Newsgroups: soc.culture.usa
Subject: Myths, Politics and Rambling On In General
From: <ISSCCK@BYUVM.BITNET>
Date: Wednesday, 22 Jul 1992 04:32:59 MDT
Organization: Brigham Young University

So, I used to be on the "supply-side economy" (trickle down) bandwagon.
I also used to view social programs/legislation as the Devil's way to
take away man's moral stewardship of self-reliance and independance.

Yes, my friends, I derided environmentalists for frustrating the
continuing "unlocking" of our nation's natural resources by eager land-
grabbers and speculants.  I also didn't believe in the "social contract"
theory --after all, WHAT a Preposterous Lie to assume co-responsibility
for my fellow-citizens! ("If they choose to be homeless or to get AIDS,
*why* should *I* be forced to alleviate or solve their suffering?" ...)

In fine, I adhered firmly to That Exalted Political Platform which claims
to stand firmly for God, Country and Family (Never mind the awkward veto on
parental-leave legislation, e.g. e.g.) Yes, fellow net-nerds, I was certain
that "the New World-order" and the Constitution were two wholly separate
issues!  And surely, This Great Political Platform would be able to provide
the political leadership to address the issues of health-care and educa-
tional reform (etc.)? --Of truly reaching out to ALL Americans and not just
preserving the "rights" and opportunities of the priviledged (wealthy)?

I thought (in my blatant ignorance, sop) that government had NO business to
demand women what they can or can't do with their bodies.  (I am against
abortion BTW, but I believe that people ought to decide for themselves.
People may make mistakes, but at least it's THEIR choice, and not someone
elses.  Besides, we seem to forget the appalling public health situation
preceding the Roe vs Wade era. --Care to explain that to countless poor
and desperate women???)  Anyways, I seem to remember that The Hallowed
Party promised "no new taxes," "15 million new jobs" and "1,000 points of
light" ("BUT not out of my pocket.") How cynical do you want to have it...

In my own spiritual context, I know of at least one particular scripture
which ties in with the basic philosophy of our competition/profit driven
societies (what have we become?):   ". . .every man fared in this life
according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered
according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his
strength; and whatsoever a man did was no crime."  BTW, these words were
uttered by Korihor, a Very Wicked Personage.  His story is not unlike our
own focus/obsession with "the bottom line"...  In Utah (where these and
other scriptures are generally accepted), that Same Party had(s) the
biggest following in all the land (in which I take no pride), that same
party which seems to be the most diligent follower of Korihor of old.

No one needs to assume that because of "all the above" I'd automatically
endorse Clinton/the Democrats, but only that we should stand still for a
moment, and to do some soul-searching whether our political ideology is
*really* solving America's problems ("does building more prisons/put more
officers on the streets address the underlying social and economic
disparities?"/"is an effective health-care reform possible without public
(=governmental) intervention (based on results)?" etc. etc.)

O well, I've rambled on long enough.  I appreciate a free forum to express
ourselves in a frank and intelligent way. Some may disagree. That's okay.

**DISCLAIMER** The opinions expressed in this e-mail are mine alone, and do
NOT represent in any form the views and/or opinions of my employer.
Newsgroups: soc.culture.usa