Joe Bageant on what's wrong with health care, Democrats, and the left in general.

[Speck Tater]

Shoot the fat guys, hang the smokers

(This is a long letter, with an even longer reply, but this reader has several excellent points, including the politicization of smoking and over-eating. -- Joe Bageant.)

http://www.joebageant.com/joe/2009/11/-shoot-the-fat-guys.html

...snip...

There are a million ways to be smug and the American left holds the copyright on three quarters of them. Down inside most lefties feel superior to the majority of Americans for the simple reason that they are indeed superior. Morally superior (at least in the justice sense), intellectually and politically superior too, if you exclude every member of the Democratic Party. However, the American left is void of compassion, the thing that is at the very heart of the true left the world round.

...snip...

After the ceding of issues and principles to ideology, the only exposure to politics the people got was to ideological warfare. And the only way they got to vote was based on ideology. The left was entirely sucked into this game. Now it's the only game in town and will remain so. You cannot backtrack on pure meanness once it is unleashed, because if you quit playing the game, soften up and exhibit compassion, the opposition eats you alive next election. Calls you the kumbaya crowd and mocks you mercilessly through its extensive network of media puppets, a la Beck, Limbaugh. The crowd loves mockery. Meanwhile the nation continues to rot under a soulless ideological sun. Perishing for want of a drink from compassion's cup.

...

A little long, but well worth reading. I think Joe really put his finger on a big problem with politics in general, and health care reform in particular.

[blindpig]

1. k&r n/t

[rubberducky]

2. Absolute MUST read!! Thanks for posting!

[Luminous Animal]

3. I hope more people read this...

For the common people, ideological adherence can only be demonstrated by zeal. And in their zeal, which is really unarticulated frustration at their powerlessness, the people start to cannibalize one another according to the social themes and agendas issued to them by institutions and corporations through the state sanctioned media. What themes are not about conformity are about denormalization of individuals and behaviors. First the smokers (in a country established as a tobacco colony), then the fat guys (in a nation whose government force feeds its people corn syrup through corn subsidies). To see smoking, physical attractiveness and other human attributes and frailties politicized is chilling. To see the left (which apparently does not own a single mirror between them) so whole-heartedly taking part in such cannibalism bodes even grimmer. Among other things, it means that the worst people among us have managed to turn the left once again against their brothers and sisters on this earth, against the very people who most need what liberalism and the left has to offer humanity. Things like justice, genuine equality, environmental healing, freedom from hating and being hated -- all of us bound together by our commonalities as human beings. By acknowledging our equal weaknesses, we become equally strong.

[Cerridwen]

6. I was just going to post that exact paragraph.

Glad I read through the thread first.

:hi:

[FreeStateDemocrat]

4. Forget the Democratic Party line and the rest of the spin-bullshit when you read this guy.

[juno jones]

5. K&R! great article. n/t

[Cerridwen]

7. Another kick to go with the rec. n/t

[democrank]

8. Yes indeed...

This part, on predatory society.....So damned mean we no longer even notice its inherent cruelty.

[emilyg]

9. k/r

[redqueen]

10. ...

:kick:

[Luminous Animal]

11. Afternoon/Evening Kick!

[redqueen]

12. Later that week kick...

:kick:

[Luminous Animal]

13. Ha!

This should be pinned at the top of the page and referenced on every "fat" or "smoking" post.

[redqueen]

14. And on every "moderates are fools" and "purists are idiots" post as well.

We seem to be dividing ourselves up and talking past each other an awful lot lately.

[Luminous Animal]

15. Good point.

[Throd]

16. Not sure I agree with all of that, but it is a very thought provoking exchange.