Human Dignity and Happiness: The Moral Argument for the Right

[Hoosier4Liberty]

I can't stand it when liberals try to claim the moral high ground in the debates, and the conservatives are left without a response based on morality. It's so blatantly obvious based on GDP and economic growth data that free enterprise works. Free markets and limited government beat bureaucracy and central planning every day of the week. GDP growth from decades and decades confirms this beyond the tiniest shadow of a doubt. But liberals always talk about how free enterprise is "unfair" and "hurts the little man". We need our own moral argument, and it's pretty simple.

We as conservatives/libertarians believe that people need more than just relief provided by welfare(or the "compassion", as liberals call it). They need empowerment. Liberals always focus on relief, but the real measure of economic success is how many people become self-sufficient, self-reliant individuals. Studies show that people are happier when they feel they've earned their own success. Barack Obama can't give you happiness and fulfill your hopes and dreams. Only the individual can. That's what the right is all about. We're the party of free markets, individual initiative, and capitalism. Our policies ensure that every person has the opportunity to pursue their own happiness and achieve their own hopes and dreams. We need to go to every ghetto in America and preach our message. I believe that most people who are trapped in welfare don't sincerely want to be there for the rest of their lives. We need to focus on providing the opportunity to get out of welfare. Let's win one for free enterprise and opportunity, not bigger government.

 

[Hoosier4Liberty]

I think the problem is that the left views humans as people with material needs that need to be met(subsidized birth control, food, housing, etc.) The right believes that humans need more than that. They need a sense of purpose and empowerment, something that no government can give you. We want to create the conditions for success, so all Americans can achieve their own pursuits and desires.

 

[JakeStarkey]

Libertarianism and far right reactionary politics do not empower the people.

The rise of the great 20th century middle class began with TR, HT, and WW and drove forward with FDR, HT, and JFK and RMN.

The partial dismantling of the great policies of social market democracy under RR, WJC, and GWB are obvious in the fall of the great middle class of the last 30 years.

 

[occupied]

What orifice are you going to pull good paying jobs for everyone from?

 

[tyroneweaver]

Libertarianism and far right reactionary politics do not empower the people.

The rise of the great 20th century middle class began with TR, HT, and WW and drove forward with FDR, HT, and JFK and RMN.


And I'm LDS that got sent to the DMZ courtesy of LBJ from SLC.

 

[occupied]

It's also important to note that conservatives would sooner cut off their testicles than protect a single American job against being outsourced or an American worker from being unfairly exploited by their employers, there is more to dignity than a lousy paycheck, no labor rights and a government that always sides with management no matter how shitty they are.

 

[Bombur]

I can't stand it when liberals try to claim the moral high ground in the debates, and the conservatives are left without a response based on morality. It's so blatantly obvious based on GDP and economic growth data that free enterprise works. Free markets and limited government beat bureaucracy and central planning every day of the week. GDP growth from decades and decades confirms this beyond the tiniest shadow of a doubt. But liberals always talk about how free enterprise is "unfair" and "hurts the little man". We need our own moral argument, and it's pretty simple.

We as conservatives/libertarians believe that people need more than just relief provided by welfare(or the "compassion", as liberals call it). They need empowerment. Liberals always focus on relief, but the real measure of economic success is how many people become self-sufficient, self-reliant individuals. Studies show that people are happier when they feel they've earned their own success. Barack Obama can't give you happiness and fulfill your hopes and dreams. Only the individual can. That's what the right is all about. We're the party of free markets, individual initiative, and capitalism. Our policies ensure that every person has the opportunity to pursue their own happiness and achieve their own hopes and dreams. We need to go to every ghetto in America and preach our message. I believe that most people who are trapped in welfare don't sincerely want to be there for the rest of their lives. We need to focus on providing the opportunity to get out of welfare. Let's win one for free enterprise and opportunity, not bigger government.

I think both parties have good intent for the most part but you overstate the case when you start talking about results. The market is not that kind and when entire communities are left without work when the market no longer has a need for them it is hard to sell them on the idea of individualism.

My major problem with many people who push for "free markets" is that they really don't want to talk about markets when things go bad. They instead want to talk about individualism. If you want "free markets" then you have to be a lot more honest about their nature.

