The Fundamental Difference

July 3rd, 2006 by Vihar Sheth
Posted in Feature, Politics, Society

Awareness: For a long time I wondered what made a progressive person fundamentally different from a conservative one, and not too long ago I found the answer. In any situation, regarding any issue, the great divide is a matter of selfishness, no matter how you slice it. While Democratic and liberal are words often used to categorize progressive people and ideas I avoid using them because to me “progressive” implies an inherent level of intelligence and awareness not always found in people labeled Democratic or liberal. Granted, I’d take a liberal over a conservative any day of the week and twice on Sundays but there are many smart, conservative ideas and an equal number of stupid, liberal ideas. With that said, the smart, conservative ideas may be well thought out but the ultimate goal always reeks of selfishness. The world isn’t perfect and if you’re reading this, most people on the planet have it worse than you in almost any imaginable way. Take for example:

Taxes - Most people who are well off and pay taxes at a (relatively) high rate had an advantageous upbringing. There’s no debating this fact. There’s also no debate that most people who earn high incomes do so legally, no matter the loopholes and inefficiencies inherent in our economic system. And in doing so, they want to keep as much of their income as possible for themselves. “It’s mine!” they say. So what? So what is that most people with this attitude ignore that they were given nearly every advantage to succeed in a capitalist society. Socioeconomic segregation, propagated dramatically through sprawl and gentrification, reinforces this ignorance. No one is asking for the more fortunate to give back their advantage and level the playing field. All the more selfless are asking for is for those who have to give a little to those who have not.

Civil Rights - This topic is always a hot one. The first disagreement usually arises regarding whether we live in a Christian society or one inspired, in part, by Christian ideals (which, by the way, are the same ideals of any religion or sound moral code after you strip away the fantasy). The slope gets slippery quickly. Which version of Christianity are we talking about? Some are more liberal than others and some are more interested in protecting “institution” than saving souls. Do the values of Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, secular humanists and other minorities carry any weight. The selfishness of religion is inherent to each version’s survival but it is that selfishness that causes infiltration of another’s space. Guns directly affect others and gays do not, funny how the mention of god helps people sell it the other way.

Those are just two very broad topics analyzed with very loose arguments. Poke all the holes in them you’d like. But, if you take the principles I’ve mentioned and apply them to any issue you’ll find my conclusion to be true. I’m not making a judgment rather merely an observation. The sky is (not always) blue and the grass is (not always) green but most of the time they are; progressives are (not always) selfless and conservatives are (not always) selfish but most of the time they are.

Action: Sacrifice. Make a meaningful contribution to something or someone completely different than you. Step outside of your box and take a chance. Murder your ignorance by giving to or just recognizing an idea that goes beyond what you believe. It’s the only way to reinforce your beliefs. And if you find along the way something doesn’t jive you may have discovered a new truth, or that you’ve been misled. Don’t fear changing your step. You’ll have only yourself to blame if you keep dancing to that old, worn-out song.

green | rising