Political meanderings

[urocyon]

griffen linked to some rather good commentary on scary neoconservatives. Edit: and a followup by the same writer.

I still fail to understand why saner Republicans continue to coddle people who are spouting such ludicrous beliefs and agendas. I mean, I certainly understand the strains of thought behind it, but that is such a dangerous game for the ones not insisting that the nutballs create their own party or parties, as well. One would think that self-interest would drive them to roust the loonies sooner rather than later, but it seems that using them to grab more power still proves a more attractive option.

Naturally, the neocons are entitled to believe any sort of goofy shit they want--the problem comes from their near-irresistable urge for power over other people. (I would argue that the basic flaw in current political systems, overall, is the emphasis on "power over"; it would seem that we're stuck with them for now, though.) It is a gargantuan mistake to cling to the idea that these are harmless nuts, when they clearly state that their aim is direct control of everyone else--and this braying minority has a wider base of support than its numbers would suggest.

"Power over" also reminds me of a conversation vatine and I had Friday, on the way back from giving notice at the Register Office. The subject turned from the differences in gaining certification to perform marriages in Sweden and Virginia to whether civil "marriage" should be accomplished by contracts. As happens too frequently, I didn't think of a reasonable reply until later to his suggestion that the state might have a compelling interest in the continuing welfare of its citizens, best handled by placing some restrictions (e.g., no close relatives) on who can marry.

I think a good part of the hesitation, in this case, stems from a rather fundamental difference in perception. On one of my more bitter days, the main evidence I see of a central government taking an "interest" is filtered through layers of colonialism, Manifest Destiny, classism, and outright eugenics.* (No, I'm actually not that bitter all the time. ;) ) It is harder to trust that the central government really does have my welfare in mind, rather than being made up of people trying to grab as much power as possible through any conceivable means. On the other hand, I must wonder if there isn't a lot of validity to another Swede's comments--in the context of attitudes about drugs and laws concerning them--that, overall, people in Sweden haven't seen as much reason to consider that the government might not have their best interests in mind. Perhaps there really isn't the same sense of having been screwed long-term, as he suggested. That might not be a main motivation for my political views, but I have to admit that it factors in.



* Moved to the next post, as the footnote ran away from me.