Liberalism is a Psychology

http://www.opinioneditorials.com/freedomwriters/ebeltt_20040805.html ^ | Eric Alan Beltt

[mal]

Many conservatives are absolutely perplexed by the question of what motivates liberals to take the patently wrong political positions they do. It’s difficult to explain it without believing such obviously wrong ideas like “liberals are just stupid”, or “they want to destroy our country”, but sometimes we resort to those explanations out of pure frustration.

But what is the explanation? Why do seemingly good, intelligent people take positions that cause so much harm in the face of all the facts? I’ve finally stumbled upon the answer, and it’s so stunningly simple, yet profound in its implications, that it’s absolutely mind-boggling. Liberalism isn’t a political ideology; it’s a psychology - the psychology of self-satisfaction to be precise.

A liberal (or a leftist; I use the terms interchangeably), is a person who only cares about politics to the extent that doing so makes him or her feel good, or avoid feeling bad, due both to external and internal factors. Their motivations can include things like a desire to feel intelligent, moral, noble, or unique, as well as a desire for peer acceptance or reverence, and aversion to being ostracized, among many other things.

[gogeo]

I think the title should read "Pathology" instead of "Psychology."

[Pessimist]

Excellent analysis!

[angkor]

Control freaks tend to be liberal. Throw in a little narcissism, and you have a card-carrying Rat.

[JennysCool]

I would question is the use of the word "liberal"

Me, too. Conservatives are far more "liberal" than those who apply that term to themselves. Most conservatives don't mind if you light up a cigar, make an un-PC comment, say "Merry Christmas," tell an off-color joke, eat meat, wear a fur, have a drink now and then, root for sports teams named after Indian tribes, go hunting, drive an SUV ... the list is endless.

The "liberals" of the 21st century are nothing more than spoiled, self-righteous control freaks. And there is nothing "liberal" about that.

[turbocat]

Excellent - I read the entire piece.

Amazing how it ties into another article recently.

A long article on libs and how they start with this feeling of being altruistic to those that 'need' them (with our money, but the way) to then taking the 'global' world view of things, as opposed to a united American view. It makes them feel superior. Above the rest of us that have a narrow 'what's good for America' view... saying we should care about what's good in the eyes of the world.

This so confirms the article above. I think it also explains why class divisiveness is a key component for the Dems. Make a group needy and they can be the savior.

Interesting.

[billhilly]

There is a much simpler answer, first mentioned in R. Emmet Tyrrell's, The Liberal Crackup, about twenty years ago. In essence the liberal's rai·son d'être is to annoy their neighbors.

[Element187]

Excellent analysis.. i think he nailed it... it really does explain all the irrational beliefs of the left

[Personal Responsibility]

See my tagline.

[DeweyCA]

This so confirms the article above. I think it also explains why class divisiveness is a key component for the Dems. Make a group needy and they can be the savior.

The Dems have become a party of those who want to rule over others (elites or aspiring elites), and those who feel that government must rule over their lives enough to help them live. Bt contrast, Pubbies mostly want government to "provide for the common defense and promote the general welfare", and then to get out of their lives.

[Matchett-PI]

There's the downer/negative, "can't do" psychology:

*

There's the smiling, upbeat,"can do" optimist's perspective:

*

Then there are the "no core beliefs" confused, emotional basket-cases who vacillate between the two perspectives above - depending on whether they like the "personality" of the one who gives them the answers to the questions that are important to ALL self-focused navel gazers:

How do I know forSURE if I've been good or bad?

Who can I trust for SURE?

[blackie]

Trust but verify!

[woofie]

Thanks for the ping


excellent read

[Bob Ireland]

The Narnia take-off is timely... although I am particular to the drop-down menu on the currency bill [I never see $100 bills, so I cannot confirm the denomination... :-)]

[Let's Roll]

It should read "Pathology" instead of "Psychology".

[chesley]

Nah! It's Satan. That's right! The Devil makes 'em do it.

[mcmuffin]

Thanks for the great ping, Janice!

And
Merry Christmas to some of my favorite FReepers!

[RMDupree]

Merry Christmas, mcmuffin!

Hope to FReep with ya again sometime! :-D

[MinuteGal]

Wishing all my Florida freeper friends a very Merry Christmas and a Pelican in an Orange Tree....tra la la

Leni

[gonzo]

"... a Pelican in an Orange Tree..."

"Egrets, I've had a few,
But then again, only with hot sauce,
I need, a recipe, that didn't come,
From some lame brauhaus.

Oh no, I need some Wop,
To cook 'em my, way...

Leni, we gotta find those old threads...Stay well, sweetie...

BTY, we're moving to Hudson, FLA in in Feb or March, so I can get lost all over again! Stay well, kids, and a Merry Christmas to all...........FRegards...........Barry/gonzo

[Lancey Howard]

Liberalism is borne of selfishness and a decided lack of humor. Clever self-deprecation, for example, is out of the question. Committed liberals are generally unhappy people and they are, at least somewhat, irrational - - sometimes very irrational. These characteristics are in their nature from birth and there is nothing anybody can do about it. Liberals are not necessarily stupid, but they are never in the upper echelons of "smart", either.

There you have it.