressives in disguise. I hope there will be a vetting process by local tea party groups who will then help those of us in different localities find those candidates that we can support.
Start now–Dump Durbin!
This man has the answer AND the ability to state it clearly.
Dr. Thomas Sowell on Intellectuals
http://usataxpayer.org/?0028068146
This is an easy one to explain. It is easier to tear people down than it is to take a serious look at yourself and your own views and work on your weaknesses or change your flawed possitions. Just look at any sports team. How often, after a crushing defeat, do you hear at least one player say, "We beat ourselves." That's how liberals are, only they say, "We just didn't get our message across and lost to their slick advertising."
Liberals can't cope with arguments which challenge their baseless assumptions. It is this narrow-mindedness which has driven a co-worker to shout "Nazi!" at me, knowing full well I am a Jew. It is this uncritical thinking which lead a friend to brand me a "homophobe" because I regard homosexuality as a psychological disorder. It is this leftist double-think which motivated another friend to deny my characterization of Social Security as a Ponzi scheme. When I asked him the solution to deal with the impending bankrupcy of the SS system, his answer was "raise taxes."
There dismissal of conservatives as (insert miscellanious epithet involving lack of IQ, teeth, or hybrid automobile), is a childish defense mechanism.
Master had both liberals AND conservatives (sort of) to the White House Super Bowl party. Here's what happened:
http://www.goodboybo.com/2010/02/our-super-bowl-p...
Bo
I just finished Vision of the Annointed. Answered the quesiton better than I ever could.
All the smug Lib/Regressives here on the the Range (LA), are always the smartest people in the room….Just ask one…Talk about living in a bubble…
Soon will be bubble bustin time….They still haven't figured out Mass
That clip should be required viewing at every polling place…Continuous loop…
“Somehow Liberals have been unable to acquire from life what Conservatives seem to be endowed with at birth: namely, a healthy skepticism of the powers of government agencies to do good.” (Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan [D], Where Liberals Went Wrong, 1968)
They don't make Democrats like the big M anymore.
Wrote a comment that disappeared…but, I make distinction between leftists and liberals.
Leftists are a cult in my opinion. They don't respect anyone, including, but not limited to, conservatives. If you are not a leftist, you simply are not worthy of consideration. I agree lqxpl, they act as if they are brainwashed.
Before the election, I wrote something in response to a Roger Kimball article, outlining the differences I saw between a liberal and a leftist. Those differences are even more stark and glaring today, in my opinion.
Liberalism is a disease. They can't be made to understand the obvious and trly have a mental disorder. Obama goes further and has the messianic complex on top of that. All of their actions are very similar even if they didn't communicate with each other and unless we recognize they are mental cases and get honest-to -god therapy then we will be plagued by their elitism.
That gets more to the question of "why". The article gave a lot of examples of HOW liberals are condescending, so the title was a bit misleading.
How do you put reality into a pill?
When Dinosaurs Roamed. Important Baby Boomer revelations from the 60's quickly crystalized into points of view and values which were never again questioned (equality=fairness, hierarchy= bad, business=bad, religion=primative, spirituality= modern, etc.). These experience-based revelations which were an important part of the time, soon degraded, as any religious experience tends to, into rules and PC sensitivities which were applied ham-handedly to begin coercing the unwashed to start acting like the newly emerging cultural elite.
Today, those in power fully embody the spirit of that former time. It's old-fashioned ideas of what society should be like are out of the closets, theaters, and coffee shops where they have been repeated among friends and never questioned for 40 years. Instead, the cultural elites have merely extended the thinking incrementally to illogical conclusions such as the need for an elite government corps of bureacrats to make rules which force everyone to be better human beings- thus robbing the individuals of the development and growth which they would otherwise experience had they made choices rather than followed rules blindly. The lists of rules grows longer, so the roles of list makers and enforces must also grow. This is what happens when you have a powerful insight, and then stop thinking for 40 years.
Liberal dinosaurs command the public square at present, stepping on nuanced thought with large unknowing feet. They assume that they and and their generation of thought is still the cutting edge- 40 years later!! Unbelievable to all but the dinosaurs themselves. We don't need to borrow the tired ideas of the 60's. They've played out. They've done what they needed to do. We need to think anew, in the Now rather than in the Then.
