PROMETHEAN ANTAGONIST

Sorry, this is basically a "gripe" piece. I realize that I've said these things many times before, but each time I try, I just can't seem to find the right words to convey how much the following attribute of leftist politics and personality just plain pisses me off. Almost more than the philosophy itself, the way it's consistently conveyed is beyond pathetic. Leftists would probably be more convincing and effective if they'd just drop the arrogance thing. A leftist revealing their hatred for humanity in general and certain classes of people in particular just can't be concealed by bogus claims of concern for "people."

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We who believe in individual freedom often receive the sneer -- the body language and smug look of disbelief that one would dare hold an opinion or world view that differs from the stale socialist template that dictates much opinion in the world today.

During encounters with those who favor the socialist world view, I'm always amazed how someone can insult my country (the United States) and my personal views with fervor and gross distortion but, somehow, I'm not allowed to dare challenge their unfounded appraisals and accusations. If I state my case at all – a response of shock and horror. If I state my case or defend my position well, I've noticed that the anger and disgust seems to build exponentially from this side of political philosophy that tolerates no opposition. In such exchanges, the scornful look I describe is akin to the look I remember getting in primary school when I used a swear word in front of some prissy little twerp (sorry, it was usually a girl, though in older years, men on the left seem to have oddly adopted the same manner – 'must be that "metro-sexual" thing). "You're not nice, you used a bad word! / You're an evil fascist, you don't agree with the socialist vision!"

What thoroughly amazes me about this phenomena is that when I'm typically stating my case, the view I speak for is so not mean-spirited, bad, or in any way morally wrong. I simply argue my points with supporting facts defending libertarian principals and, like clockwork,...the leftist sneer -- the haughty "my shit don't stink" look that symbolically accuses you of every crime in the universe while they look down from their lofty realm of absolute righteousness. Remember, they're "open-minded, tolerant of diversity, and [they] understand other points of view " (with a typical bias for the "views"of dictators and authoritarian philosophies). In reality, excepting their little niche on the political spectrum, they're not open-minded or tolerant of diverse views, and they definitely seem to be incapable of seeing the value of civilized democratic society as being something worth defending.

Add to this a more recent development; many "moderates" or less interested types have now developed a similar perspective and manner. The left's talking points are now so mainstream that such "moderates" often talk like any 60's style faux rebel – thoroughly committed to nothing but absolutely opposed to anything decent or sound. Is it any wonder that now, merely calling for reduced state authority in peoples' personal lives is so often described as "right wing extremism" – tax reductions "is Hitler."

To acknowledge that there is good and evil in the world, or even gradients of evil is to elicit the left's face of scorn. Behind all their sophistication and posing of being above it all – "beyond good and evil" – lies an all too transparent sympathy for evil, if for no other reason than feigned rebellion against a pampered "materialist" upbringing.

I have yet to fully understand why a simple belief in the goodness of representative government and a defense of individual freedom in its confrontation with the perennial totalitarian mindset should be looked upon with such disdain.

Racist, fascists, communists, and genocidal maniacs can be found throughout the pages of history and dwell with us today in increasing strength, but nothing gets some people worked up more than someone merely taking a stand for limited constitutional government with a high degree of personal autonomy. To hold such "truths as self-evident" is anathema to the cause of post-modern relativism and socialist collectivism so dear to the hearts of resentful control freaks and rebel posers the world over. And, they'll let you know with a genuine mean-spiritedness, lack of dignity and tolerance, and of course...a sneer.

I still don't quite get why any sane person would become so insulting for another's perceived crime of merely defending the values of personal freedom.

Amazing.