 

[Mac1958]

I can't stand it when liberals try to claim the moral high ground in the debates, and the conservatives are left without a response based on morality. It's so blatantly obvious based on GDP and economic growth data that free enterprise works. Free markets and limited government beat bureaucracy and central planning every day of the week. GDP growth from decades and decades confirms this beyond the tiniest shadow of a doubt. But liberals always talk about how free enterprise is "unfair" and "hurts the little man". We need our own moral argument, and it's pretty simple.

We as conservatives/libertarians believe that people need more than just relief provided by welfare(or the "compassion", as liberals call it). They need empowerment. Liberals always focus on relief, but the real measure of economic success is how many people become self-sufficient, self-reliant individuals. Studies show that people are happier when they feel they've earned their own success. Barack Obama can't give you happiness and fulfill your hopes and dreams. Only the individual can. That's what the right is all about. We're the party of free markets, individual initiative, and capitalism. Our policies ensure that every person has the opportunity to pursue their own happiness and achieve their own hopes and dreams. We need to go to every ghetto in America and preach our message. I believe that most people who are trapped in welfare don't sincerely want to be there for the rest of their lives. We need to focus on providing the opportunity to get out of welfare. Let's win one for free enterprise and opportunity, not bigger government.

The problem is that the GOP has been, and continues to be, absolutely terrible at delivering this message.

First, it seems to be absolutely unwilling (unable?) to challenge people to be more independent. It appears to now be afraid the Left will do what it does best - swoop in and call you greedy meanies - and now doesn't really seem to HAVE a message. The closest thing the party has to a message right now is "we don't like Obama". Is that dynamic leadership?

Second, it is showing absolutely no interest in delivering this message to people it will need as demographics continue to change. I'm virulently against Identity Politics, but the least the party can do is practice what it preaches and speak to minorities with the same passion with which it speaks to whites. Until you get in their faces, why should they listen to you?

And third, the party is still polluted by too many people who play right into the Left's hands with blazingly stupid comments about minorities, women, health care and other issues. In other words, there are far too many Mark Levin wannabes running around, and the press is more than willing to give them all the rope they need to hang themselves and the party.

The GOP is still in disarray, and it appears to be getting worse, if that's possible.

.

 

[JakeStarkey]

Libertarianism and far right reactionary politics do not empower the people.

The rise of the great 20th century middle class began with TR, HT, and WW and drove forward with FDR, HT, and JFK and RMN.

And I'm LDS that got sent to the DMZ courtesy of LBJ from SLC.

Glad you came home.

And here is the rest of my post that you left out. We are not talking about alphabet soup. "The partial dismantling of the great policies of social market democracy under RR, WJC, and GWB are obvious in the fall of the great middle class of the last 30 years."

 

[ScreamingEagle]

It's also important to note that conservatives would sooner cut off their testicles than protect a single American job against being outsourced or an American worker from being unfairly exploited by their employers, there is more to dignity than a lousy paycheck, no labor rights and a government that always sides with management no matter how shitty they are.

wrong....you can say that about RINOS and Dimwits.....but not real conservatives.....

...free trade agreements were a long-standing policy of leftists, including Ted Kennedy, Bill Clinton (who led the push for America’s entry into NAFTA in 1993), and Barack Obama. Lighthizer also says that those considered to be America’s leading conservatives, including former Senator Jesse Helms (R-.N.C.), former Senator Robert Taft (R-Ohio), Alexander Hamilton (one of our nation’s Founding Fathers), and even former President Theodore Roosevelt, who wrote that “pernicious indulgence in the doctrine of free trade seems inevitably to produce fatty degeneration of the moral fiber.” In fact, the first vocal Republican in support of free trade was Dwight Eisenhower, who was vociferously opposed by conservatives, including supporters of Robert Taft and the then-nascent John Birch Society (Robert Welch‘s damning investigation, The Politician, discussed much of Eisenhower‘s leftist tendencies).

Real Conservatives Oppose NAFTA

and why is it the CONSERVATIVES are the only ones who want to block our borders from the hoards of incoming cheap illegal workers that take American jobs.....?

 

[JakeStarkey]

I can't stand it when liberals try to claim the moral high ground in the debates, and the conservatives are left without a response based on morality. It's so blatantly obvious based on GDP and economic growth data that free enterprise works. Free markets and limited government beat bureaucracy and central planning every day of the week. GDP growth from decades and decades confirms this beyond the tiniest shadow of a doubt. But liberals always talk about how free enterprise is "unfair" and "hurts the little man". We need our own moral argument, and it's pretty simple.