The thing about a lot of liberals is that they cannot coherently express the other side of their arguments. My father told me at a young age that in order to engage in adult conversation about politics, one has to be able to express each side of the point in question. I feel I can accurately take the liberal side on the issues and argue them. When I engage in a discussion with a liberal, or when I watch them on TV or read their articles I get no sense that they understand or want to understand my side of the issue. It seems most of them want to set up strawmen or cartoon versions of the conservative viewpoint.
I think this disconnect is one of the reasons why opposition to Obama is so widespread. When he says things like he failed to "explain" his health care plan it makes a lot of us feel like he is dismissing our concerns out of hand. We understand it. We just don't like it.
Off topic: Megan McCain – The excrement never falls far from the anal orifice. Progressive Republican?
Great article. You can see this in the way liberal leaders react to public opinion. Lots of people love to bash on George W. Bush, but when Bush saw the public's reaction to his amnesty bill for illegal aliens, he backed off. Pelosi, Reid, et al. see the public's reaction to the health care debacle and they forge ahead, looking to pass the bill anyway because after all, they know far more about what is good for the United States than any mouth breathing conservative out there. This is the kind of condesention that will come back to bite the Democrats in 2010 and 2012.
there is nothing wrong with true liberalism, ideally it will balance extreme conservatism. the problem is liberalism and the democratic party in peticular have been hijacked by EXTREMIST SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS. IMMIGRANT RIGHTS groups, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS, PUBLIC SECTOR UNIONS, GAY RIGHTS GROUPS and most dangerously ISLAMIC RIGHTs GROUPS. All these factions backed by big ELITIST MONEY attemp to impose their minority agendas on the rest of us(THE MAJORITY). These groups own our EDUCATION SYSTEM and the MAIN STREAM MEDIA. Their ultimate goal is to destroy the FREE ENTERPRIZE SYSTEM. Essentially replace a flawed system with a failed system. THEY MUST be STOPPED .
WYATT
Because Conservatism still plays by the rules of the genteel South. Mash Mouth politics isn't in their agenda.
Liberalism is a delusional psychosis.
Democrats main plan- More Taxes
Democrats backup plan- More Taxes
Remembering Al Gore before the Congress on Global Warming:
"Well Mr. Gore the scientific facts cast serious doubt about global warming and clearly indicate that you are full of it."
Al- "Yes but the facts don't change the fact I"m right and you're wrong"
Liberals are the people who, during their formative years, received neither guidance nor judgement in the areas of morality, ethicality, logic, personal responsiblility, etc. Because they were never instilled with a framework for these things, rather than being told anything they thought, said, did, or believed, was wrong, they were told ego-boosting things like they "were thinking outside the box." Having so little expected of them and being able to meet those minimal expectations with such facility creates a very arrogant, but stupid, human being who is completely unaware that their accomplishments are largely illlusory. They look at those who actually struggle to meet actual standards and all they see are people who are having a hard time "getting on line" because those people aren't as "smart" as the "Lib." The perpetual immaturity that seems to be a recurrent quality of a "Lib is explained by not enduring the character-building force that meeting actual standards exerts. 'Just sayin'.
A liberal world is a world where they run the show, and Free will is surrendered to the government. The liberals lie, they do the things that they accuse conservatives of doing, because if they can keep things the shitty way they are, so they can keep voters. Liberals don't want to help the inner city kids, because THEY VOTE DEMOCRAT. if they help the poor, then they MIGHT VOTE REPUBLICAN. thats all its about. its not about left or right or conspiracies or not.
its about who has the best bullshit, and who is willing to rub their face in it.
it makes me sick.
Remember the clip on Funniest Home Videos where the Mom is asking her son what happened to the brownies in an attempt to get a confession. As he stands there, continuing to stuff his face with brownie, he says to mom "maybe a bird came and pecked it".
That kid is going to grow up to be a great liberal some day.
I read the article the other day. From the comments by the Marxists (Liberals) my conclusion is there is no hope of changing their twisted minds. I am with the guy who posted slam them to the ground and put the boot on there neck. Don't try to reason with them just steam roll them before they do it to us.
Dr. Thomas Sowell is a beautiful guy. He's got these Progressive Intellectuals down pat and he doesn't give them any breathing room. Good Man. Thanks for the link Brother.
