Objectivists for Obama?

[KendallJ]

Once again, a correct long-term view. But what about short-term self-defense? Is there no place for that?

So here's an interesting way to think about it. If long term philosophical change is actually what brings about different election results, then who or what actually does that in the short term. In other words, if you take a look back and say that the mainstream political ideas that have been around the last 4 years are why we're here, then mainstream political ideas are why we're here. What can be done short term? I think one should ask themselves if they or organizations like them are in a position to influence large numbers of voters. If the answer is no, (and I think it is for Objectivism and its like) then there's little to be done in the short term.

My personal opinion is that voting is lousy activism. Activism changes votes. If you weren't advocating anything to more than yourself or "the choir" in the last 4 years, then your bed's been made.

I realize that this will bring the "if everyone thought that way elections would never get won" sorts of comments. But those are really misdirected at people who aren't advocates (i.e. the passive non-voter). I prefer to think that the advocate says "well, if people acknowledge that ideas change the culture, and don't do anything to change them, only to show up at the last minute hoping their vote will do something, then elections will never get won."

[~Sophia~]

You got to watch this video.

Gov. Matt Blunt Statement on Obama Campaign’s Abusive Use of Missouri Law Enforcement

“What Senator Obama and his helpers are doing is scandalous beyond words, the party that claims to be the party of Thomas Jefferson is abusing the justice system and offices of public trust to silence political criticism with threats of prosecution and criminal punishment.

“This abuse of the law for intimidation insults the most sacred principles and ideals of Jefferson. I can think of nothing more offensive to Jefferson’s thinking than using the power of the state to deprive Americans of their civil rights. The only conceivable purpose of Messrs. McCulloch, Obama and the others is to frighten people away from expressing themselves, to chill free and open debate, to suppress support and donations to conservative organizations targeted by this anti-civil rights, to strangle criticism of Mr. Obama, to suppress ads about his support of higher taxes, and to choke out criticism on television, radio, the Internet, blogs, e-mail and daily conversation about the election.

“Barack Obama needs to grow up. Leftist blogs and others in the press constantly say false things about me and my family. Usually, we ignore false and scurrilous accusations because the purveyors have no credibility. When necessary, we refute them. Enlisting Missouri law enforcement to intimidate people and kill free debate is reminiscent of the Sedition Acts - not a free society.”

Edited October 30, 2008 by ~Sophia~

[Mammon]

Too bad the only thing the Republicans do is lie and smear. They drive you into a corner and blame you for lashing out.

Also, you shouldn't vote for Obama

Edited October 30, 2008 by Mammon

[KevinDW78]

Too bad the only thing the Republicans do is lie and smear.

I sincerely hope that you are not suggesting that Democrats don't lie and smear.

[KendallJ]

Too bad the only thing the Republicans do is lie and smear. They drive you into a corner and blame you for lashing out.

Last time I checked that "lashing out" still violates the 1st Ammendment. Sophia is right to be concerned. This is stunning.

[MetreonCascade]

Like the Christian leaders who supported the formation of the state of Israel, hoping it would speed the Armageddon/Rapture/Second Coming/End of Days (whatever), are Objectivists trying to "force" an "Atlas Shrugged" scenario?

That's one reason I voted for him. It's also why I've donated once or twice to the Westboro Baptist Church.

There's another thread about Obama supposedly being a mental midget. That he is not. He's very intelligent - people just forget that intelligence isn't a character trait. It's just an ability. You can apply it to immoral stances and actions even more easily than you can apply it to constructive ones.

What scared me in this election (besides the lack of a Republican candidate, but that's always the case) was the fact that everyone on the left treated socialism like some ghost story that was made up 20 minutes ago. Rather than directly attacking arguments that Obama's a socialist, they ignored them. They basically acted as if socialism itself is a myth.

Now they'll get a reminder. You can't cook the Metal without a crucible.

Edited November 7, 2008 by MetreonCascade