We as conservatives/libertarians believe that people need more than just relief provided by welfare(or the "compassion", as liberals call it). They need empowerment. Liberals always focus on relief, but the real measure of economic success is how many people become self-sufficient, self-reliant individuals. Studies show that people are happier when they feel they've earned their own success. Barack Obama can't give you happiness and fulfill your hopes and dreams. Only the individual can. That's what the right is all about. We're the party of free markets, individual initiative, and capitalism. Our policies ensure that every person has the opportunity to pursue their own happiness and achieve their own hopes and dreams. We need to go to every ghetto in America and preach our message. I believe that most people who are trapped in welfare don't sincerely want to be there for the rest of their lives. We need to focus on providing the opportunity to get out of welfare. Let's win one for free enterprise and opportunity, not bigger government.

The problem is that the GOP has been, and continues to be, absolutely terrible at delivering this message.

First, it seems to be absolutely unwilling (unable?) to challenge people to be more independent. It appears to now be afraid the Left will do what it does best - swoop in and call you greedy meanies - and now doesn't really seem to HAVE a message. The closest thing the party has to a message right now is "we don't like Obama". Is that dynamic leadership?

Second, it is showing absolutely no interest in delivering this message to people it will need as demographics continue to change. I'm virulently against Identity Politics, but the least the party can do is practice what it preaches and speak to minorities with the same passion with which it speaks to whites. Until you get in their faces, why should they listen to you?

And third, the party is still polluted by too many people who play right into the Left's hands with blazingly stupid comments about minorities, women, health care and other issues. In other words, there are far too many Mark Levin wannabes running around, and the press is more than willing to give them all the rope they need to hang themselves and the party.

The GOP is still in disarray, and it appears to be getting worse, if that's possible.

.

An excellent critique and suggestions for what the GOP must do to be relevant in today's changing political world.

 

[occupied]

I can't stand it when liberals try to claim the moral high ground in the debates, and the conservatives are left without a response based on morality. It's so blatantly obvious based on GDP and economic growth data that free enterprise works. Free markets and limited government beat bureaucracy and central planning every day of the week. GDP growth from decades and decades confirms this beyond the tiniest shadow of a doubt. But liberals always talk about how free enterprise is "unfair" and "hurts the little man". We need our own moral argument, and it's pretty simple.

We as conservatives/libertarians believe that people need more than just relief provided by welfare(or the "compassion", as liberals call it). They need empowerment. Liberals always focus on relief, but the real measure of economic success is how many people become self-sufficient, self-reliant individuals. Studies show that people are happier when they feel they've earned their own success. Barack Obama can't give you happiness and fulfill your hopes and dreams. Only the individual can. That's what the right is all about. We're the party of free markets, individual initiative, and capitalism. Our policies ensure that every person has the opportunity to pursue their own happiness and achieve their own hopes and dreams. We need to go to every ghetto in America and preach our message. I believe that most people who are trapped in welfare don't sincerely want to be there for the rest of their lives. We need to focus on providing the opportunity to get out of welfare. Let's win one for free enterprise and opportunity, not bigger government.

I think both parties have good intent for the most part but you overstate the case when you start talking about results. The market is not that kind and when entire communities are left without work when the market no longer has a need for them it is hard to sell them on the idea of individualism.

My major problem with many people who push for "free markets" is that they really don't want to talk about markets when things go bad. They instead want to talk about individualism. If you want "free markets" then you have to be a lot more honest about their nature.

Too many people have near religious faith in certain economic systems and philosophies that they do not see perverse human nature as playing a part in the grand scheme. The bottom line is that people will choose what's best in the short term whether it be out sourcing jobs to make the stock go up next quarter or staying on assistance because they get more than what working for peanuts will get. There is not nearly enough stability in the system to get people to look at 10 years down the road or even next month because god only knows what kind of new hell we will be enduring.

 

[LoneLaugher]

I can't stand it when liberals try to claim the moral high ground in the debates, and the conservatives are left without a response based on morality. It's so blatantly obvious based on GDP and economic growth data that free enterprise works. Free markets and limited government beat bureaucracy and central planning every day of the week. GDP growth from decades and decades confirms this beyond the tiniest shadow of a doubt. But liberals always talk about how free enterprise is "unfair" and "hurts the little man". We need our own moral argument, and it's pretty simple.

