This is my favorite internet site, and I have learned more from it than I can ever hope to give back. I actually care about this site, and the direction it is headed, and that is why I am writing now.
Over the last few months, I have become more and more disturbed with the extremist tilt we seem to be taking, and with the fact that several of the moderators seem to be among the most extreme. For what it’s worth, I’m probably in the 95th percentile of the population in terms of promoting individual rights and limiting governmental powers, but it seems like the last 5 percent, or even 1 percent, is trying to take charge.
I’ve spent some time on internet sites where, if you suggest there may be two sides to an issue, you’re branded a traitor. I don’t go to those sites anymore, because there’s no point. Everyone is an enthusiastic critic of everything that is wrong with this country, and all their buddies applaud their criticism, but rarely can anyone suggest a practical alternative that might actually work better.
I’m starting to see this site headed in that direction, and it bothers me a lot. It’s the kind of closed-minded and ultimately self-defeating mindset that drives me nuts. For example, “I just won’t vote because they’re all against us,†or “I’ll never vote republican because in 1992 such-and-such happened,†or “if you don’t vote Libertarian you’re selling out,†or “I’d never vote for any administration that would enact the Patriot Act.†Those aren’t direct quotes, but they’re illustrative. And a bunch of that sentiment is coming from various moderators.
Here’s the problem. It’s really easy to bitch about all the things that are wrong with this country, but those who complain the most never seem able to suggest any realistic alternatives. Don’t misunderstand, I’m not exactly thrilled with everything that’s going on, but I can understand why it’s happening and I’m not able to suggest any better alternatives. We live in a complex world, and just because we don’t like something doesn’t mean it isn’t the right choice under the circumstances.
I just don’t understand this new “Blame America First†mentality that seems to be showing up here.
I’d put my “flame shield†on now, but I don’t have one. All I ask is that in the future, when you read a post bitching about what we’re doing wrong, ask yourself if the writer bothers to suggest any realistic alternatives.
Over the last few months, I have become more and more disturbed with the extremist tilt we seem to be taking, and with the fact that several of the moderators seem to be among the most extreme. For what it’s worth, I’m probably in the 95th percentile of the population in terms of promoting individual rights and limiting governmental powers, but it seems like the last 5 percent, or even 1 percent, is trying to take charge.
I’ve spent some time on internet sites where, if you suggest there may be two sides to an issue, you’re branded a traitor. I don’t go to those sites anymore, because there’s no point. Everyone is an enthusiastic critic of everything that is wrong with this country, and all their buddies applaud their criticism, but rarely can anyone suggest a practical alternative that might actually work better.
I’m starting to see this site headed in that direction, and it bothers me a lot. It’s the kind of closed-minded and ultimately self-defeating mindset that drives me nuts. For example, “I just won’t vote because they’re all against us,†or “I’ll never vote republican because in 1992 such-and-such happened,†or “if you don’t vote Libertarian you’re selling out,†or “I’d never vote for any administration that would enact the Patriot Act.†Those aren’t direct quotes, but they’re illustrative. And a bunch of that sentiment is coming from various moderators.
Here’s the problem. It’s really easy to bitch about all the things that are wrong with this country, but those who complain the most never seem able to suggest any realistic alternatives. Don’t misunderstand, I’m not exactly thrilled with everything that’s going on, but I can understand why it’s happening and I’m not able to suggest any better alternatives. We live in a complex world, and just because we don’t like something doesn’t mean it isn’t the right choice under the circumstances.
I just don’t understand this new “Blame America First†mentality that seems to be showing up here.
I’d put my “flame shield†on now, but I don’t have one. All I ask is that in the future, when you read a post bitching about what we’re doing wrong, ask yourself if the writer bothers to suggest any realistic alternatives.
, is definitely acting irresponsibly. I will not vote for them. They may believe that I am safer with them watching and regulating everything I do. But the road to tyranny is paved with good intentions.
