"Messianic Certainty"
“If being a liberal means being open-minded, respectful of others and their beliefs and willing to admit that others may have a better solution to a problem, then I am a liberal and proud to be one.”- former conservative Republican, Orlo Burch
At one time, American politicians held open debates about ideas. To suggest that a candidate running for office was on their way to hell, because they supported a woman's right to choose was unheard of.
Disagreements were vigorous, but no one claimed to have the whole truth, and they didn’t demonize their opponents, but tried to work on what was best for America. Those that claim scripture provides all the answers have already made up their mind, which makes evidence irrelevant and argument a waste of time. Consequently, they govern by assertion and attack.
The problem with a righteous approach, which Senator Barack Obama refers to as “messianic certainty” is, that it discourages reason and end up with bad results, in a reality-based world. In his book, “The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream”, Senator Obama describes an episode of messianic certainty, which he witnessed. He wrote: “The President’s eyes became fixed; his voice took on the agitated, rapid tone of someone neither accustomed to nor welcoming interruption; his easy affability was replaced by an almost messianic certainty.”
This approach to problems has characterized how many Republicans have operated over the last six years. Historically, Americans are not ideological, because better outcomes are achieved when we operate on the basis of common sense and pragmatism. Our country faces a looming deficit, the war in Iraq, and global warming. Until the recent election results, Republicans have refused to consider the opinions of Democrats. Perhaps, we can now find common ground.
Bush’s narrow approach doesn’t include taking advice or considering dissenting views, which might make for better proposals. This is something that those that have been in power for too long tend to fall victim to. The reason Republicans did poorly in the midterm election is that their complete the mission ideology and insisting on victory doesn’t work.
“Victory matters not to the dead, nor to the living who mourn.” - Norman Greenfeld
At one time, American politicians held open debates about ideas. To suggest that a candidate running for office was on their way to hell, because they supported a woman's right to choose was unheard of.
Disagreements were vigorous, but no one claimed to have the whole truth, and they didn’t demonize their opponents, but tried to work on what was best for America. Those that claim scripture provides all the answers have already made up their mind, which makes evidence irrelevant and argument a waste of time. Consequently, they govern by assertion and attack.
The problem with a righteous approach, which Senator Barack Obama refers to as “messianic certainty” is, that it discourages reason and end up with bad results, in a reality-based world. In his book, “The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream”, Senator Obama describes an episode of messianic certainty, which he witnessed. He wrote: “The President’s eyes became fixed; his voice took on the agitated, rapid tone of someone neither accustomed to nor welcoming interruption; his easy affability was replaced by an almost messianic certainty.”
This approach to problems has characterized how many Republicans have operated over the last six years. Historically, Americans are not ideological, because better outcomes are achieved when we operate on the basis of common sense and pragmatism. Our country faces a looming deficit, the war in Iraq, and global warming. Until the recent election results, Republicans have refused to consider the opinions of Democrats. Perhaps, we can now find common ground.
Bush’s narrow approach doesn’t include taking advice or considering dissenting views, which might make for better proposals. This is something that those that have been in power for too long tend to fall victim to. The reason Republicans did poorly in the midterm election is that their complete the mission ideology and insisting on victory doesn’t work.
“Victory matters not to the dead, nor to the living who mourn.” - Norman Greenfeld
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