Wonderful essay from E.M.Smith writing at Musings from the Chiefio:
Respect, Lies, and Power Politics
I was pondering the question of “What is the basic value difference between them and me?”
It isn’t as big a question as it seems. I’ve often wondered about “them” and “me”.
But it has been clear to me most of my life that I’m not like “them”. “They” are different.
In this particular case I was wondering about some recent events. Obama and his recent pronouncements on “Climate Change”. He has no clue what so ever about the underlying science nor the history of the process. He can’t. Not enough time, and certainly not enough technical training and skill. So at best he is duped, at worst he is using it ‘for effect’. Ukraine and how they are being ‘played’ by Putin. Obama and his new ability to ‘be more flexible’ for Putin now that he is no longer standing for election. The list goes on.
What is THE core value that is different between “that sort” and me? (And folks ‘like me’ on these points)
After a fair amount of pondering, I think the answer comes down to one word: Respect.
Some more:
I would speculate that Socialism does not respect the people. They are just tools to be used by the “intelligentsia” to advance the social narrative. You see this theme throughout the Communist, Marxist, Socialist, Progressive, whatever-name-today power politics. It assumes that the ‘special’ folks who make it into the government know better what to do than the ‘average guy’. That they are fodder for the government machine to mould. That they do not deserve self determination nor the respect that comes with it.
Much more at the site -- well worth the five minutes to read...