We as conservatives/libertarians believe that people need more than just relief provided by welfare(or the "compassion", as liberals call it). They need empowerment. Liberals always focus on relief, but the real measure of economic success is how many people become self-sufficient, self-reliant individuals. Studies show that people are happier when they feel they've earned their own success. Barack Obama can't give you happiness and fulfill your hopes and dreams. Only the individual can. That's what the right is all about. We're the party of free markets, individual initiative, and capitalism. Our policies ensure that every person has the opportunity to pursue their own happiness and achieve their own hopes and dreams. We need to go to every ghetto in America and preach our message. I believe that most people who are trapped in welfare don't sincerely want to be there for the rest of their lives. We need to focus on providing the opportunity to get out of welfare. Let's win one for free enterprise and opportunity, not bigger government.

The problem is that the GOP has been, and continues to be, absolutely terrible at delivering this message.

First, it seems to be absolutely unwilling (unable?) to challenge people to be more independent. It appears to now be afraid the Left will do what it does best - swoop in and call you greedy meanies - and now doesn't really seem to HAVE a message. The closest thing the party has to a message right now is "we don't like Obama". Is that dynamic leadership?

Second, it is showing absolutely no interest in delivering this message to people it will need as demographics continue to change. I'm virulently against Identity Politics, but the least the party can do is practice what it preaches and speak to minorities with the same passion with which it speaks to whites. Until you get in their faces, why should they listen to you?

And third, the party is still polluted by too many people who play right into the Left's hands with blazingly stupid comments about minorities, women, health care and other issues. In other words, there are far too many Mark Levin wannabes running around, and the press is more than willing to give them all the rope they need to hang themselves and the party.

The GOP is still in disarray, and it appears to be getting worse, if that's possible.

.

Oh yeah! It's just the messaging. It couldn't be that the rosy picture that our young "conservative" presents is just a little off. It is just messaging. The is nothing wrong with the approach that the GOP takes. Trickle down works and if we just get out if the way, private enterprise will magically empower all citizens.

But the messaging just sucks....so the plan never works.

Perfect.

 

[Iceweasel]

Liberals define compassion by how many they helped. Conservatives define compassion by how few need it.

 

[ScreamingEagle]

I can't stand it when liberals try to claim the moral high ground in the debates, and the conservatives are left without a response based on morality. It's so blatantly obvious based on GDP and economic growth data that free enterprise works. Free markets and limited government beat bureaucracy and central planning every day of the week. GDP growth from decades and decades confirms this beyond the tiniest shadow of a doubt. But liberals always talk about how free enterprise is "unfair" and "hurts the little man". We need our own moral argument, and it's pretty simple.

We as conservatives/libertarians believe that people need more than just relief provided by welfare(or the "compassion", as liberals call it). They need empowerment. Liberals always focus on relief, but the real measure of economic success is how many people become self-sufficient, self-reliant individuals. Studies show that people are happier when they feel they've earned their own success. Barack Obama can't give you happiness and fulfill your hopes and dreams. Only the individual can. That's what the right is all about. We're the party of free markets, individual initiative, and capitalism. Our policies ensure that every person has the opportunity to pursue their own happiness and achieve their own hopes and dreams. We need to go to every ghetto in America and preach our message. I believe that most people who are trapped in welfare don't sincerely want to be there for the rest of their lives. We need to focus on providing the opportunity to get out of welfare. Let's win one for free enterprise and opportunity, not bigger government.

The problem is that the GOP has been, and continues to be, absolutely terrible at delivering this message.

First, it seems to be absolutely unwilling (unable?) to challenge people to be more independent. It appears to now be afraid the Left will do what it does best - swoop in and call you greedy meanies - and now doesn't really seem to HAVE a message. The closest thing the party has to a message right now is "we don't like Obama". Is that dynamic leadership?

Second, it is showing absolutely no interest in delivering this message to people it will need as demographics continue to change. I'm virulently against Identity Politics, but the least the party can do is practice what it preaches and speak to minorities with the same passion with which it speaks to whites. Until you get in their faces, why should they listen to you?

And third, the party is still polluted by too many people who play right into the Left's hands with blazingly stupid comments about minorities, women, health care and other issues. In other words, there are far too many Mark Levin wannabes running around, and the press is more than willing to give them all the rope they need to hang themselves and the party.

The GOP is still in disarray, and it appears to be getting worse, if that's possible.