This is so funny. Does anyone, I say anyone, take a liberal seriously? Conservatives are grounded in the Founding Principles, the Founding Fathers, the Declaration, the Constitution, so what does that leave the hapless liberal? Arrogance, anger, rage, and yes frustration with their dismal poll numbers.
I do enjoy the mental exercise of this…however…
The upshot is not so much to understand this condition…the real work is in defeating it…
Rollback government worker unionization…review teacher qualifications yearly…require work for government welfare benefits…budget balancing by cutting funding, not tax increasing…set a total ceiling of taxes that may be collected, and require it to be reasonable (15%, no higher, ever)…
These kinds of articles come up now and then from each "side". I usually pay them no mind. They stir the pot and make one side angry and the other feel some sense of superiority. In the end, it doesn't bring us any closer to listening to each other; and furthers the politics of division. Meaning, it's a formula article. Why does "X" suck?
But, it'll get he writer lots of attention as well as the web site.
"A few conservative voices may say that all liberals are always wrong, but these tend to be relatively marginal figures or media gadflies such as Glenn Beck. "
This tells me he doesn't actually listen to what Glenn Beck says or how he considers the opinions of others. Which just reinforces my thoughts on why the author wrote the article.
One of the most repulsive things about Jokebama, is his head-back look-down-nose posture. What a conceited c0cksucker.
But there's a difference between conceit and arrogance.
Conceit is when you *think* you're right.
Arrogance is when you *know* you're right.
Very well put.
"There dismissal of conservatives as (insert miscellanious epithet involving lack of IQ, teeth, or hybrid automobile), is a childish defense mechanism."
True. Just witness any liberal's reaction to a primary threat: PALIN.
In Obama's case…..
This explains everything…..
BARACK OBAMA SUFFERS FROM BRAIN DAMAGE: SHOCKING NEW SCIENTIFIC STUDY CONFIRMS!
http://naturalfake.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/barac...
Yes. We are breeding these people now and in the last few generations of kids raised on video games and "everybody is a winner" philosophy. No grades in school and marking papers with purple pens.
We have to pass along our values to our children. If we don't, someone else will be there to fill in the gap.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Vince Humphreys, greychampion, Madeline aka Bacall , Jack Burn, lmcginnis33 and others. lmcginnis33 said: Morning Thread: Why Don’t Liberals Take Conservatives Seriously? http://is.gd/80uwC [...]
Actually it's the other way around.The only people who take liberal seriously are other liberals.Check the polls on where independents stand
very well said
You know what the problem we have in regards to Leftists is? Its easy-we are too nice to them. We try to REASON with the unreasonable. Has the left EVER given up on ANY govt program once its started? Nope. Most all of FDRS New Deal programs are still in place, just expanded upon by LBJ and various congresses. Was Social Security meant to be an “entitlement”? Since when do I have to pay for someone elses healthcare? Since when did healthcare become a “RIGHT”??? Look at GW Bush-”compassionate conservative”-why even have to call yourself compassionate? Where has Bubba Clinton,Alwhore, Obama, or Bill Ayers ever been “compassionate”. I guess Ayers definition of compassion must be how many cops he kills with planted bombs. This is the same as with the moslems. We are at WAR with BOTH the left and with ISLAM. As long as we refuse to realize that, we will lose.
Natural Fake-actually I have a hard time beleiving Obama suffers from brain damage. You need a brain to suffer from brain damge.
Excellent article. How nice of Hussein to realize that in his effort to ram-rod us he neglected to tell us what to think.
AlGore wouldn't know 'reason' of it was gnawing his leg off.
And I've never seen the left with such a bad case of projection-itis as was displayed during the advent of the Tea Party movement. Who in the hell just looooves giving money to their insurance company so much that they'd be a willing shill and 'astro-turf' for them?
Reason? Au contraire, mon frère Libéraux fascistes.
One of the most intelligent men alive. His common sense is blinding.
The colder and harder reality becomes, the more defenseless and bankrupt liberal/progressive ideology becomes.
Oh, Good one!
A blithering trustafarian.
All of these comments are valid, as well as the article itself. Very clear and cogent ideas.
