Like most Americans, I’m in favor of progress. My problem is that “Progressives” are never challenged to explain why the direction they want to go is indeed progress.
Nobody ever does what Socrates did and challenge them to define “the Good.” If we don’t agree on what the Good is, then how can we agree on policies that will move us toward it?
This is IMO the biggest mistake conservatives make. We implicitly accept the leftist definition of the Good.
BTW, imo most of these arguments are in the process of becoming obsolete. They are essentially arguments about how to distribute scarce stuff produced by people. An economy of scarcity.
But we are rapidly moving towards a society in which there will be a lot of stuff around, but very few people required to produce it. A economy of abundance. This is, of course, the end result of constantly increasing productivity.
Since the free market and almost all political systems are about the distribution of scarce resources, they simply become irrelevant in a world where those resources aren’t scarce.
The global warmists, Obama and the rest of the Marxists are moving aggressively to make sure that doesn't happen in the US. Carbon controls and radically higher energy costs will destroy the middle class and force dependency on big government if they have their way.
The global warmists, Obama and the rest of the Marxists are moving aggressively to make sure that doesn't happen in the US. Carbon controls and radically higher energy costs will destroy the middle class and force dependency on big government if they have their way.
That’s actually already happening. When those on public assistance can afford a cellular phone, indoor plumbing, heating & air conditioning, big screen televisions, an automobile, fashionable clothes & shoes, the Internet & cable/satellite service, tasty & nutritious food, education, leisure time, vacations and a plethora of things that royalty, nobility and tycoons could scarcely dream of in centuries past, we’ve arrived at your destination.