Debate

I Don’t Have to Engage in Blasphemy All the Time

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One of my favorite hobbies is being a contrarian, reading the pros-and-cons of an issue and making up my own mind. Somebody tells me something, I have to question it and take apart the notion, and read what the opposition says.

I am a Democrat. I’ve been one ever since I turned 18. I often hang out with left-leaning groups, and attend there functions. I enjoy arguing with liberals and taking apart their arguments. Not because I’m a dyed in the wool conservative, but because I don’t believe it’s a good reason to take a position, just because it’s popular with my peers.

Some people don’t like to have their ideas challenged. But I don’t believe in self-evident political truths. I know virtually everything can be debated, and with every political position there are winners and losers. There may be a 99% and 1% in the income spectrum, but individuals in both groups are divided on which policies best benefit them. People are different and no single policy will benefit or everybody the same.

Rock Stack

I guess I should just shut up at times, and spend less time challenging the establishment. But it sure is fun.

I'm not really a conservative, but I sure like sometimes challenging the unchecked liberal views of some of my friends.

Why Must I Argue?

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I really enjoy debating with people. I realise that many times I probably won’t change their minds, but I like putting out my side of the story, and pointing out why I believe the things that I do. My opponents may at times have far better researched facts or be set in their ways, but it is so much fun to say it how I see it.

I’m not one to like to be pushed around. I don’t like seeing people disagreeing with me. I wish I could push them over to see the world the way I do based on my own personal experiences. While granted I doubt I will ever change any body’s mind, it’s just so much fun to argue.

They say our country is as strong as it is based on the amount and quality of free speech there is out there. More speech and more voices is always improving the quality of the debate. Yet I sometimes wonder when too much can start to crowd out the debate. Or when I dilute down my best ideas by combining them with too many others.

Grid Lock

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Grid lock is a good thing.

For those desiring a certain policy outcome, they may be appalled at how slow government is to get certain policy goals done. Yet, grid lock is a good thing. It means that all conflicting interests are at the table, and that they are effectively represented. All significant interests are able stall or stop things that would be seriously detrimental to their own standing.

Pond Scum

No one interest should be given preferential treatment based soley on their constituency size or constituency wealth.

Democrats should be left a few seats short of 60 in the US Senate, so that critical measures are done in a bipartisan fashion, that requires compromise with Republicans. One could hope that their continues to be conservative Democrats and liberal Republicans, that makes getting legislation passed requires a lot of arm twisting and balancing of legislation. The fillibuster should not be repealed.

Conformity

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Most people don’t like their views challenged. New ideas can be incredibly painful as they challenge our identities and deepest held beliefs. There are many times when people express opinions or present facts, and I immediately want to reject them. One should not reject those facts, but try to listen and see if they actually make sense.

At age 26, many of my views on the world are changing. I grew up in a different generation then many of you, so my experiences are different. I believe it is important to challenge other people’s beliefs, and try to point out the hypocrisy of them. I wish more people would dare to counter the popular wisdom of their clan. Our society needs more heretics willing to challenge the conventional wisdom.

Buggy

For daring to challenge some of you, I will be branded a traitor. I will be said to be taking the corporate line, or taking the position of the elite. Yet, regardless of where we all stand, shouldn’t be challenging our own views? Certainly many of the views of the progressive community are passed down from the liberal elite, those liberal economists from Yale and Harvard and liberals in the highest level of government.

I don’t believe we should necessarily believe what some professor from Harvard or Yale tells us is right. We have to observe the world ourselves, and not be afraid to ask the hard questions. We should always have a lot of doubt how the world is, and not be afraid to the challenge our clans. I don’t always believe everything I say, but sometimes it is so important to inject new ideas into a discussion.