I guess the problem I see with liberals/ progressives/ socilaists is that they really believe that it will work. When you point out governments like the Soviet Union and Cuba, the abject poverty of the population, and the collapse of the societies, it is just that they didn't have the right leaders. Conservatism/ libertarianism/ freedom work every time. There can be problems within the system (corruption, recessions, etc.), but left alone, the system will recover.
I'll take my chances with my own decisions rather than having someone else tell me what is best for me.
"Dump Durbin?" I think we should indict him (there must be a viable offense in his history that could be made to fit and stick).
What perplexes me is a pattern (admittedly somewhat blurry at times) in which the most radical "leftists" are concerned regarding "mankind," but somehow in their personal lives are boorish, manipulative, inconsiderate, and hateful toward individuals who fall within their ambit. How they reconcile their embrace of abstract concepts with their contrary controllable actions, mystifies me.
Someone should write a tract on tweaking Keynesian economic theory so that it works. Not only is there no kewpie doll to date, but not even a compensatory cigar.
While I agree in principle with you, I'd change the sports analogy. Condescending liberals would be more likely to say, after a loss, that the opponent cheated, paid off the refs, etc… Conservatives would seem to be the more introspective "we beat ourselves, now what can we learn from it" group. IMO…
There is such a pill for said mental illness, Its called the Shoe. Placed properly on the foot of the medical provider, it is administered topically to the patients rear in swift, firm strikes in an upward motion.
and…"someone else will be there to fill in the gap"…is the worst part–nature abhors a vacuum.
Come on now. Liberals have "received wisdom," and those truths shall make them free.
They are confined to a closed system , and have taken a religious approach in that they determine what their holy writ prescribes and proscribes, and formulate their positions based on theory ignoring any need for validating their concepts of "How Things Work" in the world.
Unfortunately, living in a cocoon they do not realize that they are parodies of predecessors whose methodology they deride with scorn, but whom they nonetheless unconsciously emulate. The "Flat Earth" folks, the geocentric theories espoused by the Catholic church for centuries, and "liberal principles" all in their time, were not exposed to scrutiny and critiques. And as their predecessors did, they invoke damnation, characterizing those who disagree with their conclusions as "bad," and consigning "bad folks" to the less harsh modern day equivalent of damnation. Instead of burning at the stake, or stoning, today those suggesting other approaches are subjected by the intellectual establishment to scorn, ridicule, and contempt, and exclusion from positions of influence and power.
And by golly, empirical methods will never never be applied to the theories that liberals espouse. Nor will their postulates be questioned. Is Keynesian policy evaluated and critiqued in terms of results? Are social theories such as all "groups" of people having the same capabilities so that they should all be in the same positions proportionately in every endeavor, ever critically examined? Er, why do so many black people excel disproportionately in basketball? Oh, parallel evolution in different environments and with varying mutations is to be disregarded because the results don't conform to liberal cant? Are these statements of purported high ideals insincere?
Liberal ideals must prevail regardless of their validity despite any incongruity, and consequent malfunction of society that may occur, Got it. After all, liberals embody "virtue."
Actually, a liberal IS a leftist. The political label definition(s) are, far left to far right: Radical (far left), liberal (left), moderate (middle), conservative (right) and reactionary (far right). The meaning(s) of the labels, however, are fluid, and depend on the time/era and location — the Founders were "leftists" (liberals), in 18th Century Colonial America; Soviet reformers were/are "left wingers" (liberals) in 20th-21st Century Moscow, while Soviet hard-line communists were/are "right wingers" (conservatives and/or reactionaries), and contemporary US Constitution 'original intent' activists are "right wingers" (conservatives) in the here-and-now.
The roots are "liber" (Latin, I think) or "free" ("suitable for a freeman; not restricted") and "conserve" ("to keep, preserve" traditions, values).
“Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
The interesting thing is that many of the thoroughly condescending liberal elitists reacting to Gerard Alexander’s article have read, and in part memorized, Howard Zinn’s version of history, and are thus completely inoculated from understanding anything that does not resonate in their echo chamber. If the liberals loose big this November (which becomes more and more assured the longer they continue to act this way), it will be everybody else’s fault, not their own. They still refuse to accept that Reagan was a national catharsis for Carter.
Once someone is addicted to meth, there is not much hope for them; apparently it is similar for those hooked on liberal Kool-aid.
