So what are the big issues on Capitol Hill these days? The federal budget, right? I mean, the situation's so ridiculously urgent that we really do need to have a decision made.
Of course, the newest thing that Congress is wasting it's time on - the Muslim threat. Get this, an actual debate is going on about the threat posed by Muslims in America who live near each other, build communities separate from others, and believe in the role of Islam in law. Please note that (as least as far as I know) there has been no push to make Islamic law part of American law by the Muslims in question. To quote Mike Royko, "This may not be the stupidest thing I've ever heard, but it's close."
Why don't we take this point by point?
1. There have been a lot of stories about disaffected Muslim-American youths trying to commit acts of terror against the U.S. in the media lately. The sad fact is that disaffected youths will always find some method of lashing out. Religious fundamentalism has become a popular bandwagon for some of these morons. But they's still be morons without it. And they'd do something similar without the religious trappings.
2. Ethnic groups tend to gather together. Several cities have areas called "Chinatown". There are parts of Chicago where you rarely see a car on Saturdays and most of the men are wearing black clothing, hats, and sidecurls. (for those of you who don't know, these are indications of Orthodox Jewry).
3. It is a fallacy that religious communities and religious laws do not influence the American legal and justice system today. For starters, the American legal system is based on Old English law and Judeo-Christian principles. Also, does anyone really believe that the Catholic bishops have no power in certain Boston or New York precincts and Congressional districts? What about local judges who get elected because of patronage by local religious leaders? Why should Muslims be any different?
4. This brings me to possibly the most important point. Are these beliefs hurting anyone? As I said, there is no evidence of efforts to push Islamic law into the secular arena in any official sense. Given that, we as Americans are not supposed to care. One of the greatest strengths of this country, at least in my opinion, is the freedom it allows for anyone to believe whatever they want as long as it doesn't interfere with anyone else's freedom to do the same. I fail to see how most American Muslims are doing anything to interfere with anybody else's freedom of religion.
Now all of the above points are fairly obvious. So why is Congress wasting its time on debating this fear-mongering garbage? Well, it's similar to the reasons for the success of the fear-mongering efforts of Senator Joe McCarthy (remember him?) in the 1950s or Hitler in Germany in the 1930s. Things aren't going as well as the people in power would like. Who's to blame? THEM! Who's them? COMMUNISTS. JEWS. MUSLIMS. They're too blame. Not us! Not you! Not fate!
Sigh...
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Political Philosophy and current events
In recent days I have been hearing a lot about how the American government cannot seem to get anything done. The folks on Capitol Hill are stalling about the federal budget (five months into the current fiscal year) and certain state lawmakers are fleeing their homes in order to prevent their legislature from being able to have the quorum necessary to pass certain bills. Yes, I am being deliberately vague. Whatever I may feel about the issues, this is about the process.
The American government is not an efficient. Thank God. An efficient government is not one that allows the voices of the people to be heard. Also, history shows us that, when a small number of people have a disproportionate amount of power, corruption and decline always follows. Perhaps not right away, but soon enough.
One of the reasons I admire the founders of our country is that they had the wisdom to realize this. They designed a system of for our federal government that delegates as little power as possible to the executive branch. We have since managed to strip away some of these protections, but our head of state is still hamstrung in many ways.
I am frustrated with much of the recent politicking going on. It seems like no one wants to sit down and compromise. Yet I can't help but feel proud. Even though the lawmakers are fleeing their homes, they are only doing it to make a political point. No one is going to arrest them and drag them back to vote.
The independence and freedoms we hold so dear mean that we will have to deal with this sort of nonsense. So would we rather fight the hard battles and clear the air about our issues or have a bunch of old wise people telling us to do what they say because they know best?
The American government is not an efficient. Thank God. An efficient government is not one that allows the voices of the people to be heard. Also, history shows us that, when a small number of people have a disproportionate amount of power, corruption and decline always follows. Perhaps not right away, but soon enough.
One of the reasons I admire the founders of our country is that they had the wisdom to realize this. They designed a system of for our federal government that delegates as little power as possible to the executive branch. We have since managed to strip away some of these protections, but our head of state is still hamstrung in many ways.
I am frustrated with much of the recent politicking going on. It seems like no one wants to sit down and compromise. Yet I can't help but feel proud. Even though the lawmakers are fleeing their homes, they are only doing it to make a political point. No one is going to arrest them and drag them back to vote.
The independence and freedoms we hold so dear mean that we will have to deal with this sort of nonsense. So would we rather fight the hard battles and clear the air about our issues or have a bunch of old wise people telling us to do what they say because they know best?
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