An instructive article from Sunday's New York Times Magazine, Liberals Are Ruining America. I Know Because I Am One by Steve Almond.
I suppose I am a social liberal and a fiscal
conservative, seemingly incompatible, but only in short term objectives, not
long term aspirations. In other words, I
truly believe that with cooperation we can achieve that fine balance of a
safety net for those who need it, and a fairer tax system, with fiscal
controls. But the pollution of the media
by extremist talk shows and PAC messages, is crazy making, sound bites to
incite their followers, and draw reactions from the opposition. We've become a nation of finger pointing
screamers, and now from arsenal of the Web and Cable, political grenades can be
lobbed endlessly, 24x7.
Back to Steve
Almond's admonition: Imagine, if you will, the domino effect that
would ensue if liberals and moderates simply tuned out the demagogues. Yes,
they would still be able to manipulate their legions into endorsing cruel and
self-defeating policies. But their voices would be sealed within the echo
chamber of extremism and sealed off from the majority of Americans who honestly
just want our common problems solved.
I'll try, Steve