Well, with a little help from CPUSA. The '60's radicals didn't come out of a vacuum. Google "Bella Dodd" and see her testimony before HUAAC in the 1950's, and findings about activities in the 1930's and '40's, including sending devoted Party comrades into Catholic seminaries, with instructions for how to move up within the Church hierarchy to positions of influence and decision-making.
Think I'd prefer a "government corpse of bureaucrats!
These are the people that take Chris Matthews, Keith Olberman, Lisa Madcow, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Barney Frank, Hillary Clinton serious… I don't want someone who would imagine this bunch is a rational bunch to take me serious. I want them to believe in their hearts I'm a simple rube not to be taken serious… right up to the point where they try to take my gun from me.
For more details listen to the Chorus of Nazereth's "Hair Of The Dog"
Ya we condescend you, but its because you guys really just are that stupid and ignorant
for this i will personally apologize for the entire evil liberal marxist progressive movement
You guys don't condescend us, but you do:
threaten us with violence
question our right to exist
make insane, completely baseless historical analogies tying us to Hitler, Stalin, etc
question our patriotism
equate us with radical islamic terrorists
scorn liberals for basing ideas around science and reason and thinking they have all they answers while you base
large parts of your political ideology on the fact that you do because you are people of faith
Basically both sides operate on the basis that they have all the answers, and saying that liberals are especially condescending and sure of their answers as opposed to conservatives is ludicrous
And there he is again, this time channeling Mussolini giving a speech from the lectern in "Police Academy."
The truth is that pregressives are too stupid to understand clear thinking.
"God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise". read wiseguys
It's also why pregressives are all Chrstiophobes. They hate the brilliant light of Truth.
Pregressives are too full of themselves to understand how illiberal they really are. Does anyone know any really tolerant pregressives?
It's probably all the Toe-Foo they eat when they lick each other's feet.
Remembering Dan Rather also: so the evidence is fake but the story is true.
Dr. Sowell says the same thing this UVA professor says but Sowell says it much better and with truth of principle. Of course the ever tolerate Lefty will not read Sowell, he's just an uncle Tom to these creeps. I am starting to think that we will have to destroy the Left and all the institutions the Left has corrupted to restore the truth to this country!
Conservative s believe it when they see it. Illiberals/Regressives see it when they believe it.
I get and agree with your point but I might argue that conceit is when you think you're superior to pretty much everyone around you and what you described as arrogance is confidence in one's correctness. I do get tired of "that look", though. Career pissant.
True in one respect, but I had a specific player (or type of player) in mind. After the Scott Brown victory the libs said, "They didn't beat us because they're candidate was better, they beat us because our candated sucked." During the Broncos' run in the 90's, after a loss, Shannon Sharpe would come out and say, "They played their best game and we played our worse game." There was never a possibility in his mind that the other team was better, only that the Broncos let the other team win. He was the same way when he went to the Ravens.
Barack Ocarter.
It's easy to be a 'Progressive Republican' when you've never worked a day in your worthless life. She's turning out to be just as much of a RINO as her dad is.
The right wing wants to preserve the entire bird so it can fly forever, while the left wing wants to tear itself away and spend it's time telling the remainder of the bird how to fly.
Liberals are stuck at age 13. They feel so deeply and they know it all.
Thanks for that affirmation.
Amen! How'd you like the pseudo-psychoanalysis that apparently puts all "conservatives" (from single-issue-Right-but-left-of-Lenin-in-general "right-wingers") to Log Cabin Republicans, to the fiscally-conservative-but-socially-liberal set and vice versa — on the same metaphorical couch and opines on what's ailing all of us? Even if some of us are idiots, at least we're not "useful idiots."
He should be required reading in high schools.
I just finished reading a number of the reader comments in response to Gerard Alexander's article in the WaPo. Holy Moly! Hundreds of liberals condescendingly explaining why they aren't condescending, or explaining that they have a right to be condescending because they are intellectually superior, or explaining that they have a right to be condescending because conservatives are always wrong about everything. Apparently one can be a liberal only if one is incapable of understanding what IRONY is.
