bleechers's Blog

Some Things Never Change, Or Do They?

Someone recently told a friend of mine concerning a certain issue that it was useless talking with me because my mind was already made up. He went on to add that it was better if I was avoided on the subject. I found that curious since these were my friends and we agree on many things. It was even more puzzling knowing my personal history.

This post is dripping with narcissism. I openly admit that... but, hey, that's why blogs were created in the first place, right?


POLITICS

I was born into a politically active family. My parents worked for local and national candidates. My father ran for office on two occasions. I wore political buttons to school and worked to gain support for candidates in our mock elections at school. I was a die-hard Democrat! The thought of an "R" next to my name made we quiver.

In the eighth grade I was required to write an essay on my "hero." I eventually chose FDR (Larry Bowa was not accepted by the teacher). I wrote glowingly about his leadership in WWII and his handling of the Depression economy. Like most essays from Junior High it was high on hyperbole and low on analytical content.

While in college two of my history professors were openly Marxist. One sang the glories of the Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua while the other spent his time cataloging US "atrocities" in Vietnam. One good thing came out of it, we really studied Marx.

Through an objective study of history (as objective as one can get) and with a fresh look at the real outcomes of political policy (free from the rhetoric) I moved away from the politics of my youth.


RELIGION

Similarly, I have been through a number of "religious systems."

I was devout. I served as a religious education teacher and lay apologist for my sect. Skipping ahead to save time, someone later remarked "You're the last person I'd expect to leave the church." I not only left that church, I trudged through numerous "systems" serving as a preacher and a teacher. Along the way I kept and solidified some beliefs and discarded others.

Engaging in debates revealed my weaknesses, the frailty of certain positions and the power of truth.

Today, my theology is my own. I speak for no one but for myself. I claim no sect and I posit no creed. Through a personal study of the evidence available to me and with the acceptance that I am limited in this flesh, I moved quite a ways from the religion of my youth.


ECONOMICS

This story is essentially parallel with my political journey. I studied business and economics under men and women who ranged from Keynesian to Socialist. It was those classes that introduced me to the "working parts" of economics. Combined with a personal study of the facts and patterns of history, my economic views moved away from the "utopian" visions of my youth.

Economic realities are not ruled by emotions, wishes, promises or dreams. There are historical patterns that can be studied. The emotion that moved me in my youth in regard to FDR melted away in view of the facts.


Just the Facts Ma'am

I certainly can be swayed. I have been swayed. I've been moved great philosophical distances in my life. What I believe today is built on much sturdier ground than the idealistic foundation I used to play on. Even in the areas in which I haven't moved much since my youth, my reasoning in holding to those positions is planted on firmer, less emotional ground.

Probably the best class I took in university was Philosophy. I was taught to use logic. I studied the flaws in my own reasoning. I do not claim to understand everything, I do not claim to have all the answers... but if I am going to be swayed, it will have to by facts and by reason.

I love a good exchange. I have no interest in bomb throwing, hyperbole or theory devoid of a sound grounding in reason and history. Sure, you might read this blog and conclude that I've been duped by this or that. You might think that I'm simply a product of my surroundings. Fair enough. I realize that our personal experiences jade our judgments, but as best as I can, I try to see past that.

One thing that I believe in is devoid of any historical or reasonable thinking... I believe in the Phillies! Sometimes it's best to ignore history and logic!

If you haven't read my entry on being the son of a local political writer (of a completely different political persuasion) I'd encourage you to do so. In civil dialog we can learn from each other... so long as we let facts rule over emotions.