This is a hard question. To roll in the mud or stay out? I've decided to just keep reminding people we are neighbors, that we all are responding to the turmoil of the age in our own half-blinded and flailing ways. To keep striving for the Grace for others that I want extended to me. It's also the Fox vs. Hedgehog thing. If you see everything as a Hedgehog, you want a total, systemic answer to everything. Reality is usually too messy for such a blunt instrument- you need to be more like the perspective-seeking Fox.
You hit the nail on the head with so much. I love the description of our two party systems as creating “Frankensteins.” That’s so on point. Realizing I am doing a lot more to change the world for the better in my day to day life than in how I vote has been game changing and I’m a lot happier tuning out the constant media barrage.
I have long ago unplugged from serious engagement in national politics for all the reasons you mentioned and more. Per your point, my withdrawal has been balanced by an almost involuntary engagement in the most local issues of peace and justice I can identify. The redeemed and upgraded human soul longs empathetically to be of service; once we realize that "engagement in national politics" in any of its many remedial (and even sophisticated) forms inhibits that pursuit—either by exacerbating tribalism, as you so eloquently explained, or by simply taking brain time away from doing liTerAllyANthinGelSe—we suddenly, in the parlance of the 12-steps, become more useful to God and to others.
"Ultimately, if politics doesn't foster me cooking a cozy dinner with my girlfriend and occasional camping in Yosemite, then all its laws, legalism, and litigation are pointless." I don't know man, you might want to Google their records on the national parks.
More specifically, I think conservation has also been a conservative focus (same word, even). You may have a great passion for it. But you don’t need to be gerrymandering a bunch of other related issues you have no opinion on via a machine of politics that only wants your attention and outrage.
I've identified as a Milton Friedman-style libertarian for my entire life, if such a label exists. Corruption has always been—and likely will always be—a persistent problem in politics. While I agree with much of what you've written, my main concern lies with what might happen if our country were to fully embrace socialism or communism. Relying on the argument that we have too many checks and balances, or that our state-run legislatures would prevent such a shift, strikes me as naive. Once corruption reaches a certain point—along with the increased use of force or the desperation that drives people to drastic actions—assuming the longevity of our republic seems, at best, an optimistic view.
Let's also be honest about where we are currently. This country is already more socialist than capitalist.
This is a hard question. To roll in the mud or stay out? I've decided to just keep reminding people we are neighbors, that we all are responding to the turmoil of the age in our own half-blinded and flailing ways. To keep striving for the Grace for others that I want extended to me. It's also the Fox vs. Hedgehog thing. If you see everything as a Hedgehog, you want a total, systemic answer to everything. Reality is usually too messy for such a blunt instrument- you need to be more like the perspective-seeking Fox.
You hit the nail on the head with so much. I love the description of our two party systems as creating “Frankensteins.” That’s so on point. Realizing I am doing a lot more to change the world for the better in my day to day life than in how I vote has been game changing and I’m a lot happier tuning out the constant media barrage.
💯 sir. 🫡
Yes, this.
I have long ago unplugged from serious engagement in national politics for all the reasons you mentioned and more. Per your point, my withdrawal has been balanced by an almost involuntary engagement in the most local issues of peace and justice I can identify. The redeemed and upgraded human soul longs empathetically to be of service; once we realize that "engagement in national politics" in any of its many remedial (and even sophisticated) forms inhibits that pursuit—either by exacerbating tribalism, as you so eloquently explained, or by simply taking brain time away from doing liTerAllyANthinGelSe—we suddenly, in the parlance of the 12-steps, become more useful to God and to others.
"Ultimately, if politics doesn't foster me cooking a cozy dinner with my girlfriend and occasional camping in Yosemite, then all its laws, legalism, and litigation are pointless." I don't know man, you might want to Google their records on the national parks.
You might indeed
Not at the expense of your soul though, haha. But I couldn’t help myself with that specific example
More specifically, I think conservation has also been a conservative focus (same word, even). You may have a great passion for it. But you don’t need to be gerrymandering a bunch of other related issues you have no opinion on via a machine of politics that only wants your attention and outrage.
Well, if that’s what you’re into then go for it. But I wouldn’t let doomsayers guilt me into paying attention to what they think is important
I've identified as a Milton Friedman-style libertarian for my entire life, if such a label exists. Corruption has always been—and likely will always be—a persistent problem in politics. While I agree with much of what you've written, my main concern lies with what might happen if our country were to fully embrace socialism or communism. Relying on the argument that we have too many checks and balances, or that our state-run legislatures would prevent such a shift, strikes me as naive. Once corruption reaches a certain point—along with the increased use of force or the desperation that drives people to drastic actions—assuming the longevity of our republic seems, at best, an optimistic view.
Let's also be honest about where we are currently. This country is already more socialist than capitalist.