Blaming is Not Evidence

Sincere apologies for the absence. Like many, the entire political season and sensationalized transition was a bit overwhelming, so I took a break from public commentary. Now that the business of politics has resumed, it seems necessary that I do the same.

I will not express disappointment over recent events (pre-TARP, TARP-I, “stimulus packages, etc.) because every system must have fluctuations and reversals to remain vital. And other (more traditional) beliefs that I hold dear require support and encouragement for discernment and wisdom in our nation’s leadership. And I believe that adherence to those principles supersedes my political views. Yet in the tradition of this bolg’s mission, there are items I must address.

Stories are being told that are shaping the opinions of a society that (if you’re brave enough to admit it) has been largely disinterested in the political process. Incredible commentaries are being thrust before the American people with the intent of distracting the uniformed (on both sides) from any exposure to the truths of their opponents. Just because I am to the right of center, I will not attack liberals or pass on conservatives, especially on my point for this installment: blaming is not evidence.

Blaming Is Not Evidence

The opportunities (the pessimistic call them “challenges”) that are before us have many origins. The conservatives advance the opinion that spending is the sole cause of our economic woes. Now, there is evidence that spending has contributed to the demise of our economic system, but it’s not the only variable. A compassionate nation must have a measure of spending for services that assist those in need. However, blaming the entirety of our woes on spending only deflects attention from the concept (evidence) of hoarding. When any class amasses the bulk of any resource—money, entitlements, knowledge, etc.—the imbalance that follows can cause extreme discomfort to the entire system.

Conservatives take an easy position when they say that the “have nots” are simply afforded too many luxuries without the work and effort that others have to expend to acquire them. But then, they are quick to want people who look good to be on staff, and speak with fluency and intellect. Those things require programs for some to jump-start success. Spending must occur (within sustainable parameters) to provide an avenue for the underserved to move to a position of independence. Without that vehicle that the assertive will use to thrive, there will be fewer future earners to contribute to the overall victory over failed social experiments.

Now, I’ll try and tone down my comments on liberal blame. It always amazes me how we seem to vilify things that help promote civilization. Tradition, values, family, etc., are all ridiculed by the left, but their most recent blame is focused on rewards for success. They say that tax cuts don’t help anyone but the rich, but overlook the fact that the rich support the very systems that they seek to promote. Unless you simply print more and more and more and more money, there is only one way to pay for things: taxation. And there is only one “class” that can be taxed: earners.

When we vilify the very people who provide the revenues for the programs that promote compassion and aid, we discourage success. If I know that I will be taxed at higher and higher rates as I succeed, I will (at some point) cease to want to progress. I should think that a few incentives for those who earn—and contribute—much more than the average Joe would help to perpetuate the system of entitlements we’ve adopted in the U.S. By saying that tax cuts “haven’t worked over the past eight years” we are distracted from the fact that spending more than we bring in cannot be sustained.

Only when our politicians, our media and our populace vilify “blame” and accept accountability will we be able to move toward the utopian existence that both sides seem to hope for. We expend such vast amounts of energy, time, and finance to discredit anyone but ourselves, and this practice has an unsavory foundation that too few accept accountability for. This pettiness is a vain attempt to convince ourselves that we really are “pretty good,” but in the end, everyone (including ourselves) suffers. We can relate any number of facts, and still be dead wrong.