.

the GOP is in 'disarray' because the rino leadership is stupidly trying to lead things in a liberal direction....

 

[kaz]

Libertarianism and far right reactionary politics do not empower the people

As for libertarians, letting people make their own choices over their own lives isn't empowering them. LOL. You're a hoot. Government care from cradle to grave, now THAT's empowerment, eh Jakey?

As for reactionaries, they are under your bed, in your closet. They went through your underwear drawer. They are watching you Jake, very, very closely...

 

[occupied]

Libertarianism and far right reactionary politics do not empower the people

As for libertarians, letting people make their own choices over their own lives isn't empowering them. LOL. You're a hoot. Government care from cradle to grave, now THAT's empowerment, eh Jakey?

As for reactionaries, they are under your bed, in your closet. They went through your underwear drawer. They are watching you Jake, very, very closely...

He's right you know, no one feels empowered when all your options are just different flavors of poverty.

 

[kaz]

Libertarianism and far right reactionary politics do not empower the people

As for libertarians, letting people make their own choices over their own lives isn't empowering them. LOL. You're a hoot. Government care from cradle to grave, now THAT's empowerment, eh Jakey?

As for reactionaries, they are under your bed, in your closet. They went through your underwear drawer. They are watching you Jake, very, very closely...

He's right you know, no one feels empowered when all your options are just different flavors of poverty.

Yes, if government doesn't take care of us, then we'll all live in poverty. Your faith in humanity is endearing.

Interesting you think so little of people's ability to take care of themselves, yet it never occurred to you that government consists of ... people.

Never occurred to you, did it?

 

[Bombur]

It's also important to note that conservatives would sooner cut off their testicles than protect a single American job against being outsourced or an American worker from being unfairly exploited by their employers, there is more to dignity than a lousy paycheck, no labor rights and a government that always sides with management no matter how shitty they are.

wrong....you can say that about RINOS and Dimwits.....but not real conservatives.....

...free trade agreements were a long-standing policy of leftists, including Ted Kennedy, Bill Clinton (who led the push for America’s entry into NAFTA in 1993), and Barack Obama. Lighthizer also says that those considered to be America’s leading conservatives, including former Senator Jesse Helms (R-.N.C.), former Senator Robert Taft (R-Ohio), Alexander Hamilton (one of our nation’s Founding Fathers), and even former President Theodore Roosevelt, who wrote that “pernicious indulgence in the doctrine of free trade seems inevitably to produce fatty degeneration of the moral fiber.” In fact, the first vocal Republican in support of free trade was Dwight Eisenhower, who was vociferously opposed by conservatives, including supporters of Robert Taft and the then-nascent John Birch Society (Robert Welch‘s damning investigation, The Politician, discussed much of Eisenhower‘s leftist tendencies).

Real Conservatives Oppose NAFTA

and why is it the CONSERVATIVES are the only ones who want to block our borders from the hoards of incoming cheap illegal workers that take American jobs.....?

Trade is incredibly important for not only economic progress but also peace. The problem with "free trade" is not the degree in which trade is free but the degree in which it isn't.

Many people blame NAFTA but the imbalance with NAFTA is not that significant and considering Canada has a lot of oil it has worked out pretty well for the US.

What hasn't worked out as well is trade with China. We have seen a lot of benefits by trading with China but the cost of a trade imbalance builds up over time as the labor market is eroded. Not to mention the fact that the imbalance is maintained through debt which comes with it's own problems.

I honestly don't know too many people who care about trade that think our trade relationship with China can be considered "free trade."

 

[occupied]

As for libertarians, letting people make their own choices over their own lives isn't empowering them. LOL. You're a hoot. Government care from cradle to grave, now THAT's empowerment, eh Jakey?

As for reactionaries, they are under your bed, in your closet. They went through your underwear drawer. They are watching you Jake, very, very closely...

He's right you know, no one feels empowered when all your options are just different flavors of poverty.

Yes, if government doesn't take care of us, then we'll all live in poverty. Your faith in humanity is endearing.

Interesting you think so little of people's ability to take care of themselves, yet it never occurred to you that government consists of ... people.

Never occurred to you, did it?

In our case the government consists of people who care little for protecting the economy from periodic ruin and then wanting to just throw money at the problem rather than addressing the structural defects that make individuals quit trying because it is unrewarding and unreliable in the long run.