I blame all the 60’s generation. They really got this ball rolling with their anti-establishment routine. A very enlightening example of this is the stupid bed-in with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. I remember some “establishment” guy coming in wearing a suit and tie and asking very commonsense questions. The answers from Lennon were the typical 60’s crap. Looking back at a lot of these kinds of interviews it appears to me that Lennon loses and the “establishment” win. A lot of teens and 20somethings totally swallowed this load of carp and have been loony leftists who never had to grow up. Now these Peter Pans are running the government. It’s no wonder that this country is so screwed up right now. While John and Yoko were bedding down millions of normal establishment men and women were leading productive and happy lives. I grew up with older sisters and brothers who had swallowed the liberal garbage and they are now in their 50’s and still vote lock-step with the Dems. I’m hopeful that now that America has seen liberalism in its truest form with this administration lots of those in this generation will wake up and realize that the whole 60’s schtick was a lie. Until this generation passes away however I think the condesension will continue. It’s up to us establishment Americans to marginalize them where they belong on the far left and never again allow them to re-gain this type of power.
I once had a liberal argue with me that "Detroit is a beautiful city and the "problems" with gangs, urban blight and crime are a gross exaggeration." No matter what proof I threw out there, she just denied the sources and then – as good liberals are wont to do – she went ad hominem.
This is because, deep down in the hidden, yet stinking bowels of liberal thought, they know they have created disaster after disaster with their programs.
If not for Andrew Breitbart, I think I'd still feel beaten down when Liberals attack me. No longer.
They are – as Beck calls 'em – IDIOTS.
BTW: Today is Marco Rubio's moneybomb day!!! Please do what you can?
Thanks.
https://senateconservatives.com/moneybomb/rubio
Sowell rocks!
@neyney
Yes, there was a lot of anti-establishment crap going on in the 60s, but why does that place the blame on Boomers?
Think about it: the same MSM – in a much simpler form – was reporting on and glorifying the 60s radicals and protests, but in reality, only a fraction of students and young adults were "hippies" and Abbie Hoffman radical big mouths. The rest of us were the same as every generation of modern Americans. We chased the American dream, we were patriotic and we thought Lennon was full of sh!t.
These "Peter Pans" are not the same people running our country. Sure there are radicals in sheep's clothing, (Nancy Pelosi is a great example of this) but even back then, we knew that the "whole 60s schtick was a lie."
If anything it was merely entertainment to many of us. The reality was that our friends and family members were coming home from Vietnam in pine boxes, yet we were tortured by the same hippies and radicals for showing our patriotism.
If you think the liberal condescension will cease as that generation passes, you're in for a big surprise. The old liberal moonbats were bad, but the new generation of libtards is even more violently opposed to conservatism and – as evidenced by Obama's ever-rising chin – they feel more superior now than I've seen since I was a kid.
Now is not the time to draw generational lines. It's time to draw TOGETHER and save our freedom, our Constitution and our American way of life.
We the People – United we stand.
Sorry for spammin'…
Today is Marco Rubio's moneybomb day. PLEASE help a good, true conservative win a Senate seat in FL?
https://senateconservatives.com/moneybomb/rubio
Let's see:
Violence? No, not ever.
Right to exist? No way. No person, group or party can always be right. Balance is needed.
Insane analogies? Nope. But if you challenge me to find 150 Bush photos that depict him in a Hilter moustache I will win that bet in less than 1 hour.
Patriotism? Wrong again. My own stepson is a liberal – serving in the US Army.
Eqaute you with terrorists? Well, wee bay, if you go out of your way to protect them and disregard the hundreds of bodies that spattered in all directions on the pavement after jumping to their deaths on 9/11, you can expect some insults and mistrust from your follow Americans.
Based on Science? What, when time after time it's revealed that your "scientists" stacked the deck by omitting or exaggerating data.
When we disagree with Obama on just about anything, you call us racists. You call us uneducated (tell that to Thomas Sewell or Ben Stein). The rest of us are "white trash," Trailer park rats, toothless, inbreds and white supremists.
In your first line, you called us "stupid and ignorant".
Thanks for playing, but you proved to us that YOU ARE WHAT WE SAY YOU ARE: aloof, elistist and condescending beyond all reason.
Your days of "intellectual dominance" are numbered – if not already gone. We'll no longer tolerate your accusations and ad hominem attacks.
So… go eff yourself.
wow…i could take 99% of these comments and sub republican in for liberal…very entertaining…thanks
Purchase mp3 music online…
Yes, I was totally in tune with that. So was my Dad. He said he definitely intends to check it out next week. We will be back before you know it….
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