2006.04.27
Common Interest, Common Sense
A brilliant, though long, analysis on something that is very very wrong with modern American politics. It talks about reviving the philosophy of working for our common interest.
This, historically, is the moral basis of liberal governance — not justice, not equality, not rights, not diversity, not government, and not even prosperity or opportunity. Liberal governance is about demanding of citizens that they balance self-interest with common interest. Any rank-and-file liberal is a liberal because she or he somehow or another, through reading or experience or both, came to believe in this principle. And every leading Democrat became a Democrat because on some level, she or he believes this, too.
To me this is just common sense. Why would I be an advocate of universal health care (in some form)? Because more people and businesses will benefit than will lose. Why do I support the military, even if not necessarily in our current Iraq excursion? Because the military benefits everyone, even those who oppose it. Why do I support research into new energy resources? Because our dependence on oil helps no one except oil companies.
There are many ways to approach this topic of common interest. It is not an individual thing (that which benefits me benefits everyone) because sometimes what helps an individual only helps the individual. Take vast tax breaks for the wealthy; wealthy people use more resources than anyone else. I’m not saying they should be punished for making more money than everyone else because these are the people who are helping shape and grow our economy for the common interest of everyone.
The common interest relies on people sometimes giving things up in the short term for long term gains. It’s similar to investing in a retirement fund like a 401K. You sacrifice money from your paychecks which means that right now you seem to have less money. But years down the road when you are retired and do not have work income that 401K can be significantly larger than the amount you put in and you can support yourself.
I don’t want to turn this into a longer article than it already is. However expect me to write more and more about this in future discussions! Meanwhile I’m curious what others think of the article I linked, especially my more conservative readers.
3 Comments Categorized: political thoughts
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3 Responses to “Common Interest, Common Sense”
- Uncle Roger says (April 27th, 2006 at 21:17:05 )
Amen brother! Take Social Security, for example. We all chip in, then take out what we need. Those that die early, get perhaps less than they put in, but the extra goes to those who live longer. The early birds don’t need the extra, so it works out. That’s the common interest way. Privatizing it (per Bush) would eliminate that. Someone who lived too long could be screwed; someone who died young would end up with extra he didn’t need.
One point — unfortunately, it is not common sense. Sensical, yes. Common, no. Which is a big part of why I wonder, often, if the human race really ought to survive.
- douglas says (April 27th, 2006 at 23:08:49 )
No, it is common sense. They way you said it is simple enough that even our least intellectual citizens would probably understand. It’s still common sense, but common sense isn’t always something we understand at first.
Unfortunately I’ve possibly posted something that goes against the ideals I’m espousing in this post regarding immigration. I don’t regret the post, but I didn’t tie it into the common sense/common interest idea. Another time…
- Mookee says (April 28th, 2006 at 20:45:09 )
hmm…you’re more conservative readerS.” How many of us are there? I certainly haven’t noticed any of them. I’ll read it when I get a chance, wish I had enough time right now … actually, I probably do but I’m watching sports.
