Justus For All

The Belmont Club recounts some troubling developments concerning free speech around the world, and some indicators that this may spread here.

One of the problems I think we are facing is an over-focus on politics as being an all or nothing game.  In some places, that is certainly true.  If your side loses an election, your very life is at stake.  That is the worry that has propelled a lot of the insurgency in Iraq.

I don’t believe that is the case here, or even close to it.  Yet so much rhetoric, from both the left and the right, supports the notion that it is.  Bush is Hitler and liberals are one step from being marched into concentration camps.  The Democrats will, if the win congress in 2006, outlaw conservative blogging, outlaw conservative radio, and sieze power for all time.

I have heard both of these arguements, and both are, in my opinion entirely silly.

What isn’t silly is the result of believing these arguments.  When faced with an all or nothing situation, it is reasonable, and perhaps even necessary, to employ any means possible to get one’s way.  Eventually, belief in this type of arguement may in fact result in it coming true.

There are plenty of things I disagree with liberals on.  If they win in 2006, or even sweep the next 10 elections resulting in more power for Democrats than they have ever had, my world won’t end.  I think that many of the policies they would enact won’t be the best for the country, but they are certainly not going to destroy it.  I trust the vast majority of Democrats to be vigilant in protecting my rights, and as long as that is true, we are not playing an all or nothing game.  We can afford, and even profit from, dissent.

Along those lines, I want to thank my commentors, especially those who disagree with me.  For the most part I think we have productive, civil discussions.  I appreciate that.