Tim Wise on the Presidential Candidates

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by CrackerBarrel

See nittany, I think that's kind of what I'm saying. The perspective seems to be that Americans fall for the hot button issues that the Republican party makes a big deal of (which they do) and end up voting against their own self-interest. I have no problem admitting that the Republican party plays up social issues that don't really matter in an election just to get votes, because they aren't issues I care about either. I vote for the Republicans because I don't think government programs are the solution to every problem (I think they are the best solution for very few actually), but Democrats always seem to be venting the "Why can't you see that we want to help you? You're voting against what would be best for you!"feelings which has at its heart the implication that voters don't know what's best for them.

And like I said, the charge may have some truth that voters get suckered, but it's not what they want to hear and comes across as "We told you so, why don't you listen!" which isn't exactly endearing.

I actually do see what you're saying here. And I'm sure you can see why that's so frustrating for so many on the left. LOL. (kind of, really more of a sad, little lol )

[PhiGam]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

I actually do see what you're saying here. And I'm sure you can see why that's so frustrating for so many on the left. LOL. (kind of, really more of a sad, little lol )

I can definitely agree with both of those statements. Personally I am pro choice and pro gay marriage but its not important enough to me to sacrifice my belief in small government. Pro lifers are just a lot more passionate about their cause IMO.

[PANTHERTEKE]

Originally Posted by PhiGam

I can definitely agree with both of those statements. Personally I am pro choice and pro gay marriage but its not important enough to me to sacrifice my belief in small government. Pro lifers are just a lot more passionate about their cause IMO.

Wow, that's pretty liberal of you lol

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

God no kidding, co-co-co-sign.

To the first responders (all white conservatives, be noted), did you see who the article is written by? Do you know who Tim Wise is? Why did you even click in if you weren't prepared to read exactly what you did?

I personally thought it was a well-written piece (again, knowing the author and his context going into it), and think it may be thought-provoking for a number of people. Obviously, not the first-responder-group, I doubt there is much that will penetrate your rigid wall o'beliefs, and I'm quite sure you're not the audience he was writing for.

Thanks for posting it, preciousjeni.

I know who Tim Wise is - I remember first hearing about him with his anti-apartheid groups, and the whole thing down at Tulane. And, to be fair, my "wall o'beliefs" can be broken down, so to speak, by interesting and thought-provoking discussion.

I understand that white privilege exists, and that I have been a beneficiary of it (whether directly or indirectly). I just don't think Wise expressed himself all that well, and I think the piece could have been written a lot better (especially because he has written and spoken so extensively on the topic).

[nittanyalum]

^^^For the record, I thought you responded later, you weren't in the grouping of 3 I was thinking of as the "first responders".

And we'll just have to disagree about it being written well, I think that is just a perspective thing. I also don't know if it was posted where it was found; it may have been written with a specific audience/reader in mind, not as a "fact" piece to influence those who don't already agree with him.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

^^^For the record, I thought you responded later, you weren't in the grouping of 3 I was thinking of as the "first responders".

And we'll just have to disagree about it being written well, I think that is just a perspective thing. I also don't know if it was posted where it was found; it may have been written with a specific audience/reader in mind, not as a "fact" piece to influence those who don't already agree with him.

That's ok - I am in fact a white conservative male...haha...

I've read other things he's written, and he struck me as a good writer. You're correct, though - this may have been an on-the-fly posting, it may have been for a certain audience, etc., and without context, I should hold off on commenting on the quality of the writing.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by PhiGam

Personally I am pro choice and pro gay marriage but its not important enough to me to sacrifice my belief in small government.

Originally Posted by PANTHERTEKE

Wow, that's pretty liberal of you lol

Actually, it's a pretty classic libertarian position.

[CrackerBarrel]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Actually, it's a pretty classic libertarian position.

Yeah, it's my position too. As ideas gay marriage and reproductive choice don't bother me, just they aren't the issues my political choices are based on, that would be small government with its hands for the most part out of business and lower taxes.