Ideological Divide #1
There is a massive and likely insurmountable ideological divide in America with Conservatives and Liberals holding views, beliefs, and goals that are fundamentally and diametrically opposed to each other.
Expressions of this ideological divide between Conservatives and Liberals span almost every facet of American culture, society and politics.
Political Corruption, Venality, and Stupidity
One major ideological divide in America is how to respond to rampant corruption, venality, and gross stupidity that is repeatedly displayed by the politicians in our nation’s government.
Conservatives
Conservatives are aware of the sad fact that politicians are almost always corrupt, venal, and/or stupid and that they’re, by the nature of our election systems, bought and paid for through campaign financing by various interests. Knowing this, Conservatives often seek to limit the breadth and scope of the government’s powers.
Liberals
Liberals are aware of the sad fact that politicians are almost always corrupt, venal, and/or stupid and that they’re, by the nature of our election systems, bought and paid for through campaign financing by various interests. Knowing this, Liberals consistently seek to increase the breadth and scope of the government’s powers.
These are fundamentally different approaches to dealing within a long running problem in American politics that both sides of the divide agree exists and is endemic.
Tags: America | Conservatives | Liberals | Politics | Society
April 9th, 2011 at 6:04 am
If you look worldwide the countries perceived to have little corruption these are in northwestern Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand and also Chile. Comparing these on the index of State of World Liberty Index it seems the least corrupt nations tend to have strong governments and high taxes (Sweden, Finland, Denmark) and countries with lower taxes have slighty more perceived corruption (USA, UK, Chile).
Only New Zealand seem able to keep low taxes and low corruption. Seem we could learn a thing or two from the Kiwis.
April 9th, 2011 at 7:10 am
I take those studies and reports about corruption with a healthy dose of salt, being untrusting of the bodies conducting them, Paradigm.
That being said, corruption and size and scope of the government seem to go hand in hand so yes, we could all definitely learn a thing or two from the Kiwis who’ve managed to keep their government small, effective, and relatively corruption free.
Of course when the NZ Prime Ministers often hold separate, private industry jobs it’s a good sign. It shows that politics doesn’t pay in NZ. 🙂
April 10th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
True dat when it comes to how politicians that need the job,money and trappings there will be corruption. Even in America I think you’d see something along the NZ lines on the state level when you look at the legislatures that are not in session year round.
April 11th, 2011 at 5:08 am
Yes, though the problem of corruption stems from more that just what the politicians are paid; it also arises from what they can do, i.e., the size and scope of the government in question.
Small governments are normally less corrupt, not due to their politicians being more honest but due to them having less opportunity for corruption.