Thought for the Week
“It will never be known what acts of cowardice have been motivated by the fear of not looking sufficiently progressive.” ~Charles Péguy
What’s wrong with our world? I don’t know of any nation or society that’s ever been universally improved by a massive single-agenda fix. Not only because cultures are complex, constantly-changing organisms (and not single-purpose machines), but because what ails them is never a single thing, let alone a single scapegoat or group of people.
Nevertheless
Within the course of five minutes, I encountered three massive single-agenda “fixes” on the popular Q&A site Quora, each with thousands of upvotes, in response to the question, “Where did America go wrong, and what’s the fix?”
- Republicans are, by definition, evil. They’re all racist, sexist bigots and child-abusers. The fix: Silence them, make their agenda illegal, and install a new, permanent Democrat agenda.
- Democrats are, by definition, evil. They’re all devil-worshipping communist pedophiles. The fix: Silence them, make their agenda illegal, and install a new, permanent Republican agenda.
- Puritans are, by definition, evil (this one caught me off-guard). They, the early settlers of New England, with their “insane religious beliefs,” laid the groundwork for an “insane nation” with an “insane, racist Constitution;” they also introduced slavery. (Despite this person’s spectacularly inaccurate recap of U.S. history, not one person disagreed). The fix: Silence religious people, make their agenda illegal, and install a new, permanent Marxist-atheist government.
May I Ironically Suggest
…that there is, in fact, a single, transparent answer to the rather simplistic question, “What’s wrong with this country/world/society and what’s the fix?”
We are.
Well Said
You’ve pointed out a problem we have been facing, and will be facing for many years to come. I agree. There is no one single fix. It all begins with respect–respect of fellow humans. We’re all different, but that’s what makes this life so great.
Mitch, interesting comment, I quote “The fix: Silence religious people, make their agenda illegal, and install a new, permanent Marxist-atheist government.”
The people is the organization. What is being taught by the organization the people follow and speak. Some without fully understanding the word or WHY they are following a certain rule. Most of them follow because others are doing whatever it was–taught.
You are right it is up to each of us to FIX our attitudes.
Mitch, should you be silence?
I know why others want me gone, but truth WILL always conquer.
In conclusion, not all are born leaders. It’s just depressing when the people are under rulers whose rules and laws are a burden on the people. Some following in their leaders footsteps to be unkind, selfish, and robbers of the innocent ones.
Have a wonderful day.
I agree we all need improvement and this is a powerful post. The ‘transparent answer is even more insightful, great job!
Amen, brother. I, too, am a little shocked by the Puritan one. The other two are broadcast loud and clear on a daily basis. I shake my head at both of them.
Hear, hear!