Defining Right Wing
Never one to not accept a challenge I have submitted an essay to http://www.newssnipet.blogspot.com/ adressing the following question and guidelines. For anyone interested I'm sure they would appreciate more submissions.
In regard to United States politics, define "right-wing" and name at least two prominent right wing politicians and what makes them "right wing"
You will be judged based on content more than presentation.
1. Essay must cite examples and not generalities.
2. Examples must be fact based and not internet rumor.
3. When stating opinion, it must be pointed out.
4. Your examples must logically back up your definition.
My response:
The dictionary indicates that “right wing” is defined by those who support political or social or economic conservatism; those who believe that things are better left unchanged. Who knew? I’ve obviously got to rethink my own directional affiliation. I didn’t support the war, the tax-cuts, NCLBA, the PATRIOT act, huge budget deficits, social security reform, lawsuit reform, increased poverty, lower employment and faith based initiatives. I liked it all the way it was. Richard Clarke was being listened to and the world was a happy place. By this definition I am “right wing”, but sometimes the dictionary just doesn’t keep up with societal change.
Under Bush the definition of “right wing” has morphed making its central focus evangelical Christian conservatives or, as I like to call them, the crazy people. These people are eager for strong leadership that will protect them from “evildoers” and “costume malfunctions”. One of their most outspoken leaders is Bob Jones III President of Bob Jones University. His letter to Bush after his reelection gives the world an insight into mind of a lunatic and helps us to understand why we now see such a strong affiliation between the right and religion. Not to offend all the religious zealots out there, but there isn’t any place for the influence of people like Jones in the government of a modern industrialized nation.
“Right wing” has also become synonymous with marginalization creating the deep divide Americans now suffer between red and blue. The cause of this division began with the decision to attack Iraq and was cemented by the religious based values war. To be “right wing” indicates a lack of willingness to self-reflect. Going beyond conviction, it assumes everything you believe to be true. Bush’s entire Administration has suffered from this. When Rumsfeld addresses the continuing insurgency in Iraq he considers it a slight flaw in a plan that is essentially sound. If Rumsfeld could admit that the entire plan was disastrous and a consequence of Wolfowitz’s false assumptions he could accept a new direction and possibly learn from their foreign policy mistakes. As it is now we will continue to pursue a foreign policy course that doesn’t work. When I’m wrong, I’m willing to admit it. When the “right wing” Administration is wrong they are right.
The single most important aspect of the definition of “right wing”, and the magnitude of an individuals “right wing” lean, is the degree they are removed from the realities of society. George Bush is at the far end of this scale. He has no notion of the harsh realities the impoverished face in his “ownership society”, nor does he have any understanding of why society needs to protect individuals that haven’t been given the opportunities to succeed or even survive. While selling social security, his comments to the single mother in Ohio who is working 3 jobs were astounding.
“Uniquely American isn't it, I mean three jobs? Fantastic.”
What ever happened to George W. Bush, the compassionate conservative? Maybe Bush just thinks this woman is working three jobs so she can save for a Ferrari. It is a common theme amongst members of this “right wing” administration that they are becoming increasingly distanced from mainstream society, since the majority of their constituents are equally isolated. They spend money on programs that have little benefit to the citizens and serve only to further personal ideologies. Rumsfeld’s missile defense program is a prime example.
The true definition of "right wing" is those who are fiscally frivolous, socially alienated, reality challenged evangelicals that prosper in maximum state of societal division.
In regard to United States politics, define "right-wing" and name at least two prominent right wing politicians and what makes them "right wing"
You will be judged based on content more than presentation.
1. Essay must cite examples and not generalities.
2. Examples must be fact based and not internet rumor.
3. When stating opinion, it must be pointed out.
4. Your examples must logically back up your definition.
My response:
The dictionary indicates that “right wing” is defined by those who support political or social or economic conservatism; those who believe that things are better left unchanged. Who knew? I’ve obviously got to rethink my own directional affiliation. I didn’t support the war, the tax-cuts, NCLBA, the PATRIOT act, huge budget deficits, social security reform, lawsuit reform, increased poverty, lower employment and faith based initiatives. I liked it all the way it was. Richard Clarke was being listened to and the world was a happy place. By this definition I am “right wing”, but sometimes the dictionary just doesn’t keep up with societal change.
Under Bush the definition of “right wing” has morphed making its central focus evangelical Christian conservatives or, as I like to call them, the crazy people. These people are eager for strong leadership that will protect them from “evildoers” and “costume malfunctions”. One of their most outspoken leaders is Bob Jones III President of Bob Jones University. His letter to Bush after his reelection gives the world an insight into mind of a lunatic and helps us to understand why we now see such a strong affiliation between the right and religion. Not to offend all the religious zealots out there, but there isn’t any place for the influence of people like Jones in the government of a modern industrialized nation.
“Right wing” has also become synonymous with marginalization creating the deep divide Americans now suffer between red and blue. The cause of this division began with the decision to attack Iraq and was cemented by the religious based values war. To be “right wing” indicates a lack of willingness to self-reflect. Going beyond conviction, it assumes everything you believe to be true. Bush’s entire Administration has suffered from this. When Rumsfeld addresses the continuing insurgency in Iraq he considers it a slight flaw in a plan that is essentially sound. If Rumsfeld could admit that the entire plan was disastrous and a consequence of Wolfowitz’s false assumptions he could accept a new direction and possibly learn from their foreign policy mistakes. As it is now we will continue to pursue a foreign policy course that doesn’t work. When I’m wrong, I’m willing to admit it. When the “right wing” Administration is wrong they are right.
The single most important aspect of the definition of “right wing”, and the magnitude of an individuals “right wing” lean, is the degree they are removed from the realities of society. George Bush is at the far end of this scale. He has no notion of the harsh realities the impoverished face in his “ownership society”, nor does he have any understanding of why society needs to protect individuals that haven’t been given the opportunities to succeed or even survive. While selling social security, his comments to the single mother in Ohio who is working 3 jobs were astounding.
“Uniquely American isn't it, I mean three jobs? Fantastic.”
What ever happened to George W. Bush, the compassionate conservative? Maybe Bush just thinks this woman is working three jobs so she can save for a Ferrari. It is a common theme amongst members of this “right wing” administration that they are becoming increasingly distanced from mainstream society, since the majority of their constituents are equally isolated. They spend money on programs that have little benefit to the citizens and serve only to further personal ideologies. Rumsfeld’s missile defense program is a prime example.
The true definition of "right wing" is those who are fiscally frivolous, socially alienated, reality challenged evangelicals that prosper in maximum state of societal division.
posted by mochi at 10:32 AM
1 Comments:
That's good; I'll have to contribute one too (after all, we want to make sure our 48% gets its representation!).
It's funny - conservatism was supposed to refer to fiscal restraint and less government. By those definitions, the Clinton presidency more conservative than Reagan, Bush I, or Bush II!
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