From the equality of rights springs identity of our highest interests; you cannot subvert your neighbor's rights without striking a dangerous blow at your own. Carl Schurz

Sunday, September 22, 2013

The Power of Irrationality

We live in an age of irrationality, how else to explain the political scene in this country. From Harper to Ford and maybe soon Hudak we are are governed by people whose policies are so ruinous that their assent to and continued hold on power defies rationality.



I'm at a loss to explain why so many continue to support these evil bastards whose policies run counter to their own,their family's and the nation's best interests.  It can't be the I'm alright Jack syndrome because the majority of us aren't but then again maybe it is as many have this irrational belief that they are alright Jack.

From near historical inequality, massive poverty, erosion of our standard of living and stubbornly high unemployment. To education priced out of the range of the majority and rampant political repression, the curtailing of democratic institutions and rampant political corruption we have seldom been worse off.

Yet so many continue to cheer on  those responsible. Perhaps people have retreated into irrational thought because to take a rational look at where we are today is just too frightening and more importantly requires a good hard look in the mirror.

But gaze into that mirror we must for we have met the enemy and it is us.

4 comments:

  1. I share your perplexity, Kev. I suppose one of the reasons the bromides of the right are so popular is that they are based on astoundingly simple-minded premises that appeal to a wide number of people who either refuse or are too lazy to think for themselves. The worst of their natures are being appealed to (e.g., resentment of those who have something better than them, i.e., union members, etc.) The promise of black and wide solutions is just too alluring for them to ignore.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The most frustrating thing for me Lorne is that I just don't know how to counter this. How does one counter a simplistic but effective message when it takes much more than that to argue against it and needs people to think about that which they choose to ignore?

      Delete
    2. That is an excellent question that I have pondered many times, Kev. The only thing I can think is to spread the word and expose these empty promises for what they are as widely as possible. I realize that as bloggers and as Twitter users our influence is limited, but keeping ourselves informed at least arms us with information we can share among friends, acquaintances, and readers as the opportunity arises.

      Delete
    3. Yep, that's all I got as well

      Delete