politics
Politics does not dictate our collective cultural mindset as much as it simply reflects it; We've got to look in the mirror sometimes, and we've got one.
How Do We Define and Think About Freedom? Anarchism Versus the State
This is going to be an argument about how we think about freedom, primarily based upon my interpretations of Isaiah Berlin’s original 1958 lecture, “Two Concepts of Liberty.” In this philosophical view, freedom can be viewed in two ways, positive and negative. According to Berlin, positive freedom is freedom of choice, or freedom to do. Negative freedom is consequently freedom from, or to be free to avoid some kind of negative stimuli. When people speak of freedom, it is usually a combination of these two concepts. So in this way, people often define freedom as a combination of both positive and negative. Positive freedom posits that people must be free to choose to do as they wish, freedom to live happily and well. Whereas negative freedom is freedom from; but from what? That usually depends upon one’s politics and perspective.
By Johnny Ringo5 years ago in The Swamp
Dear Trump Supporter
Dearest Trump Supporter: I know how a good many of you are feeling right now because I’ve been right where you are. I clearly remember the mad cycle of grief, anger, frustration, frustration, anger and grief that I tumbled in 4 years ago. I recall feeling like the world had been flipped upside down and turned suddenly hostile. It was hard to breathe, to think, to move. (I even took a personal day off from work because I was so depressed.) Social media became a mine field of people gloating, poking fun and showing their utter contempt for all I held dear. They laughed at and mocked my concerns, my discomfort and mostly my pain. They called me a “snowflake” and said things like “Suck it up” and “Awwww, your little feeeeeeeelings are hurt??” and more. My like-minded friends become safe havens, we shared a mad hope that it was all a bad dream or that the election would be overturned or that possibly aliens would come and take us to another more hospitable planet. It was a struggle to find sanity and any sense of safety or peace. Maybe some of you relate to this, maybe not…maybe some do but can’t yet admit it. I understand that too.
By Nadine Buxton-Whatoname5 years ago in The Swamp
Being an Agnostic Moderate Conservative
Agnosticism and Leaning Right Politically There are obvious and not so obvious differences and challenges, when you are Agnostic and a moderate conservative. Of course, these things that I will mention would apply to anyone who is further right leaning than just, “moderate” and happens to also be Agnostic or a full Atheist. The simple truth is, we are treated rather differently inside of the Conservative and Republican world. I can honestly say that I have never been attacked or really berated because of my agnostic status, but you did get plenty of side-eye glances and “interesting” facial expressions when people find out.
By Timothy A Rowland5 years ago in The Swamp
I Voted
Growing up in the United States many of us were taught that America was a country where any would be welcome and where all cultures, beliefs, and forms of love and lifestyles could come together in peace. As we grew older, each of us learned in one way or another that this was not how the United States came to be, nor is it the country we live in today. Instead we have come to know a world where people hate incessantly due to differing beliefs and viewpoints, where others believe that they should have the power to choose how their neighbors live, and where people pick and choose what parts of another culture they will tolerate when all should be welcome to live how they like. Today our country is divided, and this division has been seen more prominently than ever with the recent election. People have forgotten that while the America we live in today is not what we were taught it was in school, it is still a possibility. If only each of us could try to understand rather than refute the unknown, could respond to differences with kindness rather than a closed mind, and could choose to allow others to live the way they choose without trying to impose their own viewpoints and beliefs on another’s way of life. The United States of America is meant to be a place where people have the freedom to make their own choices and to build their lives into what they have always dreamed they could be.
By Sara Splendore 5 years ago in The Swamp
POLITICS
As I wait in line at a polling location during early voting, I look at my granddaughter and wonder what her and her brothers life will be like. Here we are wearing masks because a airborne virus that could of been controlled months ago, but in stead it went viral in every state.
By Debra Bernatovich5 years ago in The Swamp
What We Have Here Is A Failure To Communicate
The results of this past election proved once again that the Democrats had a golden opportunity to capitalize on the failings of the Trump Presidency but, fell short of a nation wide mandate. A mandate to seize the gauntlet of the progressive movement that Senator Sanders thru down a little over four years ago. The opportunities were there from the very beginning even before this pandemic struck. In their failing to educate the public of the consequences of continued Congressional gridlock, conservatism, and what National Economic Reform's Ten Articles of Confederation would do led to the results that are playing out today. More Congressional gridlock, more conservatism and more suffering of millions of Americans are the direct consequences of the Democrats failure to communicate and educate the public . Educate the public that a progressive agenda is necessary to pull the United States out of this Pandemic, and restore this nations health and vitality.
By Dr. Williams5 years ago in The Swamp
From my desk 6th November 2020
Last week a picture of Nigel Farrage appeared on various social media platforms. Nothing unusual about that as the man thrives on publicity, of any sort. This one picture showed him in Washington DC proudly displaying a betting slip purporting to confirm he had placed $10,000 of his children’s inheritance on Donald Trump to win a second term at odds of 15/8. As I am writing this on Friday evening (6th November 2020) that bet is not looking too good.
By Alan Russell5 years ago in The Swamp
Do Something With It
Neither Democrats nor Republicans have anything to be proud of this political season in the United States of America (that includes myself). We have all become so partisan and so overwhelmed with the need to be right or be the winner. We know this election will come down to decisions by courts, and nothing we say or do from the sidelines will make any difference now that votes are cast. So how come we are wasting all our energy on this?
By Cheryl Duffy5 years ago in The Swamp
I Didn't Vote
Yes, you read that right. I did not vote in this election. Honestly, I'm tired of defending myself and my choice to abstain from participating in an institution that is mostly corrupt and does not care about its people. People claim that we live in one of the greatest democracies in the world. But where is that democracy?
By Jay Cordero5 years ago in The Swamp
American Presidential Election 2020
Donald Trump did not even think so. Will win the election - he was confident. But he did not seem to understand what had happened. He is losing his second term as the first incumbent president since 1992. Through a nuclear disarmament deal with North Korea, the arch-enemy of the United States, through mediation to normalize Middle East relations with Israel, and through a trade war with China, he may have thought he would gain greater support in the country. So he became desperate to win the election. But he may not have known that the coronavirus issue had eaten him to the ground like a worm. He has canceled a historic nuclear deal with Iran signed by former President Barack Obama.
By Md Zahirul Haque5 years ago in The Swamp
