An observation based on the right's worship of Ronnie

[Az]

It is interesting to note how the right sees Reagan as having returned honor and pride to America. As it is only for those few that shared his myopic view of what America should be that believe this. And yet their praise seems to suggest that it returned pride to all Americans. Even those displaced or plunged deeper into poverty by his actions.

This split is present in the right's mind to this day. It is now exemplified by the "either you are with us or you are against us" attitude presented by Bush and the neocons.

As ever the split is along the lines of those who wish to cling to a sense of manifest destiny and moral authority against those that believe that we can do better and that it is going to take work and effort to make ours a truly fair society. Doubt vs Certainty. Doubt that we are the best we can be vs proclomations of certainty that we are god's chosen people and can do no wrong.

Its in the rhetoric if you listen. The right is insensed whenever any question of our veracity is brought forth. When pondering why so many around the world hate us they always turn the blame back on those opposed to us. There is this inherent belief that our ways should be foisted upon any that we come across and they should be greatful for it. They should greet us with flowers and dancing in the street. They are blind to the attachment others have for their own culture and believe that theirs should be gratefully accepted.

What Reagan seems to have brought forth from this radical right element is the courage to stand up to the liberal progressive movement and insist that their position is the right one. We liberals can only really progress as long as those we are working with wish to progress. When an element stands up and defiantly thwarts are efforts we have little recourse. When they will not examine thereselves we cannot move.

Ronald Reagan and those that created him gave the right their sticking point. The living show that was Reagan served to give the radical right courage to stand up to liberals. And our confusion at their resistance to our efforts gave them room to take advantage of the situation. They have flooded the media and taken over the message flowing into our homes. They have made great progress with our lapse of progress. It may not have started with Reagan but he certainly has become the symbol by which they forced their way into the political mainstream.

[mhr]

1. Very Good Observation. This Is Why Many On The Left Believe

that unless the right wants to progress (however that may be defined), their intransigence will eventually lead to some form of civil unrest.

Many will want to move forward and the right will continue to resist. In an odd way, it will be a repeat of the civil war.

[Beetwasher]

2. Recidivism

I wouldn't call the "gains" the right has made "progress". It is their objective to UNDO all the progress that has been made.

Excellent post per usual though AZ!